_SOUTHSTART reveals its first speaker lineup, with Netflix cofounder Marc Randolph heading to Adelaide

Annual startup and tech festival _SOUTHSTART, has revealed the first lineup for the annual event, this year with the theme Odyssey, in Adelaide, March 7-10.

_SOUTHSTART Directors Craig Swann and Danielle Seymour have curated their sixth program together, saying it’s their most diverse list of speakers to date for the four-day event. 

“The calibre of speakers we have joining us this year is like no other and we are really excited to welcome their wisdom and knowledge across our program of events,”  Seymour said.

Swann adds: “We have faces new and old joining us this year to provide a mix of inspiration, innovation and imagination to every person that attends the festival.” 

The pair said the presenters range from social justice champions to leading investors, global industry experts and more as part of multi-day experience, supported by the South Australian Government.

You can read more about the initial speaker lineup here.and more on the program here.

They’re hoping to create paths for new business connections and will also offer a stage for the voices that are innovating and creating change today, for a better tomorrow. 

Netflix cofounder and inaugural CEO Marc Randolph is travelling from the US to _SOUTHSTART // ODYSSEY as one of the keynote speakers. He will open the festival at CAMP(US); a full day experience hosted at the Garden of Unearthly Delights.

As well as creating a cultural phenomenon in Netflix, Randolph is the founder of more than half a dozen successful startups, a mentor to early stage entrepreneurs, and an investor in numerous successful tech ventures.

Swann and Seymour have also partnered with Cicada Innovations ahead of the organisation hosting of the annual Tech 23 deep technology festival,  so _SOUTHSTART explores conversations on how technology can be leveraged for the betterment of our planet.  Cicada CEO Sally-Ann Williams, who is also chairing the federal government’s Pathway to Diversity in STEM review, will lead the conversation on how attendees can “Co-Design with Nature” at the festival’s VILLAGE event. 

The festival will also welcome back some previous favourites, such as globally-recognised project-based learning and youth entrepreneurship expert Nicole Dyson. She is teaming up with _SOUTHSTART for their START(UP) Academy Event, an interactive experience that will ignite minds, challenge perspectives and expose young people to the world of entrepreneurship. 

_SOUTHSTART sold out last year, and tickets are now on sale here.