According to Hunter iF, Hunter-based startups secured more than $60 million in cumulative capital during 2025, reflecting growing investor activity across the region’s advanced manufacturing and technology sectors. As founders prepare for the next NSW MVP Ventures round opening on 26 March, a Newcastle event will bring together founders, investors and industry leaders to discuss how early-stage funding connects to later investment.
The second instalment of the 2026 Innovators Lunch Series will take place at the I2N Building on Honeysuckle Drive, continuing a program examining different stages of the innovation pipeline. The session is designed to explore the progression from minimum viable product funding through to larger venture rounds, with a focus on practical insights for regional companies.
Fireside discussion on scaling capital
The event will open with a fireside conversation between Hunter iF CEO Zara Crichton and 3ME Technology CEO Justin Bain, examining the experience of raising $40 million in a complex international environment and the opportunities available for Hunter-based firms.
The discussion will unpack how government investment in defence and energy can support local technology companies by creating early market opportunities and reducing barriers for new entrants. The session will also consider the importance of building a global outlook from the outset for companies operating in specialised sectors.
Panel explores the “bridge” to investment
Following the fireside chat, a panel moderated by Siobhan Curran from I2N at the University of Newcastle will examine how founders transition from prototype stage to attracting private capital. Panel members include Jaegersoft Managing Director Vivek Jayachandran, Scalare Partners CEO Carolyn Breeze and Unify Ventures Managing Partner Alex Retzlaff.
The discussion will coincide with the upcoming MVP Ventures round, which provides funding support for regional technology development. Organisers describe grants as an entry point rather than an endpoint in the capital journey, with the session aimed at helping founders assess their readiness for investor engagement.
Event structure and participation
The lunch will run from midday to 2 pm and include networking opportunities alongside formal sessions. The program features audience question-and-answer segments after both the fireside discussion and panel, allowing participants to seek direct feedback from speakers.
The Innovators Lunch Series is planned as a ten-part program for 2026, with this session concentrating on funding pathways and investor expectations within the Hunter innovation ecosystem.
