The Innovation & Collaboration Centre is hosting an informative lunchtime event with industry experts, who'll delve into the different funding and investment options available for you. You'll hear the hard truths about financing a startup while receiving practical business advice. Importantly, you'll learn how to best prepare and position your startup take advantage of financial opportunities. If you've ever felt like your startup was surviving on scraps, then this is for you!

Join us for this informational session, where you'll be able to ask questions of our panel.

Meet your panel:

Kirsten Bernhardt is a venture capital investor with Artesian, an early stage VC Fund which manages the South Australian Venture Capital Fund. Kirsten has a passion for high-growth technology startups, and is a strong advocate for supporting women in technology and finance. Prior to joining Artesian, Kirsten spent time in San Francisco, working as an operator in strategic finance for a venture backed SaaS company. She also worked in technology banking, advising a portfolio of software, ecommerce, and online gaming clients on debt transactions up to $2 billion. Before moving to the US, Kirsten worked in technology commercialisation for the University of Adelaide, and Corporate Finance with Big 4 firms KPMG and EY. Kirsten holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Adelaide, and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand, and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Josh Garratt is a Commercialisation Facilitator for AusIndustry’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme, providing support, guidance and funding options to companies looking to accelerate the commercialisation of highly innovative products, processes or services. In 2018, he co-founded investment group Southern Angels, and has grown membership to more than 40 investors. This financial year, members have invested $2.1 million into nine startups.

Matthew Stead is co-founder and CEO of Ping Services and Resonate Consultants and brings over 25 years of experience to the organisations and their clients. Globally he has founded and grown numerous companies, new offices and joint ventures. Matthew has a bachelor’s degree in Engineering (first class honours) and a master’s degree in Engineering Science (Acoustics). Since graduating from the Venture Catalyst Space program in 2018, Ping Services has gone on to raise $3.5 million in investment and grants, manufacture more than 1000 systems and secure multiple renewal energy contracts with key industry players.