Innovation Connect Summit
Photos: Relise Photography
Western Sydney Innovation Connect: Women x Industry, held at The Joan in Penrith as part of International Women’s Day 2026 celebrations. We partnered with Western Sydney Women to bring women founders and industry leaders together for the day.
On 3 March 2026, women founders and industry leaders came together at The Joan in Penrith for a full day of pitching, panels and honest conversation. We were proud to partner with Western Sydney Women on Western Sydney Innovation Connect: Women x Industry, sponsored by Investment NSW, looking at the challenges women founders face through the lenses of innovation, technology and sustainability.
Member for Penrith Karen McKeown OAM opened the day, and ESBWA Founder and CEO Amanda Rose hosted, setting a collaborative and forward-looking tone.
The Pitch Sprint
One of the highlights was the Pitch Sprint, delivered in partnership with UNSW Founders. In the lead-up, finalists worked through an intensive program to refine their ideas and sharpen their pitches. On the day, five women took the stage and presented to judges Priscilla Tan and Tiziana Porreca in front of a live audience.
Congratulations to our winner, Smriti Bangera of Chloris, which builds diagnostic infrastructure to help GPs close the diagnostic delay experienced by women with chronic conditions. And to our runner-up, Gita Rahardjo of Red Blood Comic, which creates child-friendly comics and visual resources that help children and families understand complex medical information.
Congratulations to our finalists, Augusta Chris-Umoren of AdecSafe, Lotus Zhong of Beacon247 and Katherine Twyford of Flood Prepared Australia, who each shared powerful ideas focused on helping people. A reminder of what's possible when we back women-owned businesses.
The panels
Three panels covered the conversations that matter for women founders. Tiziana Porreca led Procurement and Commercial Pathways with Amanda Rose and Julie Mikhail, on how women can collaborate to reach funding and commercial opportunities. Amanda Rose facilitated the Infrastructure and Construction Deep Dive with Sally-Ann Eather, Raquel Manning and Rebecca Embleton, on carving out space in industries that aren't always built with women in mind. And Kathryn Price facilitated the Innovation Deep Dive with Lauren Hitchen, Sarah Qian and Rachel Carey, on problem-solving, new ways of working and the role of storytelling in creating change.
Closing the day
The day wrapped up with networking, giveaways and new connections, brought to life by Sarah Cassim and networking sponsor Lauren Hitchen. To our sponsors, panellists, speakers, guests and the wider community, thank you for bringing the warmth, wisdom and laughter that made the day what it was.