SXSW Sydney has unveiled the first 40 speakers for its highly anticipated 2025 conference, offering a glimpse of the influential minds set to converge on the Harbour City from October 13–19.
Now in its third year, the Asia Pacific edition of the iconic Austin-born event continues to attract global visionaries across tech, business, creativity, innovation and beyond. Among the early headliners are GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan, Silicon Valley Robotics MD Andra Keay, “Girls That Invest” founder Simran Kaur, and Brendan Dowling, Australia’s Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology.
These headline speakers signal the event’s deep dive into the world’s most urgent conversations—AI and the future of work, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, climate resilience, creative industry disruption, and inclusive leadership.
Cadogan will share how GoFundMe is leveraging AI and data from over $30 billion in campaigns to break down the barriers to asking for help, while “Girls That Invest”’s Kaur will empower audiences to rethink women’s financial futures. Robotics leader Keay returns to SXSW Sydney to forecast where automation is heading, and Dowling will explore the increasingly complex intersections of global tech policy and digital security.
SXSW Sydney’s Head of Conference, Fenella Kernebone, said this first announcement is just the beginning. “You’ll experience dynamic keynotes, powerhouse panels, and practical workshops designed to deliver the tools you need to lead change and drive innovation,” Kernebone said. “This first release of speakers is just the start—we’ve got hundreds more still to come.”
Other confirmed speakers span every corner of the innovation landscape, including Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki, Mamamia Out Loud’s Mia Freedman, Jessie Stephens and Holly Wainwright, Science Vs host Wendy Zukerman, WNBL CEO Jennie Sager, and international Emmy-winner Neil Sharma.
Notably, Silvija Martincevic, CEO of Deputy, will demonstrate how AI-driven tools are transforming workforce productivity, and Tiffany Rolfe, global creative chief at R/GA, will break down how to blend storytelling and tech to drive brand growth.
Delivered in partnership with the NSW Government via Destination NSW, the 2025 SXSW Sydney conference is expected to deliver:
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400+ conference sessions
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150+ professional development sessions
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300+ music performances
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95 film screenings
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150 games showcases
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400+ brand activations and more
Session proposals are currently open for public voting until April 11, allowing the public to vote on what they want to see at the conference: everything from “TEG in Focus: Festivals, Touring & the Evolution of Live Events,” “The Mood Revolution: How AI Is Making Work Suck Less,” and, “You Don’t Spend Enough Time on Social Media,” to “Walking in Two Worlds: First Nations Enterprise as a Pathway to Reconciliation” and “PITCHING HOLLYWOOD: Breaking Into the US Market as an Aussie Writer.”
With early bird passes now available at the most affordable prices to date, SXSW Sydney 2025 is on track to be the most accessible and expansive iteration yet—an essential stop for anyone working at the cutting edge of culture, tech and creativity.
Speakers announced today:
- Ethical Technologist Andi Mastrosavas, CEO of Pladia, a trailblazer reshaping digital responsibility
- Visionary Robotics Leader Andra Keay, Managing Director of Silicon Valley Robotics
- Consciousness Explorer Dr. Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston, Neuroscientist & Author of “The Future Loves You“
- Public Policy Architect Aruna Sathanapally, CEO at Grattan Institute
- Groundbreaking Cultural Commentator Benjamin Law, Journalist, Screenwriter and Broadcaster
- Global Digital Policy Shaper Brendan Dowling, Australian Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology
- Space Nutrition Expert Flávia Fayet-Moore, Founder and CEO of FOODiQ Global, revolutionising astronaut diets
- Game-Changing Sports Executive Jennie Sager, CEO of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL)
- World Surf League Commissioner, Jessi Miley Dyer and former Pro Surfer, shaping the future of the sport
- Quantum Physics Luminary Prof Jim Rabeau, CEO of DeteQt, transforming sensing technologies
- Leading Audio Content Strategist Josh Lindgren, Head of Podcasts at CAA, influencing the future of podcasting
- Advocate for Creative Innovation, Julie Eckersley, Award-winning Producer and Screen Executive
- Iconic Science Communicator Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki, Julius Sumner Miller Fellow at University of Sydney
- Elite Cyber Security Strategist Katherine Mansted, Executive Director of Cyber Intelligence at CyberCX
- Global Authority on Ethical Leadership Kirstin Ferguson AM, Author, Columnist, and Leadership Expert
- Change Maker Kyah Bell, Co-Founder of the Black Excellence Fund
- Champion of Evidence-Based Journalism Lisa Watts, CEO of The Conversation
- Barrier-Breaking Technology Leader Luli Adeyemo, Executive Director of TechDiversity
- Defining Voices in Women’s Media Mia Freedman, Jessie Stephens and Holly Wainwright of Mamamia Out Loud
- Compelling Political Analyst Matt Bevan, Host and Writer of ABC’s If You’re Listening podcast
- International Emmy-Award Winner Neil Sharma, Writer and Director of captivating visual narratives
- AI Educator Nicholas Renotte, Head of AI Developer Advocacy at IBM, democratising advanced technology
- Creative Potential Unleasher Nicole Velik, Founder of The Ideas Bodega
- Cutting-Edge AI Transformation Strategist Noelle Russell, AI Executive highlighting the way forward
- Fearless Defender of Press Freedom Peter Greste, Professor of Journalism at UQ, former Foreign Correspondent
- Award-Winning Actor Remy Hii, featured in Netflix’s ARCANE, WELLMANIA and Crazy Rich Asians
- Trailblazing Indigenous Aerospace Leader Renee Wootton, Director, New Market Development at Lanzajet
- Tourism Redefiner René de Monchy, Chief Executive of Tourism New Zealand
- Media Futurist Ricky Sutton, Host of Future Media Podcast, predicting industry transformations
- Boundary-Pushing Performer Shuang Hu, Actor and Creator bridging eastern and western artistic traditions
- Modern Workplace Global Executive, Silvija Martincevic, CEO of Deputy
- Financial Empowerment Icon Simran Kaur, Founder of Girls That Invest, revolutionising women’s wealth creation
- Sustainable Food Production Innovator Stela Willemstein, Director of JBS
- Digital Brand Innovation Definer Tiffany Rolfe, Chair & Global Chief Creative Officer at R/GA
- Global Giving Tech Leader Tim Cadogan, CEO of GoFundMe, transforming how communities mobilise support
- LGBTQ+ Business Inclusion Pioneer Todd Sears, US Founder & CEO of Out Leadership, driving corporate change
- Creative APAC Powerhouse Valerie Madon, Chief Creative Officer, McCann Worldgroup Asia Pacific
- Science Sleuth Wendy Zukerman, Host and Executive Producer of Science Vs
SXSW Sydney 2025
More information available here
October 13th-19th
Sydney, NSW, Australia