Southstart Reflections from Adelaide

I (Patrick Green) headed over to Adelaide for Southstart, mainly repping Tekkon, but also to dive into something unique that happens when people from all over the country gather on neutral ground. Without the distractions of their home turf, everyone’s more present and more open. Whether it was reconnecting with Perth crew or chatting with new folks from across the startup scene, the conversations were the real highlight. The talks and panels were solid, but mostly filled the space between the good stuff like those breakout chats and serendipitous connections.

One standout session for me was Mike Scott from SMB Mastery. His presentation was a rapid-fire reminder of what we should all be doing to run our businesses better. Some of it was new, some just needed to be heard again, but it all landed. It was one of those moments where you think, “Right. Time to tighten things up.”

What really sets Southstart apart is the format. From city-based sessions at Lot Fourteen to rolling through the hills for winery chats under the trees, and then winding down with yoga and community conversations at the beach, it’s less conference and more experience. You come back not just inspired, but genuinely refreshed. I’ve returned to Perth with new friends, fresh energy, and plenty of great follow-ups to keep the momentum going.

To learn more about Southstart checkout their website.