Built award‑winning SaaS companies and now invests through his family office. Understand how to scale your business in the lead up to an exit and the long‑horizon investor psychology.

Architect of a 21‑step succession process used by 700+ owners. He’ll show how to avoid the top mistakes that sink deals.

Dr. Craig West is a leading expert in business succession and exit planning.
Founder of Succession Plus, he has helped hundreds of business owners maximise value and plan successful exits.

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Entrepreneurial lawyer with multiple exits. Translating legal risk into commercial advantage.

Serial exit strategist who sold multiple companies above market multiples. Get checklists to make your business sale‑ready..

PE operator with 25 years’ experience. Discover how to build “exit‑ready” operations.

Former EY M&A partner with 13 years’ specialist. Unpack complex carve‑outs, divestments and IPOs.

Australia’s most active EtA investor with 5 acquisitions, 2 exits and 12 search‑fund investments. Master selling to operator‑CEOs.

 Managing partner of a fund with 40+ exits and a 23 % realised IRR. Learn what premium buyers pay for and how to position for an IPO or trade sale.

Amit is Senior Manager, Listings at the ASX, leading domestic and international listings across all sectors. With 20+ years of experience in Australia, New Zealand and globally, he also works closely with VC, growth, and private equity funds.

He’s an Explorer at Airtree Ventures, a mentor at the Founder Institute, and actively supports early-stage tech companies. Amit holds an Engineering Degree, an MBA from the University of Auckland, and has studied strategy at Harvard Business School.

Former banker who’s assessed 1 500+ businesses and exited companies with IRRs of 117 % and 29 %. Hear what operator‑investors really look for.

Hein is a Director at Corporate Development Partners, supporting mid-market companies with in-house corporate finance solutions for growth, M&A, and IPOs. He was CEO & CIO of ASX-listed Touch Ventures and a former MD at Investec Bank, where he launched the Emerging Companies division. Hein also held roles at Macquarie Capital and Allens Linklaters. He holds degrees in Law and Commerce, is a GAICD member, and a qualified solicitor in Australia and South Africa.

​Carly advises founders on capital raises, international expansion, and strategic exits. With two decades of legal and commercial experience, she’s led 50+ cross-border launches and M&A integrations globally. Formerly at Amazon as Head of Expansion and GC-equivalent for Audible and Wondery, and a former Magic Circle M&A lawyer, Carly now partners with scale-up leaders and investors. She’s a strong advocate for women founders, offering sharp business judgment and practical legal advice to help clients scale confidently and attract investors.

Lisa is a former M&A lawyer with over 25 years of experience advising on billion-dollar public company takeovers and small business sales. She has worked with top-tier firms and acted for high-profile clients like SEEK, Carsales, and Nufarm. Now self-employed, Lisa is focused on understanding the personal journey of founders navigating exits, from IPOs to sales. She aims to help founders thrive through these life-changing transactions, offering not just legal expertise, but emotional support throughout the process. Lisa is also an executive coach, passionate about improving the M&A experience for business owners.

Manages a A$700–750 m later‑stage fund. Learn how crossover investors approach pre‑IPO and private deals.

Luke Allshorn is the Head of Business Development for Australia and South East Asia at TMX Group, where he promotes the Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange to companies and investors in the region. With over 20 years of experience in Aussie equity markets and investor relations, Luke has a proven track record in building long-term relationships with C-suite executives and IROs. He is passionate about connecting companies to the opportunities of North American capital markets. Luke holds a Commerce degree and certifications in investor relations and governance.

With over 45 years’ experience as a founder and CEO across sales, marketing, publishing, consumer finance, and education in Australia, South Africa, and the UK, Howard brings deep expertise in assessing business strengths, risks, and leadership strategies. He has served on boards in Australia, South Africa, the UK, and Canada, and is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s OPM Program and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. A regular guest on Sky Business and Ausbiz, Howard is also a founding director of Teaminvest, Teaminvest Private, and Conscious Capital.

Built the virtual data‑room platform that powered 25 000+ M&A deals. He’ll reveal due‑diligence hacks and AI tools to make your business buyer‑ready. And sold his own business to Datasite for $206M

Spotting an opportunity, I pioneered corporatised investor relations consulting in Australia, while also breaking a near-monopoly in shareholder data, establishing Market Eye and growing it over 15 years into the largest investor relations consultancy and second largest shareholder data business in the country. Having successfully sold the business to Automic Group in August 2022, I was appointed as 1 of 2 Executive Directors on the Board of Automic Group. 

After 28 years of working 6-7 day weeks, I retired from Automic Group in February 2024 to pursue non-executive and investment opportunities.

Rob Neely is a highly accomplished entrepreneur and innovator, recognized globally for his groundbreaking work in the fintech sector. As the founder and CEO of Securely Group, he has led the development of cutting-edge payment solutions and identity verification technologies. In 2024, Rob was named a finalist for several prestigious awards, including Innovator of the Year at the US Fintech Awards, Entrepreneur of the Year by ARN Channel, and Fintech Innovation Business Leader of the Year (APAC) by CEO Magazine. He has taken several companies global, including one with a NASDAQ exit.

Strategic, passionate, and results driven, Daniel has advised, financed and transacted well over $1 billion in real estate development over the last 15 years. 

Daniel is a respected figure within Australia's real estate development industry with Newground twice appearing in BRW’s Fast Starters list. Prior to starting Newground in 2009, Daniel held an executive M&A role within an ASX listed entity within the medical industry. 

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Transforming businesses through strategic vision and operational excellence.
After founding Shorty's Liquor in 2001, I built and scaled it into Australia's #1 corporate beverage supplier, which lead to a strategic partnership with Endeavour Group (Woolworths) and ultimate exit in 2024. I now lead Short Inc. Investments, acquiring and growing quality businesses with long-term potential.

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Phoebe Teo is an accomplished business leader with a dynamic career that spans both entrepreneurship and corporate roles. As the founder of a successful SME and with significant experience at major corporations like Huawei, Phoebe has developed strong expertise in business development and strategy. Currently, as a key executive at Tao Capital, she plays a pivotal role in cross-border transactions, specializing in markets such as China, Southeast Asia, and the USA.

Sheilah Hogan Casey, an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year winner, has 20+ years’ experience building and leading companies across the US, UK, and Australia. After co-founding a multinational talent agency in New York and exiting successfully, she launched BX Collective in 2018. Today, she helps businesses grow and run smoother as a Certified EOS Implementer, Advisor, and Coach.

Giles has over 20 years’ senior management experience in equities and debt funds with leading banks, wealth managers, and boutique firms. He is the founder and CEO of Rocking Horse Finance, providing R&D financing in Australia and the UK to support company growth. Giles holds an MBA from UTS, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment (FINSIA), and a BA in Political Science from ANU.