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Entrepreneur Groups Melbourne

Join Melbourne's Entrepreneurs: Connect, Learn, Grow

Failure Stories: Lessons From What Didn’t Work

Failure Stories: Lessons From What Didn’t Work

Fri, Aug 7, 7:00 AM
From The Entrepreneur Club (Melbourne)
4.5

Entrepreneurship is full of failure. Most people just don’t talk about it. This event is about changing that. Instead of stage talks or presentations, we’ll break into **small groups of 6–8 people** and over some drinks share real stories of things that didn’t go to plan; bad ideas, failed launches, wrong turns, expensive lessons, and the moments where things felt like they were falling apart. *We're grateful to Udara Fernando for generously hosting us in his space. Udara is a Melbourne-based entrepreneur behind a portfolio of businesses — Tamed Marketing (a marketing agency), Tactik (a web design agency), and Locionne (a six-figure ecommerce brand). He's passionate about building a place where people can come together to collaborate and learn, which is exactly what makes his space such a fitting home for this. Check him out:* [https://www.linkedin.com/in/udara-fernando/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/udara-fernando/) **5:00pm Drop In for a Drink** **7:00pm Official Finish** *(We'll stay for a drink at Valhalla Bar if conversations are flowing)* Because failure is normal. And the faster we normalise it, the faster we learn. 💬 **How the night works** After a short introduction, we’ll split into small groups. Each person who wants to participate will have the opportunity to share a short story about a failure or setback they’ve experienced while building something. For example: • A business idea that completely flopped • A launch that went sideways • A decision that turned out to be wildly wrong • A moment where you realised something wasn’t working After each story, the group can ask questions, reflect, or share similar experiences. You don’t have to speak if you don’t want to. Listening is valuable too. 🤝 **Creating a safe space** For this event to work, we need to create a space where people feel comfortable being honest. That means: • No judgement • No interrupting **• No unsolicited advice unless someone asks for it** • What’s shared in the group stays in the group The goal isn’t to impress anyone. It’s to learn from each other’s experiences. 👀 **Who this is for** • Entrepreneurs and Doers • People thinking about starting something but not sure how • Builders who know the real journey isn’t a straight line If you’ve ever had something fail and learned from it, you’ll fit right in. Most successful entrepreneurs have a long list of things that didn’t work. Those stories are usually the most valuable ones to share.

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87 attendees
Networking Drinks for Builders & Doers

Networking Drinks for Builders & Doers

Fri, Aug 28, 8:30 AM
From The Entrepreneur Club (Melbourne)
4.5

**🍻 The Entrepreneur Club – Last Friday of the Month Drinks** **Not your average knock-off drinks.** Join us for a monthly gathering of entrepreneurs, builders, creatives, and self-starters who believe business is more than just work, it’s a personal growth journey. Whether you're scaling something or just starting out, this is a space to meet others who think like you do. **💬 What to Expect** ✅ Real convos with people building something ✅ A place to bounce ideas, swap challenges, and share wins ✅ Opportunities to give value and get it in return ✅ Chill vibes, no pitches, just smart people in good company You don’t need a title or a polished pitch, just curiosity and the willingness to connect. **🗓 Format** **6:30pm** – Arrive, grab a drink, join a convo **8:30pm** – We wrap, or roll on elsewhere 📍 **The Oxford Scholar** We take over a corner of the bar (Back Bar or Atrium), look for the crew with ideas in one hand and a drink in the other. **🎯 This is for you if** * You want more entrepreneurial people in your life * You’re building something, or want to be * You care about growth, not just small talk Bring a question. Bring a challenge. Bring your curiosity. Last Friday of every month. Let’s make it count.

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21 attendees
Startup Networking Melbourne: Founders, Investors & Talent Mixer

Startup Networking Melbourne: Founders, Investors & Talent Mixer

Fri, Aug 21, 8:00 AM
From Startup Networking & Founder Ecosystem | Melbourne

Join founders, investors and tech talent at this curated **startup networking event in Melbourne.** Meet ambitious builders, exchange ideas and discover new opportunities in a dynamic community environment. RSVP: [Use this link](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startup-networking-melbourne-founders-investors-talent-mixer-tickets-1987629760118?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true) Please note that RSVP is managed via Eventbrite to control attendee lists — don’t ignore it to avoid issues with on-site payment. **💡 Why This Event Is Different** Most networking events end with exchanged LinkedIn profiles. This one focuses on real conversations and real opportunities. We bring together founders, investors, engineers, operators and talent in a curated environment designed to create meaningful connections. Through interactive networking rounds, open conversations and pitch opportunities, participants can share challenges, exchange insights and build relationships that last beyond the event. 🤝 What to Expect * **Interactive Networking** Structured networking rounds where participants briefly introduce themselves, share current challenges and explore collaboration opportunities. * **Talent Corner** Recruiters and hiring managers can briefly share open positions, while engineers and operators can introduce their skills and interests. * **Startup Conversations** Open discussions about fundraising, product development, growth and startup challenges. **👥 Who Should Attend** • Startup founders • Investors and angels • Engineers and builders • Operators and product managers • Recruiters and HR professionals • Sales and business development professionals • Job seekers interested in startups • Newcomers to the Melbourne tech ecosystem

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22 attendees
AI & Tech Networking Event in Melbourne by Ascent Valley

AI & Tech Networking Event in Melbourne by Ascent Valley

Fri, Aug 21, 8:00 AM
From Startup Networking & Founder Ecosystem | Melbourne

Join founders, investors and tech talent at this curated **startup networking event in Melbourne.** Meet ambitious builders, exchange ideas and discover new opportunities in a dynamic community environment. **RSVP: [Use this link](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ai-tech-networking-event-in-melbourne-by-ascent-valley-tickets-1992455198133?aff=oddtdtcreator)** **Please note that RSVP is managed via Eventbrite to control attendee lists — don’t ignore it to avoid issues with on-site payment.** **🚀 Meet investors, founders, AI experts, operators, and immigrant entrepreneurs building the next generation of global companies.** * Share your project and get feedback. * Connect with capital. * Expand your network. * This is where conversations turn into partnerships. * Use our participant mini app to keep every contact and insight from the event — nothing gets lost. 👥 Who You’ll Meet • Startup Founders • Angel Investors & VC firms • AI Experts • Entrepreneurs from Europe, Asia & the UK • Marketers, Sales leaders & Business Advisors • Builders & Game Changers Startup Pitch Session Selected founders take the stage for a focused 5-minute presentation in front of active investors and tech leaders. Each startup receives: ⚡ Professional evaluation ⚡ Investor feedback ⚡ Visibility inside our global ecosystem **Why You Can’t Miss It** • Meet Tech & Business professionals, founders, and active investors • Gain real feedback from venture capitalists and angel investors • Discover new opportunities in AI, Tech & early-stage startups • Build meaningful connections in a global entrepreneurial community If you’re serious about startups — you should be in the room. 📈 Want to Pitch? Send your deck to: 📧 events@ascentvalley.club or fill [form](https://ascentvalley.com/pitch) Limited spots. Curated selection. 🏆 The startup recognized as “Most Investment-Worthy” will be featured across our social media and included in our investor newsletter. **🌟 About Ascent Valley** [Ascent Valley ](https://ascentvalley.com/infrastructure)is a global ecosystem connecting founders, innovators, and investors. We believe great ideas shouldn’t stay hidden — they deserve to be heard, challenged, and supported by the right people. Our mission is to create environments where ambitious builders connect, collaborate, and grow together.

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19 attendees
Startup Pitch & Themed Networking Melbourne | Unlock Your Idea

Startup Pitch & Themed Networking Melbourne | Unlock Your Idea

Fri, Aug 21, 8:00 AM
From Startup Networking & Founder Ecosystem | Melbourne

Join founders, investors and tech talent at this curated **startup networking event in Melbourne.** Meet ambitious builders, exchange ideas and discover new opportunities in a dynamic community environment. **RSVP: [Use this link](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startup-pitch-themed-networking-melbourne-unlock-your-idea-tickets-1992455195124?aff=oddtdtcreator)** **Please note that RSVP is managed via Eventbrite to control attendee lists — don’t ignore it to avoid issues with on-site payment.** Most of us are in the same loop. You have an idea. You workshop it with ChatGPT, read another newsletter, tell three friends who don't quite get it. The idea stays in your head. Or worse — it never gets the kind of pushback that would have made it sharper. Research on creative work is clear: people who articulate their idea to like-minded peers begin to understand it deeper. Quality feedback isn't validation — it's the thing that changes how you see your own work. We mix the room on purpose. Different industries see the same process from different angles — that's where value compounds. We ask for your LinkedIn in registration so we can group you with the right people, not random tables. **How the evening runs (3 stages)** **Stage 1 — Themed Networking** You vote on the night's themes through the registration form (Fundraising, HR, GTM, Product, Pricing, Hiring — whichever wins the room). We group you by background. Each group's representative shares the conversation's main takeaway on stage. Featured contributors get a Featured Founder spotlight on ascentvalley.com — that's how the conversation scales across the ecosystem. **Stage 2 — Pitches** 5 curated startups present their idea for live feedback and investor introductions. After the event, we add them to our private founder database and route their application to the right investors inside the Ascent Valley network. **Stage 3 — Chill & Network** The structured part wraps. The bar stays open. The connections you started solidify here — most of our repeat attendees say this is where the real value lands. **Who's in the room** * Accelerator representatives — talent and dealflow scouts from Melbourne-based and EU-wide programs * Investors — angels, fund representatives, scouts from syndicates * Founders, Pre-seed to Series A — building across SaaS, AI, ClimateTech, FinTech, ConsumerTech * Operators — PMs, engineering leads, GTM leaders from scaling startups * Entrepreneurs across industries — fresh perspective is the point * Founders traveling through Melbourne — from Tel Aviv, Berlin, London, NYC, Lisbon nodes * Hiring leads from companies actively scaling teams **About Ascent Valley** Ascent Valley is a 3-layer ecosystem: Community, DealFlow, Events. Our mission is to break local boundaries and enable cross-region growth through real connection between founders, operators, and investors. **Philosophy: [IDEA → PROCESS → RESULT.](https://ascentvalley.com "https://ascentvalley.com")**

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7 attendees
Movers & Shakers - Monthly Social & Networking Coffee

Movers & Shakers - Monthly Social & Networking Coffee

Sat, Aug 15, 1:00 AM
From The Creative Hustle Network
4.7

Are you craving some conversations with other big thinkers? The Movers & Shakers monthly coffee is for the creative's who are driven, are hustlers, are actively seeking to grow and look for new opportunities and are wanting to be around other dreamers and action takers. If you're seeking out those conversations that inspire you, that leave you feeling motivated, then this event is for you. The Creative Hustle is a social events community for professional creatives in Melbourne's arts industry. STRUCTURE: 15 min - casual networking/order your coffee 40 min - round table intros and questions 30 min - guided conversations topics in small groups Finish with casual networking MINIMUM SPEND: Everyone who attends this event is required to purchase something from the cafe, minimum of 1 drink.

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6 attendees
430kMonthly events
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4.5App store rating
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Frequently asked questions

Meetup provides a platform for entrepreneurs to connect with each other through local groups and events, fostering networking and business growth.

You can easily search for entrepreneur groups in Melbourne on Meetup. Just input your interest in entrepreneurship, and you'll see a list of relevant groups and events nearby.

Joining an entrepreneur group can expand your business network, give you access to new ideas, and provide support from like-minded individuals.

Absolutely! Meetup allows you to start and manage your own entrepreneur group, helping you to connect with others sharing similar interests.

The frequency varies, as each group schedules its own events. You can check event listings regularly on Meetup to stay informed.

Some Meetups are free, while others may charge a fee determined by the event organizers to cover costs.

Success in building contacts depends on your active participation. Meetup facilitates opportunities but cannot guarantee results.

Sign up on the Meetup platform, search the groups you're interested in, and simply click to join. Then you can RSVP for upcoming events.

Not always. Event formats depend on the organizers, and you'll find both in-person and online events available on Meetup.

Expect to engage in networking, participate in discussions, and gain insights into management and business strategies from peers and experts.

Many entrepreneur groups offer mentoring relationships, though it varies. Search Meetup for events and groups that specifically mention mentoring.

It varies. You'll find groups targeting startups and others for established businesses, so explore to find what aligns with your interests.

Usually, yes. Many groups allow you to attend a few events before requiring you to officially join, helping you decide if it's a good fit.

Meetup is perfect for solo entrepreneurs to find community support, advice, and motivation through interaction with peers and mentors.

Melbourne has a thriving Meetup community with numerous active entrepreneur groups, although the number and focus can vary over time.