Bar hopping and idea swapping: Here’s what you need to know about Raising the Bar 2023

With the exception of every episode of Mad Men, business breakthroughs and cocktails aren’t typically known for their compatibility. But, as most founders and innovators know, the best ideas often sprout when convention is tossed aside.

Raising the Bar 2023 is back on Tuesday, April 4, bringing 30 inspiring (and free) discussions to 15 bars, breweries and live music venues across Sydney’s Tech Central precinct.

A collaboration between City of Sydney and the University of Sydney, Raising the Bar brings together Sydney’s top academics and tech entrepreneurs for a night of thought-provoking fun as we tackle new ways to look at pressing tech issues right now.

Raising the Bar is a global initiative making education and innovation a part of major cities’ popular culture. All over the world, Raising the Bar creates one-of-a-kind, knowledge-driven events in popular bars and cafés, taking the quest for innovation out of lecture halls and boardrooms and into our vibrant city streets and establishments.

Highlights worth pulling up a stool for

No matter what area of innovation your interests lie, Raising the Bar offers a chance to get up close and personal with Australia’s best minds in tech and most qualified and knowledgable people in their respective fields. There’s a stellar line-up of big ideas covering everything from climate change and mental health, to food security and robotics.

Some highlights to look out for:

How digital tech will make you an eco-consumer with Janet Salem, FootprintLab

Magic mushrooms: The therapeutics of the future? with Josh Ismin, Psylo

Get to know AI, your new digital colleague with Dr Michael Seymour

The Future of meat is cell-based, not animal with George Peppou, Vow

Feel, hear and smell architecture before it’s built with Dr Anastasia Globa

Ethical hacker reveals cybercrime secrets with Martin Boyd, Vertex Cyber Security

In the mix, Dr Michael Seymour will pull up a stool at Hermann’s Bar in Camperdown, explaining the reality of AI and what it may mean for your workplace. The potential of magic mushrooms will be examined in a new light by Josh Ismin, who is passionate about exploring the impact the hallucinogenic drug could have on mental illness treatment. Also, with cyber attacks rising exponentially, ethical hacker Martin Boyd breaks down the must-knows for cybersecurity on all levels.

Raising the Bar returns to Sydney on April 4. Image: Supplied

Inside the booth, outside the box

Often, the diverse selection of topics being served up throughout the evening are kept to academics and industry experts to hash out. Raising the Bar allows everyone with an interest in innovation to take part in the exciting discussions.

Whether you’re a startup founder or entrepreneur, or simply have an extra-curious mind when it comes to unpacking AI, software engineering, climate tech and data, this night of wonder is sure to deliver the goods.

The initiative brings together 30 talks, hosted in bars, breweries and live music venues across Haymarket, Ultimo, Surry Hills, Camperdown, Darlington, and Eveleigh – all part of Sydney’s Tech Central precinct. Across the 15 venues, two rounds of talks will take place from 6pm to 7pm and 8pm to 9pm.

With so many great speakers to choose from, it’s sadly impossible to enjoy a pint at every venue. Take a look at the evening’s program ahead of time and select your top picks for the most thought-provoking bar crawl Sydney’s ever seen. For any sessions you can’t make, be sure to catch up on the whole program when the series podcast lands in late April.

Don’t miss your chance to join Sydney’s top academics and tech entrepreneurs for an evening of big ideas and future-shaping innovations. Check out the list of speakers and reserve your Raising the Bar tickets today!

This article is brought to you by Startup Daily in partnership with City of Sydney.

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