CBRIN’s Innovation Showcase will look a little different this year – here’s what to expect. Photo: CBRIN.
Canberra’s flagship innovation celebration is back with a bang, sporting a fresh formula to inspire visitors from all walks of life.
Strap in for a jam-packed schedule, because organisers at Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN) have transformed the event for its 11th iteration.
Taking over the National Film and Sound Archive from 3 pm to 6.30 pm on Wednesday, 5 November, the 2025 Canberra Innovation Showcase offers all the energy and insight of a world-class conference without expensive tickets, travel or days off work.
Visitors can learn from more than a dozen speakers, each with a deep passion for Canberra, as they discuss creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship in the capital.
If you aren’t familiar with CBRIN’s work, this is the place to start.
The Female Founders panel will kick things off in the theatrette, with social innovators Megan Gilmour of MissingSchool and Hala Batainah of Humanosity.
MissingSchool was founded in 2012 by three Canberra mums determined to keep kids connected to their schooling when illness or injury prevents them from attending in person.
Megan still remembers meeting up with future co-founders Cathy Nell and Gina Meyers in a suburban loungeroom to celebrate the recovery of their critically ill children and talk about where to go next.
“Their illnesses were all different, but our kids all experienced deep anxiety, loneliness and isolation from being away from school for so long,” Megan says.
“There was no system in place to keep them connected from home or hospital, so going back to school once they recovered was really tough.”
The charity pioneered school telepresence robots to enable students to learn from anywhere.
Megan was named the 2025 Australian of the Year for the ACT. Photo: Megan Gilmour.
Today, MissingSchool has reconnected more than 7500 classmates, trained hundreds of teachers and advanced schools’ capacity for innovation nationwide.
Their recent launch in Tasmania supports the scaling of school-owned technology to tackle student absence across the state.
“I can track our success right back to our first co-working space at CBRIN. It’s an honour to be on the Female Founders panel this year,” Megan says.
“Innovation isn’t just about science, technology and enterprise. It can also be used to bring about powerful social change.
“Who knows? This showcase could be a vital catalyst for your own life-changing venture.”
Daniel’s penchant for hearty, humorous art has attracted more than 64,000 followers on his Instagram account, TheMortz. Photo: Daniel Morton-Jones/The Mortz Media.
Founder of The Mortz Media and a member of the Canberra on Screen panel, Daniel Morton-Jones is a creative innovator, photographer and content creator.
Daniel’s art celebrates Canberra’s unique identity and documents the beauty found in its most unassuming places. He was a little shocked to be invited to a CBRIN panel, but is beyond excited to share his thoughts.
“The beauty of Canberra is really underrated, so diverse, and often catches your eye where you least expect it,” he says.
“My brain lights up when I spot places other people wouldn’t spare a glance for. Even a shopping trolley can tell a story if you capture it in the right way.
“It’s a bit of a dream, connecting with local leaders and talking about how we can showcase our home to the rest of the world in new and exciting ways.”
Canberra on Screen will be followed by Shaping Tomorrow’s Ecosystem, an exclusive panel featuring Canberra’s most influential leaders from diverse industries.
Other panels include Transformative Tech, which highlights seven ventures ranging from robotics and biotech to AI and digital twins, and the Billion Dollar Panel, an opportunity to learn about all things startup funding.
You don’t need a business idea, a startup, or a specific background to attend this year’s showcase. Admission is free and all are welcome.
If you are interested in building industry connections, stick around from 6 pm to 6.30 pm for some friendly networking, CBRIN-style.
“We’re not the stereotypical public servant city everyone says we are. Our territory is filled with creativity,” Daniel says.
“If you’re invested in what’s happening in the innovation community, have a curious mind, or just love living in Canberra, the 2025 Innovation Showcase is a must-attend.”
Canberra’s 2025 Innovation Showcase is set for Wednesday 5 November, 3 pm to 6.30 pm, at the National Film and Sound Archive in Acton. Admission is free with online registration.
For more information, session times, and to register online, visit CBRIN.
