The Hon. Chris Picton, Minister for State Development (SA), Media Release, 10 April 2026

Gather Round is much more than a footy festival, with the Malinauskas Labor Government hosting more than 120 interstate investors looking for business opportunities in SA.

The State Government is leveraging the event’s popularity to connect South Australian businesses with capital and investment opportunities that will support growth, innovation, and job creation.

More than 120 investors and fund managers from across Australia are set to attend a series of investment-focused events during Gather Round, providing local businesses with a unique platform to pitch directly to private equity investors and private debt providers.

Leading startup hub Stone & Chalk will host one of the events which will see a group of early-stage companies pitch their business to interstate venture capital investors.

This will help startup founders identify sources of capital, grow their networks, and learn more about how to raise capital.

The Gather Round investor events include:

• Eight innovative companies presenting to venture capital, private equity investors, and private debt providers
• Ten leading defence and space companies outlining future growth and investment opportunities
• Nine sports technology businesses showcasing their products and services to national sporting organisations and venue operators
• Six early-stage startups pitching to venture capital investors

Private equity and private debt continue to play a critical role in supporting business growth across South Australia, providing alternative funding pathways for companies looking to scale.

In addition to capital, these investors bring valuable expertise, networks, and strategic partnerships, helping local businesses expand into interstate and international markets.

Independent analysis revealed that last year’s AFL Gather Round contributed a record $113.9 million to South Australia’s economy, a 24 per cent increase on the 2024 event and 36 per cent higher than the inaugural festival in 2023.

Interstate businesses are increasingly looking to South Australia.

For a third consecutive year, the Business Council of Australia rated South Australia as the best state in nation to do business highlighting SA’s competitive tax, regulatory and planning settings.
 
Last week, ANZ said South Australia is “leading the way” in its Stateometer report, with our state recording the highest above-trend economic performance in the nation.

While recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows there’s record high employment in the state with more than a million South Australians in work. 

Quotes attributable to Chris Picton

Events such as Gather Round continue to deliver significant economic benefits for South Australia.

This important footy festival injects more than $110 million into the local economy, energising the state, creating new jobs and driving further investment.

As well as attracting thousands of football fans from across the country, Gather Round is also drawing the attention of major investors and businesses.

More and more, companies and fund managers are looking to South Australia to capitalise on our emerging industries, competitive tax system and strong government support.

Our economy is going from strength to strength and events like Gather Round will ensure it continues to grow.

Quotes attributable to Stone & Chalk, General Manager – South Australia, Ben Colley

Stone & Chalk in South Australia is building a pipeline of high-growth companies that will increase the state’s economic complexity.

By connecting these founders directly with interstate investors during Gather Round, we’re accelerating opportunities for capital, capability and long-term economic growth.

Events like Gather Round don’t just drive visitation – they create a unique convergence of business leaders, investors and innovators in one place.

This density of decision-makers opens doors for partnerships, deal-making and cross-sector collaboration that might otherwise take months to unlock.

For startups and scaleups, it’s a rare moment to build relationships, test ideas and access markets beyond their home state.