The Festival of Ambitious Ideas is a popular Lighthouse event that brings together people from all over Canberra.
Using the fast-paced Ignite format, speakers each only have 5 minutes to tell their story and 'ignite' the audience. In a little over an hour, guests are treated to a range of different ideas and perspectives. The event is designed to be fast-paced, informal and fun with opportunities to network and explore topics further after the presentations.

Upcoming event 

The Festival of Ambitious Ideas has been bringing together entrepreneurs, innovators and the organisations that support them since 2014. The event is designed to maximise opportunities for networking across Canberra's different sectors and industries. Over the years, the event has resulted in deals being done; collaborations sparked; connections made; and new opportunities identified. The event follows the Ignite format where each speaker has 5 minutes to tell their story and 'ignite' the audience.

THEME:

The theme for this year's event is Interesting People, Interesting Times. We live in extraordinary times. Fast-moving, uncertain, and full of noise, but also full of possibility for those willing to embrace the challenge. This year's theme is a celebration of the innovators, builders, and dreamers who looked at a complicated world and found opportunity where others saw only obstacles.

SPEAKERS:

Alex Northey - Waste Check 
Atif Nisar - Faz Australia 
Claire McDonnell - Dirt Maidens 
Courtney Hindmarsh - KinLyst 
Damith Herath - Professor of Robotics and Art at the University of Canberra 
Geoffrey Swinbourne - Crafted Hardwoods 
Jason Roses - Zing Fresh 
Kumvana Gomani - Woven 
Lisa Cahill - Glass Artist  
Omar Zuaiter - Dentroid 
Shane Britten - Social Protect 
Tom Henderson - 35 Degrees  

DETAILS:

Date: Thursday 29 October 2026, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Venue address: Brindabella Conference Centre, Alastair Swayn Theatre, 33 & 35 Brindabella Circuit, Brindabella Business Park
Register to attend: https://forms.gle/nLWf8VjPxci5tbgw5