Australian entrepreneur, RedBalloon founder, and Shark Tank Australia investor Naomi Simson will deliver the keynote address at Growth Summit in Sydney on June 18.
Presented by SmartCompany and Startup Daily, in partnership with Optus and Salesforce, the Growth Summit in Sydney on June 18 is Australia’s premier event for ambitious startup and SME founders and leaders.
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Simson is Australia’s #1 business speaker, and more than 2.6 million people follow her on LinkedIn.
She’s the person top-tier companies, including the Commonwealth Bank, Stripe, Salesforce, SAP and Adobe, turn to for inspiration. Her address is titled “Reduce the noise. Increase your effectiveness” and will offer practical advice to Growth Summit delegates to help you stay focused to succeed in your business.
In 2001, Simson founded RedBalloon, a pioneering online experience gift retailer, launching the business from her home with a personal investment of $25,000.
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She served as CEO until 2011, when she shifted focus to strategic growth. In 2017, Simson co-founded Big Red Group with business partner David Anderson. Since then, Big Red Group has grown into a platform with a portfolio that includes RedBalloon, Adrenaline, Experience Oz, Local Agent, and Everything NZ, and hundreds of other sites.
The startup shark
Simson is well known for her role as one of the original “Sharks” on Shark Tank Australia, investing in dozens of startups. She’s a champion of Australia’s entrepreneurial community and small business owners, offering candid insights into pitching, scaling, and building purpose-driven businesses.
Simson’s passion for business is matched only by her passion for giving back as a philanthropist and community volunteer. She’s also the author of two books: Live What You Love and Ready to Soar.
“In a world of relentless change, everyone has an opinion on what you should be working on. But the real question is: what’s right for you?” she told SmartCompany.
“During my keynote, I will take you through a practical framework for identifying your core constraint — and show you why that constraint might just be your greatest untapped growth opportunity.”
SmartCompany editor Eloise Keating said Simson was one of the first entrepreneurs to ever write for the business title as a guest contributor.
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“We are thrilled she is joining us at the Growth Summit in Sydney,” Keating said.
“Her track record building RedBalloon and the Big Red Group speaks for itself, along with the countless businesses she has invested in and mentored. Her keynote session at the Growth Summit can’t be missed.”
“The Sydney event represents our third Growth Summit, and it promises to be the best yet. Attendees can expect inspiring conversations, real-world insights and the kind of networking you can’t get anywhere else.”
A chat with Mark Bouris
Also joining Growth Summit for a fireside chat with SmartCompany deputy editor Tegan Jones is Yellow Brick Road and Wizard Home Loans founder Mark Bouris.
Yellow Brick Road and Wizard Home Loans founder Mark Bouris. Image: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
Wes Lambert, founder and CEO of the Australian Restaurant & Cafe Association (ARCA), and employment lawyer Fay Calderone will also share their insights on the day.
Startup Daily editor Simon Thomsen and Majella Campbell will also record a live edition of their popular weekly podcast Startup 360 over lunch, with the audience getting the chance to ask questions of their special guests.
The day-long Growth Summit will cover three key themes:
Talent: How to attract, empower, and keep the right people
Capital: What funding strategies are working in 2026
Ambition: The mindset and systems that turn ideas into scale
You can find more information about the Growth Summit, including ticket sales, here.
For sponsorship and partnership opportunities, get in touch with the SmartCo Media sales team.
