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Two events this week, $900K Bondi AI fund raise, events team, and more

Connecting and amplifying inspiring local innovators and entrepreneurs

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Bondi Innovation
April 12, 2026

Connect and collaborate!

Two events this week! Our Bondi AI Collective featuring Sean Gallagher is on tomorrow (second Tuesday of the month), and Collaborative Connections is on Wednesday (third Wednesday of the month), which happen to be in the same week.

Would you like to team up with other inspiring locals to help make great events happen for the community? Join our new Events team WhatsApp group, we’ll have some fun together while we build wonderful things.

Bondi Innovator Alexis Griveau has raised $900,000 for his AI startup, read below! Share your innovator story with us! What are you building? What have your successes and challenges been? The best stories get featured in our newsletter and social channels (Premium members always top of the list).

Bondi AI Collective - Tuesday 14 April

A very special Bondi AI Collective event this month!

Local AI and future of work expert Sean Gallagher of Humanova (who has been named in the top AI speakers in the world) will share recent research insights and lead a discussion on SME AI adoption, the future of work and mor. Don't miss it!!

Collaborative Connections - Wednesday 15 April

We're back with our Collaborative Connections evening on Hotel Ravesis, 118 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach!

This fun, relaxed, and purposeful night brings together local entrepreneurs, innovators, and creators for meaningful conversations and a lightly structured session designed to spark collaboration.

Come with an idea or challenge you'd like feedback on, or simply show up ready to share your experience and connect with new faces.

Walk & Talk - Friday 24 April

Conversations with inspiring innovators on a beautiful coastal walk

Refresh your mind, body, and spirit with a lunchtime walk to connect with inspiring locals and talk startups, life, and everything!

We will meet in front of Glory Days at the Bondi Pavilion and walk to Tamarama and back, having a good chat on the way. Those who want can get a bite or drink after.

Meet at 12:30, we leave at 12:40 sharp!

This free event is for members of the Bondi Innovation community. Please register if you’re not a member yet, you can join for free! bondiinnovation.com.au

Bondi Innovation success story: Alexis Griveau and Chime Labs

Congratulations to long-standing Bondi Innovation member Alexis Griveau on raising $900,000 for his new AI startup Chime Labs!

Key Takeaways

  • Sydney startup Chime Labs has raised $900,000 in pre-seed funding led by 500 Global, with participation from angel investors.

  • The company was founded by former Google leaders Alexis Griveau and Mathew Pretel to build AI tools for trades and service businesses.

  • Its first product is an AI receptionist that fields calls and books jobs when tradies can’t get to the phone.

  • Proceeds will go toward hiring and expanding into quoting, invoicing and lead generation

Complete this form if you’d like to share your success, startup, journey, or innovation story with the Bondi community (3,000++). Premium members are always top of the list.

Bondi Beach Shared Office Space update!

There is the opportunity to set up a Shared Office Space in Bondi Beach, we have a space in mind. For this to happen it requires two things:

  • A sufficient number of people (probably 10) to commit to a minimum of 6 months. This is very feasible.

  • A person or organisation to take on the lease. Any ideas?

 Add your name to the list if you’re interested in being part of the space, or reach out if you’d like to be part of making it happen!

Join our WhatsApp community!

Join the community here, introduce yourself, share what you’re up to, and connect with like-minded local innovators.

If you’re already in the community, please add those who might like to be in there.

The existing online community will continue with job board, innovator stories, and other longer formats that we can link to.

Help grow the community!

Please support us, by coming to our events, telling the right people about Bondi Innovation, connecting us with anyone who has energy to help make good things happen for the community.

See you at one of our events soon!

Ross, Lou, Alex, Marta and the Bondi Innovation team