Founders & Funders Sunset Mixer
- Date
- 2025-05-14
- Location
- South Wharf, Victoria, Australia
- Host
- Mayfly Ventures
About this event
The best conversations in startups rarely happen in a boardroom. They happen when founders, investors, operators, and ecosystem builders can speak honestly, trade perspective, and get to know the people behind the pitch. Founders & Funders Sunset Mixer is built for exactly that kind of evening: relaxed, high-signal, and full of the right introductions at the right time. Set against the energy of South Wharf on a Wednesday evening, this in-person mixer brings together people who care about building companies and backing them. Whether you're actively fundraising, looking for your next investment, or simply want to deepen your network in the startup community, this is a space to have sharper conversations than you usually get in a crowded generic networking event. About the Event This is a community-driven startup and investor mixer designed to connect founders and funders in a setting that feels social without losing substance. The goal is simple: make it easier for ambitious people to meet, talk openly, and build real relationships across the startup ecosystem. Unlike heavily programmed events where every interaction feels rushed, this format leaves room for natural conversation. You can spend time with one person who truly understands your stage, your market, or your investment thesis instead of collecting a stack of forgettable introductions. Because the event sits at the intersection of networking, meetup, community, and social gathering, it works well whether you come with a clear goal or a broader intention to stay close to what is happening in the local ecosystem. You do not need a polished pitch deck or a fixed agenda to get value from the evening. You just need curiosity, openness, and a willingness to engage. What to Expect Expect a casual but purposeful evening of conversation as the city transitions from workday to night. The tone is social, but the crowd is likely to be there for more than small talk. People will come to exchange ideas, compare notes on markets and momentum, and make introductions that can continue well after the event. A typical evening like this often includes: Open networking from the start, so you can arrive, settle in, and begin conversations naturally A mix of founders, investors, and startup-adjacent professionals, creating a broader range of perspectives than a single-audience event Space for serendipitous introductions, whether that means meeting a future collaborator, advisor, customer, or backer A setting that supports both quick chats and longer conversations, depending on what the moment calls for You can come prepared with a few things in mind to make the most of it: A concise explanation of what you're building or what kinds of companies you back A clear sense of the kinds of people you hope to meet A willingness to ask thoughtful questions, not just deliver your own talking points If you are a founder, this is a chance to pressure-test how you talk about your company in a real-world setting. If you are a funder, it is a useful way to meet people before a formal process starts and get a feel for how they think, communicate, and respond in live conversation. Why Attend The strongest startup networks are built before you urgently need them. This event gives you the chance to build those connections early, in a way that feels more genuine than a cold outreach message and more useful than a purely social crowd with no shared context. For founders, the value may be access to investor perspective, peer insight, and warm relationships that can evolve over time. For funders, it is an efficient way to stay close to founders, understand what themes are emerging on the ground, and meet people outside a formal deal flow pipeline. You may leave with: New investor or founder connections that are relevant to your stage or thesis Better language for how you describe your company, market, or interests A stronger sense of what others in the ecosystem are seeing right now Potential introductions to collaborators, operators, advisors, or community partners Follow-up conversations that can turn into much more than a one-night connection Just as importantly, this mixer creates room for honest, lower-pressure conversations. Not every useful interaction needs to lead immediately to a pitch, a meeting, or a transaction. Sometimes the most valuable outcome is simply meeting someone sharp, aligned, and worth knowing before the timing becomes critical. Practical Details Founders & Funders Sunset Mixer takes place in person at South Wharf, Australia on Wednesday, May 14 at 5:00 PM GMT+10. The early evening timing makes it easy to come straight from work, stay for meaningful conversations, and still keep the rest of your night manageable. Because this is an in-person community and networking event, it is best approached with a little intention. Arrive ready to introduce yourself, listen actively, and move between conversations with confidence. You do not need to know everyone in the room to have a strong night; often, one or two excellent conversations are enough to make the event worthwhile. A few useful ways to prepare: Bring context, not a hard sell Be ready to share what you're working on or looking for in a few clear sentences Think about who you would most like to meet and why Plan to follow up with the people you genuinely connect with afterward If you care about startups, capital, and the people shaping what gets built next, this is the kind of room worth being in. Come for the sunset-hour atmosphere, stay for the quality of conversation, and leave with a stronger sense of who is building and backing in your orbit.
Who should attend
If you want smarter startup conversations and more relevant connections than a generic networking night usually offers, this event is likely for you. - You’re a **founder** building at any stage and want to meet investors, peers, or operators who understand the reality of starting and scaling a company. - You’re an **investor or funder** looking to stay close to founders, spot emerging ideas early, and build relationships before a formal deal process begins. - You work in the **startup ecosystem** as an operator, advisor, community builder, or service provider and want to connect with the people actively shaping new ventures. - You’re currently **fundraising or preparing to raise**, and you want to practice how you talk about your company in a more natural setting. - You’re looking for a **high-quality in-person community event** where conversations can go beyond surface-level introductions. - You value **long-term relationships over transactional networking** and want to meet people you’ll actually want to follow up with after the event. You do not need to arrive with a polished pitch or a fixed plan. If you’re thoughtful, curious, and serious about the startup space, you’ll be in good company.