Hack Fed Square
This Saturday, teams will pitch their best & brightest ideas to our expert panel – and you’re invited!
One of the tentpole events on the Melbourne Knowledge Week schedule, Hack Fed Square, is a design hack that brings together passionate thinkers, makers and creators to shape the future of our iconic public square.
A ‘design hack’ is a creative process that takes a group of people through a mental sprint to come up with a solution to an identified problem – in only eight hours. After this, teams pitch their idea to a judging panel.
One of the key questions the hack hopes to address is: How can we ensure Fed Square remains one of Melbourne’s key cultural landmarks and iconic meeting places – a space where creativity, curiosity and inspiration collide? We want Fed Square to continue to thrive as a world-class cultural and civic urban precinct that sets the benchmark in public entertainment and visitor experience.
Join us in person or online for our exciting live pitches! Entry is FREE – click here for tickets!
Pitching is open to the public at Deakin Edge from 5:00pm – 7:00pm on Saturday May 25. We’ll also be livestreaming the whole shebang here on Fedsquare.com’s streaming page as well as Fed Square’s Facebook page, and Melbourne Knowledge Week’s Facebook too.
If you’re a fan of Shark Tank, Dragon’s Den and the like you’ll adore the mashup of that format with the intriguing reality that the winning pitch will influence Fed Square’s future direction. Be there, and be sure to contact us below or on Fed Square’s Facebook page for any questions!
Our Panelists
Ari Suss
CEO – Fox Special Projects
ARI SUSS is CEO of Fox Special Projects, part of the private family investment arm of the Linfox Group, joining the company in 2004. Ari is also a Board Member of Avalon Airport Australia. Between 1999 and 2004, Ari was a senior adviser to former Premier Steve Bracks. During this time, he specialised in policy and advice in the areas of infrastructure development, transport, ports, major projects, multicultural affairs and parliamentary strategy. In 2011, Ari also commenced in his role as General Manager of the Linfox-owned Australian Automotive Research Centre, a 1000-hectare vehicle test facility in Anglesea, Victoria and in early 2018 became Fox Special Projects CEO.
Michelle Fitzgerald
Chief Digital Officer and Manager, Smart City Office – City of Melbourne
MICHELLE FITZGERALD leads the smart city and innovation agenda for the City of Melbourne and is the city’s first Chief Digital Officer. Michelle balances strategic foresight and vision with practical implementation, builds high performing teams, and has been recognised as a leading innovator in the Australian government.
Suzana Bishop
General Manager, Commercial and Public Engagement – Fed Square
SUZANA BISHOP has over 20 years’ experience in the events industry. Suzana’s experience includes senior leadership roles with some of Melbourne’s most esteemed event organisations, including the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), The Australian Grand Prix and The Royal Agriculture Society (Royal Melbourne Show). Suzana is highly experienced in delivering marketing and commercial strategies and is a passionate advocate for the tourism and visitor economy.
Trent Clews-de Castella Â
Co-founder and CEO – PHORIA
TRENT CLEWS-DE CASTELLA has an insatiable appetite for technology and immersive experiences. Co-founder and CEO at PHORIA, his mission is to create software and content that can transport you places. He believes that through the power of immersive media, we now have the tools to experience the world at our fingertips and has deeply immersed himself in the worlds of Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality.