Melbourne didn’t just host HEX, it became the playground for global founders in the making.

From day one, the energy was undeniable. What started as a program quickly became a full ecosystem experience, where founders weren’t just learning, but building, testing, connecting, and stepping into their future.

This wasn’t a classroom.

This was HEX, Melbourne-style. 

Meet the people behind the experience

What made Melbourne stand out wasn’t just the program, it was the people behind it.

At the core was a powerhouse HEX team driving the experience end-to-end:

• Jaclyn Benstead - Co Founder, New Markets
• Jess Merlo -  Head of Learning & Experience
• Charlie Perelini - Product, Programs & Experience
• Ash Kammerhofer - Growth Lead
• Kimberley Hanson - Learning Experience Designer & Multimedia Producer

Supported on the ground by an incredible team who brought the experience to life:

• Takshi - stepping into her first HEX program and showing up fully for founders
• Julia Laurilla - driving content, events, and community across every touchpoint

Every part of the experience was designed to move founders forward, faster, with clarity and confidence.

Because at HEX, it’s simple:

people show up, for each other.

A global experience, built for real-world impact

Over two weeks, nine founders from diverse backgrounds came together to build in one of Australia’s most dynamic startup ecosystems.

They didn’t just explore ideas, they executed on them.

• Built and validated startup ideas across HealthTech, AI, FinTech, EdTech, and eCommerce
• Learned core startup fundamentals, from ideation and risky assumptions to prototyping and UI
• Worked in a fast-paced, collaborative environment that mirrors real startup conditions
  

The experience was designed to push founders beyond theory…and into action. 

Featured Leaders & Mentors

The strength of Melbourne came from the people in the room.

• Matthew Gadsby - Google
• Tova Angsuwat - Series Build (Ex-Google)
• Rosie Brown - Kill Boring Dead
• Vanessa Minhtri - paint.sv
• Jessica Dang - Platform Presents
• Leon Belobrov - SEEK
• Adriano Di Prato - LCI Melbourne
• Aaron Zaharias - Canva
• Joanna Lee - Giant Leap
• Frances Goh - One Roof 

Alongside 30+ speakers and mentors, these leaders shared practical, no-fluff insights that helped founders move faster and think bigger. 

More than a program.. A full immersion

HEX Melbourne blurred the line between learning and doing:

• 30+ workshops turning ideas into execution
• 4 tech tours with companies like Google and Canva
• 3 ecosystem events unlocking real opportunities
• A full journey from idea → validation → prototype → pitch

Every moment was designed to move founders forward, not just inspire them. 

Melbourne Program Founders

Nine founders. Nine startups. One shared goal: build something real.

• Sophie McEwen-King - Fit Like A Bra
• Sohini Vora - Ovaura
• Alice Greaves - Loop
• Serena Patel - BankHerr
• Owin Wong - Market Ready
• Gabrielle Scheldt - Prymi
• Raphaella Mumbery - GoWard
• Aaya Alowaiyesh - Aeya
• Isabella Edmondson - TrusteTrends
  

Different backgrounds. Different ideas.

One outcome: real progress. 

Pitch Night: Where it all came together

At the end of the program, everything led to one defining moment..Pitch Night.

🥇 Pitch Winner: Sohini Vora - Ovaura

A HealthTech platform supporting women living with PCOS through tracking tools and community-driven support.

Judged by founders, investors, and operators, each pitch was evaluated on problem clarity, market validation, feasibility, execution, and storytelling.

And this cohort delivered.

💬 What Founders Are Saying

What stood out most wasn’t just what founders built, but how much they grew along the way.

“HEX gave me confidence and clarity for my future. Through the workshops, especially those focused on AI and startup thinking, I started to rethink what I want to do after graduation and could see entrepreneurship as a real option.”
— Aaya Alowaiyesh, Founder of Aeya 

“HEX helped me build my collaboration, pitching, and public speaking skills in a way that felt far more immersive than university learning.”
— Alice Greaves, Founder of Loop 

“It helped me find my voice and direction. I feel more confident speaking about ideas that genuinely matter to me and can now see new possibilities for my future.”
— Gabrielle Scheldt, Founder of Prymi 

“HEX showed me how to actually start building a business in practice—not just learn about it in theory.”
— Isabella Edmondson, Founder of TrusteTrends 

“It helped me build real networking and communication skills by putting me in professional environments and connecting with people in industry.”
— Owin Wong, Founder of Market Ready 

“I grew in confidence when it came to pitching ideas and presenting myself professionally. Being surrounded by ambitious thinking made me think bigger about my future.”
— Raphaella Mumbery, Founder of GoWard 

“It taught me how to take an idea from scratch and actually turn it into something real. The experience was fast-paced, hands-on, and energising.”
— Serena Patel, Founder of BankHerr 

“HEX helped me find purpose in my idea and build something inspired by my own lived experience. It gave me stronger motivation and clearer direction.”
— Sohini Vora, Founder of Ovaura 

“HEX gave me real startup experience and direction. Seeing my growth from the start to final pitch made me more confident in pursuing entrepreneurship.”
— Sophie McEwen-King, Founder of Fit Like A Bra  

Real Impact

What stood out most wasn’t just the experience itself, but the transformation across the cohort.

From stronger confidence and clearer direction to real startup execution skills, founders walked away with momentum that goes far beyond the two-week program.

The Melbourne Edge

Melbourne brought a unique edge to HEX:

• A strong startup-meets-creative ecosystem
• Access to operators from companies like Google, Canva, and SEEK
• A community that shows up, authentically and collaboratively

It wasn’t just about building startups.

It was about building people who build startups. 

Your next global experience

The momentum doesn’t stop in Melbourne.

HEX continues to bring global experiences to founders around the world, with upcoming programs designed to immerse students in new markets, cultures, and ecosystems.

🇯🇵 Japan: Global Internship

📅 June 27 – July 11, 2026

🇻🇳 Ho Chi Minh City: Global Internship

📅 July 4 – 18, 2026

Each program offers the same hands-on, high-impact experience, just in a completely different environment.

Because building globally isn’t optional anymore.

It’s the edge.