Beaten Zone Ventures launches AUKUS Pillar II Pitch Fest to spotlight next-generation Defence innovation

News | 31/10/2025 | Taylah Hunter

Beaten Zone Venture Partners will host the AUKUS Pillar II Pitch Fest, bringing together early-stage founders, investors, and Defence leaders to showcase the technologies shaping the future of allied capability across the AUKUS partnership.

The event will feature 10 Australian companies developing breakthrough solutions aligned with the six AUKUS Pillar II advanced-capability domains: undersea capabilities, quantum technologies, advanced cyber, artificial intelligence and autonomy, hypersonic and counter-hypersonic systems, and electronic and information warfare.

Held alongside Indo-Pacific 2025, the Pitch Fest highlights Australian innovation driving interoperability and sovereign capability across AUKUS nations.

“This event highlights the behind-the-scenes innovators who we are keen to support and provide platform to showcase what they are working on. There is so much innovation emerging from Australia’s Defence-tech ecosystem and it’s important to support companies building technologies that enhance our sovereign capability as the start of their journey,” said Steve Baxter, Founder and Lead Investor at Beaten Zone Ventures.

Event details

Date: Monday 3 November 2025 5-7pm

Venue: Tank Stream Labs, Sydney

MC: Sean Singleton, USA Venture Partner, Beaten Zone Venture Partners

Each of the ten teams will deliver a three-minute pitch followed by five minutes of Q&A with a judging panel representing Australia, the US, and UK Defence communities, including:

Steve Baxter – Founder, Lead Investor, Beaten Zone Venture Partners

Alexandra Grigg– Investment Manager, Beaten Zone Venture Partners

LTCOL Philip Wong – SO1 Live Force Experimentation, Australian Army BattleLab

Dennis Hocking – Senior Program Manager, SOFWERX (USA)

Andrew Kay – UK MoD

Prizes

First Prize – Most Novel or Disruptive Concept or Technology
SHOT Show Package – includes ticket, accommodation, and return flight to SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas, USA.
Valued at $7,000.

Runner-Up Prize

2 x Tickets to Reveille 2026 (3 June 2026 – Gold Coast) (One Day Global Defence Disruptors and Innovation Conference, Gold Coast)
Including a company showcase/demo stand at the event. Valued at $5,000

Crowd Favourite Pitch (Audience Vote)
1 x Ticket to Reveille 2026 – (3 June 2026 – Gold Coast) including access to the Investor Social Activity (e.g., Golf Day with Investors at Sanctuary Cove or similar).
Valued at $5,000.

Reveille is a Beaten Zone Venture Partners–led, one-day Global Defence Disruptors and Innovation Conference launching in June 2026 on the Gold Coast. Its inaugural year will unite Defence leaders, founders, and investors to accelerate Australia’s readiness and capability through collaboration and innovation.

About the AUKUS Pillar II Pitch Fest

The AUKUS Pillar II Pitch Fest connects innovators with investors and Defence stakeholders to accelerate commercialisation pathways for next-generation technologies. It reinforces Beaten Zone Ventures’ mission to enhance Australia’s sovereign capability through early-stage investment in systems that improve warfighter lethality, survivability, and interoperability across AUKUS partners.

“We’re proud to provide a platform for companies at the forefront of Defence innovation to gain visibility, investment interest, and access to international networks,” said Peta Ellis, General Manager at Beaten Zone Ventures.

Pitching Teams Include

ABOUT BEATEN ZONE VENTURE PARTNERS

Beaten Zone is headquartered in Brisbane and invests in sovereign early-stage businesses with products having material military use, that help to contribute to Australian and allied warfighters’ lethality and survivability. The scope precludes investments involved with controversial weapons, e.g., landmines, or other capabilities that would violate Australian ratified treaties or agreements.

MEDIA CONTACT

Stephen Baxter Lead Investor and Founding Partner (steve@beatenzone.vc)

Peta Ellis General Manager (peta@beatenzone.vc)

Disclaimer

Beaten Zone Investment Manager Pty Ltd. (CAR) is a corporate authorised representative of Boutique Capital Pty Ltd (BCPL) AFSL 508011, CAR Number 001303229. CAR is the investment manager of Beaten Zone Venture Capital Fund 1. LP (Fund).

To the extent to which this document contains advice it is general advice only and has been prepared by the CAR for individuals identified as wholesale investors for the purposes of providing a financial product or financial service, under Section 761G or Section 761GA of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

The information herein is presented in summary form and is therefore subject to qualification and further explanation. The information in this document is not intended to be relied upon as advice to investors or potential investors and has been prepared without taking into account personal investment objectives, financial circumstances or particular needs. Recipients of this document are advised to consult their own professional advisers about legal, tax, financial or other matters relevant to the suitability of this information.

The investment summarised in this document is subject to known and unknown risks, some of which are beyond the control of CAR and their directors, employees, advisers or agents. CAR does not guarantee any particular rate of return or the performance of the Fund, nor does CAR and its directors personally guarantee the repayment of capital or any particular tax treatment. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

The materials contained herein represent a general summary of CAR’s current portfolio construction approach. CAR is not constrained with respect to any investment decision making methodologies and may vary from them materially at its sole discretion and without prior notice to investors. Depending on market conditions and trends, CAR may pursue other objectives or strategies considered appropriate and in the best interest of portfolio performance.