AUKUS Pillar II PitchFest 2025, Winners Announced
What a night at Tank Stream Labs for the AUKUS Pillar II Pitch Fest, held on Monday, 3rd November, alongside Indo Pacific 2025. Nine Australian founders pitched breakthrough Defence technologies across AI, cyber, undersea, quantum, hypersonic, and electronic warfare domains, and the standard was exceptional.
Winner: Ruby Jones – Aquila Earth
Awarded Most Novel or Disruptive Technology and taking home the SHOT Show 2026 Package (flights, accommodation + entry to Las Vegas Conference).
Runner-Up: Carley Scott – Space CoLAB
Receives 2 tickets + showcase stand at Reveille 2026, Beaten Zone Venture Partners’ one-day global Defence innovation conference on 3 June 2026 (Gold Coast).
Crowd Favourite: Carley Scott – Space CoLAB
Voted by the audience and heading to Reveille 2026 Investors & Founders social golf day.
Judges’ Key Takeaways: “Work on your pitch. Pitch as if this is your one shot to make an impression that could change your trajectory. Get to the point faster, don’t assume everyone in the room knows your tech. Pick your audience and network the room; the pitch goes beyond your three minutes.”
The judges also noted how “the calibre of founders has increased significantly since the inaugural 2023 PitchFest in Perth.”
Special thanks to Will Crowe from HEO, who shared valuable insights from someone who’s walked the path from researcher to CEO and founder, reminding everyone that Defence, Space, Cyber, and Quantum are complex concepts to convey, so bring the energy and enthusiasm every time you pitch.
Huge thanks to our judges from Australia, the US, and UK Defence communities, and to every founder who pitched technologies advancing allied capability across AUKUS.
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 Venture Partners’ mission to enhance Australia’s sovereign capability through early-stage investment in systems that improve warfighter lethality, survivability, and interoperability across AUKUS partners.
Pitching Teams Included
Astute Systems | Panop | Aquila Earth | RedTail Technology | ASR Defence | Space CoLAB | Sharkworks | Quantum Lock | Mulga Defence Corporation
ABOUT BEATEN ZONE VENTURE PARTNERS
Beaten Zone Venture Partners 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)
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