In July, Inner West Startups + Tech asked whether purpose can still set a business apart when AI can copy everything else.
Thursday 16 July 2026
Red Mill Rum, 176 Mullens St, Rozelle NSW 2039
When AI can replicate a brand voice, a content strategy and a mission statement in seconds, can your values and change-the-world attitude be what makes you stand out and attract more customers? And how do you stick to those values and stay successful in difficult times?
This panel was a different kind of conversation about purpose. It skipped the manifesto and got into the messy reality: when to embed it, when it costs you, and when it can actually save you. The focus was on how to make admirable values good business sense, because purpose that can't sustain itself commercially doesn't sustain much else either.
This wasn't a session about B Corp certification or impact reports. It was about whether what you actually believe in can become your most defensible edge.
It was also the month we switched our ticketing to Humanitix, walking the talk on impact.
Speakers
James Humpherson
Global General Manager, Humanitix
James Humpherson is the Global General Manager of Humanitix, the 100% for Purpose ticketing platform backed by Google and Atlassian. As the organisation's first employee and US go-to-market lead, James has guided Humanitix from a grassroots startup to a major tech competitor across North America, APAC and the UK. While the platform's mission to fund highly effective charities drives its global awareness, James has scaled the company by proving that social impact is never an excuse for commercial compromise. Under his leadership, Humanitix sells over 25 million tickets a year and has turned over $20 million in booking fees into social impact.
Paul Moutzouris
Chairman and CEO, Ingenuity Design Group
Paul is the Chairman and CEO of Ingenuity Design Group, a leading international product design consultancy with development facilities in Australia and the USA. With more than 25 years in product design and commercialisation, Paul has helped create hundreds of innovative electronic products across med tech, mining tech, IoT, automotive, industrial and consumer electronics.
Facilitator
Kae Porter
Founder and CEO, Amicii
Kae is the founder and CEO of hospitality tech startup Amicii, which helps restaurants, bars and bistros host small group dining experiences that connect people in person. It's like group bookings for people who haven't met yet. She's had a long career in PR, comms and community events, including ten years as founder and CEO of a B Corp certified PR and comms agency working with purpose-led organisations, and two years as a B Consultant guiding organisations through B Corp certification. With community as her core value, she's always looking for ways to deliver measurable outcomes that move the needle on social connection.
Come to the next one
Inner West Startups + Tech meets monthly at Red Mill Rum in Rozelle for a panel, pizza and networking with Sydney founders, investors and tech people.