Last week a few of us got together in a room in Darlinghurst, Sydney, to brainstorm ideas on what could be done to further improve the local startup industry.

In the room was a group of people representing various interests and experiences.

That list included:

• Ross Dawson (Future Exploration Network)
• Mike Zimmermann (ex-TVP, now Bondi Ventures)
• Mick Liubinskas (Pollenizer)
• Phil Morle (Pollenizer)
• Phaedon Stough (Mitchel Lake)
• Todd Forest (Tasman Ventures)
• Mike Cannon-Brookes (Atlassian)
• Martin Duursma (Citrix)
• Me…Kim Heras

The first initiative to come out of this meeting is Growth Town (props to MCB for the name!)

The aim will be to bring those with experience executing (successfully and not) together with those who have started and are growing, but lack the advisors and mentors to learn faster.

MIck Liubinskas’ explanation of the event:

“This is NOT about starting. This is about growing.

The event will be very simple and free flowing. Those with experience will offer to talk about various subjects and the entrepreneurs can gather around, listen and wander around as they want to. “

And Mike Cannon-Brookes’ version:

This is not an event for Accenture-consultants-who-have-an-idea-and-might-try-it-some-day. This is an event for those who have already started on their idea and are looking to learn how to grow it with other like minded folks.

Details for the event are as follows:

• March 4
• 6-8pm
• Atlassian office, 173-185 Sussex Street (Thanks Mike and Scott!)
• To the entrepreneurs – Bring pen, paper, questions and a bottle of water.
• No food. Keeping it simple.

So, if you fit the description of either

• Someone with experience executing
• Someone who has already started their business and is growing but wants to learn faster

…then jump onto Startup Australia wiki and RSVP -  http://startup-australia.wikidot.com/growth-town