Bring an idea. Shape it. Pitch it.

Bring an idea. Shape it. Pitch it.

Bring an idea. Shape it. Pitch it. Bring an idea. Shape it. Pitch it.

What is Traction?

Traction is for startups, people working on new ideas and ventures, and businesses improving and innovating.

It’s a flexible program of access to mentoring, workshops and networking designed to help people test ideas, build momentum and work out what to do next.

Run over June/July - the centre of Traction is the Build Weekend (19 - 21 June) — a focused working weekend to build out your idea, test thinking and access experienced founders, operators and mentors.

The goal isn’t perfection.
It’s progress.

Broader Traction Program

The Build Weekend sits within the broader Traction program, which also includes:

  • 1:1 access to experienced founders via our Entrepreneur in Residence fortnight

  • deep-dive workshops

  • AI labs

  • networking events

Traction Build Weekend

19 - 21 June, 2026

It’s a focused sprint for people exploring or actively building an idea, startup, venture, or innovating within a business.

Across the weekend, people work intensively with mentors and experienced operators before sharing their idea, pitch or progress on Sunday afternoon and receiving practical feedback, insight and next-step guidance.

Learn more
Register

Entrepreneurs-in-Residence

For two weeks, Traction brings experienced founders, operators and mentors to share lessons and conversations you won’t get anywhere else.

These are people who’ve built businesses, launched products, solved hard problems and learned a lot along the way.

Rather than a single Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Traction has curated a group of people with different backgrounds and experiences — opening up access to practical insight and conversations that aren’t normally available in Geraldton.

Book a one-on-one session to:

  • Ask questions

  • Test your thinking

  • Get unstuck

Alongside private sessions, founders will also take part in panels, workshops and community conversations throughout the Traction program.

Featured Founders

James MacPherson

Wednesday 8th July; Thursday 9th July

Passionate about building companies that turn bold ideas into real-world impact.

Linkedin

Pia Turcinov

Wednesday 8th July; Thursday 9th July
VC & Tech Investor. Pearcey WA Entrepreneur of the Year 2023. Fund WA Director.

Linkedin

Oliver Bazzani 

Wednesday 8th July; Thursday 9th July
Trusted advisor and investor to leading startups, accelerators, and venture funds.

Linkedin

Deep Dives

A series of workshops taking a deep dive to help you shaping and communicating an idea, to testing assumptions, building momentum and learning from others who have done it all before.

Is this worth building?

Bring an idea you’ve been sitting on - or come to help someone else pressure-test theirs. The whole room works through ideas together. Real questions. Real feedback. No theatre.

You don’t need a polished pitch. Just something real you’re thinking about. The goal is clarity

Learn how the decisions are actually made

In this session we hear directly from the people who review funding applications and investment opprtunities. It’s a panel conversation exploring what really makes applications stand out, with insights and practical lessons you won’t find online.

How to describe your idea so it creates momentum rather than confusion

One of the biggest challenges for founders and innovators is explaining what they are doing in a way that others understand.

This session allows attendees to test and refine how they talk about their idea in a supportive setting.

Create something new

Behind almost every successful startup or growing business is a strong network of people. Real connections that provide advice, opportunities, introductions, encouragement and accountability.

Explore practical insights, useful conversations and new connections.

Also on at Pollinators…

AI Builders

A practical space for people exploring, experimenting and building with AI.

Monthly Sundowners

A monthly get together for members of the Pollinators community and those interested

Your Questions, Answered

  • Come to one workshop, meet with a few mentors, sign up for everything. The flexibility is all yours. If you want in on the Kickstarter Weekend, we do ask you are available both days to deep dive into your business idea and get the most out of the program.

  • Participation in the Traction Build Weekend costs $45.

    We want the weekend to be accessible to people with good ideas and genuine interest, regardless of financial circumstances. A limited number of supported places are available for participants who may not otherwise be able to attend.

    If cost is a barrier, you’re welcome to apply for a supported place when you register.

  • Pollinators City Hive is right on Marine Terrace opposite Gemma Bakers. Keep an eye on street parking hours, the rangers are dilligent!

  • No! We welcome anyone with an idea, business or project, that includes:
    • early-stage founders
    • side projects
    • business ideas
    • people innovating within existing organisations
    • creative or community projects

  • Yes, teams are welcome. Just book your tickets under the one registration so we know!