Launch YEP

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Launch YEP

Y(E)P is an entrepreneur-centred service with the objective of encouraging entrepreneurship and self-employment

Y(E)P is an entrepreneur-centred service with the objective of encouraging entrepreneurship and self employment in the Cairns and surrounding region. We aim to inspire, educate, and connect future entrepreneurs to help them start or build sustainable and rewarding self employment. Our passion is young, unemployed people, however, our services are available to anyone who would benefit from working with us, or in attending our events. Entrepreneurship Facilitators are supported by Encouraging Entrepreneurship and Self Employment, an Australian Government initiative. The aim of the initiative is to encourage people to consider self employment as a career. Entrepreneurship Facilitators are located in areas of high youth unemployment. Their role is complemented by:

• The SelfStart Online Hub
• The New Enterprise Incentive Scheme
• Exploring Being my Own Boss Workshops

If you would like information about programs and resources available under the initiative please visit employment.gov.au or call 1300 488 064

30/10/2026

The Halloween Pitch Party is on. Five Cairns startups pitch from 6pm, two minutes each, no slides. Drinks, pizza and costumes from now.

Tropic Tech, 254 Mulgrave Rd, Cairns. Come down: https://deepdive.launchyep.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=deepdive26&utm_content=pitchnight

30/10/2026

And we’re off to a great start with the Deep Dive into AI.

Thank you to our presenters, community and partners Queensland Innovation, Speakeasy and NightCafe

29/10/2026

Today's the day. Deep Dive into AI is on at Tropic Tech, 254 Mulgrave Rd, Cairns.

Doors open at 8:30am, the program starts at 10am, and the Halloween Pitch Party kicks off at 4:30pm. Park in the DFO car park on Mulgrave Rd and walk over.

Not coming to the day? Tonight's Halloween Pitch Party is $19: https://deepdive.launchyep.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=deepdive26&utm_content=today

29/10/2026

Meet the pitchers.

At the Halloween Pitch Party, five Cairns startups get two minutes each to make their case:

1. GilliesAI, Shane Gilbert
2. BrandScore, Steve Gard
3. FastPM, Wally Cloud
4. WelfareCheckr, Holly Gilbert and Amiee Costello
5. Friendly News, Jamie Baker

Come and back them. Pitches from 6pm, drinks and pizza from 4:30pm. Costumes encouraged.

Tropic Tech, 254 Mulgrave Rd, Cairns. Tickets $19: https://deepdive.launchyep.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=deepdive26&utm_content=pitchers

Presented by Launch Y(E)P, supported by NightCafe, Speakeasy, Tropic Tech and the Queensland Government.

28/10/2026

Tomorrow. Deep Dive into AI.

One day with the people building AI in Cairns, from a beginner workshop at 9am to the Halloween Pitch Party at 4:30pm. Costumes encouraged.

Before you come:
- Doors open at 8:30. The beginner workshop starts at 9am sharp.
- Bring a laptop if you're in the workshop.
- Street parking is limited. Best bet is to park at DFO and walk over, if you are able. (350m)
- Tickets for the party are still available but be quick.

Last tickets: https://deepdive.launchyep.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=deepdive26

28/10/2026

Friday night, Cairns: the Halloween Pitch Party.

Local startups pitch from 6pm, two minutes each. Then drinks, pizza and a room full of people building things in Cairns.

Costumes encouraged.

Friday 30 October, from 4:30pm, Tropic Tech, 254 Mulgrave Rd, Cairns.

Tickets $19: https://deepdive.launchyep.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=deepdive26&utm_content=party

Presented by Launch Y(E)P, supported by NightCafe, Speakeasy, Tropic Tech and the Queensland Government.

28/10/2026

Thank you to Speakeasy for supporting Deep Dive into AI.

Speakeasy builds the tools companies like Vercel and Mistral AI use to connect their APIs to AI agents, and to keep those agents in check. Founding engineer Tristan Cartledge is a familiar face at Tropic Tech's dev meetups, and on Friday he's talking about putting AI agents to work without losing control.

See you Friday.

Deep Dive into AI. Friday 30 October, doors 8:30am, Tropic Tech, 254 Mulgrave Rd, Cairns.

Tickets from $19: https://deepdive.launchyep.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=deepdive26&utm_content=speakeasy

Presented by Launch Y(E)P, supported by NightCafe, Speakeasy, Tropic Tech and the Queensland Government.

27/10/2026

The program is out.

Deep Dive into AI is this Friday. It's going to be a big day: with a hands-on beginner workshop, Elle Russell on building NightCafe from Cairns, Dr Kelvin Ross on keeping AI-written code safe, Frankenstein's Great Debate, investors on where AI money is going, and so much more!

Day tickets are almost gone. Halloween Pitch Party tickets are $19.

Deep Dive into AI. Friday 30 October, doors 8:30am, Tropic Tech, 254 Mulgrave Rd, Cairns.

Tickets: https://deepdive.launchyep.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=deepdive26&utm_content=program

Presented by Launch Y(E)P, supported by NightCafe, Speakeasy, Tropic Tech and the Queensland Government.

26/10/2026

Thank you to NightCafe for supporting Deep Dive into AI.

NightCafe is the Cairns-built AI art platform where 30 million people have created over a billion images. It's proof you can build something the world uses without leaving the tropics, and we're proud to have them on board.

https://nightcafe.studio

See you at the Halloween Pitch Party on Friday.

Deep Dive into AI. Friday 30 October, 9am to 7pm, Tropic Tech, 254 Mulgrave Rd, Westcourt.

Tickets are going fast, from $19: https://deepdive.launchyep.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=deepdive26

Presented by Launch Y(E)P, supported by NightCafe, Speakeasy, Tropic Tech and the Queensland Government.

26/10/2026

Meet our MC: Tara Diversi, Launch Y(E)P

Tara Diversi has been building and backing innovative ventures since 2008, with successful exits and early-stage investments along the way. She assesses research commercialisation grants, facilitates national investment advisory panels, and advises government on digital health. A Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and board chair, Tara is Director of Launch Y(E)P and has been part of the Cairns business community since 2002.

Tara hosts the day, guiding you from the first keynote through to the last startup pitch.

Four days to go. AI is rewriting the future. Spend Friday 30 October at Tropic Tech with the people building it.

Deep Dive into AI. Friday 30 October, 9am to 7pm, Tropic Tech, 254 Mulgrave Rd, Westcourt.

Tickets are going fast, from $19: https://deepdive.launchyep.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=deepdive26

Presented by Launch Y(E)P, supported by NightCafe, Speakeasy, Tropic Tech and the Queensland Government.

Address

Unit 9 254 Mulgrave Road
Cairns, QLD
4870

Website

http://www.launchyep.com/

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