Ignite Talks Sydney 2025

On Thursday, October 9, 2025, Ignite Talks Sydney returns to the Oxford Art Factory for an unforgettable night of fast, funny and fascinating talks.

15 speakers. 5 minutes exactly. 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds. The format is relentless, high-energy and designed to keep you leaning forward from the very first slide to the very last. 

Across the night, expect to laugh, learn and leave inspired as a diverse line-up of speakers share big ideas at speed. Stories range from turning life’s toughest moments into lasting impact, to why optimism matters more than genius, to what history can teach us about predicting the future. Along the way you’ll hear perspectives on creativity, comedy, leadership and the strange beauty of everyday life. 

Brought to life each year by Creative agency - Giant Squid and public speaking specialists - Sumo Ninja Monkey - Ignite Talks Sydney is equal parts entertainment and inspiration: a highlight in Sydney’s cultural calendar that proves great ideas don’t need hours, just the right stage. 

“It’s creativity, culture and inspiration colliding at speed,” said Dennis Spring, Giant Squid’s Founder. “We’re thrilled that we can offer Sydney something unique: a shared experience that feels alive, unpredictable and totally unforgettable – the spark of big ideas mixed with the buzz of a good old night out in Sydney.” 

Full List of Speakers & Topics 

• Jude Batrac – The Friendship Recession 

• Alex Corcoran – To Be Interesting, Be Interested 

• Matthew Horder – Turning Life’s Toughest Moments into Lasting Impact 

• Danika Armytage – The 3 Unexpected Life Lessons of the Living 

• Katherine-Therese Williams – Being funny needs to be taken seriously 

• Richard Sauerman. – The Fish that Saw Water 

• Mia Bowyer – The World Needs More Optimists (not geniuses) 

• Dylan Nguyen – The little actions that can make big waves 

• Laila Ellmoos – Lessons from history help us to predict the future 

• Shruti Rai – The Scribbled-Over Rulebook 

• Chris Murphy – Success is a system 

• Amanda Pitcher – “I’m fine” and other emotional lies 

• Robert Moorman – Quiet people, big impact 

• Kirstin Reblin – Be found by being lost in translation 

And for long-time fans: the legendary Steve Kimmens returns with his live Ignite improv set.