As footy lovers descended on Adelaide for the annual ‘Gather Round’, more than 120 investors looking for business opportunities in South Australia, participated in a series of investment-focused events as part of the weekend’s celebrations.
The popularity of the AFL Gather Round in the state provides an opportunity for the South Australian Government to connect businesses with investors to leverage capital and investment opportunities that support economic growth, innovation and job creation.
The investment events provided local South Australian businesses with a unique platform to pitch directly to private equity investors and private debt providers. They were able to showcase businesses at various stages of growth, including:
- Eight innovative companies presenting to venture capital, private equity and private debt providers
- 10 leading defence and space companies outlining future growth and investment opportunities
- Nine sports technology businesses meeting with, and showcasing their services to local and national sporting organisations and venue operators
- Six early-stage startups pitching to venture capital investors.
Private equity and private debt continue to play a critical role in supporting business growth in South Australia and provide an alternative funding pathway for companies looking to scale.
In addition to capital, investors bring expertise, networks and strategic partnerships, helping local businesses expand their operations into interstate and international markets.
Last year’s AFL Gather Round contributed a record $113.9 million to South Australia’s economy, according to independent analysis. This was a 24 per cent increase on the 2024 event and 36 per cent higher than the inaugural festival in 2023.
Interstate investors are increasingly looking to South Australia for business opportunities as, for the third consecutive year, the Business Council of Australia names South Australia as the best state in the nation to do business, highlighting South Australia’s competitive tax, regulatory and planning settings.
South Australia is ‘leading the way’ in the ANZ Stateometer Report released in early April, with South Australia recording the highest above-trend economic performance in the nation.
While recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data show record high employment in the state with more than a million South Australians in work, along with record growth in exports.
Learn more about South Australia’s investment opportunities
