Collect your name badge and connect with fellow attendees before the program begins.

25 Australian cyber companies have been selected through a competitive Expression of Interest (EOI) process to showcase their technology and pitch at ACE26. The pitch competition recognises outstanding Australian cybersecurity innovation, capability and commercial potential.

13 pitch sessions, 5 minutes each (3 minutes pitch, 2 minutes Q&A).

This panel will explore how government and industry buyers can use procurement to lift cyber security standards across their supply chains, and what sovereign capability means when choosing vendors. Speakers from government, the resources and energy sectors, and the cyber security industry will share insights on setting and verifying supplier requirements, managing third party and concentration risk, and assessing foreign ownership, control or influence.

The discussion will highlight real world examples of how large organisations are raising the bar for suppliers without shutting out small and local businesses.

This panel will explore how frontier AI models are changing the cyber threat landscape, and what that means for defenders across government and industry. Speakers from government, leading frontier AI developers and the Australian AI Safety Institute will share insights on using AI to strengthen cyber defence, testing new capabilities before release, and securing Australia's access to the most advanced models.

The discussion will highlight real world examples of AI enabled attack and defence, and how organisations of every size, including small businesses and not for profits, can keep up with the pace of change.

25 Australian cyber companies have been selected through a competitive Expression of Interest (EOI) process to showcase their technology and pitch at ACE26. The pitch competition recognises outstanding Australian cybersecurity innovation, capability and commercial potential.

12 pitch sessions, 5 minutes each (3 minutes pitch, 2 minutes Q&A).

This panel will explore how universities, industry and government can turn cyber security research into capability that organisations can deploy and rely on. The head of a leading university commercialisation company and two professors who have built companies from their own research will share insights on the barriers to commercialisation, government’s role as a first customer, and the partnerships that bridge the gap between lab and market.

The discussion will highlight real-world examples of Australian innovation that has made that journey, and how to keep capability and IP onshore as local companies scale.

Direct engagement with enterprise and government procurement managers, helping Australian cyber firms prepare themselves for entry into domestic supply chains and scaling locally.

Industry address & announcement of winner of pitch sessions

Celebrate the strength of Australia’s cyber security ecosystem as we close out ACE26. Connect with founders, investors, buyers and policymakers over drinks, and follow up on the ideas and opportunities from today’s sessions.