On Friday 13 November 2026, the Social Enterprise Summit returns to Sydney, bringing together social entrepreneurs, business leaders, government and funders at the University of Sydney. With five rooms of sessions spanning everything from social procurement and funding to branding, people and culture, there's plenty to explore, whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your impact.
But with so much on offer across the 2026 program, and our CEO Kylie Flament fielding many “what’s relevant to me?” questions, we’ve mapped out a few suggested paths through the day.
Importantly, think of these as starting points rather than set itineraries. Mix and match, follow your interests, and don't be afraid to wander into another room if something catches your eye.
Curious about social enterprise and keen to learn more
9:45am – Room 1 – The power and potential of social enterprise: opening address
10:45am – Room 4 – Everything you need to know about social enterprise in 37 minutes
12:00pm – Room 2 – Inclusion is messy: unpacking the questions you thought you couldn't ask
1:00pm – Lunch, networking and visiting a range of social enterprise stalls
1:45pm – Room 2 – Business growth, sustainable scaling, and how to do it differently
2:45pm – Room 1 – Money, money, money: how to find it and what's new in funding
4:00pm – Swap notes with others over networking drinks
New to social enterprise and thinking of starting one
9:45am - Room 1 - The power and potential of social enterprise: opening address
11:00am - Room 1 - Four things you need to know to run a sustainable social enterprise
12:00pm - Room 1 - Kickstart your social enterprise: what it takes to build a viable social enterprise, in the cities and in the regions
1:00pm - Lunch, networking and visiting a range of social enterprise stalls
1:45pm - Room 1 - Building a brand, community and audience around your customer and your mission
2:45pm - Room 1 - Money, money, money: how to find it and what's new in funding
3:45pm - Swap notes with others over networking drinks
Already running a social enterprise
9:45am – Room 1 – The power and potential of social enterprise: opening address
11:00am – Room 2 – Social Enterprise Masterclass: what's new and best practice
12:00pm – Room 2 – Inclusion is messy: unpacking the questions you thought you couldn't ask
1:00pm – Lunch, networking and visiting a range of social enterprise stalls
1:45pm – Room 2 – Business growth, sustainable scaling, and how to do it differently
2:45pm – Room 2 – People and culture: strengthening the people who strengthen communities
4:00pm – Swap notes with others over networking drinks
Been around the sector a while and want something beyond the basics
9:45am – Room 1 – The power and potential of social enterprise: opening address
11:00am – Room 3 – How to work with government: best practice supply and advocacy
12:00pm – Room 3 – Uncomfortable topics, trade-offs and taboos: the big picture conversations we need to have
1:00pm – Lunch, networking and visiting a range of social enterprise stalls
1:45pm – Room 3 – Impact Stacking & what comes after you solve the problem
2:45pm – Room 3 – Endings and second acts: what happens when things don't go to plan
4:00pm – Swap notes with others over networking drinks
Working on how your business can buy from more social enterprises
9:45am – Room 1 – The power and potential of social enterprise: opening address
10:45am – Room 4 – Everything you need to know about social enterprise in 37 minutes
11:45am – Room 4 – There's a social enterprise for that! Easy ways to switch to social enterprise suppliers
12:45pm – Lunch, networking and visiting a range of social enterprise stalls
1:30pm – Room 4 – Supplier diversity and economic inclusion: opening the door to new suppliers and strengthening social cohesion
2:30pm – Room 5 – World changing partnerships and how to make them stick
4:00pm – Swap notes with others over networking drinks
Working on how your council or government department can buy from more social enterprises
9:45am – Room 1 – The power and potential of social enterprise: opening address
10:45am – Room 4 – Everything you need to know about social enterprise in 37 minutes
11:45am – Room 4 – There's a social enterprise for that! Easy ways to switch to social enterprise suppliers
12:45pm – Lunch, networking and visiting a range of social enterprise stalls
1:30pm – Room 4 – Supplier diversity and economic inclusion: opening the door to new suppliers and strengthening social cohesion
2:30pm – Room 4 – How and why local and state governments are supporting social enterprise
4:00pm – Swap notes with others over networking drinks
Already a social enterprise champion in business or government
The business, funder and government stream in Room 5 goes deep on case studies.
9:45am – Room 1 – The power and potential of social enterprise: opening address
10:45am – Room 5 – Social procurement in action: levers to truly shift spend
11:45am – Room 5 – 6 social enterprises with circular solutions for businesses and government
12:45pm – Lunch, networking and visiting a range of social enterprise stalls
1:30pm – Room 5 – Where to next for Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs)?
2:30pm – Room 5 – World changing partnerships and how to make change stick
4:00pm – Swap notes with others over networking drinks
Funding social enterprise
9:45am – Room 1 – The power and potential of social enterprise: opening address
11:00am – Room 3 – How to work with government: best practice supply and advocacy
12:00pm – Room 3 – Uncomfortable topics, trade-offs and taboos: the big picture conversations we need to have
1:00pm – Lunch, networking and visiting a range of social enterprise stalls
1:30pm – Room 5 – Where to next for Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs)?
2:30pm – Room 5 – World changing partnerships and how to make change stick
4:00pm – Swap notes with others over networking drinks
Beyond the sessions:
The day also includes a social enterprise market and a buyers expo, as well as a networking function to conclude the main event, so there's room to meet the people behind the sessions too.
Summit at a glance
Friday 13 November 2026, University of Sydney.
Get your Summit ticket | See the full program | Meet the speakers
Want to be there but a ticket isn't in the budget?
Volunteer for 2.5 hours or more on either day and you'll get a free Summit ticket. Apply to volunteer.
Or come to the Social Enterprise Festival on Saturday 14 November. It's free!
What’s next?
The Social Enterprise Festival runs on Saturday 14 November, and it's open for all to attend. Expect market stalls, workshops and hands-on activations from social enterprises across NSW and the ACT. Summit ticket holders will automatically get a 2-day ticket, but if you’d like to bring a friend or share this with them: Grab a free ticket here.
Naturally, it doesn’t stop there! The week after, the Roadshow takes the momentum to regional NSW and the ACT, free for SECNA members. Find an event here.
