The Growth Distillery unveils SXSW Sydney 2025 program featuring Mo Gawdat and new insights
The Growth Distillery will return to SXSW Sydney 2025 with its most expansive program yet — featuring happiness expert Mo Gawdat, groundbreaking insights into the business of sports fans, and a live recording of season two of the Rules Don’t Apply vodcast.
The announcement:
The Growth Distillery returns to SXSW Sydney 2025 with an enhanced program featuring happiness expert Mo Gawdat, groundbreaking research into the business of sports fans, and the second season of the Rules Don’t Apply vodcast with game-changers, disruptors and visionaries.
The Growth Distillery director Dan Krigstein said: “Our SXSW Sydney program this year represents The Growth Distillery’s most ambitious showcase yet for bold ideas. We are creating multiple touchpoints where brilliant minds converge to inspire new perspectives and spark the conversations that shape tomorrow.”
Mo Gawdat special event
The program’s centrepiece features an exclusive in-conversation event at the Museum of Contemporary Art with renowned happiness expert Mo Gawdat and Dan Krigstein. Together they will share insights on happiness, stress, artificial intelligence and humanity.
The Ideas Dome powered by The Growth Distillery
Step into The Ideas Dome at Tumbalong Park for a journey through the forces reshaping Australian culture. From the billion-dollar opportunities hidden in our daily frustrations revealed in What’s Grinding Australia’s Gears to the secrets of building unshakeable loyalty explored in The Formula for Faith, each session uncovers the patterns driving tomorrow’s world.
In other sessions, master the new rules of influence in Influence Disrupted, join the pop culture battle with Tubi Trivia hosted by news.com.au’s Andrew Bucklow, and explore how fantasy leagues are revolutionising the business of sport. Hear from news.com.au’s Mary Madigan in conversation with influencer of the moment Kayla Jade, dive into The Daily Telegraph’s Typewriter to TikTok evolution with Entertainment Editor Jonathon Moran, and discover why There’s No Such Thing As Unprecedented.
New economies of sport at the ICC
On stage at the ICC, The Growth Distillery head of commercial, Leigh Lavery, will explore the surge in Aussie sports fandom which is up 21% since 2021 to almost 17 million adult fans. With 54% of fans now engaging with sports content beyond live games, the opportunities for codes and brands is unprecedented.
Rules Don’t Apply vodcast
Dan Krigstein will record the second season of Rules Don’t Apply live from The Gallery. Episodes will feature some of SXSW Sydney’s most compelling voices sharing unconventional wisdom and breakthrough insights.
SXSW Sydney 2025 runs October 13–19, 2025.
The Growth Distillery is an independent research think-tank, powered by News Corp Australia. To find out more go to The Growth Distillery website or LinkedIn.
Source: News Corp Australia
