UTS Startups Confessions: Chris Kirk on Stone & Chalk's journey
Startups are hard. The journey is unpredictable, the challenges immense, and success often feels just out of reach.
That’s why we believe startup communities are so critical—they create ecosystems where founders can thrive, no matter where they’re starting from.
This month, Chris Kirk, CEO of Stone & Chalk, sat down for a conversation at UTS Startups to reflect on our journey and share insights into the future of Australia’s startup ecosystem.
Here are the key takeaways for any budding entrepreneur.
The birth of Stone & Chalk
When Stone & Chalk launched in 2015, it started as a bold experiment. A single building at 50 Bridge Street in Circular Quay, a space destined for demolition.
Kirk and his co-founders pitched the landlord on an unconventional idea: instead of leaving the building empty, let’s fill it with entrepreneurs.
“We sold the vision,” Chris recalls, “and what started as 80 entrepreneurs in 2015 is now over 2,000 across Australia.”
Today, Stone & Chalk operates hubs in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, supporting startups and scaleups in critical industries like space tech, fintech, and renewable energy.
A recipe for success
What made this experiment work? For Chris, the secret lies in a combination of timing, community, and culture.
“There was this grassroots movement in Sydney, especially after the Global Financial Crisis,” he explains. “People were tired of the old banking system, and many highly skilled professionals were out of jobs. It created this perfect storm of talent and opportunity.”
Stone & Chalk leaned into this moment by focusing on what entrepreneurs needed most: connections.
“We curated the resources founders need to succeed,” Kirk said. “Whether it’s raising capital, hiring talent, or expanding internationally, we believed if we could align everything to help great founders do great things, we’d be successful.”
From day one, culture was at the heart of the community:
“We created a place where it was almost impossible for people not to want to be involved,” he said. “That culture of paying it forward has been one of our biggest strengths.”
Why community matters to entrepreneurs
For many founders, the startup journey is isolating.
“It’s a really hard road,” Kirk acknowledged. “It can be lonely, and it’s hard to find people who share your craziness and passion.”
Stone & Chalk was built on a foundation that set out to change that. “We bring like-minded people together who are on their own journeys but share common challenges,” he says.
“The magic of Stone & Chalk is the unstructured collisions of people,” Kirk said. “You’re not going to raise money at your coffee machine at home, but lots of people do at ours.”
Reflecting on his journey, Kirk also shared a personal insight:
“When I started in this space, I found it intimidating. I didn’t know any entrepreneurs, and these precincts didn’t exist. But I learned that you don’t need all the answers. You just need to surround yourself with smart people and be willing to grow.”
That ethos is at the core of Stone & Chalk’s mission. It’s creating and supporting a culture where ambitious people can thrive.
“Entrepreneurship is a long, hard road,” Kirk said. “But when you’re part of a vibrant community that shares your passion, it doesn’t feel so lonely. And that makes all the difference.”
The future of innovation in Australia
As Stone & Chalk expands, we’re doubling down on its mission: to build industries critical to Australia’s future.
This includes supporting entrepreneurs working on bold, high-impact projects like hydrogen development, space exploration, and fintech innovation.
“Our focus is on enabling critical future industries,” Kirk said. “We’re building ecosystems where great entrepreneurs and experts can collaborate.”
“We’re committed to supporting entrepreneurs wherever they are,” Kirk said. “Whether you’re in Sydney, Adelaide, or a regional area, you should be able to tap into these communities.”
Final thoughts
Chris tells a story of the power of community, culture, and vision.
From humble beginnings in a temporary building to our role as Australia’s largest innovation hub, we’ve seen how startups grow and scale to drive progress in our nation.
For anyone looking to take their first step—or their next one—in the entrepreneurial journey, Kirk’s advice is simple:
“Jump in. Go to an event, connect with the community, and see what’s possible. The future of innovation in Australia is bright, and there’s never been a better time to be part of it.”
We look forward to joining us on the journey ahead.
Watch the full video on YouTube or find out more about how you can get involved.