SXSW Sydney 2025: Five innovations changing how we live
Annual festival South by Southwest (SXSW) Sydney has returned for its third year, bringing with it a blitz of innovation across the harbour city.
This year's program stretches across tech, music, film and gaming, with seminars and events sprinkled across multiple venues.
At its heart, SXSW Sydney is about ideas with impact. Nowhere is that clearer than in the Innovation Showcase, where start-ups reveal clever fixes for real-world problems, from financial planning to digital focus. Here are five that stood out.
1. Adios: Making end-of-life planning easier
Most of us put off thinking about what happens after we're gone. Adios wants to change that.
Founded by Nook O'Dea, the platform pulls together your legal, financial, health and personal documents in one secure place - and lets you share them with your "amigos", whether that's family, friends, or professionals.
Less than 50% of people have a will and only 14% have end-of-life plans, according to O'Dea.
"The courts are filling up with people contesting estates. A lot of that is because of the lack of conversation and transparency that comes with end-of-life."
Aimed at Australians aged 35-50 juggling mortgages, super and caregiving, Adios hopes to cut stress and legal headaches by making end-of-life planning simple and transparent.
2. Algovestor: Helping SMSFs stay on track
Anyone who runs their own self-managed super fund (SMSF) knows the amount of compliance and migraines that comes with being a trustee.
Algovestor, created by Agrima Bansal and Shreya Prakash, is an investment platform built specifically for SMSFs.
The platform analyses macroeconomic trends, news sentiment, and market movements while also learning from each user's goals, risk appetite, and portfolio.
Unlike most platforms that only consider external data, Algovestor personalises investment insights by understanding the person behind the portfolio while avoiding costly missteps
"SMSF trustees have a lot of power, but also a lot of responsibility," Bansal says. "We built a tool that flags non-compliant actions before the ATO does."
While still in the development stage, Prakash says the platform is looking to talk to SMSF trustees so it can understand their pain points better.
"If you're in that position please reach out."
3. Finwise: When saving becomes social
Finwise is trying to make saving money a team sport.
The app lets users form small "pods" around shared goals and pool funds into decentralised finance protocols, earning returns of 7-18% a year. Withdraw early and you lose the interest; stay the course and you unlock both savings and rewards.
It's designed to help Gen Z savers stay accountable and avoid what the founders call "Shopping Cart Syndrome" - collecting financial tips but never acting on them.
After testing with 40 young Australians, Finwise now plans to grow through university partnerships and creator campaigns.
4. Focus Bear: Beating digital distraction
What began as a productivity tool for neurodivergent users has found a broader audience. Focus Bear helps anyone who struggles to stay on task in a world of constant pings and pop-ups.
The app uses on-device AI detection to spot when you drift into distraction, such as doomscrolling or random tabs, and gently nudges you back. It also monitors mental fatigue and suggests breaks.
"I'm a maths student, but I'd find myself Googling the battles of Napoleon," says Focus Bear spokesperson Noah. "Focus Bear popped up and asked, 'Is this relevant to your task?'"
With 8000 sign-ups and 81 paying users, it's already finding its niche in the attention economy.
5. Mindful Meds: A gentler way to support dementia patients
When Bowen Yang's grandmother was diagnosed with dementia, he saw how difficult it could be for older people to stay on top of daily medication.
That experience inspired the Western Sydney University honours student to design a system that helps people with cognitive decline maintain independence and peace of mind.
Mindful Meds is a dementia-supportive health tech ecosystem that promotes routine through subtle visual cues.
At its core is a smart medication dispenser linked to everyday household objects such as flower vases and keepsake tables, each fitted with glowing lights that softly change colour to signal medication times.
The idea is to guide, not startle, and to make assistive tech feel like part of the home rather than a medical device.
"Existing pill dispensers are often bulky and intimidating," Yang says. "We wanted something gentle and familiar that fits into your home and promotes routine."
The dispenser includes a simple touchscreen interface designed with dementia-friendly features like clear icons, light colours and task-based navigation. Carers can also receive Bluetooth notifications, making it easier to support loved ones remotely.
By combining thoughtful design with practical technology, Bowen hopes Mindful Meds can help restore confidence in daily routines while keeping care discreet and dignified.
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