Invite only Genesis IRL Res
Genesis IRL Res is a new way to gather, build, and belong IRL.
Proudly powered by Sparks and Lively Properties.
What is Genesis IRL Res?
A 4-day, invite-only residency experience for 48 founders, creatives, technologists, and community builders to co-live, co-work, and co-create across 4 themed houses on the Mornington Peninsula. Includes transport, accommodation, meals, guest mentors, speaker sessions, night-time mixers, workshops, side quests, and more.
The first of its kind. Genesis exists as a curated IRL way to bridge industries, and connect people through purpose, innovation, friendship and opportunity.
4 houses on one block, curated in-person events, activities, programs, etc. Choose your own adventure.
The world doesn’t need more siloed programs. Innovation happens at the edges of industries. We need new bridges!
In a time when industries move fast and increasingly merge, those who can bridge disciplines and speak multiple “languages” will be the ones who shape culture and markets.
Genesis is a curated IRL residency and pop-up village designed to intentionally blur the lines between founders, creatives, operators, musicians, technologists, and community builders.
By carefully curating archetypes and industries within each house and across our wider village, Genesis fosters the serendipity that sparks the future.
A founder riffing with a musician on AI-generated sound.
A community builder collaborating with a creative on spatial design for IRL events.
A tech founder learning narrative and brand storytelling from an artist-in-residence.
A solo creator meeting their next technical co-founder through yoga at 8 am.
→ Curated accommodation + Choose your own journey programming
→ Deep work sessions + founder archetype circles → Nightly dinners + rituals
→ Adjacent public events + side quests and easter eggs
→ Demo Day + Hackathon + House challenges + Talent show
The secret sauce:
-it's IRL infrastructure + social fabric + residency + creator lab + early stage capital engine.
-It's in-person Founder X Investor Due diligence.
-It's the next wave of cross-industry education (startups, creatives, artists, community, tech, etc).
-It's the future of work.
-It's a way to feel connected to others and something bigger than ourselves!
The Houses: 🏘️
Launch House 🚀 (Founders & Operators Focus) led by house captain Trent Scheirs, Cofounder & CEO of GrantHelp.
Pulse House 🎵 (Creatives & Musicians Focus) Led by house captain (TBA)
Sandbox House 🤖 (Tech & AI focus) Led by House Captain Nahele Allen-Moon, Founder of Fathom Digital.
Interlude House (Community & Impact Focus) Led by house captain Elijah D'souza, Director at Uncommon Collective.
🧠 Programming: TBC (All programming is optional and choose your own house/journey format)
***Please note each house has its own programming for each day (of which all are optional & you may choose how/which you participate in), so the following serves as a summarised sample (chosen to reflect the 4 house themes). ACTUAL PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE CLOSER TO DATE.
Day 1 (Friday 8 AUG)
-Group welcome, Breakfast & introduction + guest speaker.
-minivan pick up CBD x4 travel to venues
-"Raising Capital with Founders Who’ve Raised $10M+" Speaker session.
-"Early Exit Playbooks from Founders Who’ve Sold Pre-Series A" Speaker session.
-House Lunch with guest mentors & Investors.
-🤖 Building with AI: From Idea to $1M ARR in Under a Year
-Table tennis championship house challenge
-Invite only Delta Dinner Series (Genesis edition).
-Wind Down yoga and breathwork
-Late night spa/heated pool sesh
Day 2 (Saturday 9 AUG)
-Group beach run
-Breakfast Mixer at nearby cafe
-"GTM Sprints with Operators Who’ve Scaled to $100M+" with guest speaker.
-"Engineering for Speed: How Unicorn CTOs Build Fast (and Keep Shipping)" with guest speaker.
-"Visual IP & Brand Worlds: Building Universes that Print Revenue." workshop with guest speaker.
- Hackathon/Talent show/Demo Day
-House Dinners with Live music performance with special guest.
-Genesis Residency Ticketholders get comped VIP access to "Cosmic Sparks" Afterparty. (Receive your code upon acceptance)
Day 3: (Sunday 10 AUG)
-"Ethics at Scale: AI Founders Navigating Impact, Bias, and Backlash" Speaker Session.
-Coworking + 1:1 mentoring with special guests.
-Community Building with Creators of 100k+ Strong Movements
-Monetising Culture: How Creators Turned Vibes into Venture-Backed Brands
-House challenge night!
Day 4 (Monday 11 AUG)
-House Breakfast with guest mentors & Investors
-Sonic Startups: The Future of Music, Tech & Independent Ownership
-From Burnout to Flywheel: Operationalising Impact Without Breaking Your Team
Ongoing community perks:
-Free online resources
-Curated Intros
-Exclusive invite only event invites
-Ongoing coworking (optional)
-House WhatsApp group access
-Genesis Slack access
-Features in our newsletter
-Discounted tickets to future Genesis SZN's
Meet your host:
Amber Main is a serial founder, community builder, and event host with a background that defies convention.
She dropped out of high school at 16, spent six years working in childcare, and later pursued a degree in biomedical science — all while navigating personal upheaval, including experiencing homelessness and DV during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between university lectures and long nights scrubbing toilets to get by, she built the resilience and clarity that now define her work.
Three years on, Amber owns multiple companies, hosts a podcast, and runs events across Australia. She’s the founder of Ambient Home Group, a high-growth boutique home services company, and the creator of Sparks, "Creating curated IRL connections and converging industries.
Book a call here to learn more. Applications are assessed individually.
Meet Your House Captains:
Launch House 🚀 - Trent Scheirs
Co-Founder & Director, Grant Help
Grant Help’s Co-Founder and Director, Trent Scheirs, has successfully secured over 15 different government grant programs. Trent is passionate about client education, regularly hosting webinars and seminars to share insights into the grant landscape and offer continuous support for his clients' businesses. Such dedication earned him and Lachlan Catanese recognition as finalists for the Business News Australia's Melbourne Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, highlighting their devotion to guiding clients through every step.
Interlude House ⚡️ - Elijah D'Souza
Founding Director @Uncommon Collective
Two-time founder, Community builder, experienced architect, and lead facilitator of migrant-friendly, growth-oriented programs supporting 1K+ founders, creatives, and leaders through real community and personal-professional development.
FAQ's
Who will I meet at Genesis? Many of our community members are part of or connected to: → Blackbird Giants + Founders Fellowship alumni
→ Startmate Accelerator grads + First Believers
→ Antler, Airtree Explorer & Skalata Ventures-backed founders
→ Forbes 30 Under 30 + Young Entrepreneur of the Year alumni
→ Early team at Canva, Linktree, Mr Yum, Culture Amp, Eucalyptus & others
→ The Commons, CreativeCubes.Co & other coworking trailblazers
→ Global tech & creative operators (ex-Google, Spotify, Uber, Airbnb, Netflix)
→ Community builders behind viral movements and 100k+ member platforms
→ Creators & producers behind ARIA-nominated albums, immersive art, & indie labels
→ Engineers & product minds shipping frontier tech in AI, Web3, & climate
→ Startup therapists, creative strategists & brand architects
→ Impact leaders building for people, planet & purpose
→ Founders of B-Corps, ethical brands & culture-first ventures
→ Rebel generalists who don’t fit in one box — and aren’t trying to.What are the house themes? 4 houses, 4 house themes: Tech & AI, Founders & Operators, Community & Impact, Creatives & Music. Each house features its own daily programming, events & side quests, tailored to the theme of the house.
Do I get to choose which house? Yes! We consider your preferences. We will also make the decision based on other applications, so each house has a curated vibe.
Who is Genesis for? Founders, operators, investors, creatives, technologists, artists, and rebels who blur the lines between industries and want to build alongside others doing the same.
How many places are there? SZN 1 Genesis offers 48 places.
Where does Genesis take place? Genesis is hosted across multiple themed houses and venues in Melbourne, each with its own purpose. SZN 1 Genesis will be hosted between 4 houses on one block for proximity and a high-impact effect. Photos can be provided upon booking a meeting, and exact addresses are sent to registered attendees. See here for our venue sponsors' catalogue for a sneak peek!
How do I get there? A private minibus (up to 12 ppl per house/van) will be organised at an arranged location in the CBD to take each house group to Genesis at the start of the program and back at the end. If you do not intend to use this, please notify us asap.
How long does it run for, and what's included? Genesis is part of a larger community of over 5000 strong, to which residents gain access upon registration. This may include, but is not limited to, Access to an ongoing curated, high-quality network and exclusive Investor X Founder Dinner invites, discounted tickets on paid events, including the melting pot summit. 8 weeks of coworking is also included (1x per week).
The invite-only IRL Res itself lasts 4 days and includes a choose-your-own-journey format with curated programming, house matching, transport (to and from), accommodation, meals and activities including morning yoga, group hikes/Sports, House challenges, adjacent/partnered events, access to the afterparty and much more!Do I need to be building a startup to attend?
Not at all. We welcome side hustlers, indie hackers, artists, dreamers, and anyone exploring what’s next. If you vibe with convergence and creativity, this is for you.Is it just talks and panels? Expect hands-on sessions, pitch nights, fireside chats, late-night mixers, workshops, spontaneous collabs, and even a few surprises. Genesis is about doing, not just listening.
Are the houses residential?
Yep, that’s part of the charm. Think huge (6+ bedroom), beautiful properties with group sessions, speakers and mentors, coworking and event hubs for the week. Ongoing coworking takes place before and after the IRL res. It’s all about intimacy and intention.What costs are involved? Access to Genesis IRL Res includes all accommodation, meals, curated house activities, transport, exclusive guest sessions, mentoring, and community perks, carefully designed to foster connection, creativity, and aligned opportunity.
💭 Think late-night pool chats, impromptu brainstorms with unicorn founders, beach runs with your future co-founder, and everything in between.
Spots are extremely limited, and pricing is shared upon application approval or during your discovery call.
We offer flexible payment options and a very limited number of scholarships each season. ✨ Genesis SZN applications have started filling.👉 Book a call or request to join to learn more.
https://calendly.com/contact-uncommoncollectiveau/eli-15-min-meeting
Are payment plans available? Yes, please speak to Amber. We also allow AfterPay.
Are Scholarships available? We offer a very limited number of scholarships per season. These are based on individual circumstances, and preference is given to those who are underrepresented or marginalised.
What if I have more questions? You can book a time here
🤝 Meet Our Sponsors!
Lively Properties is an official venue partner and sponsor of Genesis. Known for their curated collection of luxury accommodations across Victoria's most picturesque regions—including the Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley, and Melbourne surrounds—Lively offers more than just a place to stay; they provide unforgettable experiences. Their properties feature bespoke design, heated pools, spas, and stunning views, ensuring every guest enjoys unparalleled comfort and style. Beyond accommodations, Lively collaborates with local partners to offer exclusive experiences like hot air ballooning, fine dining, and wine tastings, making them the perfect backdrop for innovation and connection at Genesis.
Inspire9 is an official coworking partner and sponsor of Genesis. They are Melbourne’s original community-led coworking space, built for creators, startups, and game-changers. As a proud partner of Genesis, Inspire9 is offering 8 weeks of coworking to our selected residents, providing an inspiring, collaborative place pre and post program to launch ideas, spark connections, and build momentum. With a legacy of supporting innovation and impact, Inspire9 is where community and creativity collide.
Apply to run a session/program/workshop here.
Important Notice for Guests
Admission to this event is by approval only. You will be contacted following your registration for a 1:1 online meeting to discuss your application further. Please note this does NOT guarantee acceptance. Approved guests will receive a personalised confirmation email with a calendar invite and full programming information. Invitations are non-transferable. Additional event details will be shared leading up to the event. Please note that this event copy and agenda may be subject to change.
By attending, you agree to:
Be respectful, professional, and comply with all venue rules, policies, and applicable laws.
Refrain from harassment, discrimination, unwelcome sexual advances (verbal or physical), intimidation, or inappropriate photography/recording.
If you experience or witness a violation, please notify the event host immediately. Violating this Code of Conduct may result in immediate removal from the event and exclusion from future invitations. We reserve the right to cancel your ticket and refund you at any time.
By attending, you acknowledge that participation is voluntary and at your own risk. The event organisers, hosts, sponsors, and venue assume no liability for personal injury, lost/stolen belongings, or any other damages incurred at the event.
By attending, you grant the event organisers and affiliated entities the right to capture, use, and distribute photos, videos, and audio recordings of you for promotional, marketing, and other lawful purposes. This includes but is not limited to digital and print media, advertising, and social media. You waive any right to inspect or approve the final materials and release all claims related to their use.
By registering for this event, you agree to receive marketing and promotional communications from IRL by Amber, as well as from the event’s co-hosts, partners, and sponsors. You may unsubscribe at any time.
If the Event Attendee does not agree to the Code of Conduct, the Event Attendee must not attend the event.
IRL by Amber uses the information you provide to contact you about their relevant content, products, and services. IRL by Amber will share the information you provide with ____, who will use your information for similar purposes. You can unsubscribe from communications from ____at any time. For more information, check out our privacy policy. To unsubscribe from IRL by Amber Communications, see the privacy policy.
📩 Still have questions? Email ambermain96@gmail.com
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IRL by Amber x SPARKS⚡️x Early Access + Friends 🫶
👉 RSVP Now — Spots Are Extremely Limited
"Building Melbourne's Silicon Valley brick by brick" ⚡️