Uncorking potential

Handpicked small caps in the spotlight

Author

Lel Smits
October 09, 2026

We swapped the boardroom for the vineyard this week, bringing together emerging ASX-listed companies and sophisticated investors for Stocks on Location at the spectacular Port Phillip Estate in Victoria. The investor event served up more than exceptional food and wine. We explored big themes - critical minerals, biotechnology, defence and robotics - and ambitious ideas transforming opportunities into reality.

What I valued most was bringing investors face-to-face with the leaders behind the companies. Beyond the presentations and numbers, it's the experience of discovering emerging businesses and uncovering potential.

Enjoy a taste of the companies and conversations that caught our attention, because a well-chosen portfolio, like a great cellar, is built and increases in value over time.

To your investing,

Starpharma (ASX:SPL, US OTC:SPHRY) share price surges +100%

SPL's share price has been heading higher as it advances its dendrimer drug-delivery platform, partnerships and clinical programs with its DEP® HER2-Lu program progressing towards the clinic. Watch Starpharma's CEO Cheryl Maley discuss how SPL is building momentum across its pipeline and upcoming catalysts.

Sunstone Metals (ASX:STM) - Gold-copper projects in Ecuador
STM is advancing its Bramaderos and El Palmar gold-copper projects in Ecuador. At Bramaderos every hole in its latest resource growth drilling program intersected mineralisation outside the existing resource. Managing Director Patrick Duffy discusses the drilling results and the resource update.

Vantage Metals (ASX:VAN) - Exploration in Botswana and Argentina
VAN is advancing exploration across projects in Botswana and Argentina, with drilling now underway at its Kalahari Copper Project and high-grade copper, silver and zinc results emerging from the TMT Project in Argentina. CEO Will Dix discusses the company’s projects, exploration strategy and catalysts ahead.

Power Minerals (ASX:PNN) - Rare earths, lithium & niobium in South America
PNN is a critical minerals company focused on rare earths, lithium and niobium in South America. CEO Alistair Stephens discusses the rapid progress at the Morro do Ferro Rare Earth Project in Brazil, including recent high-grade discoveries and its new priority-project status with the Government of Minas Gerais.

Stavely Minerals (ASX:SVY) - Copper-gold-silver assets in Western Victoria
SVY is advancing its copper-gold-silver assets in Western Victoria, with an updated Scoping Study outlining an estimated pre-tax net present value of $818 million for its Thursday’s Gossan Project. Executive Chair Chris Cairns discusses the project's economics and development options.

Overwatch Technologies (ASX:OWL) - Listing on ASX Friday 16 October
OWL is targeting growing demand for maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Co-Founder and Managing Director Oscar Leslie discusses its ASX listing, Overwatch's technology, government opportunity and plans to expand its capabilities across land and sub-sea environments.

FBR (ASX:FBR) - Mantis moves towards commercialisation
FBR is advancing its Mantis® high-deposition welding robot towards commercialisation, with the technology now commissioned and undergoing trials ahead of Factory Acceptance Testing. CEO Mark Pivac discusses Mantis, the North American market opportunity and FBR’s robotics growth.

Corson Fiske - Business growth, restructuring & value protection
Corson Fiske Australia & New Zealand Managing Partner James Leslie-Watt discusses how Australian business owners and directors can navigate financial pressure, protect intellectual property and position their businesses for long-term growth.

Stannards - Tax planning, succession and scaling a business
Stannards Managing Director Peter Angelini discusses tax-efficient business structures, successful succession planning and the lessons behind Stannards’ rapid expansion - including ~50% revenue growth and an increase in its team from 75 to 120 people over the past two years.

Steinepreis Paganin -  Capital raisings, M&A and protecting shareholder value
Steinepreis Paganin’s Christopher Marr, Partner in the Melbourne office, discusses what boards should know before raising capital, how takeovers really play out and where legal structuring protects shareholder value on the ASX.

Click below to visit the websites of Stocks on Location presenters:

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