Shows
Humans of Purpose383 Nandeeta Maharaj: Goods For GoodMy guest this week is Nandeeta Maharaj – social entrepreneur, marketing and impact strategist, and founder of Goods 4 Good, a certified social enterprise marketplace helping people shop their values and create impact with every purchase.
With a bold vision to become the “Amazon of social enterprise,” Nandeeta created Goods 4 Good to connect consumers with purpose-driven products that support mental health, environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and poverty alleviation. Today, the platform features over 60 social enterprises and 500+ ethical, values-led products from Australia and around the world.
Nandeeta’s journey is powered by her background in marketing, communications, and social i...
2025-06-1633 min
Funded FuturesAlan Jones – Investing in Startups, Founder Coaching, and the Power of a Good T-ShirtIn this episode of Funded Futures, Emily sits down with Alan Jones, General Partner at M8 Ventures, founder coach, radio host, and t-shirt designer. With a career spanning tech journalism, startup investment, and mentoring early-stage founders, Alan shares his insights on the evolving Australian startup ecosystem, the qualities that make a great founder, and the unexpected role of t-shirts in virtual communication.Alan delves into his experience supporting startups through accelerator programs like Remarkable and Startmate and explains how the pandemic led to the launch of Communitees, a t-shirt project that supports the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre...
2025-03-2042 min
the Executives: A Dialogue with MajidEP 24: Usman Iftikhar, Co-Founder and CEO at CatalysrIn this informative episode of our podcast, I sit down with Usman Iftikhar, the co-founder, and CEO of Catalysr and a venture partner at Backbone Partners. Usman shares his extensive experience and strategic insights that have driven significant innovation and global impact in space technology, resilience, and entrepreneurship. The topic for discussion in this episode is Innovating at the Edge: A Journey through Space, Resilience, and Global Entrepreneurship.
Chapters
00:10 Introduction
00:24 Usman’s Introduction
06:10 Topic introduction
06:40 What kind of challenges are founders building with the support of Catalysr
11:15 What inspired Usman to look into the Space industry
16:45 Wh...
2024-07-1859 min
the Executives: A Dialogue with MajidEpisode 16: Visionaries Unveiled: Navigating Success, Productivity, and Leadership in the Modern EraWelcome to a special episode of "The Executives," where we shine a light on the visionaries shaping our world. "Visionaries Unveiled: Navigating Success, Productivity, and Leadership in the Modern Era" features a diverse group of experienced professionals and leaders sharing their invaluable insights, personal journeys, and strategies for success.
Chapters
00:06 Introduction
00:35 Guest introductions
01:52 Key lesson from the past year
02:28 Advice for professionals, executives, and leaders to thrive through this year
08:02 Personal story that inspired your journey to success
09:21 Aspirations and vision for this year
12:26 Top productivity hack or strategy that has helped you stay practical and...
2024-02-1520 min
Entrepreneurship with Peter Christo#006 Usman Iftikhar Helping Immigrants and Refugees create and build businesses in AustraliaUsman Iftikhar, a systems entrepreneur driving change in multiple sectors and across different countries. Not just a polymath who enjoys art, history, technology, and music, Usman is on a mission to solve two critical global issues: climate change and the refugee crisis. His body of work has garnered him several prestigious awards, making him a notable figure in the international arena.Usman embodies the ‘Renaissance Man’ for the modern age. His depth of curiosity isn’t just for show; it’s an integral part of his holistic approach to solving intricate problems.Usman’s purpose addresses two of the wor...
2023-10-0338 minEntrepreneurship.AU with Christo#006 Usman Iftikhar Helping Immigrants and Refugees create and build businesses in AustraliaUsman Iftikhar, a systems entrepreneur driving change in multiple sectors and across different countries. Not just a polymath who enjoys art, history, technology, and music, Usman is on a mission to solve two critical global issues: climate change and the refugee crisis. His body of work has garnered him several prestigious awards, making him a notable figure in the international arena.Usman embodies the 'Renaissance Man' for the modern age. His depth of curiosity isn't just for show; it's an integral part of his holistic approach to solving intricate problems.Usman's purpose addresses two of the world's "wicked problems": global...
2023-10-0338 min
Startup Palette Show: Startup SuperstarsA Journey from Migrant to Changemaker | Usman Iftikhar | | Startup Palette ShowIn this enriching episode, we are joined by Usman Iftikhar, the dynamic CEO & Co-Founder of Catalysr, a platform that empowers migrants and refugees. Usman shares his personal journey from Pakistan to Australia, his experiences as an international student, and his vision for fostering a society that recognises the valuable contributions of migrants and refugees.
Usman is also an Obama Leader, Edmund Hillary Fellow, Global Shaper for the World Economic Forum and a Venture Partner at Backbone.
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] - Introduction to Usman Iftikhar and his vision for the future of...
2023-09-0436 min
Startup Yoga with BharatiStartup Yoga x Usman Iftikhar l CEO at Catalysr | Venture Partner at Backbone Partners | Passionate about Climate Action, Supporting Migrapreneurs, SpaceTech & Impact InvestingUsman Iftikhar is a well-known figure in the entrepreneurial and startup community, serving as a catalysr for innovation and growth in various industries. He is the founder and CEO of Catalysr, an award-winning startup incubator that helps refugees and migrants in Australia build successful businesses and pursue their dreams. Usman has a passion for supporting underrepresented communities and empowering them to achieve their full potential. He has been recognized for his outstanding work, receiving numerous awards and accolades, including being named in Forbes 30 Under 30 and receiving the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. With his leadership and dedication to...
2023-05-1241 min
Future Directors PodcastEp. 79 - Creating a Tech-Wise Boardroom: How to bring tech-mindedness into the boardroom?It’s part two of last ep’s convo with FDI’s Paul Smith and tech & governance experts, Pia Turcinov and Alan Jones. This time they’re thinking about how those ‘dangerous and disruptive tech folk’ can reframe what they offer, in order to get a seat at the boardroom table in the first place. The conversation spans: Why techy directors are seen as risky. Creating bridges in to the boardroom that can then grow more organically - from digital innovation subcommittees, to just one expert at the table. Getting the supply by...
2023-01-0619 minFuture Directors PodcastEP. 78 - Creating a Tech-Wise Boardroom - Why isn’t tech at the front of every board’s mind?You could be a banana farm. An insurer. A school network. It doesn’t matter. Digital tech is now so integral to day-to-day life that, whatever business you’re in, you’re now a technology business. So why don’t more boards have tech at the top of their minds? Why are Australia’s ASX toppers the top tech laggers? That forms the topic of conversation today between board directors Pia Turcinov and Alan Jones and FDI’s Paul Smith. The conversation spans: Why techy directors are seen as risky. Creating bridges in to the board...
2023-01-0624 min
Migrapreneur Stories by CatalysrStarting a social enterprise in Australia as a migrant ft. Arianna WatsonMomentum is gaining for social enterprise all across the world. In this episode, we are having a chat with Arianna Watson.
Arianna came to Australia from Italy in 2020 just before the pandemic began. Passionate about social enterprise, she along with her co-founder started Think Enough. In this episode, we discuss what it is like to start a social enterprise as a migrant in Australia, what was Arianna's journey like, and some lessons she learned along the way.
2021-08-3137 minMigrapreneur Stories by CatalysrBuilding a space tech startup ft. Taofiq HuqIn this podcast, we have interviewed Taofiq Huq.
Toafiq is the founder and CEO of Spiral Blue. Spiral Blue is developing onboard processing hardware for Earth observation satellites. In this podcast, we are discussing how Toafiq built a successful startup in the space sector, what are some of the challenges that #migrapreneur face, and why an accelerator program can help your startup succeed faster.
2021-08-0538 minMigrapreneur Stories by CatalysrFrom being a pilot to becoming a serial entrepreneur! ft. Devan SabaratnamDevan moved to Australia with his parents when he was 11 years old.
Devan has done it all from being a pilot to a full stack developer to a serial entrepreneur! In this podcast, we ask Devan what it is like to start multiple businesses in Australia and some of the things startup founders should keep in mind in the early days of the startup journey. Moreover, Devan has been a part of Catalysr Accelerate program in 2018 and currently is a mentor to startups in Catalysr's pre-acceleator program.
2021-07-2231 minMigrapreneur Stories by CatalysrAustralian Startup Ecosystem 101 with Marlowe MackenzieIn this episode we have interview our very own operations manager Marlowe Mackenzie.
Marlowe has been a part of the Australian startup ecosystem for over 7 years now and has mentored hundreds of migrant entrepreneurs aka #migrapreneurs. In this interview, we have asked Marlowe questions about the Australian startup ecosystem, some of the mistakes early-stage founders make, and how to look for mentors when you are new to a startup ecosystem.
2021-06-1430 min
A LOT TO SAY PODCASTEp 22: MATE-TIME with Alan JonesAlan Jones (the good one) joins the A LOT TO SAY Podcast for the 2nd last released for 2020, and the 2nd one recorded in-person thus far. Alan is regularly enlisted as an entrepreneur in residence for various accelerator programs and is an active investor, advisor and mentor for all matters pertaining to technology growth, investment, go-to-market strategy, marketing, PR and so much more.Alan is a part of the furniture in the Australian technology ecosystem, but in so many ways as he communicates, it feels like he is just getting started, both by way of his M8...
2020-12-201h 03
#tjgong Entrepreneur Series#22 Mateo Palacio Gómez - Co-founder & Director of charityBayGot the opportunity to talk to Mateo Palacio Gómez, Co-founder & Director of charityBay. * charityBay allows you to auction off your cherished items and direct the proceeds to your favourite charity of choice. With thousands of registered charities available to choose from, your contribution can make a difference to those closest to your heart.Mateo and his friend (Co-founder), realised that a lot of useful items in Australia were ending up in landfills, damaging the environment; they also learned that a good number of charities were financially struggling. They started charityBay with the aim of solving both t...
2020-10-0525 min
Fintech Chatter: Conversations with Fintech CEOs and FoundersEp 42: Alan Jones, M8 VenturesDexter Cousins chats to Alan Jones of M8 Ventures. Alan is a startup founder coach and tech startup angel investor based in Sydney.Alan shares his advice for founders on everything from accelerator programmes, asking investors for money and the proven impacts of diversity in teams. This is one Podcast that is educational and a whole lot of fun!Alan started out as a tech journalist, before becoming an early Yahoo employee. He rode the wild ride of the Dotcom Boom and the Dotcom Crash before leaving to pursue some startup ideas of his own...
2020-09-2142 min
#tjgong Entrepreneur Series#19 Aseel Tayah - Founder of BukjehGot the opportunity to talk to Aseel Tayah, Founder of Bukjeh. * Bukjeh is a community art project on the theme of the “bukjeh”, a sack or swag in which refugees collect their few belongings for their journey. Culminating in a public installation and series of short performances, Bukjeh shares the stories of people who are displaced. It’s a space to ask questions, listen, and connect.Bukjeh was part of ‘First Gens 2.0’ pre-accelerator, a joint initiative by Catalysr and ygap in Melbourne.Aseel comes across as an active, adaptive, friendly, creative, confident, determined, energetic, enthusiastic, gritty, pe...
2020-09-1300 min
#tjgong Entrepreneur Series#15 Niv Atar - Co-founder of DinidaeGot the opportunity to talk to Niv Atar, Co-founder of Dinidae. * Dinidae is a platform dedicated to supporting social enterprises and not-for-profits; 50% of profits go back to sellers for different programs and initiatives to support them, like marketing, business advice and creating networking opportunities. Each store on Dinidae is led by a social impact mission, which includes funding cancer research, youth suicide prevention, providing employment opportunities to marginalized communities to name a few.Niv came to Australia in 2016 and was part of Catalysr’s 2020 accelerator program.Niv comes across as an active, benevolent, curious, determined, di...
2020-08-1600 min
#tjgong Entrepreneur Series#13 Goutham Bandaru - Founder of OfficeFlowGot the opportunity to talk to Goutham Bandaru, founder of OfficeFlow. * OfficeFlow is a simple native desktop app to manage email accounts, cloud-based apps, and to streamline workflow. Goutham came to Australia to do his masters at Deakin University in 2016; and was part of Catalysr’s 2020 accelerator program. Goutham comes across as an adaptive, ambitious, courageous, curious, friendly, logical, open-minded, purposeful, and sincere person. Goutham Bandaru's interview on YouTube. OfficeFlow - Website | LinkedIn | YouTube | LinkedIn - Goutham Bandaru | Tony Jose | #tjgong | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
2020-08-0200 min
#tjgong Entrepreneur Series#9 Usman Iftikhar - CEO of CatalysrGot the opportunity to talk to Usman Iftikhar, who is the CEO of Catalysr, an award-winning pre-accelerator for early stage startups. Usman came to Australia in 2013 to study Masters of Engineering Management at the University of Wollongong. Even after having a master’s degree, Usman found it challenging to get meaningful work in Australia. He realised that, if he was struggling to find meaningful work in Australia even after having an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level 9 qualification, there would be many others who would be in a similar position. With this in mind, he co-founded Catalysr along wit...
2020-07-2500 min
Humans of Purpose169 Usman Iftikhar: Migrapreneur ImpactUsman Iftikhar
Usman is the CEO at Catalysr. Catalysr is an award-winning pre-accelerator for early stage startups.
They run intensive entrepreneurship programs for high-performing migrant and refugee entrepreneurs - aka Migrapreneurs - who want to find success in Australia by building their own tech startup.
Check out First Gens 2.0 Demo Day 2020 presented by Catalysr & ygap on Mon, 29 Jun 2020 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM AEST. Sign up at website above!
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2020-06-2244 min
Inspired for Impact5 Learnings from Singularity University with Usman IftikharUsman Iftikhar turned his struggle to land a full-time engineering job into a startup accelerator that helps refugees and migrants realise their entrepreneurial ambitions - and received a Royal seal of approval for his efforts.
To learn more about Usman and Catalysr please visit https://catalysr.com.au/
To find out more about the SingularityU community visit www.su.org
To attend the SingularityU Australia Summit in October this year visit www.singularityuaustraliasummit.com
2019-07-2209 min
First ActUsman Iftikhar talks failure, life as a migrapreneur, launching Catalysr and meeting Prince HarryUsman Iftikhar is the co-founder of Catalysr, an accelerator program that assists refugees and migrapreneurs to achieve their startup dreams. A mechanical engineer by trade, Usman arrived in Australia in 2013 and like many skilled migrants and refugees before him, he found there were barriers to getting work. Rather than remain disillusioned, Usman took matters into his own hands and started an entrepreneur program that helps others get their start. Today Catalysr has helped over 100 migrapreneurs and spawned over 30 new enterprises. Did we mention he's also the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year! Learn more about...
2019-06-2726 minMigrapreneur Stories by CatalysrUsman Iftikhar - There’s a lot of people who will tell you you can’t do stuff, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it.Start Taking Action or “There’s a lot of people who will tell you you can’t do stuff, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it.”
For our final episode this season, we are joined by Catalysr CEO and co-founder Usman Iftikhar. Usman shares the story of Catalysr, and how his own struggle to find work as a skilled migrant led to him starting his own business - one that helps other people unleash their potential. He also gives us a glimpse into how he is democratising space with his new startup, and how people can prepare themselves f...
2019-06-2700 minMigrapreneur Stories by CatalysrNaby Mariyam - You have to believe it will work out in the long runFrom moving to Australia as a new mother where she knew no one, to building a software service as CEO of Coverhero, we chat to entrepreneur Naby Mariyam about her inspiring story, the social psychology of workplaces, and the importance of finding community. This episode was recorded at The Studio on Level 6 of the Sydney Startup Hub.
Naby Mariyam loves salsa dancing and InsurTech (in that order). When not salsa dancing, she runs Coverhero. An insurtech platform that specializes on delivering insurance in a simple, transparent and affordable way. She is also is obsessively focused on the needs of Millennials...
2019-06-2500 minMigrapreneur Stories by CatalysrAnne-Marie Elias - Just do itWe chat to social entrepreneur Anne-Marie Elias about her parents’ incredible story of grit, her journey into the tech startup space and what it means to address real problems that need solving. This episode was recorded at The Studio in the Sydney Startup Hub during the 2019 Catalysr / Fishburners Demo Fair, at which Anne-Marie was keynote speaker.
Anne-Marie Elias is an Egyptian-born, Italian-Australian whose core focus is to be a catalyst for change, and through a collective effort, restructure the manner in which our social systems support those in need, having spent three decades breaking down the cycle of social disadvantage. Sh...
2019-06-0800 minMigrapreneur Stories by CatalysrLong Phan - Walk the TalkLong Phan is the co-founder of TTI Migration and Investment Consulting which specialises in providing business skills and migration pathways to overseas entrepreneurs and investors. Prior to TTI, Long has a storied history working for multinational corporations in multiple sectors.
We chat to long about his passion for his mother country Vietnam and his home here in Australia, and the role Catalysr played in his work which maximises opportunities for other migrants.
2019-05-2400 minMigrapreneur Stories by CatalysrSyed Mansoor - Changing a million lives by eliminating water poverty.Syed Mansoor is an engineer and social entrepreneur who experienced Water Problems first-hand growing up in Pakistan. He wanted to do something about it as more than half a billion people worldwide lack access to clean water despite the technologies being available. As part of the Catalysr pre-accelerator program, Syed co-founded Water Democracy, a user-focused water purification solutions company with a goal to change a million lives by eliminating water poverty.
2019-05-1800 minMigrapreneur Stories by CatalysrBrian Lim - They wouldn't give me a job because I was a migrantBrian Lim has supported more than 1,000 startups across 100 market verticals across 6 continents. He has founded multiple companies, two which are in the space industry, and has raised more than $5M USD for his companies. He has mentored for the World Food Programs Incubator program and was an Entrepreneur in residence for the Singularity University incubator’s 2018 Cohort. Brian Lim has a focus on deep tech and its value in global transformation.
2019-04-2000 minMigrapreneur Stories by CatalysrMana Ohori - I can't believe I made it this farMana Ohori is a 23 year old material scientist and jewellery designer from Sydney. In 2018 through Catalysr’s pre-accelerator program, she founded “Diamonds from the Sky” which is Australia’s first lab grown diamond startup. Her goal is to grow diamonds above the ground using greenhouse gas as a raw material. She’s been creating engagement rings and wedding bands using the most ethical and sustainable form of diamonds available on the planet. Mana is passionate in environmental sustainability and cutting edge technologies.
2019-03-2200 minMigrapreneur Stories by CatalysrDesh Amila - One Way TicketDesh Amila is an entrepreneur, entertainer, and educator who is on a mission to educate, entertain and enhance the lives of those he connects with. He’s spearheaded the events, hip hop and entertainment industries, founded two charities, and launched one of Australia’s most influential events companies ‘Think Inc’ and more recently in 2018, ‘This Is 42’. Over his career, he has been responsible for hosting world-class events with internationally recognised educators, thought-leaders and scientists such as Dr Neil Degrasse Tyson, Dr Jane Goodall, Dr Brian Greene just to name a few. Most recently he produced and co-directed the documentary film, Islam and th...
2019-03-1500 min
The Failure Proof PodcastEp 9: Alan Jones - M8 VenturesIf you work in the Australian startup scene and don't know who Alan Jones is then you have been living under a rock. Formerly of Yahoo Australia, Alan mentors founders in startup accelerators BlueChilli, Startmate, Catalysr and Collider, on issues around lean startup methodology, product strategy, marketing and team leadership.
He is a founding investor in Australian tech startup venture funds Pollenizer, Startmate and Blackbird Ventures. Alan is currently raising a new venture fund, M8 Ventures, focusing on pre-seed and seed investment in early-stage tech startups in Australia and New Zealand.
Alan has been an active angel investor here and...
2018-09-161h 27
Open the Pod Bay DoorsE33 - Alan Jones, M8 VenturesWe welcome to the pod entrepreneur, investor, mentor and startup evangelist, Alan Jones.With a career spanning over 50 roles; from working for some of largest tech companies in the world, to mentoring with Australia’s leading tech incubators and accelerators, to investing in an amazing portfolio of early stage tech startups. Few people have impacted the local tech ecosystem like Alan.Alan's career started in PR and content, before founding his first business in 1995, and going on to help tech giants like Microsoft and Yahoo! in Australia. With a wealth of experience founding and co-founding web and mobile startups, Alan we...
2018-03-141h 11