Shows
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyHow Agentic AI Actually Works (and What’s Still Hype)Episode SummaryBefore AI was cool, Dominick Ng was already building it. From a tiny country town in regional NSW to a PhD, a Fulbright Scholarship, and nine years at Google, Dom’s journey is the definition of technical brilliance meets humility. Today, he’s the Director of Engineering at Relevance AI, one of Australia’s fastest-growing agentic AI startups, backed by global investors and reshaping how teams build with large language models.In this episode of In The Blink of AI, Georgie Healy sits down with Dom to talk about the real limits of agenti...
2025-10-301h 05
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyMeasuring Human Emotion with AI: Harrison Kennedy on Building ReFreshBefore he was a VC-backed founder, Harrison Kennedy was walking for Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, and Tiffany & Co., a teenager from the Gold Coast suddenly living a global modeling career. When COVID hit, that world stopped. What began as a mental health podcast with a friend became Really Mental, a media company backed by Amazon, reaching 25 million people and hundreds of millions of collective followers.Now, Harrison’s building ReFresh, an emotional intelligence platform that helps companies detect how their people are feeling. Using AI models that analyse tone, text, and behavioural signals across tools like Slack an...
2025-10-2350 min
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyVelocity & Vibes: How Enhance Labs Raised Millions Before Building AnythingEpisode SummaryWhen Mike Keating and Haziq Nordin founded Enhance Labs, they raised millions without a product, a pitch deck, or even a bank account. Backed by Blackbird and QIC, they became known for their unfiltered takes, chaotic energy, and refusal to ship something they didn’t believe in, even as the rest of the AI world raced to launch.For months, they experimented in the shadows, building, pivoting, and learning why most AI startups were destined to fail. Then came the breakthrough: a way to let every user design their own personal internet, a “livi...
2025-10-161h 05
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyANZ Needs AI Deepfake Laws ASAP | Replay Episode with Laura McClureEpisode SummaryLaura McClure, Member of Parliament for the ACT Party in New Zealand, joins In the Blink of AI to unpack her viral deepfake experience, her groundbreaking member’s bill, and why tech regulation must protect victims without stifling innovation.In a powerful conversation, Laura reveals how she created a deepfake of herself in minutes—and why it’s a wake-up call for policymakers worldwide. She shares insights on balancing tech freedoms with responsible safeguards, why regulation is about behaviour not banning tools, and how New Zealand’s slow policy-making could leave them lagging behind.
2025-10-0950 min
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyHow to Stay Creative in the Age of Average AI | Christina Jones, CanvaEpisode SummaryThere’s a lot of AI slop out there, bland prompts, generic images, boring text that all blends together. But how do you stand out when everything looks the same?In this episode of In The Blink of AI, Georgie Healy sits down with Christina Jones (aka CJ), Head of Design for Generative AI at Canva, for an unfiltered conversation about creativity, originality, and why taste is the new moat in AI.CJ shares her journey from experimenting with a “cat editor” chatbot called Lemon to leading the design of Canva’s Magic...
2025-10-0250 min
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyReplay Ep - Building AI Support So Good, You’ll Wonder: Is This Really AI? | Steve Hind, LorikeetEpisode SummaryReplay Episode! When this conversation with Lorikeet co-founder Steve Hind first aired, the company had just raised $14M. Fast forward a few short months and they’ve doubled their valuation, become the hottest name in Australian AI, and poached some of the best engineers in the country. With so many new subscribers since then, we’re bringing this one back.In this episode, Georgie Healy sits down with Steve to unpack how Lorikeet built Rae, an AI platform powering complex support for banks, healthcare, SaaS, and beyond. Steve explains why Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) isn’...
2025-09-2644 min
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyHow Stripe Uses AI to Make Global Payments Feel LocalEpisode SummaryWhat if the next big unlock in payments wasn’t just faster checkouts, but bots buying on our behalf? In this episode of In the Blink of AI, Georgie Healy sits down with Karl Durrance, Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand at Stripe, to explore how AI is reshaping money movement at a global scale.Karl reveals how Stripe is tackling fraud versus scams (and why scams are now the bigger threat), why AI startups are hitting revenue milestones at unprecedented speed, and what agentic commerce could mean for the way we sh...
2025-09-1048 min
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyHow Digital Twins & AI Are Saving Billions in Infrastructure Costs | Jack Curtis from NearaEpisode SummaryWhat if we could simulate extreme weather before it strikes, and use AI to prevent billions of dollars in damage?In this episode of In the Blink of AI, Georgie Healy sits down with Jack Curtis, Chief Commercial & Operations Officer at Neara, the startup building digital twins of critical infrastructure like electricity grids. Together, they unpack how AI is reshaping energy, data centers, and even Australia’s role in the global technology race.From the true drivers of rising energy bills to why “climate tech is far from dead,” Jack shares a cand...
2025-08-2852 min
Pick My Brain with Alan 'the nice one' JonesCole Cornford on Protecting Startup Attack Surfaces | Galah CyberEpisode SummaryFor most founders, cybersecurity feels like something to worry about “later.” But what if ignoring it now could kill your business before it even gets off the ground?In this episode of Pick My Brain, Cole Cornford, founder of Galah Cyber, joins Alan Jones to unpack the real security risks early-stage startups face, and why they’re not always the ones you expect. Forget hoodie-wearing hackers: the bigger risks might be your Instagram account, your payments funnel, or the invoices sitting in your inbox.Alan and Cole explore how to think about...
2025-08-2625 min
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyThe Truth About AI Agents: Real Wins, Real FailuresEpisode SummaryAt a Relevance AI community event, Georgie Healy speaks with Beth Lovell (FoBoH), Sam Garven (Hello Canopy) and Sally (King River Capital) about building AI agents that deliver real results. They share practical hacks, first-use cases, and lessons learned on data hygiene, onboarding and keeping humans in the loop. The panel also explores why women are adopting AI at lower rates and how non-engineers can use their unique strengths to create better tools.Time Stamps01:05 – Beth’s journey from Woolies X to FoBoH: COVID supply chains, failed portals & why AI is diff...
2025-08-1437 min
Pick My Brain with Alan 'the nice one' JonesThe 4 Things Every Investor Wants to Hear in Your PitchEpisode SummaryTap, beep, done. Australia’s payment experience is one of the world’s most convenient, but also one of the most expensive. Small businesses lose thousands a month in card and scheme fees, while everyday Australians pay hundreds each year just to access their own money.In this episode of Pick My Brain, Gaurav Rana, co-founder of GANI Pay, joins Alan Jones to pitch his mobile-first payment platform designed to bypass the legacy card system entirely. GANI Pay uses NPP, PayID, and PayTo to enable instant, secure QR payments, with flat monthly fees for...
2025-08-1226 min
Pick My Brain with Alan 'the nice one' JonesHow to Win Clients When Everyone’s Using the Same AIEpisode SummaryWould you trust AI to help close a multi-million dollar acquisition? That’s exactly what Deeligence is helping lawyers do faster and with fewer headaches.In this episode of Pick My Brain, Elena Tsalanidis, co-founder of Deeligence joins Alan Jones to pitch her AI-powered legal tech startup. Elena shares how her platform streamlines the M&A due diligence process for lawyers, cutting review time in half while delivering greater accuracy.Alan and Elena dive deep into B2B SaaS sales strategy, how to stand out in a sea of AI wrappers, an...
2025-07-2935 min
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyHow BuildShip Is Building the Future of Dev Tools (With Harini Janakiraman & Shams Mosowi)Episode SummaryHarini Janakiraman and Shams Mosowi are the powerhouse co-founders behind BuildShip, a platform helping businesses automate complex backend and AI workflows in minutes. In this episode, they unpack what it really takes to build a fast-moving AI startup that developers not only use, but love.Georgie dives into their founding story (from Antler hire to co-founder), their approach to vibe coding with tools like Claude and Cursor, and why product alone isn’t enough in today’s AI landscape. The trio also plays “hit or miss” with popular dev tools like Midjourney, Replit, Cursor...
2025-07-1744 min
Pick My Brain with Alan 'the nice one' JonesHow to Build a Community-Led Startup | with James Davie from MiyagiEpisode SummaryJames Davie is the Co-founder and CEO of Miyagi, an AI-powered platform helping tech companies run more efficient and engaging online communities. In this episode, Alan sits down with James to explore what it takes to build a startup when you’ve never sold a thing in your life, and why community might just be the next frontier in customer experience.They talk founder-led sales, credibility building on LinkedIn, and how James is navigating the messy middle between MVP and product-market fit. You’ll also hear real insights into Miyagi’s pilot customers, the im...
2025-07-1535 min
Pick My Brain with Alan 'the nice one' JonesHiring in 27 Seconds: Luke Marshall on Growth, Gen Z & Video-First Recruitment with UseVerbEpisode SummaryCan a 27-second video replace a cover letter?In this episode, Alan sits down with Luke Marshall, Head of Growth at UseVerb, a startup reinventing the way frontline teams hire with short-form video job applications. Luke shares his journey from big-budget media agencies to lean startup teams, the lessons learned from building and rebuilding UseVerb, and why Gen Z is redefining how we think about recruitment, content, and connection.You’ll hear why UseVerb is doubling down on portrait video, how they’re targeting multi-location retailers and hospitality groups, and what thei...
2025-07-0136 min
Pick My Brain with Alan 'the nice one' JonesHow to Build Ethical AI for Artists: Kartini Ludwig Pitches Koup MusicWould you play a guitar without tuning it? Of course not. So why use AI music tools that you can’t control? That’s the thinking behind Koup Music.In this episode of Pick My Brain, Kartini Ludwig, co-founder and CEO of Koup Music, shares her vision for an ethical, artist-first AI music platform. Kartini explains how Koup allows artists to fine-tune and collaborate with AI models to unlock new sonic possibilities, while still maintaining creative control.Alan Jones dives deep into Koup’s pitch, offering tactical advice on simplifying IP rights, presenting a stronger fundra...
2025-06-1732 min
Pick My Brain with Alan 'the nice one' JonesHow Bardar Pivoted: Dexter Todd’s Festival Data PlaybookEpisode SummaryImagine navigating a festival with ease, knowing exactly where to go, how busy each venue is, and what’s happening around you. That’s the vision behind Bardar, an app revolutionising the festival experience.In this episode of Pick My Brain, Dexter Todd shares how Bardar pivoted from a nightlife discovery app into a data-driven platform that helps festival organisers improve attendee experiences and prove their economic impact. Alan Jones dives into the importance of positioning Bardar as an enterprise SaaS product rather than a one-off event app, and how this strategy can unloc...
2025-06-0325 min
Pick My Brain with Alan 'the nice one' JonesHow to Hook Investors: Alan Jones Breaks Down Braiv’s Winning PitchEpisode SummaryImagine translating, dubbing, and captioning a full video course in multiple languages, automatically, in minutes, and at a fraction of the cost. That’s exactly what Ben Radcliffe and his team at Braiv are building.In this episode of Pick My Brain, Ben shares the journey of launching Braiv’s AI-powered multi-language video platform, how they’re helping online educators reach global audiences, and why their pitch has evolved dramatically after just two months in beta.Alan Jones breaks down Ben’s pitch with sharp advice on cutting the buzzwords, leading with tra...
2025-05-2017 min
Pick My Brain with Alan 'the nice one' JonesWould You Rent Your Backyard for Events? Say Hello to Kabir Arora from BackyaEpisode SummaryKabir Arora is the co-founder of Backya, a fresh take on the events marketplace, connecting homeowners with underused backyards to people who need affordable, outdoor spaces to celebrate. In this episode, Kabir walks Alan through his pitch and early traction, including $2K in bookings and a growing network of yard hosts and service providers. Alan shares advice on investor decks, creating emotional hooks, and why a short video from your co-founders might just seal the deal. It’s the perfect listen for first-time founders and anyone building a marketplace from scratch.Time Stamps
2025-05-0615 min
Pick My Brain with Alan 'the nice one' JonesLate Payments, Big Problems: Stephen Neli on Fixing Small Biz Cash Flow with ZellusEpisode SummaryStephen Neli is only six weeks into building Zellus, but he’s already going after one of small business’ biggest problems—late payments. In this episode, he shares the origin story behind Zellus, how he’s pitching investors and customers, and what it’s like starting up solo (with a lot of heart and a little help from Figma). Alan breaks down his pitch, offers advice on finding a tech co-founder, and chats about that sneaky startup sidekick: imposter syndrome. If you’re an early-stage founder, this one’s packed with gold.Time Stamps...
2025-04-2234 min
Pick My Brain with Alan 'the nice one' JonesFixing Fitting Rooms (and Startup Pitches) with Olivya MunroEpisode SummaryOlivya Munro, founder of Zello Studio, is on a mission to transform fitting rooms with smart tech. She shares how a frustrating shopping experience sparked the idea for Zello, how she turned that idea into a startup, and why retailers are eager to get on board. Alan puts her pitch to the test, offering advice on storytelling, investor questions, and scaling in a tech-resistant industry. Whether you’re a founder refining your pitch or just love a good startup origin story, this episode is packed with insights.Time Stamps1:33 – From fashion drea...
2025-04-0822 min
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyBuilding AI Support So Good, You’ll Wonder: "Is This Even AI?" (Ft. Steve Hind, CEO Lorikeet)Episode SummaryIn this episode of "In the Blink of AI," host Georgie Healy interviews Steve Hind, co-founder of Lorikeet, a leading AI customer support platform tailored for complex industries like FinTech and health tech. Steve discusses the evolving landscape of AI, addressing common misconceptions about its capabilities and the importance of prioritising customer experience. He emphasises that delivering effective support, whether through humans or AI, hinges on the intent and goals of the business.Steve elaborates on the uniqueness of Lorikeet's platform, which enables companies to train AI agents to handle intricate support queries...
2025-02-2742 min
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyRevolutionising Pet Healthcare with AI ft. Jing Wei from FetchEpisode SummaryIn this episode of In The Blink of AI, Georgie Healy chats with Jing Wei, Lead AI Engineer at Fetch, an InsurTech startup backed by Airtree. Fetch is leveraging AI to streamline pet insurance claims, making vet care more accessible and efficient.Jing shares insights into AI’s role in pet healthcare, tackling handwritten vet notes, PDFs, and complex medical data to speed up claims processing. She also discusses the rise of robotic pets, including China's viral AI guinea pig Boo Boo, and the implications of AI-driven pet monitoring.The conversation ex...
2025-02-2047 min
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyThe Investor’s Playbook: What VCs Look for in AI StartupsEpisode SummaryIn this episode of In the Blink of AI, host Georgie Healy sits down with Danielle Haj-Moussa, an investor at Main Sequence, Australia’s largest deep-tech VC fund. As the first VC guest on the podcast, Danielle offers a rare inside look into what investors are really looking for in AI startups, how scaling laws are shaping the future of AI, and whether we are in an AI bubble.She dives deep into the intersection of AI and robotics, how foundational AI models are impacting real-world applications, and why Australian founders are uniquely po...
2025-02-1355 min
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyDecoding DeepSeek's AI Breakthrough: The $5M Model That Shook NvidiaEpisode SummaryIn this groundbreaking episode of In the Blink of AI, Georgie is joined by Daniel Bertram, CEO and co-founder of GigaBuddy, to unpack the breaking news about DeepSeek’s new AI models. Together, they dive deep into the implications of DeepSeek's R1 and V3 reasoning models, NVIDIA's market shake-up, and the broader context of open-source versus closed AI systems. They also explore AI ethics, privacy concerns, and what these developments mean for startups, investors, and everyday users. Whether you're an AI enthusiast or curious about how these technologies impact you, this episode offers invaluable insights....
2025-01-2946 min
The Mix Powered By Climate SaladPowering the Future of EVs: How Alchemy Charge is Making EV Charging SmarterEpisode Summary⚡ Dive into the world of EV charging innovation with Mick Liubinskas from Climate Salad as he chats with Yasemin, co-founder of Alchemy Charge. Discover how a “monetised PowerPoint” idea sparked a revolution in EV charging, enabling smarter and more accessible charging solutions across Australia and beyond.Yasemin shares the fascinating journey of launching Alchemy Charge, the challenges of scaling a climate tech startup, and the opportunities in electrifying global markets like Southeast Asia. From addressing Strata complexities to introducing game-changing solutions for two- and three-wheelers, this episode is packed with insights on entrepreneurship, climat...
2025-01-2639 min
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealySam Garven on Building Safer Workplaces with AI: Say Hello CanopyEpisode SummaryIn this compelling episode, Georgie Healy interviews Sam Garven, co-founder of Hello Canopy, a revolutionary AI-powered misconduct and psychosocial safety reporting platform. Sam shares her personal journey from experiencing workplace harassment to founding a startup aimed at creating safer workplaces. She discusses Canopy’s mission, the challenges of building an AI product as a non-technical founder, and the unique aspects of the Australian startup ecosystem. Sam also opens up about her experience with the Techstars Accelerator and emphasises the importance of building in public and embracing vulnerability. This episode is packed with insights on leadership, in...
2025-01-2351 min
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyDemocratising Generative AI: Jeevika Makani on Building TopRoadEpisode SummaryIn this episode of In the Blink of AI, host Georgie Healy interviews Jeevika Makani, co-founder of TopRoad and Y Combinator alum. Jeevika explains TopRoad’s mission to democratise AI by helping developers monetise custom GPTs in the OpenAI store. She reveals how “apps” (or GPTs) can offer more specialised functionality than ChatGPT alone, enabling end-to-end user experiences, like e-commerce fulfilment or streamlined travel planning. Jeevika also shares her experiences graduating from Y Combinator, discussing what founders need to succeed and why creating tangible value for users is more important than hype. Finally, she dives into t...
2025-01-2346 min
The Mix Powered By Climate SaladThe Future of Ethical Shopping: Insights from Good On You’s Gordon Renouf🌱 Join Mick Liubinskas from Climate Salad as he chats with Gordon Renouf, founder of Good On You, the global platform revolutionising sustainable consumer choices by rating brands on their impact on people, the planet, and animals!Discover how Good On You empowers shoppers to make ethical decisions while encouraging brands to improve their sustainability practices. Gordon shares his inspiring journey from consumer advocacy to building a social impact business, discusses the challenges of fast fashion, and explores the future of sustainable production and consumption. Learn about their global partnerships, innovative tools like Good Measures, and the pivotal rol...
2025-01-1941 min
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyFrom Surveys to Insights Overnight: Brendan Cervin on Ideally’s JourneyEpisode SummaryIn this episode of In the Blink of AI, Georgie Healy speaks with Brendan Cervin, CTO at Ideally, a cutting-edge consumer insights platform redefining the research process with AI. IDEALI enables companies to access overnight insights, turning weeks of research into hours, and has quickly become a game-changer for ANZ corporates. Brendan delves into the evolution of market research, the role of AI in creating actionable insights, and the challenges of integrating AI technologies into traditional business processes. From discussing Google Glass to synthetic data, this episode provides an insider’s perspective on the disruptive po...
2025-01-1540 min
The Mix Powered By Climate SaladBuilding Big Batteries and a Climate-Positive Future: Thomas Nann on Allegro’s Energy Solutions🌏 Join Mick Liubinskas from Climate Salad as he interviews Thomas Nann, CEO of Allegro Energy, a pioneering Australian cleantech company redefining energy storage with long-duration batteries!Discover how Allegro Energy is tackling the challenges of renewable energy integration with innovative flow battery technology. Thomas shares his inspiring journey from academia to entrepreneurship, discusses the limitations of lithium-ion batteries, and highlights Allegro's global ambitions. Learn about their partnership with Origin Energy, Australia's leadership in cleantech, and the essential role of collaboration in building a climate-positive future.🎯 Key Topics:• The founding story of Allegro Energy• W...
2025-01-1239 min
The Mix Powered By Climate SaladRevolutionising Energy Transition: A Conversation with DNA Energy’s Co-Founder Dan Barber🌍 Join Mick Liubinskas from Climate Salad as he interviews Dan Barber, co-founder of DNA Energy, a pioneering startup driving the energy transition through cutting-edge solutions!Discover how DNA Energy is revolutionising energy management with innovative hardware and software that integrate renewable assets, optimise energy efficiency, and monetise demand response programs. Dan shares insights into their journey from startup challenges to scaling, the critical role of economic incentives in sustainability, and strategies for expanding globally.🎯 Key Topics:• The DNA Energy founding story• Overcoming challenges in energy transition• Economic drivers of sustainabili...
2025-01-0530 min
The Mix Powered By Climate SaladInnovating Sustainable Textile Dyes: A Conversation with Newera Bio's Co-Founder Lucie Semenec🌿 Join Mick Liubinskas from Climate Salad as he interviews Lucie Semenec, co-founder and CEO of Newera Bio, a groundbreaking startup revolutionizing textile dyes!Discover how Lucie transformed her academic research into an innovative business creating sustainable microbial dyes to replace harmful fossil fuel-based alternatives. Learn about their journey through UNSW Founders 10x Accelerator, partnerships with Main Sequence Ventures, and exciting plans for global impact.🎯 Key Topics:• The founding story of Newera Bio• Challenges and breakthroughs in sustainable dye development• Environmental impact of textile dyes• Startup accelerator experience• Funding...
2024-12-2937 min
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyCreativity at Light Speed: Inside Riccardo Grinover’s Work with Leonardo AIEpisode SummaryIn this episode of "In the Blink of AI," host Georgie Healy engages with Riccardo Grinover, Senior Product Manager and AI Specialist at Leonardo AI. Riccardo delves into the transformative journey of Leonardo AI from its inception using off-the-shelf models to becoming a pioneer in custom AI models like the Phoenix. They explore the intricate balance between rapid innovation and maintaining high-quality outputs, the strategic role of AI researchers in pushing the envelope of what's possible, and how real-time image generation is revolutionising user interaction. The discussion also covers the impact of Leonardo's acquisition by...
2024-12-191h 03
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyScaling AI Education for Founders: Inside BuildClub with Annie LiaoEpisode SummaryIn this episode of In the Blink of AI, host Georgie Healy speaks with Annie Liao, founder of BuildClub, an AI-focused community and learning platform. Annie shares the journey from a weekend coworking group to a thriving ecosystem helping over a thousand founders and engineers learn, build, and grow in AI. They discuss why technical founders often struggle with customer validation, how AI is reducing barriers to entry for startups, and the importance of diversity, inclusion, and accessible education. From partnering with frontier dev tools to envisioning a future where anyone can build with AI...
2024-12-1234 min
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyInnovating for Better Brains: Christina Maher's Journey with BrainLandEpisode SummaryIn this engaging episode of "In the Blink of AI," host Georgie Healy speaks with Christina Maher, founder and CEO of BrainLand. Christina, a neuroscientist and biomedical engineer, shares her journey from academia to launching a health tech startup focused on brain health. The discussion explores the intersection of AI technology and healthcare, touching on the use of biometrics, the significance of personal and familial health experiences, and the future of digital health tools. Insights into the challenges and processes of integrating AI in medical applications, as well as the broader impact of technology on...
2024-12-0543 min
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyNavigating Founder Mode: Building Redactive AI with Alex ValenteEpisode SummaryIn this episode of In the Blink of AI, Georgie Healy interviews Alex Valente, co-founder of Redactive AI. They discuss how Redactive helps enterprises manage data threats and empower security teams through innovative use of generative AI. Valente shares his journey from working at Atlassian on enterprise products to founding Redactive, detailing how the company achieved one of Australia's largest seed rounds. They dive into the importance of customer-centric approaches, the challenges of integrating AI into enterprise environments, and the significance of having a large vision as a founder. Valente also emphasises the importance of...
2024-11-2140 min
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyMapping Human Emotions: Nicole Gibson on inTruth's Biometric BreakthroughEpisode SummaryNicole Gibson, CEO and founder of inTruth, joins host Georgie Healy on "In the Blink of AI" to explore how her company is pioneering the tracking of human emotions through wearable technology with clinical-grade accuracy. They delve into the innovative technology that processes biometric data from PPG sensors to objectively quantify emotions, discuss the potential personal and societal impacts, and address the ethical considerations surrounding data sovereignty and privacy. Nicole shares her vision for enhancing emotional intelligence globally, the challenges faced in societal acceptance, and the transformative applications of integrating AI with emotion-tracking technology.
2024-11-1451 min
In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyLeveraging AI for Biodiversity Conservation with Jada Andersen of Xylo SystemsEpisode SummaryIn this episode of "In the Blink of AI," host Georgie Healy speaks with Jada Andersen, CTO and co-founder of Xylo Systems, a cloud-based data and AI platform that empowers businesses to measure and manage their biodiversity footprint. Jada discusses the growing global recognition of economic dependency on nature and the existential threat posed by biodiversity decline. She explains how Xylo Systems leverages AI to process complex biodiversity data from disparate sources, including remote sensing technologies like camera traps and bioacoustics, to provide actionable insights for businesses. The conversation delves into the challenges of educating...
2024-11-0741 min
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine Minter[TRAILER] In the Blink of A.I-Conversations with AI Innovators - In The Blink of AI with Georgie HealyEpisode SummaryIn the Blink of AI: Conversations with AI Innovators Join Georgie Healy on 'In the Blink of AI', your weekly guide to the dynamic world of artificial intelligence. Each episode features interviews with the founders of top AI startups, creative product builders, and industry leaders. With 20 years in engineering and technology, Georgie aims to distill complex AI concepts into engaging stories. The show covers business building, cutting-edge AI technology, and guests' approaches to developing AI products, finishing with rapid-fire questions for quick insights. Connect with Georgie on LinkedIn, Instagram, or via email to...
2024-10-2702 minIn The Blink of AI with Georgie Healy[TRAILER] In the Blink of A.I-Conversations with AI InnovatorsEpisode SummaryIn the Blink of AI: Conversations with AI Innovators Join Georgie Healy on 'In the Blink of AI', your weekly guide to the dynamic world of artificial intelligence. Each episode features interviews with the founders of top AI startups, creative product builders, and industry leaders. With 20 years in engineering and technology, Georgie aims to distill complex AI concepts into engaging stories. The show covers business building, cutting-edge AI technology, and guests' approaches to developing AI products, finishing with rapid-fire questions for quick insights. Connect with Georgie on LinkedIn, Instagram, or via email to...
2024-10-2702 min
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterNavigating Venture Capital: Aligning Incentives and Realistic Outcomes with Georgie TurnerEpisode Summary:In this engaging episode, the hosts Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter are joined by Georgie Turner, a partner at Tidal, to delve into the nuances of early-stage investing, cross-border strategies, and the evolving landscape of venture capital. The episode opens with a lively introduction to Georgie's background and her journey from Bailador to founding Tidal, a fund focused on B2B SaaS and AI. The hosts discuss the challenges and rewards of building a fund, the intricacies of capital management, and the importance of alignment between founders and investors.Throughout the conversation, the...
2024-09-1545 min
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterFrom Scalpel to Syndicate: Paul Kelly's Guide to Navigating Biotech InvestingEpisode Summary:In this episode of First Cheque, hosts Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter sit down with biotech investment expert Paul Kelly. The conversation demystifies the complex world of biotech investing, making it accessible for even those who are new to the field. Paul shares his journey from a practising physician to a pioneering investor in the biotech space, offering valuable insights into the industry's rapid evolution and high stakes.Paul explains the fundamentals of biotech investing, including the typical risks and rewards, the lengthy timeframes involved, and the importance of understanding the science and...
2024-08-251h 00
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterUnlocking Tax Benefits for Angel Investors: A Deep Dive into ESIC, ESVCLP, and Investment Strategies with Cheryl Mack and Maxine MinterEpisode Summary:In this episode, Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter dive into the intricate details of tax incentives and structures for angel investors in Australia. Tackling the seemingly dry topic of tax with enthusiasm, they explore how these regulations can substantially benefit early-stage investors. Cheryl brings her wealth of experience to the table, elucidating the complexities of acronyms like ESV CLP and ASIC, while Maxine peppers the conversation with insightful queries and contextual examples.Cheryl explains the criteria and benefits associated with Early Stage Innovation Companies (ESIC) and Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnerships (ESV...
2024-08-1836 min
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterQ&A: Practical Advice on Secondaries, Valuations, and Building Strong Investor RelationsEpisode Summary:In this episode of the First Cheque podcast, Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter delve into the intricacies of early-stage investing, focusing on the importance of secondaries, the value of strong founder-investor relationships, and how to navigate high valuations. This episode is a milestone as it's entirely driven by audience questions, providing targeted insights and practical advice for investors and founders alike.Cheryl and Maxine kick off by discussing the significance of secondaries in the investment ecosystem. They explore how secondaries can provide liquidity options for founders, early employees, and initial investors, comparing the...
2024-08-0452 min
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterExploring Growth Stage Investing with Ex-Investment Banker with Christina FaTurned VCEpisode Summary:In this episode, host Maxine Minter and co-host Cheryl Mack dive into the world of growth stage investing with guest Christina Fa from NewView Capital. They explore the reasons why ex-investment bankers transition to VC, discuss the nuances of growth-stage investing, and shed light on the importance of secondaries in the current market landscape. Christina shares insights on company scaling in different ecosystems, the impact of GenAI innovation, and the changing dynamics of venture capital.Key topics covered include the unique factors influencing growth stage investments, the difference between primary and secondary investing...
2024-07-2149 min
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterBronwen Clune on Risk Appetite and the Future of Australian StartupsEpisode Summary:In this episode, Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter engage in an enlightening conversation with Bronwen Clune, discussing her journey from journalism to startups and back to media. Bronwen shares insights on the Australian startup ecosystem, the future of journalism, and the intersecting landscapes of politics, markets, and entrepreneurship. Delving into the impact of risk appetite, the tension between traditional markets and startups, and the evolving dynamics of super funds, the discussion provides a comprehensive view of the current landscape.Key themes include the shifting risk perceptions in Australia, the resilience and adaptability of...
2024-07-0753 min
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterPortfolio Allocation: Diversification vs. Concentration Strategies UnpackedEpisode Summary:In this episode, Maxine Minter and Cheryl Mack delve deep into the essential considerations of portfolio allocation, focusing on diversification versus concentration in early-stage investing. They explore the concept of portfolio construction, risk management, power law dynamics, and the importance of strategy in maximizing returns while mitigating risks.Key themes discussed include the spectrum of diversification, the impact of concentrated investments, the role of informational asymmetry in decision-making, the power of outliers in generating alpha, and the influence of expertise and thesis investing on portfolio performance.Key Takeaways:Portfolio construction...
2024-06-2336 min
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterThe Value of Being the First Investor: Insights from Ash FontanaEpisode Summary:In this episode of First Cheque hosts Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter sit down with the distinguished investor Ash Fontana to explore the intricacies of early-stage investing and the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI). The conversation delves into Fontana's diverse experiences, ranging from his formative years building web-based marketplaces to his critical role in establishing the AI investment frontier.Fontana shares a captivating narrative of his investment philosophy, advocating for the significance of first-check investments in shaping the trajectories of startups. With an emphasis on determining the long-term competitive advantages of AI...
2024-06-101h 03
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterMarvin Liao Shares Insights on Investing and Developing an Edge in Startup EcosystemsEpisode Summary:In this episode of the First Cheque podcast, our co-hosts Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter welcome venture capital trailblazer Marvin Liao to discuss the multifaceted experience of early-stage investing, the evolution of global startup ecosystems, and the profound lessons learned from economic cycles in the tech industry. The conversation kicks off with stories from Marvin's background in Silicon Valley, including his first steps into the startup world, a decade at Yahoo, angel investing experiences, and defining years with 500 Startups.Marvin delves into the intricate dynamics of venture capital, sharing his hands-on approach to...
2024-05-261h 00
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterThe Debate Over Follow-On Investments in Early Stage InvestingEpisode Summary:In this thought-provoking episode of First Cheque experienced investors Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter delve into the meticulous world of follow-on investment strategies. The episode serves as a beacon for those who wish to refine their approaches in early-stage investing, especially as they grapple with the decision of whether to follow on or not in subsequent investment rounds. The conversation explores the intricate balance between optimizing returns and supporting growing companies at various funding stages.Cheryl represents the school of thought advocating for doubling down on winners, focusing on reserving funds for follow-on...
2024-05-1247 min
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterThe Art of Getting to Conviction: Strategies for Successful InvestingEpisode Summary:In the latest instalment of our podcast series, Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter delve into the intricate world of early-stage investing, shedding light on the varied approaches to gaining investment conviction. This episode serves as a guide for both novice and experienced investors who aim to refine their decision-making strategies when backing new ventures.As Cheryl and Maxine unravel the decision-making fabric of early-stage investing, listeners are taken on a journey through the critical thought processes that investors employ. From angel investing intuition to fund management rigour, the diverse strategies and considerations are...
2024-04-2846 min
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterUnderstanding Fund of Funds: A Primer on Investing in Venture CapitalEpisode Summary:In this insightful conversation, co-hosts Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter unpack the often misunderstood world of 'fund of funds'—investment vehicles that pool capital to invest in a variety of venture funds rather than in startups directly. Tailored for early-stage investors and industry observers, this talk reveals the nuances of fund structures and investment strategies designed to mitigate risk and maximize returns.Diving into a no-nonsense explanation, Maxine elucidates the two foundational structures of venture funds—management companies and the standalone investing funds—and how funds of funds play into this ecosystem by invest...
2024-03-3142 min
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterElicia McDonald discusses resilience and founder empathy in venture investing.Episode Summary:In this insightful episode of First Cheque, hosts Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter have a raw conversation with Elicia McDonald, a venture capital expert renowned for her remarkable work at Airtree Ventures. Elicia's holistic approach to early-stage investing and her deep commitment to nurturing founder relationships are at the forefront of this discussion.Opening with an introduction that paints Elicia as a superhuman in her work-life balance, the episode delves into the intricacies of venture capital investing. With Elicia's insightful anecdotes and experiences, this podcast provides an intimate look at the dynamics of...
2024-03-1756 min
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterTrang Nguyen on Investing in Ambitious Founders and Building Lasting Venture FranchisesEpisode Summary:In the latest compelling episode, we delve into the investment philosophy and keen insights of Trang Nguyen, a trailblazing figure in venture capital. Nguyen shares her journey from placing an early bet on Tesla to her current efforts in redefining the startup ecosystem. She outlines her criteria for backing emerging fund managers and underscores the importance of founders who aim to build venture firms that transcend personal branding and leave a lasting impression.Nguyen advocates for a platform approach where venture firms offer scalable services to startups, akin to corporate giants like Apple...
2024-03-0358 min
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterCraig Blair Shares Insights on Investing and Building a VC FundEpisode Summary:In this enlightening episode of the podcast, co-hosts Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter engage with venture capital veteran Craig Blair to unpack the intricacies of successful early-stage investing. From sage wisdom to navigating the ever-evolving VC landscape, this conversation is a trove of insights for aspiring and seasoned investors alike.Craig discusses his journey starting from an entrepreneurial venture in the Czech Republic to establishing AirTree Ventures, which has shaped the Australian investment scene. With a particular emphasis on strategic risk-taking and intuition in investment, the episode dissects the balance between data-driven decision-making...
2024-02-1850 min
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterSam Wong discusses building an Ecosystem, Leverage & Investing in New Zealand.Summary:In this insightful episode of the podcast, listeners are introduced to the world of venture capital through the lens of Sam Wong, a seasoned Partner at Blackbird Ventures. Delving into her journey from the early investments to scaling venture funds across markets, this conversation provides an intimate look at what it means to both contribute to and grow within a startup ecosystem. Sam shares her experiences in identifying alpha opportunities, scaling venture fund operations, and the unique challenges and triumphs found in burgeoning markets like New Zealand.As the podcast unfolds, Sam recalls he...
2024-02-0446 min
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterThe Art of Building a Network: How Rayn Ong Became the All-Seeing Eye of the Australian Startup EcosystemSummaryRayn Ong, an angel investor and founder of Archangel, shares his insights on early-stage investing in this episode of First Cheque. Rayn discusses his first investment in Blackbird Fund One and how he built his network in the Australian startup ecosystem.He emphasises the importance of compounding value in both networks and investments. Rayn also talks about his investment strategy, including his focus on breakout companies and his approach to evaluating opportunities.He shares his thoughts on portfolio synergy and competition within his portfolio. Overall, Rayn's entrepreneurial approach to investing has led...
2023-12-0347 min
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterBuilding a Network-Powered Family Office for Impactful Investing with Judy Anderson-Firth Group CEO of EuphemiaSummaryJudy Anderson-Firth, the Group CEO of Euphemia, shares insights into their investment strategy, including their focus on supporting diverse founders and making a positive impact on the Australian startup ecosystem. She emphasizes the importance of transparency and accessibility in the family office world and discusses the value of building a strong network and connecting founders within their portfolio. Judy also explores the concept of gracefully exiting failed startups and the potential for an "anti-accelerator" that rewards founders for pivoting and trying new ideas. She concludes by introducing the Euphemia Syndicate, a platform that provides access to...
2023-11-191h 00
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterDan Gavel on Building a Diversified Investment Strategy in Venture CapitalSummaryDan Gavel, founder of Black Sheep Capital Fund and the Flock Syndicate, shares his unique approach to investing and discusses the importance of understanding risk. He emphasizes the need for investors to have the capacity to accept risk and adapt their investment strategies to the changing market. Dan also talks about the benefits of running a fund, a syndicate, and making personal angel investments simultaneously. He explains how he decides which investments go to each channel and the importance of building relationships with founders. Dan believes that being a lead investor is more about post-investment support...
2023-11-0558 min
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterInvestor Jessy Wu discusses the importance of bravery and building a personal brand in the VC industrySummaryJessy Wu discusses the importance of having the confidence to speak up and share your opinions. She shares that her confidence comes from being deeply loved and supported by her parents, which instilled in her a strong sense of self-worth. She also discusses the role of building a personal brand as a small fund and how being a lightning rod for certain conversations can align with a fund’s strategy.About The Guest(s)Jessy Wu is an investor at Afterwork Ventures. She is known for her bold and thought-provoking insights on so...
2023-10-221h 02
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterYour Warm Intro to First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine MinterSummaryMaxine and Cheryl kick off the First Cheque podcast, a show dedicated to helping early-stage investors become better at their craft. They aim to open source conversations and insights from experienced investors to provide valuable information and education for emerging investors. The podcast focuses on the Australian ecosystem but also explores international perspectives on investing. They discuss the importance of understanding risk, the distinction between betting and investing, and the need for better decision-making processes. They also touch on the current state of the market, noting some green shoots and increased deal flow, but also expressing...
2023-10-0228 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesBrendan Hill examines the war on talent in AustraliaBrendan Hill is an angel investor and startup mentor and advisor. He is Syndicate Lead at Logan and Wayne, a firm that invest in early stage tech startups. Before becoming an investor, Brendan founded and ran an online football marketplace, which was acquired in 2016. In his conversation with Adam, Brendan discusses how Australian technology startups often struggle to hire talented engineers due to them being relatively scarce in Australia, and his unpopular opinion that Australian startups should raise venture capital from the US as early as possible.See full show notes: https://w2d1.com/brendan-hill
2022-04-1218 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesLucinda Hartley discusses the barriers she overcame when starting outLucinda Hartley is an urban strategist and serial entrepreneur. She is the co-founder of Neighbourlytics, a social analytics platform for neighbourhoods that aims to solve the human data gap for the property sector by providing access to information and insights about urban life. She also co-founded CoDesign Studio, a not-for-profit with the mission of improving social connection and resilience across Australian Communities. In her conversation with Adam, Lucinda discusses how Australia’s startup ecosystem has evolved over the past five years, and some of the barriers she faced when first becoming involved in the ecosystem.See full sh...
2022-04-1021 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesBaden U'Ren on the importance of teaching our youth entrepreneurshipBaden U’Ren is an entrepreneurship educator and innovation professional who has worked in a variety of roles within the Australian startup ecosystem. He is the co-founder of both The Unconventional Group and Script-Ed, and had a nearly 20 year career as an academic as the head of entrepreneurship at Bond University. In his conversation with Adam, he discusses the importance of the education sector for the growth of Australia’s startup ecosystem, and how the ecosystem has evolved over the past 20 years.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is sponsored by NTPThis epis...
2022-04-0733 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesDaniel Flynn explains why leaders are learnersDaniel Flynn is co-founder of Thankyou, a social enterprise that was founded in 2008 and sells consumer products to help end extreme poverty. In 2015 Daniel’s book, Chapter One, became a bestseller and generated $1.4 million in sales in its first month using an unorthodox “pay-what-you-want” model. In his conversation with Adam, Daniel discusses his belief that “leaders are learners”, and how working with a psychologist to come to terms with some of his personal challenges helped him grow into the leader he is today.See full show notes: https://w2d1.com/daniel-flynnMentioned in this episode:
2022-04-0527 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesAaron Birkby discusses the gaps in the Australian startup ecosystemAaron Birkby is the co-founder of The Unconventional Group, and has over two decades experience working as a founder, advisor, board member, investor and facilitator in the Australian startup ecosystem. He has worked in a variety of roles building and supporting technology startups to grow into global companies, including as CEO of Startup Catalyst, and Entrepreneur In Residence at Queensland University of Technology, James Cook University and Split Spaces. In his conversation with Adam, Aaron discusses how the Queensland startup ecosystem has evolved over the past couple of decades, and what he sees as gaps in the Australian startup...
2022-04-0323 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesMark Pesce discusses the organic growth of our ecosystemMark Pesce is the host of This Week In Startups Australia (TWISTA), a podcast which has charted the growth and maturity of Australia’s startup ecosystem since 2014. Born in the US, Mark first worked for a startup in 1982, and in the years since has worked in a variety of roles, including co-inventing VRML, which became a foundational format for displaying 3d graphics on the internet, founding Ono-Sendai, a first-generation virtual reality startup, and working for Apple as a consulting engineer. In 2003 Pesce relocated to Australia, and became a judge and panelist on the ABC TV program The New Inventors, as...
2022-03-3121 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesMalcolm Turnbull discusses innovation in the political sphereMalcolm Turnbull was the 29th Prime Minister of Australia between 2015 - 2018, in which time he launched the National Innovation and Science Agenda (NISA), which aimed to drive innovation and Australia’s startup ecosystem. Malcolm also has a long history of investing in and founding companies, having established an investment banking firm in 1987, as well as becoming a partner of Goldman Sachs in 1998. Since leaving parliament in 2018, Malcolm has returned to the world of business, and has joined the board of directors of Kasada, an Australian cybersecurity company. In his conversation with Adam, Malcolm discusses his belief that innovation has be...
2022-03-2928 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesJodie Fox highlights the contrasts between the Australian and US EcosystemsJodie Fox co-founded Shoes of Prey, an innovative shoe retail company which at its peak was a global business, with more than 200 staff, six million shoes designed and US $27 million in funding raised. After Shoes of Prey ceased trading in 2018, Jodie wrote a memoir, Reboot. In her conversation with Adam, Jodie discusses what the startup ecosystem looked like when she founded Shoes of Prey in 2009, and the challenges and opportunities that came from moving the headquarters of Shoes of Prey to the US. See full show notes: https://w2d1.com/jodie-foxMentioned in this...
2022-03-2727 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesJames Alexander shares his thoughts on Governments' roles in startupsJames Alexander is the co-founder of Galileo Ventures, which focuses on investing in young, first time startup founders. Prior to this, James founded Incubate, an accelerator program run out of the University of Sydney. An experienced investor and advisor, James has supported over 200 founders launch tech startups across various industries in the previous decade. In his conversation with guest host Will Tjo, James discusses what he sees as government's role to play in the startup ecosystem, and why giving general advice to startup founders can be tricky as every startup is unique.See full show notes: https...
2022-03-2428 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesSusan Oliver discusses what investors look for in a founderAn Angel Investor and co-founder of multiple startup ventures, Susan Oliver has also served as a board member on over a dozen organisations in her long and rich career, including The Wheeler Centre, Fishermans Bend, The Smith Family and Fusion Retail Brands. Susan is a co-founder and recently retired Chair of Scale Investors, Australia’s first network of Angel Investors committed to investing in and supporting exclusively female founders. In her conversation with Adam, she discusses what she looks for in a founder when investing, and her belief that Australia should invest more in the technology products of Australian st...
2022-03-2224 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesPhil Morle explains the struggles that incubators often facePhil Morle is a Partner at Main Sequence Ventures, a venture capital firm founded by the CSIRO which invests in early stage technology companies with science at their core. Prior to this role Phil co-founded and was CEO of Pollenizer, one of Australia’s earliest startup incubators. In his conversation with Adam, Phil discusses how the experiences in a previous career as a theatre director have helped him in the startup world, and why incubators like Pollenizer often struggle to find a sustainable business model.See full show notes: https://w2d1.com/phil-morleMentioned in...
2022-03-2045 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesSilvia Pfeiffer discusses her first startup and the lessons it taught herDr Silvia Pfeiffer is CEO of Coviu, a video telehealth company which provides software to healthcare providers. Originally from Germany, Silvia moved to Australia and worked for CSIRO exploring video technology applications before developing the idea that would become Coviu, which became an organisation independent of CSIRO in 2018 and grew rapidly during the pandemic. In her conversation with Adam, Silvia discusses the founding of Coviu, as well as her first failed startup venture and what she learned from the experience.See full show notes: https://w2d1.com/silvia-pfeifferMentioned in this episode:T...
2022-03-1719 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesMurray Hurps discusses the barriers to growth in the startup ecosystemMurray Hurps is the Director of Entrepeneurship at UTS, tasked with growing the number of student-founded startups coming out of the university. With a long list of credentials in the Australian startup ecosystem, including former CEO of Fishburners, Co-founder of Startup Muster, and founder of Ad Muncher, Murray strongly believes that Australia’s future relies on innovation and entrepreneurship. In his conversation with Adam, Murray discusses starting his first company at 16 years old, his work with Fishburners, and what he sees as barriers to growth in the Australian startup ecosystemSee full show notes: https://w2d1.co...
2022-03-1522 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesRachel Yang explores diversity and social issuesWith a background in management consulting and corporate finance, Rachel Yang is a partner at Giant Leap, Australia’s first venture capital fund which exclusively backs founders using business as a force for good in the areas of health and wellbeing, sustainable living and empowering people. Rachel is also the Co-Chair of Startup Victoria, a non-profit, grassroots organisation supporting startup founders. In her conversation with Adam, Rachel discusses how startup businesses don’t have to sacrifice growth to make a positive impact in the world, the importance of diversity within the startup ecosystem and potential strategies to encourage further dive...
2022-03-1323 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesIan Gardiner discusses his passion for nurturing startup communitiesIan Gardiner is an Investment Partner at Jelix Ventures, a firm which invests in early stage tech startups in Australia and New Zealand, and a co-founder of Innovation Bay, which works to create and nurture supportive communities for investors and founders. Originally from Scotland, Ian previously founded and acted as CEO in his own startup, Viocorp, for over a decade, before taking the role of Head of Startups for Amazon Web Service (AWS) Australia and New Zealand where he was responsible for establishing and managing AWS’s relationship with the startup communities in Australia and New Zealand. In his co...
2022-03-1030 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesNicole O'Brien: The startup ecosystem is overwhelmingly positiveNicole O’Brien is CEO of Fishburners, a not-for-profit co-working space and community hub for tech startup founders with a rich history of supporting Australian tech companies since its inception in 2011. For over a decade Nicole has also been the Director of Corporate Services for ACON, a community health organisation. In her conversation with Will Tjo, Nicole discusses why her outlook on the Australian startup ecosystem is overwhelmingly positive, and how technology has helped bridge the geographical divide between Australia and the world.See full show notes here https://w2d1.com/nicole-obrienMentioned in th...
2022-03-0814 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesDean McEvoy on egos and startupsDean McEvoy is a seasoned startup founder and angel investor, having founded three startups including Spreets.com, Australia’s first group buying site, which launched in February 2010 and sold only 11 months later for around $40 million. A founding mentor and investor at Startmate, Dean has advised and invested in over 96 startups. In his conversation with Adam, Dean discusses the origin story of Spreets.com, co-founding Tech Sydney, and how important it is for founders to not get too much of their ego involved in their startup.See full show notes here https://w2d1.com/dean-mcevoyMe...
2022-03-0633 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesGeorgie Turner discusses the next steps for Australia's ecosystemGeorgie Turner is Principal at Tidal Ventures, a seed-stage focused venture capital investment firm which is based in Australia and has an office in the US. Tidal Ventures invest primarily in B2B software startups. Georgie also acts as Board Director or Advisor for multiple startups, including Operata, Socialsuite and Shippit. In her conversation with Adam, Georgie discusses what the Australian startup ecosystem looked like when she entered it around 2012, and what she sees as the important steps to take in order to take the ecosystem to the next level.See full show notes https://w2d1...
2022-03-0322 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesColin Kinner discusses the key missteps first time founders often makeColin Kinner is founder and CEO of Startup Onramp, a training and mentoring program for first time startup founders. With a long history of entrepreneurship, Colin has supported countless startups in a variety of roles, including as Entrepeneur-In-Residence at both Slingshot and The Studio Au, and as an Advisory Board Member at Surepact, Hoops CRM and Explorate. In his conversation with Adam, Colin discusses some of the key missteps that first time founders often make, and the advice he would give to someone considering embarking on a startup. See full show notes https://w2d1.com/colin-kinner
2022-03-0128 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesAlan Jones: Can we talk about smartphones?With experience founding and co-founding tech startups since 1995, Alan Jones is a veteran of Australia’s startup ecosystem. An angel investor and advisor, Alan has supported Australian startups independently and through BlueChilli, Blackbird Ventures, Pollenizer Ventures and Startmate. In his conversation with Adam, Alan discusses how the internet’s disruption of media companies made possible Australia’s first tech startups, and how the advent of wifi and the smartphone dramatically impacted Australia’s startup ecosystem.See full show notes https://w2d1.com/alan-jonesMentioned in this episode:This episode is sponsored by NTP
2022-02-2754 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesPaul Bassat examines the evolution of the ecosystemAfter practicing as a lawyer for six years, Paul Bassat co-founded Seek with his brother Andrew in 1997, which in 2005 was floated on the Australian Securities Exchange with a market cap of $587 million. Paul moved on from Seek in 2011, and in 2012 co-founded Square Peg, a global investment firm which today has over US $1 billion in assets and has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Tel Aviv and Singapore. Paul is also a Commissioner of the Australian Football League, and a director of Wesfarmers LTD. In his conversation with Adam, Paul discusses what it was like founding an internet startup in the early...
2022-02-2442 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesMelissa Widner discusses the huge progress of startupsMelissa Widner is the CEO of Lighter Capital, an investment firm that is based in the US and launched in Australia in 2020. Their novel model involves lending to early stage startups and linking repayments to revenue, without requiring founders to relinquish equity. Melissa has a long history in the startup world, having been CEO or board member of many companies. In her conversation with Adam, she discusses Lighter Capital’s new model, and the ways in which she believes the Australian startup ecosystem has made huge progress in the last 5 or so years.See full show notes ht...
2022-02-2228 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesHamish Hawthorn discusses the evolution of the ecosystemHamish Hawthorn has been deeply involved in the development of the Australian startup ecosystem. A qualified mechanical engineer with postgraduate training in business and technology, Hamish is particularly focused on supporting founders of technology startups. Currently the Chief Operating Officer of Curious Things AI, a voice-based conversational AI company, Hamish co-founded Sydney Angels, a Sydney-based investment group. Hamish also acted as Chief Operating Officer for UpGuard, a digital security company based in the US. In his conversation with Adam, Hamish discusses what the startup scene looked like in Sydney in 2005, and how much it has changed in the years...
2022-02-2034 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesPeta Ellis on the importance of innovationPeta Ellis is the founder of EverydayEntrepreneur365.com.au, and an entrepreneur who’d founded 4 companies before 30, and has gone on to spend much of her career in a community building and mentor role. She has supporting hundreds of startup founders and teams in a variety of roles, including as CEO of River City Labs, an Innovation Strategist at The Unconventional Group, Entrepreneur In Residence at Ipswich Girls’ and Junior Grammar School, and as co-founder of Tribe Global. In her conversation with Adam, Peta discusses her time with River City Labs and the importance of innovation.See full...
2022-02-1725 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesAlfred Lo compares startup ecosystems in different nationsAlfred Lo is co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Harvest B, a tech startup developing a plant-based meat ingredient system. Previously Chief Investment Officer at Cicada Innovations, an incubator for Australian tech startups, Alfred has more than a decade experience acting as an advisor, mentor and board member for many early-stage technology businesses. In his conversation with Adam, Alfred discusses how Australia’s startup ecosystem compares to other nations, and why he believes “What role should government play in the startup ecosystem?” is a tricky question to answer.See full show notes https://w2d1.com/alfred-loM...
2022-02-1538 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesSarah Pearson on the importance of cooperation and competitionDr Sarah Pearson has a wealth of experience from a wide variety of roles within the science, technology and startup sector. Previously Global Head of Open Innovation at Cadbury, founding CEO of the Canberra Innovation Network, Chief Innovation Officer and Chief Scientist at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Sarah is currently on the investment committee for Main Sequence Ventures, a Director of RACQ and a Paul Ramsay Foundation Fellow. Sarah was awarded a PhD in particle physics from the University of Oxford, and has published research in the areas of particle physics, medical physics, artificial intelligence...
2022-02-1336 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesMichael Batko discusses the four prevalent business models of acceleratorsMichael Batko is the CEO of Startmate, an accelerator that has invested in 170+ startups across Australia and New Zealand with a collective portfolio value of two billion dollars. Originally from Austria, Michael had his first exposure to the startup world when he moved to Australia and became the first employee at Mad Paws, a marketplace for pet sitters. In his conversation with guest host Will Tjo, Michael discusses how working in a startup contrasts to a corporate environment, and what he sees as the four prevalent business models of accelerators and where Startmate fits in.See show...
2022-02-1026 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesJulie Trell discusses the importance of diversityJulie Trell is an American woman who moved to Australia in 2017 to pursue two opportunities in the Australian startup ecosystem: working as head of the now defunct accelerator Muru-D, and to bring SheEO to Australia. SheEO is a global organisation founded by Vicki Saunders with a unique model: women and non-binary “Activators” contribute a monthly payment which is pooled together and given as a 0% interest loan to women-led “Ventures” selected by the Activators. As well as contributing capital, Activators also act as mentors, lending their expertise, Mentioned and networks to help the Ventures grow and succeed. In her conversation with Ada...
2022-02-0822 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesPeter Davison: All it takes is guts and a visionWith no experience but a lot of guts and vision, Peter Davison moved to Silicon Valley and started a Venture Capital firm with a friend in 1998. They had several early successes, most famously as early investors in PayPal, in which Peter was a key advisor to Peter Thiel on business and product strategy. Since returning to Australia Peter has founded, built and sold several internet businesses, and founded Fishburners, a not-for-profit co-working space and incubator which has played a key role in the growth and development of the Australian startup ecosystem. In his conversation with Adam, Peter tells the...
2022-02-0651 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesMaxine Sherrin discusses the importance of building a community of innovatorsMaxine Sherrin is the Program Director of Spark Festival, a not-for-profit festival that aims to grow entrepreneurship in Australia by bringing together people from all corners of the startup world: founders, investors, small/medium enterprises, big corporates and policy makers. Before taking her current role, Maxine co-founded Web Directions in 2004, Australia’s first event for web designers and developers. In her conversation with Adam, Maxine discusses the importance of building and growing a community that celebrates and supports Australian founders and innovators.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is sponsored by NTPThis ep...
2022-02-0323 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesCameron Adams on the importance of community and connectionCameron Adams is a co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Canva, an online design platform with over 20 million users. After starting his own design agency and then working for Google, Cameron founded Fluent with two other Google alumni. While Fluent, which endeavoured to reimagine email, was ultimately unsuccessful, while working on the project he met his Canva co-founders and ultimately came on board as a founder. In his conversation with Adam, they discuss some of the turbulent early times of Fluent and Canva, and the importance of community and connection within the startup ecosystem.See full show...
2022-02-0142 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesLauren Capelin and the importance of nurturing diversityLauren Capelin is a community strategist and disruptive innovation specialist passionate about the development and application of new business models, corporate social innovation, impact investment and fostering entrepreneurial capacity, particularly in women. She is currently Principal at Startmate, an accelerator that aims to support tech startups in Australia and New Zealand. In her conversation with Adam, Lauren tells the story of how she came to be involved in Startmate, and shares her views on the importance of nurturing diversity in the Australian startup ecosystem.See the full show notes https://w2d1.com/lauren-capelinMentioned...
2022-01-3030 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesBruce Tulloch on some of the key challenges the Australian startup ecosystem facesBruce Tulloch is the co-founder and managing director of BitScope Designs, which creates IOT (Internet of Things) and cloud computing tools for industrial and educational use. Bruce is also chair of The Studio Limited, Australia’s first media tech incubator based at the Sydney Startup Hub. And as if that wasn’t enough to keep him busy, Bruce is also Director of New Technologies at JetPack Aviation, which was the first company to develop a working jet pack which was flown around the Statue of Liberty in New York in 2015. In his conversation with Adam, Bruce discusses the origins of T...
2022-01-2731 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesKate Cornick on ways to support Australians to begin their startup journeyKate Cornick is the CEO of LaunchVic, the Victorian Government’s initiative to accelerate startups and create new jobs in Victoria. Before taking this position, Kate worked in a variety of roles in startup land, including leading the development of a human resources technology startup through a listing on the Australian Stock Exchange, as well as acting as General Manager at NBN Co. In her conversation with Alex Carpenter, Kate discusses Australia’s low number of startup founders per capita relative to other countries, and potential ways of supporting Australians to begin their startup journey.See the full...
2022-01-2333 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesAndrea Gardiner says disruptive, scalable tech startups are criticalAndrea Gardiner is the founder of Jelix, an investment firm which focuses on early stage technology startups in Australia and New Zealand. In her conversation with Adam, she shares her conviction that disruptive, scalable technology startups are critical for the future economic prosperity of Australia, and highlights the supportive and collaborative of Australia’s startup ecosystem as a key advantage.See the full show notes https://w2d1.com/andrea-gardinerMentioned in this episode:This episode is sponsored by NTPThis episode is sponsored by NTP
NTP is the technology recruitment co...
2022-01-2336 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesCheryl Mack on building communities and her passion for supporting foundersCheryl Mack is passionate about supporting founders and has done so in a variety of roles over the years: as a mentor for programs including Startmate and Founder Institute, as CEO of StartCon, as an angel investor with over 10 investments and counting, and most recently as the CEO and founder of Aussie Angels. In her conversation with Adam, she discusses the importance of building communities, and what she sees as the current gaps in the Australian startup ecosystem.See the full show notes https://w2d1.com/cheryl-mackMentioned in this episode:This...
2022-01-2328 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesNiki Scevak is optimistic about Australia's futureNiki Scevak has a long and diverse background in the Australian startup ecosystem. From his entrepreneurial beginnings co-founding two software companies, Niki would go on to co-found Blackbird, a venture capital firm which manages over a billion dollars, and found Startmate, an accelerator that has helped 170+ startups since its inception in 2011. In his conversation with Adam he discusses what he sees as gaps in the Australian startup ecosystem, as well as the reasons for feeling optimistic about the future.See the full show notes https://w2d1.com/niki-scevakMentioned in this episode:...
2022-01-2344 min
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem: Interview SeriesThe History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem3 interviews will be released each week starting in January. The audio documentary that will tell the story of the Australian startup ecosystem will be released in June 2022. Sign up to the newsletter https://dayone.fm/newsletter and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Mentioned in this episode:Standard LedgerStandard Ledger is your all-in-one finance team for startups. From bookkeeping and payroll to R&D claims and fractional CFO support, they help founders stay on top of their numbers and make smarter decisions. Ready to scale?
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2022-01-0502 min