9 - 5 Startup

Today we’re joined by Christian Pallaria — digital transformation leader at AECOM and founder of WisyPlan, the AI platform giving project managers real-time, proactive insights. Christian has led major infrastructure programs across NSW and globally, won the Microsoft AI Hackathon in San Francisco, and has a unique blend of engineering depth and AI innovation.

We’ll dive into his journey, how WisyPlan was built, and where AI is taking global infrastructure next.

Christian Pallaria's Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-pallaria/

Dominik Fretz is the founder of Harbour Edge Intelligence and a seasoned technologist with a background spanning software engineering, robotics, and enterprise systems. From building underwater robots to leading backend engineering at Milkrun and Credit Suisse, Dominik has spent 20+ years architecting complex systems across Europe, the US, and Australia.

Today, he focuses on Human-AI Integration — helping companies evolve into AI-native powerhouses through his Human/AI Supercharger Protocol. Rather than simply bolting ChatGPT onto workflows, Dominik helps leaders rethink culture, systems, and strategy to unlock the true compounding value of AI.

In this episode, we explore:

- Why companies fail at AI adoption and how to avoid it.

- What it takes to become AI-native, not AI-replaced.

- Lessons from startups, corporates, and robotics that shape his approach.

- Practical steps leaders can take today to future-proof their organizations.

Whether you’re a founder, CTO, or team leader, Dominik’s perspective will reshape how you think about AI in your business.

Fashion and AI are colliding—and Iris Phan is at the forefront. As the Founder & CEO of Dressi, an AI-powered personal stylist, Iris is reimagining how women get dressed by blending technology with empathy, confidence, and style.

From her roots in Vietnam to building a fashion-tech startup in Sydney, Iris shares her journey of turning an idea into a product that empowers women daily. With a background in digital marketing across tech and content, she explains how storytelling, product testing, and community engagement shaped Dressi’s launch.

In this conversation, we explore the realities of building in fashion-tech, navigating beta launches, and scaling a mission-driven startup. For founders, creators, and anyone curious about AI’s impact on lifestyle, this episode offers lessons in resilience, creativity, and connection.

Iris Phan : https://www.linkedin.com/in/irisphan/

Frank Yoo is a partner at FANDA Consulting Group, where he supports early-stage ventures and investors in Australia’s tech ecosystem. With over 20 years of experience in sales, product, and cybersecurity leadership across APAC, Frank helps founders scale by combining the right mix of technology, go-to-market strategy, and access to capital.

In this episode, we talk about what Australian startups need most to grow, how FANDA connects founders with investors, and the opportunities and challenges in scaling across APAC. Frank also shares lessons learned from decades in the industry — from leadership and product strategy to why Australia is uniquely positioned to lead in AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.

If you’re a founder, investor, or curious about the future of Australia’s startup ecosystem, this conversation offers practical insights and inspiring stories.Frank Yoo : https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-yoo-919b252/

In this episode, we spotlight Warren Fang, founder of FangLab Games, whose journey took him from finance to indie game development. After years of success in investment research and risk analytics, Warren chose to pivot into building games — blending coding skills, physics research, and creative ambition.

He shares how financial discipline helps him structure creative projects, the inspirations behind his game concepts, and the challenges of indie development. We also dive into his independent research on the “Information-Processing Universe” and how curiosity fuels his work across both science and gaming.

If you’re a game developer, creative professional, or anyone contemplating a bold career pivot, this episode is a guide to balancing structure and imagination.

Warren Fang : https://fanglab.io

In this episode, we sit down with Warren Fang, an investment professional with over 7 years across Westpac, Macquarie, and Resolution Life. Experience in LP, Asset management, work with PE, VC

From managing $120bn+ portfolios to developing Python-based risk models, Warren has built a career on precision, discipline, and governance. Now as a corporate advisor with UrbanChain Group, he brings that same analytical lens to AI and IoT startups.

We explore Warren’s path into finance, his frameworks for evaluating growth and risk, and the lessons he draws from navigating diverse asset classes. Whether you’re an analyst, advisor, or founder looking to understand the mindset of disciplined investors, this episode delivers both insights and cautionary tales.

Warren Fang : https://fanglab.io

Koby Paull is the founder of Laura.ai — your most emotionally intelligent, voice-first AI companion. Laura isn’t just another assistant; she listens, reflects, and feels like a presence in your life. From picking up emotional cues in your tone to remembering your patterns and moods, Laura is designed to feel human, not robotic.

Before building Laura, Koby gained experience across IT, systems engineering, and cybersecurity — working on risk management, data protection, and secure systems for defense-linked organizations. That background in security and infrastructure gave him a unique foundation to design AI that is not only emotionally intelligent but also safe, resilient, and trustworthy.

In this episode, Koby shares why emotional intelligence is the missing piece in AI, how Laura was designed to “feel real,” and what the future looks like when humans form genuine bonds with technology.

Laura :

https://www.meetlaura.ai/

Koby Paull:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kobypaull/

Rafael Magalhães has spent over 15 years building and leading in tech — from hands-on coding to managing multi-team engineering groups. He played a key role in scaling a startup to over 500,000 users and achieving unicorn status, while also founding his own consulting firm, ProjectPix.

In this episode, Rafael shares his journey from Brazil to Australia, the critical technical decisions behind scaling resilient systems, and how he led teams through rapid growth, acquisitions, and high-pressure challenges. He also dives into the future of mobile and AI, and what founders and developers must know to succeed in today’s fast-changing tech landscape.

Whether you’re a startup founder, engineering leader, or developer aiming for impact, Rafael’s story offers a practical blueprint for building scalable technology — and sustainable teams.

Rafael Magalhães : https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-o-magalhaes/

This special episode was recorded just before the doors opened at our first-ever 9-5 Startup Networking Event in Sydney.

We sat down to talk about the kind of community we want to create — one that brings together founders, students, and professionals in AI, tech, and startups for meaningful connection and collaboration.

You’ll hear behind-the-scenes thoughts on why we started 9-5 Startup, what makes this community different, and our vision for future events. Whether you’re an early-stage founder, an industry pro, or just curious about Australia’s growing startup scene, this conversation gives you a front-row seat to our mission before the very first handshake of the night.

What does it take to turn code into a compassionate AI companion for mental wellness?

In this episode, we sit down with Jonatas Lira, Brazilian-Australian entrepreneur and founder of MindMate AI—a 24/7 mental wellness app that blends AI, psychology, and mobile tech to deliver personalized emotional support. From his software development roots in Recife to launching one of Australia’s most thoughtful health platforms, Jonatas shares how personal experience, technical skill, and empathy come together to create meaningful products.

We explore the realities of building a solo-founder app, the design principles behind sensitive AI tools, and how privacy, trust, and user care are woven into every interaction. Whether you’re a developer, founder, or mental health advocate, this conversation offers practical lessons and inspiration for creating technology that truly listens.

Jonatas Lira Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonataslr/

MindMate AI on the App Store