Join Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter on First Cheque as they chat with Tim from Turo, one of Australia's pioneering operator angels. Tim shares his journey from working at Uber to his current role at Turo, detailing the insights and risks involved in being an early-stage investor. The conversation covers Tim's first investment, his transition from medicine to business, and the challenges of balancing operator and investor roles. They discuss the Australian tech ecosystem, liquidity issues, and policy needs, along with the significance of strong talent and multicultural acceptance. Tim also shares a personal story about leading a national campaign against antisemitism in Australia. This episode is rich with practical advice for budding angel investors and insights into the growth of Australia's tech landscape.

• Importance of Top-Tier Talent: Emphasising that success is driven by individuals who are in the top 1% of their field, Tim focuses on investing in founders and teams that demonstrate exceptional capabilities.
• Building and Utilising Networks: The "ex-Uber mafia" and connections from his professional journey have been instrumental in providing deal flow and collaborative opportunities in both his operating and investing roles.
• Interplay Between Operating and Investing: While Tim views operating and investing as distinct activities, he acknowledges cross-pollination in networking and strategic opportunities, such as recruiting talent through connections made in the investment community.
• Successful Launch Strategies: Sharing the story of Turo's launch in Australia, Tim highlights the effectiveness of building hype and the importance of a well-executed go-to-market strategy, even when facing competition from established players like Uber CarShare.
• Leadership Beyond Business: In response to rising antisemitism, Tim organised an open letter from Australian business leaders condemning hate and promoting multiculturalism, demonstrating his commitment to societal impact.
• Advice for Aspiring Angels: Tim advocates for a balanced approach to angel investing—being available and supportive without overwhelming founders, and recognising when to offer help based on founders' requests.

Deel: Founders scale faster on Deel. Set up payroll for any country in minutes, hire anyone anywhere, and get visas handled fast, so you stay focused on scaling. Deel takes care of onboarding, HR, IT, EOR, benefits, and compliance, so your team can grow without borders.

It’s why more than 40,000 fast-growing companies trust Deel to move fast.

Visit https://www.deel.com/dayone

___

Pear Tree: Pear Tree helps Australian and New Zealand founders build high-performing offshore teams without the agency middleman.

As local hiring becomes more expensive and harder to fill, many operators are turning to offshore talent across engineering, development, marketing, accounting and operations at a fraction of local salary costs.

The offshore horror stories you hear usually aren’t a talent problem. They’re the result of outsourcing agencies that overcharge clients while underpaying staff. Pear Tree takes a different approach through a direct, transparent model where your team is paid fairly, fully compliant, and focused entirely on your business.

As part of the Day One community, you’ll receive a free team audit to identify where offshore talent could move the needle in your business, plus 20% off your first hire. Learn more at http://dayone.fm/peartree

To learn more, join our newsletter to be notified of new First Cheque episodes and upcoming shows.

Mentioned in this episode:

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Kari Armitage, Managing Director of Quarry Mining, shares her remarkable journey from civil engineering to leading a thriving manufacturing business in the mining industry. She discusses taking over the family business, growing it from just a few employees to over 100, and expanding into international markets. Kari provides a glimpse into Quarry Mining's innovative technologies, including 3D metal printing and lights-out machining. She reflects on the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry and offers advice for those looking to enter the field. Kari also touches on work-life balance, sharing her passion for long-distance triathlons. This conversation offers valuable insights into leadership, resilience, and the evolving landscape of manufacturing and mining in the Newcastle region.

In this episode of the Fintechfun Podcast, Chris Titley interviews Janine Grainger, founder and CEO of Easy Crypto. Janine shares the story of how Easy Crypto was founded in 2017 by her and her brother in New Zealand, aiming to simplify access to cryptocurrencies. She discusses the challenges they faced, including the regulatory landscape, rapid market changes, and the integration of new technologies. Janine also talks about the company’s growth trajectory, pivotal moments like their record-setting capital raise in 2021, and their expansion into Australia. With insights into their product development strategy and the complexities of the cryptocurrency market, Janine also delves into the importance of customer education and protection against scams. The episode provides a comprehensive look into the founding and growth of Easy Crypto and Janine’s perspectives on cryptocurrency trends and market dynamics.

00:00 Introduction to the Fintechfun Podcast

00:13 The Birth of Easy Crypto

01:13 Cryptocurrency in 2017: A New Frontier

01:36 Navigating the Early Challenges

02:43 Expansion and Growth

04:49 The Evolution of Cryptocurrency

05:34 Managing a Diverse Portfolio

07:37 Building a User-Centric Product

08:18 Market Dynamics and Trading Insights

10:01 Education and User Protection

11:29 Future Aspirations for Easy Crypto

12:21 Balancing Work and Personal Life

15:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In 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 share your thoughts and suggestions for future guests.

00:00 Introduction to In the Blink of AI

00:10 Meet Your Host: Georgie Healy

00:56 Podcast Format and Content

01:11 Engage with Us

Weekly Substack: https://georgiehealy.substack.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georginahealy/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georginahealytech/

In The Blink of AI is part of Day One, the podcast network dedicated to founders, operators & investors.

Sign up to get your weekly insights into the up-and-coming AI startups: https://dayone.fm/newsletter

Founders scale faster on Deel. Set up payroll for any country in minutes, hire anyone anywhere, and get visas handled fast, so you stay focused on scaling. Deel takes care of onboarding, HR, IT, EOR, benefits, and compliance, so your team can grow without borders.

It’s why more than 40,000 fast-growing companies trust Deel to move fast.

Visit https://www.deel.com/dayone

Mentioned in this episode:

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In this episode, Cole Cornford speaks to two guests on the topic of robotics: Damith Herath, a Professor at the University of Canberra, and Adam Haskard, co-founder and Director of Bluerydge, a Canberra-based cybersecurity and technology firm. Together, Damith and Adam are conducting research into Secure Robotics, an emerging field of study that addresses the intersection of robotic safety, trust, and cybersecurity. In their conversation with Cole, they discuss the growth opportunities for robotics, how someone interested in the field could pursue a career in robotics, potential risks of the common household vacuum robots, and plenty more.

2:00 - Robotics: definitions & applications

8:45 - The intersection of robotics & cybersecurity

10:00 - Trust & safety in robotics & cyber

15:00 - Emerging risks in robotics

18:40 - The role of cybersecurity in robotics

20:30 - Regulation and innovation in robotics

40:00 - Growth opportunities for robotics

29:00 - Future of robotics & AI

32:00 - Career pathways into robotics

39:00 - Rapid fire questions

Mentioned in this episode:

Call for Feedback

Join us for an insightful conversation with James Thorning, General Manager of Nepean Power, as he shares his journey from a small-town upbringing to leading a major engineering company. James discusses his career path, the challenges of rapid business growth, and the importance of fostering a strong company culture. He offers valuable advice for aspiring engineers and leaders, emphasizing the significance of being useful in one's role and continuously improving. James also provides an inside look at Nepean Power's operations, their innovative approach to manufacturing, and their vision for the future of the power industry in the Hunter region. This episode is packed with wisdom on leadership, career development, and the exciting opportunities in the engineering and renewable energy sectors. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career, you'll find inspiration and practical insights in this engaging discussion.

Join Cheryl and Maxine on an insightful journey into early-stage investing in this episode of First Cheque. The discussion covers the transition from basic checklists to more sophisticated decision diaries, emphasizing structured evaluation and the importance of capturing and analysing decision-making processes over time. Key topics include understanding founder commitment, market size evaluation, and the balance between intuition and quantitative analysis. The episode offers practical advice on refining investment strategies through critical thinking, timely decision-making, and mitigating biases. Additionally, it explores the qualitative nature of early-stage investments and the value of leveraging instincts effectively. Tune in to transform your investment decisions with proven frameworks and mental models.

00:00 Welcome to First Cheque: Your Guide to Early-Stage Investing

00:22 Diving into Decision-Making and Mental Models

02:05 From Checklists to Decision Diaries

07:20 Evaluating Founders and Market Size

16:28 The Importance of Timing in Investment Decisions

20:13 Understanding Mid to Late-Stage Investing

20:56 The Role of Intuition and Quantitative Measures

22:38 Challenges of Data-Driven Investment Matching

23:17 Personal Experience with Investment Matching

25:49 The Potential and Limitations of AI in Investing

28:35 Decision Diaries: A Tool for Better Investment Choices

35:03 Key Questions for Investment Decisions

37:14 Reflections on Decision-Making and Instincts

37:38 Conclusion and Call for Feedback

Maxine's Decision Diary Template

Deel: Founders scale faster on Deel. Set up payroll for any country in minutes, hire anyone anywhere, and get visas handled fast, so you stay focused on scaling. Deel takes care of onboarding, HR, IT, EOR, benefits, and compliance, so your team can grow without borders.

It’s why more than 40,000 fast-growing companies trust Deel to move fast.

Visit https://www.deel.com/dayone

___

Pear Tree: Pear Tree helps Australian and New Zealand founders build high-performing offshore teams without the agency middleman.

As local hiring becomes more expensive and harder to fill, many operators are turning to offshore talent across engineering, development, marketing, accounting and operations at a fraction of local salary costs.

The offshore horror stories you hear usually aren’t a talent problem. They’re the result of outsourcing agencies that overcharge clients while underpaying staff. Pear Tree takes a different approach through a direct, transparent model where your team is paid fairly, fully compliant, and focused entirely on your business.

As part of the Day One community, you’ll receive a free team audit to identify where offshore talent could move the needle in your business, plus 20% off your first hire. Learn more at http://dayone.fm/peartree

To learn more, join our newsletter to be notified of new First Cheque episodes and upcoming shows.

Mentioned in this episode:

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In this engaging episode of Fintech Fun, host Chris Titley sits down with Andrew Butt, co-founder and CEO of Enable, a leading B2B SaaS platform in the supply chain sector. Andrew shares his journey from the initial conceptualisation of Enable to becoming a globally recognised software solution, highlighting the company's unique approach to managing incentive agreements and rebates for retailers, distributors, and manufacturers. As Enable continues to expand its footprint in the Australian market, this episode delves into the company's history, growth, and future plans.

Enable has created a new software category through innovative rebate management solutions, capturing significant global market share. Andrew discusses how the company bootstrapped its way to securing initial clients and subsequently raised series A through D funding from prestigious venture capital firms like Menlo Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners, and Lightspeed. He explains the role of rebates in driving revenue and margin improvement within supply chains, emphasising the vast potential and ROI Enable provides to its clients. Andrew also touches on developing AI features to enhance the platform, ensuring Enable maintains its cutting-edge position in the industry.

• Emergence of Rebate Management as a Software Category: Enable is pioneering a relatively new software category focused on managing incentives and rebates within supply chains, demonstrating a significant global demand.

• Significant ROI for Clients: Enable’s platform offers substantial ROI for businesses by optimizing rebate agreements and uncovering previously untracked revenue.

• Global Expansion and Funding: Enable has successfully expanded internationally, supported by significant investment rounds from top-tier venture capital firms.

• AI Integration Plans: AI is a key focus for Enable, with plans to integrate it further into their platform to provide more substantial insights and optimization capabilities.

Vanta: Join 7,000 global companies like Atlassian and Dovetail that use Vanta to build trust and prove security in real-time.

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Ilkka Turunen is the CTO at Sonatype, a company that helps millions of software developers use open-source software while minimising security risk. In this conversation, Ilkka chats with Cole Cornford about the benefits and risk of using open-source software, how Maven helped standardise software development processes, the different approaches to AppSec regulation in Australia and Europe, and plenty more.

1:33 - Ilkka's career background

4:00 - Varying quality of open-source software

6:10 - How Maven helped standardise software development processes

13:00 - The balance between speed of delivery & quality

17:00 - Importance of environment parity in software dev

21:40 - Risk of using 3rd party code in software

25:10 - Regulation of AppSec in Australia vs Europe

32:10 - How new European software security regulations will be enforced

35:00 - Recommendations for compliance with European regulations

39:00 - Rapid fire questions

Mentioned in this episode:

Call for Feedback

Join Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter for an engaging session as they delve into the world of early-stage investing with Matthew Browne from Black Nova Venture Capital. This episode offers an intimate look into Browne's journey from a founder's seat to a leading venture capitalist's role, with a focus on thematic investing in what he calls "boring B2B SaaS." Browne unravels the nuances of mission-critical software that businesses cannot operate without, discussing why such investment strategies are both conservative and highly lucrative.

The episode highlights Browne's investment philosophy—characterized by rigorous thematic focus, underscoring software's unturnoffable nature in various enterprise settings. He shares insights from his venture fund experiences, discussing the competitive dynamics of boring businesses and the journey of transitioning from an entrepreneur to a fund manager. Throughout the conversation, Browne also provides valuable advice to those considering venturing into fund management, emphasizing the importance of sticking to areas of known expertise and understanding the role's demands.

• Thematic Investment Strategy: Matthew Browne emphasizes investing in enterprise SaaS that is mission-critical to operations, underscoring the intrinsic value and longevity of such investments.
• Importance of Execution: His first investment’s failure taught the importance of knowing how to effectively acquire customers and sticking to one's domain expertise.
• Transition from Entrepreneur to Investor: Browne shares his journey into VC, stating the unique challenges of fund management compared to traditional business operations.
• B2B SaaS Success Factors: Long-lived customer relationships and LTV are key, with an enterprise focus often yielding higher customer loyalty and lower competitive pressures.

Deel: Founders scale faster on Deel. Set up payroll for any country in minutes, hire anyone anywhere, and get visas handled fast, so you stay focused on scaling. Deel takes care of onboarding, HR, IT, EOR, benefits, and compliance, so your team can grow without borders.

It’s why more than 40,000 fast-growing companies trust Deel to move fast.

Visit https://www.deel.com/dayone

___

Pear Tree: Pear Tree helps Australian and New Zealand founders build high-performing offshore teams without the agency middleman.

As local hiring becomes more expensive and harder to fill, many operators are turning to offshore talent across engineering, development, marketing, accounting and operations at a fraction of local salary costs.

The offshore horror stories you hear usually aren’t a talent problem. They’re the result of outsourcing agencies that overcharge clients while underpaying staff. Pear Tree takes a different approach through a direct, transparent model where your team is paid fairly, fully compliant, and focused entirely on your business.

As part of the Day One community, you’ll receive a free team audit to identify where offshore talent could move the needle in your business, plus 20% off your first hire. Learn more at http://dayone.fm/peartree

To learn more, join our newsletter to be notified of new First Cheque episodes and upcoming shows.

Mentioned in this episode:

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