Day One®

In 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 the broader potential of AI, dispelling the notion that we’ve reached “peak” AI. According to Jeevika, the true AI revolution has only just begun.

00:00 AI’s transformative impact: “We’re living through a knowledge revolution.”

00:37 Introduction: Georgie welcomes Jeevika and introduces TopRoad’s AI mission.

01:47 Origin of TopRoad: Pivoting in Jamaica, discovering the GPT store, and first GPT build.

03:32 Early product insights: Niche GPTs, monetisation gaps, and the developer experience.

05:14 The GPT store’s potential: Encouraging developers to build premium AI apps.

06:24 Y Combinator experience: Why authenticity and scrappiness matter for founders.

09:07 YC insights: Founders' resilience, pitching tips, and networking advantages.

11:45 Exploring TopRoad’s technical approach: Custom GPT actions and real-world examples.

18:07 Developer incentives: Monetisation models, compute costs, and app distribution challenges.

24:26 Democratising AI adoption: Personalised apps, vertical use cases, and user-friendly design.

29:03 Jeevika’s background: Building fintech in Nairobi and lessons for diverse founders.

36:02 Rapid Fire: Overhyped MBAs, favourite AI tools, and Microsoft Copilot skepticism.

41:16 Closing thoughts: AI’s untapped potential, staying optimistic, and TopRoad’s beta apps.

Context Crafter

Description: A tool by TopRoad that connects FAQs or company-specific data to generate highly contextualised responses, streamlining customer support and professional communications like investor updates.

TopRoad’s GPT Builder Tools

Description: Developer tools that enable custom GPT apps with analytics, monetisation options, and marketing features. Designed to be no-code friendly and integrated with the OpenAI GPT store.

Basel III Global Banking Framework

Description: A global standard providing a framework for banking regulation and risk management, referenced for scaling AI apps targeting financial institutions.

Private Apps by TopRoad

Description: Beta tools, including personalised AI apps for writing and contextualised data integrations, created to improve developer productivity and simplify access for non-technical users.

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

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In 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, innovation, and resilience.

00:00 Introduction to In the Blink of AI and Sam Garven

00:36 Updates on Canopy’s Rebrand and Progress in 2025

03:05 Overview of Canopy: AI-Driven Misconduct and Safety Reporting

06:44 Sam’s Personal Experiences and Inspiration Behind Canopy

09:04 Becoming a Founder: From HR Expertise to Building a Startup

11:29 Industry Gaps in Misconduct Reporting and Canopy’s Unique Approach

16:31 Sam’s Experience in the Techstars Accelerator Program

21:29 The Importance of Building in Public and Embracing the Cringe

27:21 Challenges of Being a Female Founder in the Australian Startup Ecosystem

33:36 Metrics, Data Validation, and AI’s Role in Canopy’s Product

39:04 Privacy, Data Security, and the Challenges of Sensitive Information

45:16 Sam’s Vision for Canopy’s Future: Global Impact and Diverse Use Cases

47:18 Thoughts on VC Investment and Expanding the Team

49:21 Closing Call to Action: Joining Canopy’s Waitlist and Providing Insights

"Building in public is free marketing. Why wouldn’t I take my potential customers and advocates on the journey with me?" – Sam Garven

"We deal in such sensitive information that we can’t afford to break trust and call it a whoopsie." – Sam Garven

"Women are natural super connectors, and that’s a critical skill for building startups." – Sam Garven

"Embrace the cringe. LinkedIn is cringy, but it’s also where you’ll find people who believe the same things you do." – Sam Garven

"On the worst day of someone’s life, Canopy needs to be there to make reporting simple and effective." – Sam Garven

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

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Join us on the NewTechPeople Engineering Podcast as we sit down with Sonia James, a process engineer at InfraBuilder. In this engaging conversation, Sonia shares her inspiring journey from India to Australia, discussing her educational background, career path, and the challenges she faced along the way. She offers valuable insights into the manufacturing industry, particularly in the steel sector, and provides advice for aspiring engineers, especially women in the field. Sonia also touches on her experience winning the Rising Star award and how it impacted her career. We explore the history and current projects at InfraBuilder, including their innovative SEN 600 product. Additionally, Sonia discusses the importance of mental health initiatives in the workplace and shares her thoughts on the future of manufacturing. This episode is packed with personal anecdotes, career advice, and industry insights that will inspire and inform listeners interested in engineering and manufacturing. Don't miss this enlightening conversation with Sonia James!

Madhuri Nandi is the Head of Security at Till Payments and a trailblazer in the Australian cybersecurity industry. As co-chair of the Australian Women’s Security Network, she brings decades of experience to the table, breaking barriers for women in tech and redefining what leadership looks like in cybersecurity. Madhuri shares how a love for gaming and cheat codes sparked her journey into application security and the cultural challenges she overcame to thrive in a male-dominated industry. They explore the realities of leading security functions in scaling FinTechs, why compliance doesn’t equate to security, and the critical role of aligning cybersecurity strategies with business objectives.

01:13 Cheat Codes Ignite a Cybersecurity Path

02:26 From Database Admin to Security Professional

05:09 Lessons from Gaming & Early Misperceptions

07:29 The Jump into Executive Leadership

10:53 Compliance vs. True Risk Management

18:45 Overcoming Cultural & Workplace Hurdles

31:55 Diversity, Women in Tech & Final Reflection

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Call for Feedback

In this episode of the FinTech Fun podcast, Chris Titley interviews Jamie Twiss, CEO of Before Pay Group. Jamie dives into Beforepay’s innovative approach to short-term lending and its mission-driven model that offers Australians a transparent, ethical alternative to predatory payday loans. He also discusses the company’s enterprise software arm, Carrington Labs, and its expansion into the U.S. market. Jamie shares insights on the role of AI and machine learning in credit decisions, the challenges of scaling automation, and how Beforepay has become a lifeline for Australians facing unexpected expenses. Tune in for a mix of fintech innovation, personal stories, and a touch of Russian literature!

00:00 - 01:28: Introduction and Beforepay 101 – How it started and its two business arms.

01:28 - 02:52: Addressing small, short-term financial needs with a mission-driven model.

02:52 - 03:53: Automated processes and personalized repayment schedules.

03:53 - 05:46: Managing credit risk ethically and balancing profitability.

05:46 - 07:27: Customer insights: Coping with inflation and the spectrum of financial needs.

07:27 - 09:41: Carrington Labs – Expansion into the U.S. and global opportunities.

09:41 - 11:03: Launching new personal loan products and their market impact.

11:03 - 14:25: Using AI and machine learning to enhance credit decision-making.

14:25 - 16:00: Jamie’s personal interests – From Russian literature to marathon running.

Beforepay App: Offering quick, short-term pay advance solutions with a flat 5% fee.

Carrington Labs: Enterprise software arm licensing advanced credit decision-making tools.

Russian Literature: Jamie's passion for classics that explore the human experience.

Sydney Marathon: Jamie’s yearly running challenge.

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🌱 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 role of shopping malls in driving change.

00:00 – Introduction and welcome.

00:30 – The elevator pitch: What is Good On You?

02:13 – How the platform works: From mobile apps to web directories.

04:17 – Good On You’s early years and evolution as a social impact business.

05:36 – Working with retailers and brands: Partnerships that scale impact.

06:49 – The significance of consumer-driven choices in sustainability.

08:17 – Addressing overconsumption and fostering durable fashion.

12:05 – The role of regulation vs. consumer power.

14:14 – Brands leading the way in sustainability: From Patagonia to Nudie Jeans.

18:32 – Exploring innovative business models and circular fashion solutions.

29:11 – Electrifying the supply chain: A lever for impactful change.

31:55 – Good On You’s vision for 2025: Expanding into new sectors and global markets.

38:09 – Reflections and advice for entrepreneurs entering the climate tech space.

🌍 Ready to discover more innovative climate tech solutions? Here's what you can do:

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The Mix is powered by Climate Salad. Join the Australian Climate Tech Community.

Together, we help Australian companies build innovations to solve global environmental problems.

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In this episode of In the Blink of AI, host Georgie is joined by Alex Valente, co-founder of Redactive and a 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, to dive into Forbes' top 10 AI predictions for 2025. Together, they explore bold forecasts, from Meta’s Llama models to the rise of RoboTaxis and consumer-facing AI agents. Alex shares his expertise, breaking down the scaling laws in robotics and biology, the future of autonomous AI, and why safety in AI will dominate the agenda in 2025. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a casual listener, this episode combines education with entertainment, offering valuable insights into the exciting future of AI.

00:00 - Introduction: Alex Valente's perspective on technology and job creation.

00:32 - Meet the Guest: Alex Valente, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and Redactive co-founder.

03:06 - Meta’s Llama Models: Will they remain open-source or move to a paid model?

07:25 - Scaling Laws: How robotics and biology are the next frontiers.

11:22 - AI Agents: The rise of agents in consumer and enterprise workflows.

15:53 - AI Data Centers in Space: Debunking this bold prediction.

20:23 - Autonomous AI: Addressing fears and misconceptions.

36:42 - RoboTaxis: Market adoption and societal benefits.

45:36 - AI Safety: Why data security is paramount in 2025.

53:03 - Accessible Consumer Robotics: Predictions on household humanoid robots.

58:43 - Final Thoughts: Alex’s own predictions for 2025.

1. Redactive: redactive.ai – Explore their white paper on LLM data security.
2. Forbes Top 10 Predictions for 2025: Insights from the original report.
3. NVIDIA DGX Cloud: Learn about high-performance AI hardware.
4. Tesla Robots: Innovations in consumer robotics from Tesla.
5. Waymo: Google’s RoboTaxi service gaining traction in U.S. cities.
6. DeepSeek AI: China’s leading AI model provider.

1. AI Agents in 2025: AI will increasingly become "agentic," autonomously completing tasks on behalf of users.
2. Scaling Beyond Text: AI’s scaling laws will expand into robotics and biology, enabling breakthroughs in these fields.
3. RoboTaxis’ Big Leap: Self-driving taxis will gain significant market share in major U.S. cities, driven by safety and convenience.
4. AI Safety Challenges: Companies must address data security vulnerabilities as AI agents become integral to workflows.
5. Consumer Robotics: Affordable humanoid robots for household tasks may become mainstream by late 2025.
6. China’s Competitive Edge: China is poised to enter the AI market aggressively with cost-efficient models.
7. AI as a Financial Metric: Public companies will be evaluated based on their AI strategy and outcomes.

1. “We thought we’d invent robots to do art in our spare time, but instead, we invented robots that do art so we could do household tasks.” — Alex Valente
2. “Technology always increases the number of jobs available. It gets people to do more productive things and ends up creating jobs.” — Alex Valente
3. “AI agents will feel like members of your team, not just tools you use.” — Alex Valente
4. “Scaling laws are one of the worst things to bet against in technology.” — Alex Valente
5. “The IT department will evolve into an HR department for AI agents.” — Alex Valente

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

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In 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 potential of AI in consumer research.

00:31 – Introduction to Brendan Cervin and Ideally

01:33 – What is Ideally?

02:30 – Why AI is essential for consumer research

04:05 – Consequences of not using consumer insights in product development

05:53 – Brendan’s thoughts on Google Glass and mismatched technology expectations

07:34 – Moving beyond sentiment analysis to clustering insights

12:56 – Low switching costs in AI platforms and their implications

14:36 – Challenges and potential applications of synthetic data in consumer research

22:48 – How Ideally delivers insights through AI-powered reports

29:42 – Brendan’s vision for Ideally in the next year

32:06 – Brendan’s take on AI’s rapid industry growth

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

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In this episode of First Cheque, hosts Cheryl and Maxine delve into the critical topic of liquidity within the venture capital ecosystem. They explore why IPOs (Initial Public Offerings) and M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions) are essential for investors and startups alike. The conversation covers the current state of the IPO market, the challenges of companies staying private longer, and how these factors impact investment strategies and returns. They also discuss the role of secondaries as a solution to liquidity issues, the potential effects of proposed regulatory changes in Australia, and the importance of proactive engagement from the tech community to address these challenges. Cheryl and Maxine offer insights into navigating the evolving landscape, emphasising the need for transparency, standardisation, and inclusive wealth creation in the venture space.

00:00 - Introduction to Cheryl and Maxine; overview of the episode

01:03 - Discussion on liquidity, IPOs, and M&A in the venture ecosystem

02:07 - Defining liquidity, IPOs, and M&A for the audience

05:21 - Importance of IPOs in venture capital and why they matter

09:30 - Impact of the health of IPO markets on investment strategies

14:56 - Investment strategies during different market cycles; being contrarian

16:14 - Exploring opportunities in secondaries amidst liquidity challenges

21:13 - Reasons companies are staying private longer; regulatory influences

26:43 - Regulatory clampdown on M&A and its effects on the tech ecosystem

31:45 - Closing remarks; encouraging solutions for liquidity issues

SecondQuarter Ventures: An Australian secondary fund involved in facilitating liquidity through secondaries.

Airtree Ventures and Canva: Airtree's secondary transaction involving Canva as an example of internal liquidity solutions.

Instacluster: An Australian company acquired by a U.S. firm, highlighting international M&A activity.

Mr Yum and me&u: Example of Australian companies merging to navigate market challenges.

Australian Securities Exchange (ASX): Discussed as an option for listing, particularly for small-cap companies.

Jim Chalmers: Australian Treasurer proposing reforms on M&A regulations that could affect the tech ecosystem.

Tech Council of Australia (TCA): Suggested as a body to engage with and advocate on behalf of the tech community regarding regulatory changes.

Deel: Global hiring and payroll can be a headache. Deel brings HR, IT and payroll together in one platform, helping companies including Shopify, Revolut and ElevenLabs scale internationally.

Ready to expand your business?

Build your global team with Deel at deel.com/dayone.

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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.

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🌏 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

• Why long-duration batteries are critical for renewables

• Overcoming the limitations of lithium-ion batteries

• Partnering with utilities like Origin Energy

• Australia’s role as a global cleantech leader

• Expanding globally and scaling climate solutions

• Advice for aspiring climate entrepreneurs

00:24 The Story Behind Allegro Energy

01:18 Why Long-Duration Batteries Are Key to a Renewable Future

03:19 The Transition from Academia to Entrepreneurship

05:08 Lithium-Ion Limitations and the Case for Flow Batteries

07:26 Partnership with Origin Energy and Its Importance

10:12 The Challenge of Matching Supply and Demand in Renewable Energy

12:35 Leveraging Newcastle’s Industrial Expertise for Cleantech Innovation

15:08 Global Opportunities for Australian Climate Tech

17:42 Australia’s Role as a Renewable Energy Leader

20:18 Expanding Allegro Energy’s Reach Beyond Australia

23:14 Government Support and Cleantech R&D in Australia

26:05 Advice for Aspiring Climate Entrepreneurs

28:14 How Transferable Skills Are Powering Cleantech Growth

30:48 Closing Thoughts: Collaboration and Optimism in Climate Tech

🌍 Ready to discover more innovative climate tech solutions? Here's what you can do:

▶️ SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode featuring amazing founders solving climate challenges! → https://www.youtube.com/@climatesalad3378?sub_confirmation=1

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📧 Visit dayone.fm/shows/the-mix/newsletter and sign up for our newsletter to have these stories delivered straight to your inbox

🔄 Share this episode with others who care about climate innovation!

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The Mix is part of the Day One podcast network - dedicated to founders, operators and investors building a better tomorrow.

🌐 Website: https://dayone.fm/

The Mix is powered by Climate Salad. Join the Australian

Climate Tech Community.

Together, we help Australian companies build innovations to solve global environmental problems.

🌐 Website: https://climatesalad.com/