Share First Cheque
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
By DayOne.fm
The podcast currently has 31 episodes available.
Join Emily Rich and hosts Maxine and Cheryl in this episode where they explore the dynamic world of early-stage and deep tech investing. Emily shares her unconventional journey from being a high school dropout to making a decisive investment in her own education, a move that transformed her path and led her to become a significant player in the venture capital scene. The conversation delves into the thrills of pre-seed and seed investing, the art of identifying and navigating hype cycles in technology—including discussions on the metaverse and blockchain—and the profound impact of backing founders in their earliest stages. Emily also reflects on her transition from founder to angel investor, highlighting the importance of supporting ambitious ideas and the courage it takes to step into the unknown. Packed with personal anecdotes, industry insights, and plenty of laughs, this episode offers both inspiration and practical advice for anyone interested in the highs and lows of venture capital.
Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction and Emily's first investment in her own education
04:29 Discussing being bad at being told what to do; founders as bad employees
06:12 Emily on why she invests in pre-seed and seed stages
13:14 Navigating hype cycles; the Metaverse example
18:14 Thoughts on blockchain and crypto as hype cycles
22:26 Understanding and identifying hype cycles in investing
29:28 Changes in AI over the past decade; Emily's background in AI
32:31 Public perception of AI and fear of job loss
37:39 Tips for non-technical investors to understand AI
40:40 Emily's Big Kahuna moment—leaving a safe job to start angel investing
44:44 Closing remarks and thank you
Notable Quotes"You know it's gone mainstream when my mum is using it for knitting tips." - Cheryl
"The Metaverse is my favourite hype cycle because it was so overhyped and no one is spending time in the Metaverse." -Emily Rich
"There is some suggestion and quite a lot of research that founders are really bad employees—great founders are really bad employees." - Maxine
"If you're hyping someone from the sidelines, it's like cheering on an athlete—they're probably going to run faster." -Cheryl
"I started investing in myself, in my education—not from a university perspective, but from schooling in general." - Emily Rich
ResourcesThought Leaders to Follow:
Reports and Articles:
Books and Quotes:
Vanta: Join 7,000 global companies like Atlassian and Dovetail that use Vanta to build trust and prove security in real time.
Get 10% off https://dayone.fm/vanta
Rocking Horse: Rocking Horse helps startups access their R&D tax rebate early. Get up to $3M in non-dilutive finance, solve cash flow challenges, and accelerate growth. Easy application, fast approval. Smart investment for innovative startups.
https://dayone.fm/rockinghorse
Galah Cyber: Galah Cyber are perfect for founder-lead and SAAS businesses. Galah provides advice, education, and training. Get in touch with Galah Cyber for a complimentary call to make sure you’re secured.
https://dayone.fm/galah
The Day One NetworkFirst Cheque is part of Day One, the podcast network dedicated to founders, operators & investors.To learn more, join our newsletter to be notified of new and upcoming shows. The only content we create is content that will help Australian founders.
If you want to learn about upcoming guests and when a new First Cheque episode is available, join the First Cheque newsletter.
Mentioned in this episode:
November 2024 - Galah Cyber
June 2024 – Vanta First Cheque
November 2024 - Rocking Horse
November 2024 - Galah Cyber
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.
Key Takeaways:Vanta: Join 7,000 global companies like Atlassian and Dovetail that use Vanta to build trust and prove security in real time.
Get 10% off https://dayone.fm/vanta
Rocking Horse: Rocking Horse helps startups access their R&D tax rebate early. Get up to $3M in non-dilutive finance, solve cash flow challenges, and accelerate growth. Easy application, fast approval. Smart investment for innovative startups.
https://dayone.fm/rockinghorse
Galah Cyber: Galah Cyber are perfect for founder-lead and SAAS businesses. Galah provides advice, education, and training. Get in touch with Galah Cyber for a complimentary call to make sure you’re secured.
https://dayone.fm/galah
The Day One NetworkFirst Cheque is part of Day One, the podcast network dedicated to founders, operators & investors.To learn more, join our newsletter to be notified of new and upcoming shows. The only content we create is content that will help Australian founders.
If you want to learn about upcoming guests and when a new First Cheque episode is available, join the First Cheque newsletter.
Mentioned in this episode:
November 2024 - Rocking Horse
June 2024 – Vanta First Cheque
November 2024 - Galah Cyber
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.
Timestamps00:00 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
The Day One NetworkIn The Blink of A.I. is part of Day One, the podcast network dedicated to founders, operators & investors.To learn more, join our newsletter to be notified of new and upcoming shows. The only content we create is content that will help Australian founders.
If you want to learn about upcoming guests and when a new In The Blink of A.I. episode is available, join the Blink of A.I. newsletter.
Sponsors:In The Blink of A.I. is supported by our wonderful sponsors:Rocking Horse: Rocking Horse helps startups access their R&D tax rebate early. Get up to $3M in non-dilutive finance, solve cash flow challenges, and accelerate growth. Easy application, fast approval. Smart investment for innovative startups.
https://dayone.fm/rockinghorse
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.
Key Takeaways00:00 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
ResourcesMaxine's Decision Diary Template
Sponsors:First Cheque is supported by our wonderful sponsors:Vanta: Join 7,000 global companies like Atlassian and Dovetail that use Vanta to build trust and prove security in real time.
Get 10% off https://dayone.fm/vanta
Rocking Horse: Rocking Horse helps startups access their R&D tax rebate early. Get up to $3M in non-dilutive finance, solve cash flow challenges, and accelerate growth. Easy application, fast approval. Smart investment for innovative startups.
https://dayone.fm/rockinghorse
Galah Cyber: Galah Cyber are perfect for founder-lead and SAAS businesses. Galah provides advice, education, and training. Get in touch with Galah Cyber for a complimentary call to make sure you’re secured.
https://dayone.fm/galah
The Day One NetworkFirst Cheque is part of Day One, the podcast network dedicated to founders, operators & investors.To learn more, join our newsletter to be notified of new and upcoming shows. The only content we create is content that will help Australian founders.
If you want to learn about upcoming guests and when a new First Cheque episode is available, join the First Cheque newsletter.
Mentioned in this episode:
June 2024 – Vanta First Cheque
November 2024 - Rocking Horse
November 2024 - Galah Cyber
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.
Key Takeaways:Vanta: Join 7,000 global companies like Atlassian and Dovetail that use Vanta to build trust and prove security in real time.
Get 10% off https://dayone.fm/vanta
Rocking Horse: Rocking Horse helps startups access their R&D tax rebate early. Get up to $3M in non-dilutive finance, solve cash flow challenges, and accelerate growth. Easy application, fast approval. Smart investment for innovative startups.
https://dayone.fm/rockinghorse
Galah Cyber: Galah Cyber are perfect for founder-lead and SAAS businesses. Galah provides advice, education, and training. Get in touch with Galah Cyber for a complimentary call to make sure you’re secured.
https://dayone.fm/galah
The Day One NetworkFirst Cheque is part of Day One, the podcast network dedicated to founders, operators & investors.To learn more, join our newsletter to be notified of new and upcoming shows. The only content we create is content that will help Australian founders.
If you want to learn about upcoming guests and when a new First Cheque episode is available, join the First Cheque newsletter.
Mentioned in this episode:
November 2024 - Rocking Horse
June 2024 – Vanta First Cheque
November 2024 - Galah Cyber
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 trio explores the differences between the Australian and US venture capital ecosystems, touching on themes such as market size, customer sophistication, and the importance of domain expertise in founding teams. Georgie also shares insights on navigating the AI revolution and its impact on the tech stack and business models. The episode concludes with a reflective discussion on bravery in the venture capital space, emphasizing the optimistic and sometimes illogical nature of the industry.
Key Takeaways:Thanks to our sponsors for helping to make this episode of First Cheque possible.
Vanta: Join 7,000 global companies like Atlassian and Dovetail that use Vanta to build trust and prove security in real-time. Get 10% off https://dayone.fm/vanta
Turo: Turo is the world's largest carsharing marketplace and it's the perfect app for travel.
Download the Turo app and book cars from $38/day. https://dayone.fm/turo
To learn more, join our newsletter to be notified of new and upcoming shows. The only content we create is content that will help Australian founders.
If you want to learn about upcoming guests and when a new First Cheque episode is available, join the First Cheque newsletter.
Mentioned in this episode:
June 2024 – Vanta First Cheque
November 2024 - Rocking Horse
November 2024 - Galah Cyber
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 market potential behind each investment. He also touches on the significant advances in genomics and synthetic biology, emphasising how technology and data analysis are accelerating innovation in the field. The discussion delves into the importance of syndication for early-stage investments, the critical milestones that de-risk investments, and the role of pharmaceutical partnerships in increasing the likelihood of success.
Key Takeaways:Thanks to our sponsors for helping to make this episode of First Cheque possible.
Vanta: Join 7,000 global companies like Atlassian and Dovetail that use Vanta to build trust and prove security in real-time. Get 10% off https://dayone.fm/vanta
Scendar: Scendar is the OG startup accounting firm in Australia. Free 1-hour consultation about your Business' growth plans and finance needs. https://dayone.fm/scendar
Turo: Turo is the world's largest carsharing marketplace and it's the perfect app for travel.
Download the Turo app and book cars from $38/day. https://dayone.fm/turo
To learn more, join our newsletter to be notified of new and upcoming shows. The only content we create is content that will help Australian founders.
If you want to learn about upcoming guests and when a new First Cheque episode is available, join the First Cheque newsletter.
Mentioned in this episode:
June 2024 – Vanta First Cheque
November 2024 - Galah Cyber
November 2024 - Rocking Horse
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 CLP). She details how these structures facilitate sophisticated tax offsets and capital gains exemptions for investors. Throughout the discussion, they highlight the importance of understanding these incentives to optimize investment returns. The episode culminates with practical advice on investing via trusts and navigating the nuances of capital call schedules, reflecting the duo's deep dive into the subject matter.
Key Takeaways:Thanks to our sponsors for helping to make this episode of First Cheque possible.
Vanta: Join 7,000 global companies like Atlassian and Dovetail that use Vanta to build trust and prove security in real-time. Get 10% off https://dayone.fm/vanta
Scendar: Scendar is the OG startup accounting firm in Australia. Free 1-hour consultation about your Business' growth plans and finance needs. https://dayone.fm/scendar
Turo: Turo is the world's largest carsharing marketplace and it's the perfect app for travel.
Download the Turo app and book cars from $38/day. https://dayone.fm/turo
To learn more, join our newsletter to be notified of new and upcoming shows. The only content we create is content that will help Australian founders.
If you want to learn about upcoming guests and when a new First Cheque episode is available, join the First Cheque newsletter.
Mentioned in this episode:
June 2024 – Vanta First Cheque
November 2024 - Rocking Horse
November 2024 - Galah Cyber
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 maturity of secondary markets in the US versus Australia. They touch on the role of secondary funds, the impact of early liquidity on the ecosystem, and how this federal flow of funds can encourage re-investment into new startups.
Next, the duo dives into their anti-portfolios, sharing insights from companies they passed on and reflecting on biases and lessons learned. They also address gender diversity in the investment landscape, critiquing the current state of gender equity in the Australian startup ecosystem. Furthermore, Cheryl and Maxine share their strategies for balancing valuations, particularly in the context of owning small equity stakes as angel investors.
Key Takeaways:Thanks to our sponsors for helping to make this episode of First Cheque possible.
Vanta: Join 7,000 global companies like Atlassian and Dovetail that use Vanta to build trust and prove security in real-time. Get 10% off https://dayone.fm/vanta
Scendar: Scendar is the OG startup accounting firm in Australia. Free 1-hour consultation about your Business' growth plans and finance needs. https://dayone.fm/scendar
Turo: Turo is the world's largest carsharing marketplace and it's the perfect app for travel.
Download the Turo app and book cars from $38/day. https://dayone.fm/turo
Mentioned in this episode:
November 2024 - Rocking Horse
June 2024 – Vanta First Cheque
November 2024 - Galah Cyber
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, and the significance of liquidity for investors and founders. The conversation delves into the evolving venture capital landscape and the role of secondary transactions in unlocking value and increasing market liquidity.
Key Takeaways:Thanks to our sponsors for helping to make this episode of First Cheque possible.
Vanta: Join 7,000 global companies like Atlassian and Dovetail that use Vanta to build trust and prove security in real-time. Get 10% off https://dayone.fm/vanta
Scendar: Scendar is the OG startup accounting firm in Australia. Free 1-hour consultation about your Business' growth plans and finance needs. https://dayone.fm/scendar
Turo: Turo is the world's largest carsharing marketplace and it's the perfect app for travel.
Download the Turo app and book cars from $38/day. https://dayone.fm/turo
To learn more, join our newsletter to be notified of new and upcoming shows. The only content we create is content that will help Australian founders.
If you want to learn about upcoming guests and when a new First Cheque episode is available, join the First Cheque newsletter.
Mentioned in this episode:
June 2024 – Vanta First Cheque
November 2024 - Galah Cyber
November 2024 - Rocking Horse
The podcast currently has 31 episodes available.
1,188 Listeners
32,071 Listeners
16,171 Listeners
522 Listeners
38,798 Listeners
3,104 Listeners
8,009 Listeners
74 Listeners
28 Listeners
61 Listeners
1 Listeners
7,685 Listeners
40 Listeners
0 Listeners
0 Listeners
0 Listeners
0 Listeners
0 Listeners
0 Listeners
2,081 Listeners
76 Listeners
0 Listeners
0 Listeners