A billion-dollar fund. Pressure to cash out. AI accelerating. And a new chapter at Apple.

Plenty for Gavin Appel and Tobi Skovron to unpack in this month’s This Month in Venture.

We cover:

• Australian VC: Blackbird’s $1 billion fund, Airtree’s liquidity debate and fresh capital backing the next wave of founders.
• Startup reality: Pay.com.au’s US expansion, Expert360’s sale and the very different outcomes behind the headlines.
• Founder conviction: Ruslan Kogan’s five-year bet on performance-linked pay.
• The AI race: The money, momentum and what it means for businesses trying to keep up.
• Apple’s next chapter: New leadership, new products and the eternal question: do we actually need another upgrade?

The thread running through it all? Raising money, building value and delivering returns are three different scoreboards.

Gavin and Tobi get into what these stories mean for founders, investors and people building businesses every day.

Pull up a seat. There’s a lot to talk about.

.

.

Connect With Gavin:

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

Connect With Tobi:

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

Show Links:

https://www.ignitionlane.com/ 

https://cubes.co/ 

What does it take to turn a great product idea into a brand people genuinely love?

On this episode of the Hear Me ROAR Podcast, Kate Save and Tobi Skovron sit down with Jason Scher, entrepreneur, business builder and CEO of Brand Hub.

Jason has built his career at the intersection of product innovation, brand storytelling and market expansion. From growing Orange and Green into one of Australia’s leading private-label suppliers to disrupting categories at Kruger ANZ and successfully creating and exiting Voost, he knows what it takes to move from a bold idea to a scalable business.

Today, Jason is building the next generation of distinctive food and wellness brands through Destination Italy, Potato Utopia and TUMME.

In this episode, Jason shares:

• How to identify products people genuinely want and need
• What separates a clever idea from a scalable brand
• Why strong retail and distribution partnerships matter
• The lessons behind building and exiting Voost
• How great teams turn ambition into execution
• Why his values - Keep It Real, Can Do Will Do, Stronger Together and Raise the Bar - shape every business he builds
• How he balances business leadership with being a devoted dad of three

This is a grounded conversation about entrepreneurship, people, partnerships and the persistence required to turn ambitious ideas into reality.

Hit play and hear how Jason builds brands designed to disrupt categories and travel globally.

Subscribe to Hear Me ROAR for more real conversations with the founders, leaders and changemakers building what’s next.

.

.

Connect With Jason:

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

Connect With Kate:

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

Connect With Tobi:

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

Show Links:

https://www.brand-hub.au/ 

https://befitfood.com.au/ 

https://cubes.co/ 

What happens when AI stops helping people search and starts making decisions for them?

Norg AI Founder and CEO Jack Bear joins Kate Save and Tobi Skovron on Hear Me ROAR to unpack the rise of agentic commerce and a major shift in how businesses get discovered, trusted and chosen.

The conversation explores:

• Why traditional SEO is no longer enough
• How AI is reshaping search, recommendations and buying decisions
• Why brands must become visible and credible to AI models
• The difference between ranking in search and becoming the answer
• What founders and business leaders should do now to stay relevant

The next commercial battleground may not be page one of Google. It may be whether AI recommends your business at all.

Watch now and hear Jack’s perspective on building for the agent economy.

Subscribe to Hear Me ROAR for bold conversations with the founders, leaders and disruptors shaping what comes next.

.

.

Connect With Jack:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-bear-726578226/ 

Connect With Kate:

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

Connect With Tobi:

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

Show Links:

https://www.norg.ai/ 

https://befitfood.com.au/ 

https://cubes.co/ 

What does it take to rise from the retail floor at 16 to become CEO of two of Australia’s most iconic fashion brands?

Former Sportsgirl and Sussan CEO Colleen Callander joins Kate and Tobi on Hear Me ROAR to share the real story behind her extraordinary leadership journey.

After more than 30 years in Australian retail, including 13 years as CEO, Colleen stepped away from the executive office to begin a new chapter as a bestselling author, keynote speaker, business adviser and founder of Mentor Me Women.

This conversation explores:

• Colleen’s rise from Just Jeans to the CEO office
• The difference between authority and genuine leadership
• Why people-first cultures drive stronger performance
• The personal cost of burnout
• Building confidence through deliberate action
• Why kindness and accountability belong together
• Walking away from a successful career to begin again
• Helping more women find their voice and back themselves

Colleen’s story is a powerful reminder that confidence is not something you are born with. It is something you build, one courageous decision at a time.

Connect With Colleen:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-callander-919678140/ 

Connect With Kate:

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

Connect With Tobi:

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

Show Links:

https://befitfood.com.au/ 

https://cubes.co/ 

For the record, Tech Bros was not written about Gavin Appel and Tobi Skovron. Our lawyers have asked us to make that very clear 🤣

But we do have plenty to say about what’s moving across startups, technology and venture capital.

In the latest episode of This Month in Venture, Gavin and Tobi

unpack the biggest moves, emerging trends and conversations shaping the ecosystem right now.

Sharp insights, honest opinions and zero promises of becoming a unicorn overnight.

Enjoy the latest pod.

.

.

Connect With Gavin:

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

Connect With Tobi:

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

Show Links:

https://www.ignitionlane.com/ 

https://cubes.co/

What happens when the world tells you what you can’t do, but you refuse to accept the limits?

Matt Formston OAM has just 3% peripheral vision and no central vision. Yet he became a Paralympian, a world champion cyclist and a three-time world para-surfing champion.

In this powerful episode of Hear Me ROAR, Matt joins Tobi Skovron and Kate Save to unpack the mindset behind his extraordinary journey. From losing his sight as a child to representing Australia on the world stage, Matt reveals how he turned adversity into fuel and fear into forward momentum.

This conversation explores resilience, identity, leadership, fatherhood and what becomes possible when you stop allowing circumstances to write your story.

Matt does not just challenge perceptions of disability. He challenges the limits we place on ourselves.

Watch now and discover what it truly means to ROAR.

.

.

Connect With Matt:

https://www.instagram.com/mattformston/ 

Connect With Kate:

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

Connect With Tobi:

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

Show Links:

https://befitfood.com.au/ 

https://cubes.co/ 

What if workplace wellbeing could be measured and managed with the same discipline used in elite sport?

Simon Kearney, co-founder of Readiness, joins Hear Me ROAR to unpack the connection between wellbeing, mental safety and sustainable high performance.

Drawing on more than 20 years in elite sport, Simon reveals why too many organisations wait until their people are struggling before taking action, how leaders can identify psychosocial risks earlier, and why proactive wellbeing is not simply a people initiative. It is a performance strategy.

This is a powerful conversation about leadership, culture and building workplaces where people do not merely cope. They thrive.

If you lead people, build teams or care about creating a healthier, higher-performing workplace, this episode is a must-listen.

.

.

Connect With Simon:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-kearney-86a819145/ 

Connect With Kate:

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

Connect With Tobi:

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

Show Links:

https://www.readiness.com.au/ 

https://befitfood.com.au/ 

https://cubes.co/ 

Stephanie Sanzo is one of Australia’s most recognised strength coaches, fitness creators and transformation specialists.

Known globally as “Steph Fit Mum”, Steph has built a powerful community by helping people become stronger, move with confidence and transform their bodies through intelligent, progressive strength training.

On this episode of the Hear Me ROAR Podcast, Steph joins Kate and Tobi to unpack the story behind the strength.From building her personal brand and launching the LIFTit App to becoming a leading voice across powerlifting, bodybuilding, glute development and physique transformation, Steph shares the mindset, discipline and resilience required to create lasting results - in fitness, business and life.

This conversation explores:

• The journey behind “Steph Fit Mum”
• How Steph built a globally recognised fitness brand
• Why strength training can transform far more than your physique
• The truth about progressive overloadBuilding confidence through physical strength
• Powerlifting, bodybuilding and sustainable body transformation
• Growing an engaged online fitness community
• Turning knowledge and influence into a scalable business
• The creation and growth of the LIFTit AppManaging pressure, expectations and life in the public eye
• The routines and standards behind Steph’s success
• Her advice for anyone ready to become physically and mentally stronger

Steph’s story is proof that strength is not something you are born with. It is something you build - one decision, one repetition and one challenge at a time.

Whether you are passionate about fitness, building a personal brand, growing a business or creating a stronger version of yourself, this episode delivers serious value.

Watch the full episode and discover what it really takes to build strength that carries into every part of life.

Subscribe to Hear Me ROAR for powerful conversations with founders, leaders, athletes and change-makers who are building remarkable lives and businesses.

Connect With Steph:

https://www.instagram.com/stephaniesanzo/

Connect With Kate:

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

Connect With Tobi:

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

Show Links:

https://befitfood.com.au/

https://cubes.co/

Tara Jarrett, Founder and CEO of @pilates 24/7, joins Kateand Tobi on the Hear Me ROAR podcast to unpack the experience, resilience and sharp commercial thinking behind her rapidly growing fitness business.

After launching her first business at just 22, Tara spent three decades across education, fitness, health and entrepreneurship. She describes that journey as the “world’s longest apprenticeship” - one that ultimately prepared her to create a more accessible, affordable and flexible approach to Reformer Pilates.

On this episode, Tara reveals how @pilates 24/7 combines on-demand technology with genuine in-studio support, giving members the freedom to train around work, family and real life.

We discuss:

• The problem that inspired @pilates 24/7
• Building the world’s first dedicated 24/7 Pilates franchise
• Turning decades of experience into explosive business growth
• Why flexibility is reshaping the fitness industry
• Combining technology with human connection

• Building an inclusive, judgement-free community
• Tara’s biggest lessons from 30 years in business

This is a brilliant conversation about spotting overlooked opportunities, backing your experience and building a business that creates genuine impact.

Pilates when you want. Support when you need.

.

.

Connect WithTara:

https://atpilates.studio/ 

Connect With Kate:

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

Connect With Tobi:

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

Show Links:

https://befitfood.com.au/ 

https://cubes.co/ 

The AI rocket ship keeps climbing, and Australian founders and investors are firmly onboard.

Blackbird made its largest single-round investment, backing Baseten’s A$1.5 billion Series F with more than A$200 million. Australian entrepreneur Tim Davis sold four-year-old AI startup Modular to Qualcomm in a staggering A$5.6 billion all-scrip deal. Meanwhile, Airwallex added A$4 billion to its valuation in just six months, reaching A$16 billion as it raises hundreds of millions to prioritise AI over an IPO.

Closer to home, Innovation Victoria officially launched as LaunchVic folded into Breakthrough Victoria, ending a decade-long chapter. The CGT debate intensified, with 12 technology leaders warning the Treasurer that the proposed changes could stifle innovation. And Canva kept shipping, unveiling Canva Code 2.0 to turn plain-language prompts into interactive websites, apps and digital experiences.

The billionaires were circling too. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez hit Sydney, Bill Gates explored the potential of outback data centres, and Elon Musk watched SpaceX shares fall below their June IPO price.

Big money. Bigger valuations. Billionaire sightings. And absolutely no shortage of AI.

Gavin and Tobi unpack what moved, what mattered and what it means for Australian venture.

.

.

Connect With Gavin:

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

Connect With Tobi:

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

Show Links:

https://www.ignitionlane.com/ 

https://cubes.co/