In this episode of Funded Futures, Emily Macfarlane sits down with Josh Sprague, founder of Trove, an innovative app designed to democratise access to alternative investments. Josh shares his mission to level the playing field for everyday Australians who are locked out of high-return asset classes typically reserved for the wealthy.

They discuss:

• The challenges faced by retail investors in Australia and the barriers to building meaningful wealth.

• What it means to be a “sophisticated investor” and how the rules often favour the already wealthy.

• How Trove makes investing in alternative assets accessible, diversified, and goal-based.

• The reality of raising capital, navigating venture capital, and dealing with investor gatekeeping.

• The emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, resilience, and sticking to your vision.

• Practical advice for founders, particularly female founders, on confidence, taking risks, and testing ideas.

• Why short-term hype investments like crypto are tempting but risky, and how structured approaches can build wealth over time.

Josh and Emily also share candid reflections on equity crowdfunding, financial literacy, and the importance of providing new pathways for Australians to grow their wealth outside of traditional property or stock markets.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in fintech, investing, or the startup journey—especially those frustrated with traditional barriers to wealth creation.