In this episode of Funded Futures, Emily sits down with Majella Campbell, CEO of Fishburners — one of Australia’s most iconic startup communities — to explore the role of community, accessibility, and inclusive design in building a stronger startup ecosystem.

Majella shares her journey from uni student to CEO, and the powerful story behind Fishburners’ founding. She reflects on the structural challenges still facing underrepresented founders, particularly women, and how we need to rethink support models to meet founders where they actually are.

They cover:

• The surprising origin story behind the name Fishburners

• Why there’s no one “right” way to start a startup and why early-stage is still misunderstood

• How pitch nights are more than a performance, they’re a real path to capital (including a $1.2m raise!)

• The hard truths behind why women receive just 0.5% of VC funding

• Why community is still a founder’s greatest asset and how AI should enable, not replace, human connection

• Fishburners’ vision for the future and how it’s becoming more accessible than ever

Whether you're a first-time founder, a policy wonk, an investor, or someone who simply believes in a fairer ecosystem, this episode is a must-listen.