Welcome back to the Random VC, where we discuss random topics connected to venture capital, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, community, and investors. Each episode features unique stories and random questions.

In this episode, Maria Halasz chats with Rodney Adler, a prolific venture investor and entrepreneur who had experienced a dramatic downfall from a highflying career following what was the biggest corporate collapse in Australia at the time. Rodney discusses his privileged upbringing, his father's impressive business career, and his own corporate journey. He recounts his early years of working for his father's company and the need to pursue his own path.

Rodney details his rise to the top job in FAI, one of the largest Australian insurance companies in the 1990s. He talks about the stresses of the HIH acquisition of FAI, and speaks candidly about his time in prison and the challenges of rebuilding his life after his release.

Key timestamps:
00:25 - Introduction to Rodney Adler
02:05 - Rodney's upbringing and his father's entrepreneurial journey
06:34 - Early career and the decision to work outside the family business
12:20 - Transitioning from consulting to becoming the managing director of FAI
16:50 - The controversial takeover of FAI by HIH Insurance
21:00 - Rodney's concerns about HIH's management and financial health
24:50 - The Royal Commission investigation and Rodney's defense
33:00 - Rodney's perspective on philanthropy and his appreciation for Australia
36:00 - Conviction and time in jail
40:00 - The hardest thing about being in jail
42:55 - Learnings from being in jail
46:40 - The concept of luck
47:15 - Life after jail, 17 years and counting
56:40 - Rodney Adler the Investor
1:00:00 - The definition of an entrepreneur
1:04:00 - Advice to aspiring venture capitalists
1:11:00 - Best investment
1:16:32 - Finale note

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Welcome back to the Random VC podcast, where we discuss random topics connected to venture capital, innovation, technology, entrepreneurs, community, and investors. Each episode features five random questions to surprise our guests.

In this episode, Maria Halasz sits down with Michael Batko, the CEO of Startmate, to discuss his journey from Austria to Australia, his experiences in the startup world, and his leadership at one of Australia’s most prominent startup accelerators.

Michael shares how a chance encounter with bedbugs in Sweden led him to meet his now-wife, bringing him eventually to Australia. He talks about his early career, starting with a serendipitous job at Mad Paws through a soccer game connection, and how that sparked his passion for the startup ecosystem.

Michael explains Startmate’s approach to selecting and nurturing startups, focusing on people, problems, and the exciting growth of AI and hardware companies in their cohorts. He also talks about the importance of community and the unique initiatives Startmate has created to support women in startups, including the Ladymates Collective.

Towards the end, Michael discusses his personal productivity platform, Puddle Pod, where he shares tips on efficiency and maximising output—skills he clearly puts to good use in his busy life. Timestamps:

00:19 - Introduction to Michael Batko and Startmate
02:05 - Michael's journey from Austria to Australia
06:34 - Early career and the serendipity of startups
10:10 - Transitioning from consulting to startups
15:40 - Startmate’s selection process and philosophy
20:00 - The rise of AI and hardware startups
26:20 - Startmate’s efforts to support women in startups
32:05 - The importance of productivity and the Puddle Pod platform
40:15 - Future plans for Startmate and personal goals

Stay tuned for more random yet insightful conversations on Random VC. Don’t forget to subscribe for regular episodes!

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Welcome back to the Random VC podcast, where we discuss random topics connected to venture capital, innovation, technology, entrepreneurs, community, and investors. Each episode features five random questions to surprise our guests.

In this episode, Maria Halasz chats with Tara Speranza, a trailblazing female VC in Australia, about her diverse journey from academia to venture capital.

Tara recounts her early career as a molecular biologist researching endocrine-controlled disorders like osteoporosis. She shares her transition from academia to investment banking, becoming an equity analyst focused on biotech companies. Tara highlights her move to venture capital, discussing the collaborative nature of the field and the importance of detailed financial projections for startups.

They explore the growth of the biotech industry, the impact of COVID-19, and the challenges Australian biotech startups face in securing funding. Tara's optimism about the sector's future is evident as she emphasises the importance of understanding expenses for startup success.

Maria and Tara also dive into Tara's personal background, including fond childhood memories and her pivot from academia to venture capital. Tara envisions a future blending consulting and venture capital, reflecting her passion for mentoring startups.

The episode concludes with Tara answering five random questions, sharing her dinner party guest choices, thoughts on societal kindness, and reflections on her upbringing and values. Tara’s insights offer a comprehensive view of the intersection between science, finance, and investment in the biotech sector.

Timestamps:
00:19 - Welcome and Tara Speranza's introduction
00:47 - Tara's early career as a molecular biologist
01:27 - Researching endocrine-controlled disorders
03:16 - Transition to investment banking and becoming an equity analyst
06:05 - Move to venture capital and the collaborative nature of the field
09:29 - Growth of the biotech industry post-COVID-19
13:09 - Challenges for Australian biotech startups in securing funding
17:22 - Importance of understanding expenses for startup success
20:15 - Tara's childhood memories and family road trips
22:11 - Pivot from academia to venture capital
25:34 - Vision for the future blending consulting and venture capital
29:15 - Five random questions: dinner party guests and societal kindness
33:23 - Reflections on upbringing and personal values
35:54 - Closing thoughts and future discussions

Stay tuned for more insightful conversations on Random VC. Don't forget to subscribe for regular episodes.

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Welcome to the first episode of Random VC, where we discuss random topics connected to venture capital, innovation, technology, entrepreneurs, community, and investors. Each episode features five random questions to surprise our guests.

In this episode, Maria Halasz sits down with Tony Surtees, a distinguished digital entrepreneur, to explore his incredible journey from Silicon Valley to shaping Australia's startup ecosystem.

Tony shares his unique experiences, starting with his early influences from his Hungarian parents, both Holocaust survivors, to his innovative approach to job applications that led to multiple offers. He talks about his impactful tenure at Yahoo, managing Yahoo Auctions and Yahoo Finance, and the significant transitions he witnessed there.

Returning to Australia, Tony observed the nascent startup ecosystem and emphasised the need for better commercialisation of Australia's scientific research. He discusses the transformative potential of AI, the importance of taking risks, and his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Tony also reflects on his role in co-founding Zeetings, a cloud-based interactive presentation platform acquired by Canva, and how this technology has powered over 1 billion presentations globally.

Timestamps:
00:24 - Welcome and Tony Surtees' introduction
01:16 - Tony's early life and influences
02:52 - Growing up with entrepreneurial parents
03:35 - Developing entrepreneurial skills from a young age
05:01 - Unique approach to job applications
07:08 - Studying at Stanford and moving to Silicon Valley
09:14 - Early career at Yahoo: managing Yahoo Auctions
12:12 - Challenges and successes at Yahoo Finance
15:10 - Yahoo's transition and impact on Tony's career
17:36 - Return to Australia and observations on the startup ecosystem
20:04 - Need for commercialisation of scientific research in Australia
22:13 - Views on innovation and AI's potential
25:13 - Importance of responsible regulation of internet platforms
28:04 - Advice for startups: follow curiosity, not passion
31:20 - Reflections on personal experiences and influential figures
33:48 - Predictions for future technological advancements
37:05 - The importance of global thinking for Australian startups
40:12 - Canva's early days and its global vision
42:15 - Zeetings' journey and acquisition by Canva
44:01 - Closing thoughts and future discussions

Stay tuned for more insightful conversations on Random VC.

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