In this episode of The Growth Cartel Weekly, Brandon and Rhys discuss various topics, including the recent Canva Create event, which aimed to showcase its potential for enterprise use. Several startups in Australia have recently raised significant funding. There is a growing interest in sustainable packaging alternatives. AI-powered solutions have the potential to transform the construction industry.

Summary

In this episode, Rhys introduces new co-hosts Vini and Leila and discusses their backgrounds and passion for the startup ecosystem. They also talk about the importance of diversity and empowerment in the industry. Vini shares her alter ego as the 'startup fairy' with her briefcase, and Leila talks about her experience in crowdfunding. The hosts emphasize the need for authenticity and building relationships in the ecosystem. They also discuss P3 Studio, Vini's venture, which focuses on business fundamentals and internal alignment. Leila explains how crowdfunding platforms like Birchal help retail investors support startups they love. The conversation covers the benefits of virtual fundraising, the importance of storytelling in fundraising, the rise of retail investors, the impact of younger generations on the startup ecosystem, and the potential effects of the Canva share sale on the investment landscape.

Key Takeaways

• The startup ecosystem attracts big personalities and requires a little bit of craziness to work in.
• Authenticity and building relationships are key in the startup world.
• Crowdfunding platforms like Virtual provide opportunities for retail investors to support startups they love.
• P3 Studio focuses on business fundamentals and internal alignment to help companies grow and succeed.
• The hosts are passionate about empowering underrepresented voices and bringing more diversity to the ecosystem. Virtual fundraising offers a simple and efficient process for both investors and founders.
• Storytelling is crucial in fundraising and can make a significant impact on investor interest.
• Platforms like Virtual and Aussie Angels are opening up investing to retail investors and diversifying the ecosystem.
• Younger generations are investing and buying with purpose, driving a shift in customer behaviour and values.
• The Canva share sale has the potential to inject capital into the startup investment space and create opportunities for reinvestment.

For more discussions on the startup ecosystem and to support us, follow The Growth Cartel on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-growth-cartel/⁠

Episode Links

Patona: ⁠https://www.patona.com.au/⁠

Patona makes your startup funds go further. Set up your global team to scale your tech stack and team and compete with businesses across the globe. With teams across India, the Philippines and Sri Lanka, grow your team quickly!

Follow Brandon on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonjkburns/⁠

4Phase Consulting

We are a team of experienced professionals who work at the intersection of strategy design and execution. We guide businesses through every step of their growth journey, from startup and scale-up to growth and turnaround. We do not just advise; we are actively helping you realise your ambitions.

Follow Rhys on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhyshenderson/

Rhys and Brandon discuss various investment, tech, and startup topics in this conversation. They mention the release of GPT 4o, with voice, text, and vision capabilities. They also talk about the growth of The Growth Cartel podcast and the addition of new hosts. The conversation touches on recent startup funding and the challenges faced by early-stage businesses. They share their favourite podcasts and discuss the importance of communication and follow-through in business.

In this conversation, Rhys and Brandon discuss various topics, including the challenges faced by cheap airline providers in Australia, the impact of social media on children, the importance of AI in startups, and the convenience of Amazon delivery. They also highlight the support and benefits provided by Airwallex for startups. The conversation concludes with a call for listener engagement and a shoutout to mothers on Mother's Day.

In the latest episode of The Growth Cartel, we had the pleasure of speaking with Gretchen Scott, delving into the persistent challenges and systemic barriers to enhancing diversity and inclusion within the tech industry. Our conversation shed light on the critical role of diversity and inclusion, especially for women and explored the reasons behind the departure of many from the tech field, such as unequal pay and imposter syndrome.

Explore the conversations around:

• The tech industry must prioritise diversity and inclusion to create high-performing teams and drive innovation.
• Women leave the tech industry for various reasons, including unequal pay, imposter syndrome, and slower promotion rates.
• Inclusive leadership is crucial for creating an environment where diverse voices are heard and valued.
• Measuring inclusion can be challenging, but metrics such as a sense of belonging can provide insights.
• Accelerating change requires education, clear frameworks for advancement, and addressing biases and resistance.

For more discussions on the startup ecosystem and to support us, follow The Growth Cartel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-growth-cartel/

Episode Links

Patona: https://www.patona.com.au/

• Follow Brandon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonjkburns/

4Phase Consulting

• Follow Rhys on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhyshenderson/

Kaleida https://scalerr.com/

• Follow Gretchen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchscott/

Women Who Code - Melbourne

https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/Women-Who-Code-Melbourne/

Women Ask for Raises as Often as Men but Are Less Likely to Get Them

HBR:https://hbr.org/2018/06/research-women-ask-for-raises-as-often-as-men-but-are-less-likely-to-get-them

Why do so many incompetent men become leaders?

HBR:https://hbr.org/2013/08/why-do-so-many-incompetent-men

Book:https://www.amazon.com.au/Why-Many-Incompetent-Become-Leaders/dp/1633696324

Jacinda Ardern delivers Harvard University Commencement speech.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj3x-JUlukI

In this episode, our guest, Paul Mitchinson from Scalerr, shares his experiences and insights on scaling businesses. Discussing the importance of building a sticky community and creating stickiness within businesses. He also shares insights on entering a new market, whether to send an existing team or hire locally, and the challenges and loneliness founders face. Additionally, he talks about de-risking global growth, balancing personal and professional life, and the value of creating supportive networks. How to advise founders to focus on building a solid foundation before seeking funding and to be open to letting go and trusting others.

Explore the conversations around:

• Hiring the right people is crucial for scaling a business; sending an existing team member and hiring locally can be a practical approach to global expansion.
• Founders and CEOs often face personal sacrifices and loneliness during the scaling process, and balancing personal and professional life is a constant challenge for founders.
• Building a solid foundation and setting expectations is essential before seeking funding.
• Being open to letting go and trusting others is necessary for successful scaling.
• Building a sticky community is crucial for the success of an app or platform.
• Create stickiness within businesses by offering a product or service that becomes embedded in their operations.
• When entering a new market, it is essential to consider the best customer base and tailor the strategy accordingly.
• De-risking global growth involves understanding the journey and executing strategies effectively.
• Creating supportive networks and communities can provide valuable guidance and understanding.

For more discussions on the startup ecosystem and to support us, follow The Growth Cartel on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-growth-cartel/⁠

Episode Links

Patona: ⁠https://www.patona.com.au/⁠

Patona makes your startup funds go further. Set up your global team to scale your tech stack and team and compete with businesses across the globe. With teams across India, the Philippines and Sri Lanka, grow your team quickly!

Follow Brandon on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonjkburns/⁠

4Phase Consulting

We are a team of experienced professionals who work at the intersection of strategy design and execution. We guide businesses through every step of their growth journey, from startup and scale-up to growth and turnaround. We do not just advise; we are actively helping you realise your ambitions.

Follow Rhys on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhyshenderson/⁠

Scalerr: ⁠https://scalerr.com/⁠

Scalerr serves high-growth technology startups and scale-ups. Working with clients to enable their growth and technology's impact on the world. Provide innovative talent and organisational growth advisory to expand clients' global footprint, enabling their technology to change the world.

Follow Paul on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-mitchinson-8a4a06129/

In this episode, Rhys, Brandon, and Vadim Petrichenko from Blossom Capital Partners explore proposed changes to sophisticated investor regulations. They discuss the potential effects on the startup ecosystem, including early-stage funding and innovation challenges. Vadim shares concerns about losing valuable knowledge networks and the impact on diversity and inclusion. The conversation also covers the importance of engaging with industry bodies to influence government decisions and a lighter note on the Super Bowl and its halftime entertainment.

Explore the conversations around:

• The proposed changes to sophisticated investor regulations could have significant unintended consequences on the startup ecosystem.
• These changes risk impeding access to essential early-stage capital, experience, and networks provided by angel investors.
• There's concern about the potential negative impact on gender diversity and inclusion.
• The broader risk of excluding seasoned angel investors could result in a talent and innovation void within the Australian startup landscape. Limiting capital access will lead to a talent and entrepreneurship drain in Australia.
• Angel investors are pivotal for early-stage startups, offering capital, expertise, and networks.
• Educating industry bodies and governments in influencing decisions on the startup ecosystem and early-stage investing is essential.

For more discussions on the startup ecosystem and to support us, follow The Growth Cartel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-growth-cartel/

EPIDODE LINKS

Patona:⁠https://www.patona.com.au/⁠

Patona makes your startup funds go further. Set up your global team to scale your tech stack and team and compete with businesses across the globe. With teams across India, the Philippines and Sri Lanka, grow your team quickly!

Follow Brandon on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonjkburns/⁠

4Phase Consulting

We are a team of experienced professionals who work at the intersection of strategy design and execution. We guide businesses through every step of their growth journey, from startup and scale-up to growth and turnaround. We do not just advise; we are actively helping you realise your ambitions.

Follow Rhys on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhyshenderson/⁠

Blossom Capital Partners: ⁠https://app.aussieangels.com/syndicate/blossom-capital-partners⁠

Blossom Capital Partners is an investment syndicate on the Aussie Angels platform that provides early access to innovative early-stage startups and talented founders who are solving real problems. We back and mentor talented Australian tech founders and want to share this wide range of opportunities with more investors through this syndicate.

Follow Vadim on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vadimpetrichenko/⁠

PETITION: Urge the Australian Government to reconsider the Sophisticated Investor Test: ⁠https://www.change.org/p/urge-the-australian-government-to-reconsider-sophisticated-investor-test⁠

Startup Daily: Angel Killers⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/posts/startup-daily_startups-startupaus-investing-activity-715362635310215

In this episode, Dickie, Brandon and Rhys discuss in-person events in the new normal and the challenges of regional entrepreneurship in Australia. They explore the need for national solutions to support startups outside major cities. The conversation touches on the balance between global and local focus, the mid-market crisis in Australia, and the lessons and growth experienced in 2023.

Explore the conversations around:

How in-person events can provide a unique opportunity for networking and collaboration that is difficult to replicate online.

Regional entrepreneurship in Australia faces challenges due to limited resources and support.

National solutions are needed to bridge the gap regarding startup support between major cities and regional areas.

Founders should consider the global potential of their business, but it is necessary to prioritise global scalability from day one.

Australia needs to think globally and focus on innovation in sectors such as agriculture to compete globally.

The mid-market crisis in Australia highlights the importance of thinking globally and scaling businesses beyond the local market.

To navigate their professional journeys, personal growth and reflection are essential for founders and operators.

Please support us by liking, following us, and sharing our content. Follow The Growth Cartel on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-growth-cartel/⁠

Episode Links

Teamified - ⁠https://www.teamified.com.au

Patona makes your startup funds go further. Set up your global team to scale your tech stack and team and compete with businesses across the globe. With teams across India, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, grow your team quickly!

Follow Brandon on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonjkburns/⁠

4Phase Consulting: https://www.linkedin.com/company/4phase-consulting/

We are a team of experienced professionals who work at the intersection of strategy design and execution. We guide businesses through every step of their growth journey, from startup and scale-up to growth and turnaround. We don't just advise; we're actively helping you realise your ambitions.

Follow Rhys on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhyshenderson/⁠

Hype man for the Australian Startup Ecosystem

Follow Dickie on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-currer/