Welcome to The Never Ending Startup Podcast JDNEST Ep 9– Startup Journey and Stories. A special Interview by Dr Jon with Tania Papasotiriou who is co-founder of BEEMO, the first peer-to-peer decentralised protocol (app) in Australia, that redefines car sharing and empowers vehicle owners to unlock the potential of their unused vehicles. Dr Jon focuses on key themes of the story so far,  journey, inspiration and the future. Clean Tech Solutions. Built to last.

This JDNEST Episode's Central Question:

Will your startup survive planetary change and societal forces?

Our planet is warming and never has innovation been a more vital future.

Our global nations and their societies show a polarisation between old cultures and modern imperatives.

Wars, famine, pestilence, disease and discrimination are ever present and seem timeless.

A startup is a tiny boat in the ocean of all of this.

Perhaps we should navigate our startup journey  with this in mind?

Dr Jonathan Drane , July 2024

The Never Ending Startup Podcast: Lessons for Modern Startup Journey & Stories of Longevity

The podcast  shares Dr Jon’s insightful entrepreneurial journey, history and inspirations.

It includes interviews with ‘accelerator startups’ from The University of Newcastle’s I2N Innovation Hub about their journey and inspirations.

It also covers the state of Australia’s innovation ecology and lessons for new startups.

The podcast and book build a social and entrepreneurial framework for startup journey and  longevity.

In this episode we concentrate on the theme of startup journey and story, the inspirations and the future.

This episode covers: An interview with Tania Papasotiriou, Co-founder of BEEMO Car Share

We are proud to announce our special interview with Tania Papasotiriou who is co-founder of BEEMO, the first peer-to-peer decentralised protocol (app) that redefines car sharing and empowers vehicle owners to unlock the potential of their unused vehicles.

Car owners share their vehicles when not in use, and community members who need transportation can easily find and use cars nearby.

Tania has created BEEMO as an accelerator startup as part of the University of Newcastle’s Integrated  Innovation Network or I2N.

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

I2N is an innovation hub which helps startups to develop their exciting new  ideas into valuable commercial and social offerings.

Tania's favourite song for the entrepreneurial journey:

https://youtu.be/DvyCbevQbtI?feature=shared

What is  The Never Ending Startup Podcast About?

The Never Ending Startup is the story of award winning researcher, writer, innovator, historian  and entrepreneur Dr Jonathan Drane and his journey through the world of  high rise construction, property development and then into  start up ventures, the genesis of which he discovered only recently, had its inception over half a century earlier.

Dr Jon’s Startup Journey and who inspired him

His first start up called Optimum Search was established in 1993 and still stands today with a deep quarter century history of entrepreneurial achievement and ‘catalyst research’ with some failure along the way, the latter being a central part of the DNA of its success.

The story starts in the midst of his post war 1950s upbringing as a hot housed adolescent who was introduced by his father to a strange mixture of  ‘chemistry sets’ , explorer Jacques Cousteau, physicist Professor Julius Sumner Miller and Australia’s Professor Harry Messel with the latter’s famous blue science book being in nearly every high school class room.

How History of Innovation guided Dr Jon’s startup journey and stories

In this way the story also  provides a lived ‘side history’ of Australia’s post war innovation path, its ‘lucky country’ label, and  its  subsequent ‘brain drain’ then independence and research initiatives from CSIRO to a modern innovation ecosystem.

Taking Dr Jon’s Lessons to the Modern Startup: In...

Welcome to The Never Ending Startup Podcast Episode 8- Startup Journey and Stories. The 1980s and The White Shoe Brigade meets Silicon Valley -The era of Christopher Skase and Alan Bond and its problematic funding and banking interface-  Dr Jon reflects on the 1980s boom and its impact on banking models and venture capital and his involvement with the dynamic CRI development group. The parrallel rise of Silicon Valley and its mutual interaction with  Australian venture and property development capital and the rising era of investment banking.

This JDNEST Episode's Central Question:

What form of wealth will your Startup bring you? And what is the meaning of wealth?

There are many forms of wealth, the most popular being money.

However along with all endeavours and journies many other forms of wealth occur;

Belief, connection, engagement, sharing, friendship, love and wisdom.

Dr Jonathan Drane July 2024

The Never Ending Startup Podcast: Lessons for Modern Startup Journey & Stories of Longevity

The podcast  shares Dr Jon’s insightful entrepreneurial journey, history and inspirations.

It includes interviews with ‘accelerator startups’ from The University of Newcastle’s I2N Innovation Hub about their journey and inspirations.

It also covers the state of Australia’s innovation ecology and lessons for new startups.

The podcast and book build a social and entrepreneurial framework for startup journey and  longevity.

In this episode we concentrate on the theme of transformation and its importance in the startup journey of discovery.

This episode covers: The 1980s era with its impact on development and banking practices  (extract from upcoming book)

In this episode I expand  on how my entry into the world of high rise construction and property development introduced me to entrepreneurship, the concept of risk and return and how to assess potential developments and startup concepts.

In this episode I concentrate on the 1980s boom which was reputed to be the largest boom-bust in Australian history.

I was fortunate to be part of this era which was  loosely recognised in the broader press as the Skase-Bond era and came out of the 1970s and 80s era of the Queensland government at the time.

The Gold Coast developers of this era were called The White Shoe brigade and I worked eventually in the mid 1990s with Brian Ray who was from that era as well as Matrix Constructions who was founded by two ex-Civil and Civic project managers John Davies and Peter Burt.

The White Shoe Brigade meets Silicon Valley

Take time out to view how the Gold Coast development culture influenced Australian development and the world funding models. The rise of Christopher Skase and his Quintex group as well as Alan Bond who ran rings around the banking sector to eventually explode into the dim decade that was the 1990s.

Parrallel with this era came the rise of Silicon Valley which rose from the 1950s to spawn worldwide tech inventions, investments and startups. The rise of venture capital and The Silicon Valley Bank was to shape the future of venture capital

The Rise and Fall of Alan Bond is interviewed by Paul Barry

https://youtu.be/TfoD0tqptxM?feature=shared

What is  The Never Ending Startup Podcast About?

The Never Ending Startup is the story of award winning researcher, writer, innovator, historian  and entrepreneur Dr Jonathan Drane and his journey through the world of  high rise construction, property development and then into  start up ventures, the genesis of which he discovered only recently, had its inception over half a century earlier.

Dr Jon’s Startup Journey and who inspired him

His first start up called Optimum Search was established in 1993 and still stands today with a deep quarter century history of entrepreneurial achievement and ‘catalyst research’ with some failure along the way, the latter being a central part of the DNA of its success.

The story starts in the midst of his post war 1950s upbrin...

Welcome to The Never Ending Startup Podcast JDNEST Ep7– Startup Journey and Stories. A special Interview by Dr Jon with Avril Dunn about startup- EI Platform. Avril describes the platform as being like a ‘wearable device’ for a building and it provides convenient and continuous access to business energy data in real time. Avril  is co-founder of an accelerator startup developing EI Platform with the Integrated Innovation Network (I2N) at the University of Newcastle. Dr Jon focuses on key themes of the story so far,  journey, inspiration and the future. Clean Tech Solutions. Built to last.

This JDNEST Episode's Central Question:

Will your startup fail but rise from it's own ashes as something new?

Your reason and your passion are the rudder and the sails of your seafaring soul.

If either your sails or your rudder be broken, you can but toss and drift, or else be held at a standstill in mid-seas.

For reason, ruling alone, is a force confining and passion, unattended, is a flame that burns to its own destruction.

Therefore let your soul exalt your reason to the height of passion, that it may sing;

And let it direct your passion with reason, that your passion may live through its own daily resurrection and like the phoenix rise above its own ashes.

Kahlil Gibran 1883-1931 On Reason and Passion

The Never Ending Startup Podcast: Lessons for Modern Startup Journey & Stories of Longevity

The podcast  shares Dr Jon’s insightful entrepreneurial journey, history and inspirations.

It includes interviews with ‘accelerator startups’ from The University of Newcastle’s I2N Innovation Hub about their journey and inspirations.

It also covers the state of Australia’s innovation ecology and lessons for new startups.

The podcast and book build a social and entrepreneurial framework for startup journey and  longevity.

In this episode we concentrate on the theme of startup journey and story, the inspirations and the future.

This episode covers: An Interview with Avril Dunn  and new energy and clean-tech innovation EI Platform

We are also proud to announce a special interview with Avril Dunn who is the co- founder of EI Platform, which tracks and manages energy use in buildings.

The EI Platform is an accelerator startup with  The University of Newcastle’s I2N Innovation Hub

Avril describes the platform as being like a ‘wearable device’ for a building and it provides convenient and continuous access to business energy data in real time.

The platform also integrates AI to provide smart data on energy use and is a powerful tool in the future of energy and sustainability

Avril's favourite song for the entrepreneurial journey:

https://youtu.be/gYkACVDFmeg?feature=shared

What is  The Never Ending Startup Podcast About?

The Never Ending Startup is the story of award winning researcher, writer, innovator, historian  and entrepreneur Dr Jonathan Drane and his journey through the world of  high rise construction, property development and then into  start up ventures, the genesis of which he discovered only recently, had its inception over half a century earlier.

Dr Jon’s Startup Journey and who inspired him

His first start up called Optimum Search was established in 1993 and still stands today with a deep quarter century history of entrepreneurial achievement and ‘catalyst research’ with some failure along the way, the latter being a central part of the DNA of its success.

The story starts in the midst of his post war 1950s upbringing as a hot housed adolescent who was introduced by his father to a strange mixture of  ‘chemistry sets’ , explorer Jacques Cousteau, physicist Professor Julius Sumner Miller and Australia’s Professor Harry Messel with the latter’s famous blue science book being in nearly every high school class room.

How History of Innovation guided Dr Jon’s startup journey and stories

In this way the story also  provides a lived ‘side history’ of Australia’s post war innovation path,

Welcome to The Never Ending Startup Podcast Episode 6- Ingenuity and Dick Dusseldorp- Founder of Lend Lease- Startup Journey and Stories. Dr Jon reflects on the importance of ingenuity in the startup journey and how Dick Dusseldorp who was an engineer by background transformed his journey into entrepreneurship. Dr Jon reflects on how this shaped his creation of Optimum Search as a research group that created catalyst research and then startups and development projects.

This JDNEST Episode's Central Question:

Will creating a startup set you free? And what is freedom?

Freedom is a driving force behind entrepreneurship, along with potential wealth, status and recognition.

However freedom is just a different galaxy to servitude, which does not actually escape servitude- but to a different cause;

the exhausting striving for further success.

Dr Jonathan Drane 2024

The Never Ending Startup Podcast: Lessons for Modern Startup Journey & Stories of Longevity

The podcast  shares Dr Jon’s insightful entrepreneurial journey, history and inspirations.

It includes interviews with ‘accelerator startups’ from The University of Newcastle’s I2N Innovation Hub about their journey and inspirations.

It also covers the state of Australia’s innovation ecology and lessons for new startups.

The podcast and book build a social and entrepreneurial framework for startup journey and  longevity.

In this episode we concentrate on the theme of transformation and its importance in the startup journey of discovery.

This episode covers: Ingenuity in the Startup Journey  (extract from upcoming book)

In this  episode we return to our audiobook preview which centres around the themes of curiosity, discovery and philosophy.

I cover the amazing ability of Dick Dusseldorp, the founder or prominent development group Lend Lease to transform from an engineer to an entrepreneur.

I pause to reflect on how my journey through high rise construction and then development was inspired by Dick Dusseldorp.

Also how land is the strongest asset on the planet and how that helped me to assess more fragile assets like those that are created by startups.

Also how my research into high rise construction and property developer cultures would shape my creation of a catalyst research capacity which allows the exploration of potential development concepts and startups.

Dick Dusseldorp creates the first integrated property development and construction group- Lend Lease- Civil and Civic

Take time out to view how Dick Dusseldorp created the most integrated development system in Australia that would be an example internationally.

Dick started building houses in the Netherlands with the group Bredero who were then contracted in 1951 to build houses for the Snowy Mountains Scheme in Australia.

He created Civil and Civic as a subsidiary of Bredero and created the first design and construct system. This meant that the designer or architect was contracted by the builder not the client.

He created Lend Lease as a finance and development arm and built the first high rise concrete structure in Australia - Caltex House which was occupied by MLC.

Securing the whole supply chain; finance-design-construction-owner was an innovation of great significance for the commercial property sector and based on system design.

Learn More: Dick Dusseldorp

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Dusseldorp

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_%26_Civic

https://youtu.be/jQLHoSrybtQ?feature=shared

What is  The Never Ending Startup Podcast About?

The Never Ending Startup is the story of award winning researcher, writer, innovator, historian  and entrepreneur Dr Jonathan Drane and his journey through the world of  high rise construction, property development and then into  start up ventures, the genesis of which he discovered only recently, had its inception over half a century earlier.

Dr Jon’s Startup Journey and who inspired him

Welcome to The Never Ending Startup Podcast Episode JDNEST Ep5- Startup Journey and Stories. A special Interview by Dr Jon with Ryan Muir of RAM Manufacturing the creator of Echidna Strip. Echidna Strip ties down carpet at its edges and is normally called Smooth Edge in the building industry but Echidna Strip provides a more efficient, environmentally friendly product. Ryan  is co-founder of an accelerator startup developing Echidna Strip with the Integrated Innovation Network (I2N) at the University of Newcastle. Dr Jon focuses on key themes of the story so far,  journey, inspiration and the future. Clean Tech Solutions. Built to last.

The Never Ending Startup Podcast: Lessons for Modern Startup Journey & Stories of Longevity

The podcast  shares Dr Jon’s insightful entrepreneurial journey, history and inspirations.

It includes interviews with ‘accelerator startups’ from The University of Newcastle’s I2N Innovation Hub about their journey and inspirations.

It also covers the state of Australia’s innovation ecology and lessons for new startups.

The podcast and book build a social and entrepreneurial framework for startup journey and  longevity.

In this episode we concentrate on the theme of startup journey and story, the inspirations and the future.

This JDNEST Episode’s Central Question:

Will you create your startup on your own or with an enduring business partner?

Sharing a journey with a partner provides a 'dual intelligence model' to the idea creation and weathering process.

Dual intelligence brings natural critique and helps the startup idea grow beyond its infancy and into a concept ready for testing.

Given that the startup is built as an entity rather than a just a concept, two people can form the foundations of that entity.

This is a much more enduring strategy than going it alone.

Doctor Jonathan Drane, July 2027

This episode covers: An Interview with Ryan Muir of RAM Manufacturing Australia and new clean tech carpet solution Echidna Strip

We are also proud to announce  a special interview with Ryan Muir who is the co-founder of Echidna Strip and an accelerator startup with  The University of Newcastle’s I2N Innovation Hub

Echidna Strip ties down carpet at its edges and is normally called Smooth Edge in the building industry.

The standard product across the industry is made of timber plywood and is subject to decay, mould, contamination and can be a health hazard.

It is a time warn material that is no longer of this time.

Echidna strip is a more environmentally relevant offering made from recyclable materials and extruded into a edging strip that is easier to install, safer and does not decay.

What is  The Never Ending Startup Podcast About? Startup Journey and Stories

The Never Ending Startup is the story of award winning researcher, writer, innovator, historian  and entrepreneur Dr Jonathan Drane and his journey through the world of  high rise construction, property development and then into  start up ventures, the genesis of which he discovered only recently, had its inception over half a century earlier.

Dr Jon’s Startup Journey and who inspired him

His first start up called Optimum Search was established in 1993 and still stands today with a deep quarter century history of entrepreneurial achievement and ‘catalyst research’ with some failure along the way, the latter being a central part of the DNA of its success.

The story starts in the midst of his post war 1950s upbringing as a hot housed adolescent who was introduced by his father to a strange mixture of  ‘chemistry sets’ , explorer Jacques Cousteau, physicist Professor Julius Sumner Miller and Australia’s Professor Harry Messel with the latter’s famous blue science book being in nearly every high school class room.

How History of Innovation guided Dr Jon’s startup journey and stories

In this way the story also  provides a lived ‘side history’ of Australia’s post war innovation path,

Welcome to The Never Ending Startup Podcast Episode 4- Curiosity and Professor Julius Sumner Miller- Startup Journey and Stories. Dr Jon reflects on the importance of curiosity in the startup journey and the use of methodology and philosophy to navigate the future. He recognise his own inherited traits which played out as a younger person in the form of OCD and claustrophobia and how they shaped his life path. Built to last.

The Never Ending Startup Podcast: Lessons for Modern Startup Journey & Stories of Longevity

The podcast  shares Dr Jon’s insightful entrepreneurial journey, history and inspirations.

It includes interviews with ‘accelerator startups’ from The University of Newcastle’s I2N Innovation Hub about their journey and inspirations.

It also covers the state of Australia’s innovation ecology and lessons for new startups.

The podcast and book build a social and entrepreneurial framework for startup journey and  longevity.

In this episode we concentrate on the theme of curiosity and its importance in the startup journey of discovery.

This JDNEST Episode’s Central Question:

Will your startup's growth path  be sedimentary or metamorphic?

Sedimentary means the laying down of layers over time like a river bed.

Metamorphic means an explosive change in a geological formation due to geological pressure and heat.

Some say startup success comes with a big bang (metamorphic).

A longer term strategy is to see your startup and its success as sedimentary; a more enduring philosophy that sees you more as a time traveller.

Dr Jonathan Drane. July 2024.

This episode covers: Curiosity in the Startup Journey  (extract from upcoming book)

In this  episode we return to our audiobook preview which centres around the theme of curiosity, discovery and philosophy.

I cover the intense curiosity of Professor Julius Sumner Miller who brought the world into his science lab through his own tv show and the question ‘Why is it so’.

I pause to recognise my own inherited traits which played out as a younger person in the form of OCD and claustrophobia and how they shaped my life path.

Also how I was introduced to philosophy or ‘the love of wisdom’ through attending an elective class in my MBA in the early 1990s.

Professor Julius Sumner Miller brings the world into his science lab on TV- Startup journey and stories

Take time out to time travel back to a key point in the mid century transfer of scientific knowledge to people through Television.

Dr Julius Sumner Miller takes you through science experiments that are a phenomenon in their own right.

He asks two pivotal questions 'Why is it so" and 'Is that not beautiful.

https://youtu.be/3s9psf01ldo?feature=shared

What is  The Never Ending Startup Podcast About?

The Never Ending Startup is the story of award winning researcher, writer, innovator, historian  and entrepreneur Dr Jonathan Drane and his journey through the world of  high rise construction, property development and then into  start up ventures, the genesis of which he discovered only recently, had its inception over half a century earlier.

Dr Jon’s Startup Journey and who inspired him

His first start up called Optimum Search was established in 1993 and still stands today with a deep quarter century history of entrepreneurial achievement and ‘catalyst research’ with some failure along the way, the latter being a central part of the DNA of its success.

The story starts in the midst of his post war 1950s upbringing as a hot housed adolescent who was introduced by his father to a strange mixture of  ‘chemistry sets’ , explorer Jacques Cousteau, physicist Professor Julius Sumner Miller and Australia’s Professor Harry Messel with the latter’s famous blue science book being in nearly every high school class room.

How History of Innovation guided Dr Jon’s startup journey and stories

In this way the story also  provides a lived ‘side history’ of Australia’s post war innovation path,

Welcome to The Never Ending Startup Podcast Episode 3- Startup Journey and Stories of Longevity - A special Interview by Dr Jon with Leonie Cutts- CCS Corporation. Leonie Cutts discusses their new app called Carisa an app that provides game-like image-driven activities for carers and families including aged care situations. CCS is an accelerator startup with the Integrated Innovation Network (I2N) at the University of Newcastle. Dr Jon focuses on key themes of the story so far,  journey, inspiration and the future.

The Never Ending Startup Podcast: Lessons for Modern Startup Journey & Stories of Longevity

The podcast  shares Dr Jon’s insightful entrepreneurial journey, history and inspirations.

It includes interviews with ‘accelerator startups’ from The University of Newcastle’s I2N Innovation Hub about their journey and inspirations.

It also covers the state of Australia’s innovation ecology and lessons for new startups.

The podcast and book build a social and entrepreneurial framework for startup journey and  longevity.

In this episode we concentrate on the theme of journey.

This JDNEST Episode’s Central Question:

Will your startup end with one invention? Or go on to spawn a series that morph through time?

A startup is founded on a central idea; your great idea! Which should be treated like an infant of sorts.

The idea will grow and weather by being be attacked and supported.

Along the way it will suddenly spawn new seeds of thought and evolve. Often into something else all together.

This is not a sign of failure of the infant idea but merely its adolescence.

Dr Jonathan Drane, July 2024

This episode covers: An Interview with Leonie Cutts of CCS Corporation and new app Carisa

We are excited to announce our first special interview iwith an Accelerator Startup from University of Newcastle’s I2N Integrated Innovation Network.

Dr Jon  interviews Leonie Cutts who is the co-founder  CCS Corporation known for creating virtual and physical image cards for facilitation, coaching and self‑discovery.

CCS Corporation has now been developing and distributing the CCS Cards concept for over 20 years, with the tool having been used in more than 70 countries around the world.

Their most recent innovation is called Carisa which is an easy-to-use mobile app that provides game-like image-driven activities for carers and families including aged care situations.

What is  The Never Ending Startup Podcast About? Startup Journey and Stories

The Never Ending Startup is the story of award winning researcher, writer, innovator, historian  and entrepreneur Dr Jonathan Drane and his journey through the world of  high rise construction, property development and then into  start up ventures, the genesis of which he discovered only recently, had its inception over half a century earlier.

Dr Jon’s Startup Journey and who inspired him

His first start up called Optimum Search was established in 1993 and still stands today with a deep quarter century history of entrepreneurial achievement and ‘catalyst research’ with some failure along the way, the latter being a central part of the DNA of its success.

The story starts in the midst of his post war 1950s upbringing as a hot housed adolescent who was introduced by his father to a strange mixture of  ‘chemistry sets’ , explorer Jacques Cousteau, physicist Professor Julius Sumner Miller and Australia’s Professor Harry Messel with the latter’s famous blue science book being in nearly every high school class room.

How History of Innovation guided Dr Jon’s startup journey and stories

In this way the story also  provides a lived ‘side history’ of Australia’s post war innovation path, its ‘lucky country’ label, and  its  subsequent ‘brain drain’ then independence and research initiatives from CSIRO to a modern innovation ecosystem.

Taking Dr Jon’s Lessons to the Modern Startup: Interviews with startups from UON I2N

Spurred by his attendance at innovation hubs and s...

Welcome to The Never Ending Startup Podcast- JDNEST Episode 2 : Startup Journey and Stories covering Pathways and Circularity-  Dr Jon reflects on his humble origins and pathways in the laundry sink lab and backyard tree of his 1960s upbringing. He is inspired by Jacques Cousteau the famous ocean explorer and scientist who invented scuba diving. Circularity versus linear approaches to growth are explored along with the sustainability of the planet. Built to last.

The Never Ending Startup Podcast: Lessons for Modern Startup Journey and Stories of Longevity

The podcast  shares Dr Jon’s insightful entrepreneurial journey, history and inspirations.

It includes interviews with ‘accelerator startups’ from The University of Newcastle’s I2N Innovation Hub about their journey and inspirations.

It also covers the state of Australia’s innovation ecology and lessons for new startups.

The podcast and book build a social and entrepreneurial framework for startup journey and  longevity.

In this episode we concentrate on the theme of circularity versus  linear.

This JDNEST Episode’s Central Question:

Is your startup circular or linear?

This episode covers: Circularity versus Linear Growth (extract from upcoming book).

In doing so we explore the central question of sustainability of our planet when industry and business in general works on a linear growth model and can learn from an more organic circular approach.

The linear model has served capitalism well but is also not only a significant cause of business failure due to under capitalisation but also goes against the future sustainability of our planet. The planet’s resources are finite not infinitely linear.

Dr Jonathan Drane, July 2024

What is  The Never Ending Startup Podcast About?

The Never Ending Startup is the story of award winning researcher, writer, innovator, historian  and entrepreneur Dr Jonathan Drane and his journey through the world of  high rise construction, property development and then into  start up ventures, the genesis of which he discovered only recently, had its inception over half a century earlier.

Dr Jon’s Startup Journey and who inspired him

His first start up called Optimum Search was established in 1993 and still stands today with a deep quarter century history of entrepreneurial achievement and ‘catalyst research’ with some failure along the way, the latter being a central part of the DNA of its success.

The story starts in the midst of his post war 1950s upbringing as a hot housed adolescent who was introduced by his father to a strange mixture of  ‘chemistry sets’ , explorer Jacques Cousteau, physicist Professor Julius Sumner Miller and Australia’s Professor Harry Messel with the latter’s famous blue science book being in nearly every high school class room.

How History of Innovation guided Dr Jon’s startup journey and stories

In this way the story also  provides a lived ‘side history’ of Australia’s post war innovation path, its ‘lucky country’ label, and  its  subsequent ‘brain drain’ then independence and research initiatives from CSIRO to a modern innovation ecosystem.

Taking Dr Jon’s Lessons to the Modern Startup: Interviews with startups from UON I2N

Spurred by his attendance at innovation hubs and start up groups in the COVID era in  2022 and at the age of 67  Jonathan saw quite clearly what history can only reveal; that for the true start up, innovation is never ending and should not be seen as a single life defining achievement (whether good or bad) or a grab for wealth and celebrity.

The podcast includes interviews with modern startups including an exciting line up of interviews with ‘accelerator startups’ from the University of Newcastle’s Innovation Hub called I2N.

The accelerator startups cover important areas of our social, economic and environmental futures and they are used as themes for the interview related episodes.

Below are linked in posts of support for the podcast by startups I interv...

JDNEST EP1- Startup Journey and Stories. Welcome to The Never Ending Startup Podcast- . A podcast and book by Dr Jon Drane about his start up which was founded in 1993, how it lasted this long and what lessons it brings to modern startups.  The circular business entrepreneur. Built to last.

The Never Ending Startup Podcast: Lessons for Modern Startup Journey and Stories of Longevity

The podcast  shares Dr Jon’s insightful entrepreneurial journey, history and inspirations.

It includes interviews with ‘accelerator startups’ from The University of Newcastle’s I2N Innovation Hub about their journey and inspirations.

It also covers the state of Australia’s innovation ecology and lessons for new startups.

The podcast and book build a social and entrepreneurial framework for startup journey and  longevity.

This JDNEST Episode’s Central Question:

How long will your startup last?

Startup culture has traditionally been based on 'single invention' ventures, supported by seed capital (founders money and sweat) and venture capital (investment bank funding).

The focus on debt capital creates a time stress related to the importance of outcomes and return on investment.

Venture capital is the trading of other peoples money and so has an urgency and fragility by nature.

The startup that is built to last recognises these forces. The Never Ending Startup seeks to create startup ventures that are built to last.

Dr Jonathan Drane, July 2024

What is a Startup?

‘The term startup refers to a company in the first stages of operations. Startups are founded by one or more entrepreneurs who want to develop a product or service for which they believe there is demand. These companies generally start with high costs and limited revenue, which is why they look for capital from a variety of sources’. (Investopedia Definition)

Dr Jon defines the meaning of startup, seed capital and entrepreneurship:

“Startups are often seen as Silicon Valley type high tech experimental innovations that require risk related endeavours. These are more at the extreme end as examples of entrepreneurship and startups. The essence of startup is to ‘venture and to innovate’ a new business idea and offer it as a product to the real world and is often termed entrepreneurship. In this way startups require courage as well as ingenuity. As an example a new form of retail offering that is exciting and ‘risk based ‘and requires ‘seed capital’ can also be classified as a startup. Seed capital is usually required and provided by the inititators and champions of the startup. Seed capital is money that is out of the initiators  and their champions’ pocket that is equity based (not debt funded). Equity means that the seed fund provider is given a share in the enterprise.” Dr Jon Drane.

What is  The Never Ending Startup Podcast About?

The Never Ending Startup is the story of award winning researcher, writer, innovator, historian  and entrepreneur Dr Jonathan Drane and his journey through the world of  high rise construction, property development and then into  start up ventures, the genesis of which he discovered only recently, had its inception over half a century earlier.

Dr Jon’s Startup Journey and who inspired him - Startup Journey and Stories of Longevity

His first start up called Optimum Search was established in 1993 and still stands today with a deep quarter century history of entrepreneurial achievement and ‘catalyst research’ with some failure along the way, the latter being a central part of the DNA of its success.

The story starts in the midst of his post war 1950s upbringing as a hot housed adolescent who was introduced by his father to a strange mixture of  ‘chemistry sets’ , explorer Jacques Cousteau, physicist Professor Julius Sumner Miller and Australia’s Professor Harry Messel with the latter’s famous blue science book being in nearly every high school class room.

How History of Innovation guided Dr Jon’s startup journey and stories