# Innovation Bay

# Pages

## Page 1: E180 – Scott Thomson, Former Head of Innovation, Customer Engineering at Google Cloud
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e180-scott-thomson-head-of-innovation-customer-engineering-at-google/

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# E180 – Scott Thomson, Former Head of Innovation, Customer Engineering at Google Cloud

4 July, 2024 E180 – Scott Thomson, Former Head of Innovation, Customer Engineering at Google Cloud Our guest for episode 180 is Scott Thomson, Former Head of Innovation, Customer Engineering at Google Cloud. In Scott’s words – he helps customers across the world with their innovation challenges. He loves getting deep into the crux of what’s at the heart of a customer’s problem and challenges them to break through the glass ceiling of their own ambition – aiming for big 10X improvements (not just 10% lifts) through rapid ideation and testing and tackling high-risk projects first. Despite (or perhaps due to) his well-earned status as one of Australia’s leading innovators, Scott remains a hacker at heart and still loves to get his hands dirty as well as learning about as many new things as possible. He’s spent his entire career, spanning from the nineties, in AI – experience that puts him in a space not too many others could lay claim to. From the days of simple neural networks – allowing people to predict, forecast, classify and solve more complicated problems, to the great AI awakening (as the New York Times termed it in 2016) and rise of large language models in 2017, to the burgeoning field of generative AI, Scott has been there through it all. In this fascinating and incredibly timely conversation, Scott and Ian dive into the remarkable progress of generative AI and the potential it has to drive the highest value business chains within organisations by re-engineering the operational processes behind them. He breaks down AI’s potential, in highly practical terms, in tasks like document summarisation and productivity enhancement, and advocates for integrating AI tools seamlessly into business processes. He also considers the important ethical considerations, calling for sensible AI regulations that focus on managing its applications responsibly. In a world where everyone is grappling with what AI means, this insightful and practical conversation will help you understand where to place AI in the day-to-day. Take a listen. Quickfire Round: Book: ‘The Coming Wave’ by Mustafa Suleyman, Michael Bhaskar Podcast: Open the Pod Bay Doors News source: Google Pixel news feed Productivity tool: Google Photos CEO: Can’t remember his name, but he had a profound impact on Scott when me met him as a young person! TV Show: Foundation TedTalk topic: 10X thinking: how do you open up your mind to think 10X about a problem? Interested in learning more about how Google Cloud can assist you to reach sustainability goals? Head to Google Cloud’s website , sign up for free and receive $300 in credit, or reach out to your Google rep or Innovation Bay who will put you in touch. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 2: Applications open: Innovation Bay + ARENA 2024 Renewables Startup Showcase
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/applications-open-innovation-bay-arena-2024-renewables-startup-showcase/

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# Applications open: Innovation Bay + ARENA 2024 Renewables Startup Showcase

Innovation Bay & ARENA 2024 Renewables Startup Showcase: Applications now open The Innovation Bay and ARENA 2024 Renewables Startup Showcase is returning for the fifth year! Applications are now open for founders at renewable, climate and clean tech startups and close Monday, 30 September at 11:59PM AEST. Are you innovating in the renewable energy space? We want to hear from you! Every year, Innovation Bay partners with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) for the Renewables Startup Showcase – a prestigious gala event that brings together Australia’s most exciting renewable, clean and climate tech startups with an audience of Australia’s elite investment community (including leading angel investors, and the venture capital (VC), private equity (PE) and Corporate VC community) to create the connections needed to supercharge the sector’s future growth. This year’s event will be held in Sydney on Thursday, 21 November. The Showcase has been designed to highlight up-and-coming renewable, clean tech and climate tech startups that are looking to raise capital or expand in the next two to three years. It gives these companies a valuable opportunity to present directly to investors, position themselves to secure funding, and attract future partners. The program takes place over a series of weeks, offering startups the chance to not just be featured at the gala, but to engage with the broader Innovation Bay community of founders and VCs in the lead-up to the event to get unique insights on how to hone a pitch and get investment ready. Startups that have previously been featured at the Showcase include electrolyser technology developer and manufacturer Hysata (featured at last year’s event) which just raised a $111M USD Series B funding round led by bp Ventures and Templewater. 5B, RayGen, MGA Thermal, Infravision, Renewable Metals, Sicona and Novalith are other notable companies that have taken the stage at the event, many of which have also recently closed impressive funding rounds. Watch the video below to see the highlights from the 2023 Showcase! HOW TO APPLY If you’re an early-stage founder in the renewables, clean tech and climate tech sector that is primed for funding, this is for you! Applications to be featured will close at 11:59PM on Monday, 30 September. Submit your application now. Applications will be rigorously reviewed on a rolling basis by a carefully selected committee of technology, innovation, renewable and climate/cleanTeach leaders. Startups will be selected each month until all gala positions are filled, so we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible. Ultimately, four companies will be selected to present at the Gala to an audience of Australia’s elite investment community. Tickets to the 2024 ARENA Renewables start-up Showcase will go on sale in September. You can register your interest here. For any questions and additional information, please reach out to Melissa Ran at melissa@innovationbay.com . More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 3: A Lens on Diversity, Representation and ESG with Alezeia Brown (AB)
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/insights/a-lens-on-diversity-representation-and-esg-with-alezeia-brown-ab/

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# A Lens on Diversity, Representation and ESG with Alezeia Brown (AB)

A Lens on Diversity, Representation and ESG with Alezeia Brown (AB) Alezeia Brown (AB) is an Investment Manager at Main Sequence. Alezeia works tirelessly to impress the importance of diversity, sustainability and good governance into the culture of startups, and infinitely wider, through everyday thinking and adoption – not just boxes to tick off on the to do list.  A little background on AB – “I’m a recovering Product Manager,” Alezeia declares. Prior to her role with Main Sequence, Alezeia spent 12 years with the great privilege of being the customer advocate to build products driving sustainable growth for the companies she worked for. This included time as Head of Product at CSIRO Data61 – “Here, I fell in love with the impact and potential deeptech products can have,” she shares.  AB’s role as an Investment Manager at Main Sequence is generally split three ways – “not equally in time, but certainly intent.” A day in her life might look a little something like this:  First, AB spends her days meeting folks in the ecosystem, be they founders, researchers or industry partners, who may be looking to build the next giant company or be the first customer of one. “Building great relationships with founders is key before we invest our capital,” she explains. So investing time up front and during the investment process is critical for Main Sequence.  Second sees Alezeia supporting existing Main Sequence’s portfolio companies, whether through hiring, go-to-market, product strategy, governance or fundraising. “We are here to lean in and earn our #helpful cred,” she states.  Third sees AB working relentlessly on continuous improvement for the firm and productising venture – always reflecting on how they can do better, and be better. “Right now, I’m spending time on the next iteration of our ESG and board of directors toolkits for our early stage founders ” AB shares.  Solving big challenges like food security, sovereign security, and decarbonisation is hard, and it critical to have many people around the table working together to build companies that can rise to the occassion. What’s more, representation is so important for inspiring the next wave, AB says. “I’m in awe of every female and BIPOC founder who pushed against more odds than most, to start companies that can change the world.” We’ve come a long way, but with a ways to go, Alezeia is eager for some changes in thinking across the industry and beyond. She’d love to see an end to the unhelpful rhetoric that diversity somehow means less than optimal, and that ESG is somehow impact without delivering returns. If you are building a deeptech or climatetech company, or are a female/BIPOC founder looking for advice or introductions, reach out to AB on alezeia.brown@mseq.vc . More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 4: Innovation Bay Reveals Advisory Board for Series A+ Founder & CEO Community, Summit
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/innovation-bay-reveals-advisory-board-for-series-a-founder-ceo-community-summit/

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# Innovation Bay Reveals Advisory Board for Series A+ Founder & CEO Community, Summit

Innovation Bay Reveals Advisory Board for Series A+ Founder & CEO Community, Summit Summit Advisory Board – L-R: Lisa Vincent (HowToo), Keaton Okkonen (black.ai), Cibby Pulikkaseri (Baraja), Lucy Lloyd (Mentoloop), Jason Hosking (Hivery) “Being a part of Summit has had a profound impact on both me personally, and on the way in which we run Mentorloop. The organised, intimate and confidential structure of Summit creates a safe space where founders can really “go deep” with each other.” – Lucy Lloyd, Mentorloop Innovation Bay announces the formation of an advisory board for Summit, its exclusive, highly curated community for Series A+ founders and CEOs. Our founders are the mavericks, visionaries and outliers, who are dedicated to making a positive and lasting impact in the world. The inaugural Summit Advisory Board is thrilled to welcome the following esteemed members:  Cibby Pulikkaseril | Founder & CTO | Baraja Lisa Vincent | CEO & Founder | HowToo Keaton Okkonen | Co-Founder & CEO | black.ai Lucy Lloyd | Co-Founder & CEO | Mentorloop Jason Hosking | Co-Founder & CEO | Hivery Representing a cross section of the startup founder ecosystem, the Summit advisory board members include founders with businesses ranging from deeptech, education, AI, retail and mentorship, all with a tech-centric element. The diverse voices of the advisory board will play a critical role in guiding Innovation Bay’s founder community, with the ultimate goal of leveraging the collective expertise of our most innovative and engaged founders. Their roles will include providing strategic advice, giving feedback on community initiatives, and influencing the direction of the community. Summit focuses on peer-to-peer learning and connection amongst the top tech founders in Australia and New Zealand. Founders can get answers to their questions sooner, share their challenges with others who truly ‘get it’ and celebrate their successes with others who understand the physical, mental, and emotional demands of startup life.  Members of the advisory board share this view with Keaton Okkonen stating, “CEO is a lonely job. I see Summit as a great way to meet and stay connected to peers as well as a way for me to invest in my own development as CEO.” And Lisa Vincent adding: “One of the key impacts of Summit is the access to a community of founder superstars who are grappling with/have grappled with similar challenges is invaluable. The collective intelligence helps me move my business forward more quickly.”  The 70 strong Summit community is split into forum groups, (7-9, location based members) which stands as the foundational cornerstone of Summit, a guiding principle since the inception of the community. Forums are where many find the genuine essence and ultimate value of Summit. It serves as a sanctuary where individuals can openly share the intricacies of their personal and professional lives with those who truly understand—currently navigating similar paths or have walked them before.  Cibby Pulikkaseril shares his forum experience stating, “My forum has been particularly valuable, as they’ve really opened my eyes to alternate fundraising strategies, how to think about team compensation, and how to manage the tough times.” With Lucy Lloyd adding, “Being a part of Summit has had a profound impact on both me personally, and on the way in which we run Mentorloop. I’ve always been a big believer in mentoring of course, but the organised, intimate and confidential structure of Summit creates a safe space where founders can really “go deep” with each other.”  The collective sentiment of the advisory board includes contribution, providing valuable feedback, and facilitating growth both within the Summit community and as a further acceleration into the wider ecosystem. The advisory board share their views:  “I think groups like Summit are important for a young ecosystem, and I’d like to help make this a vibrant, necessary community,” says Cibby “I wanted to contribute to the community that had made such a difference to me, while also helping to influence its development – so it maintains the magic that attracted me in the first place,” says Lucy  “Summit is itself a startup. I know first-hand just how valuable user feedback can be when building great products, and I’m stoked to play a role in shaping the product both for myself and others,” finishes Keaton.  We’re elated to welcome these distinguished founders & CEOs to help guide our founder ship into promising waters! Founders and CEOs eager to unlock accelerated success in 2024 through community, connection and education, can apply for Innovation Bay membership HERE . More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 5: E156 - Adam Theobald, Ordermentum
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e156-adam-theobald-ordermentum/

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# E156 - Adam Theobald, Ordermentum

20 January, 2023 E156 – Adam Theobald, Ordermentum Our first guest of 2023 is Adam Theobald, CoFounder & CEO of Ordermentum, a double sided marketplace and platform for hospitality suppliers and venues to make orders and payments.  Despite a potentially promising career in cricket and a desire to become a physio, Adam studied Computer Science at university going on to complete a Master degree in Commerce. Beginning his career as a stockbroker focusing on technology stocks, Adam moved into roles with voiceover IP company Freshtell (comparable to Skype) and web-based video conferencing company Parkslide (akin to Zoom). With a love of coffee, Adam founded order ahead app Beat The Queue (since rebranded to Hey You who have recently merged with delivery app Yello).  Ordermentum was born in 2014 with 10 customers signed up – the first being Lion Nathan. Despite the COVID curveball that threatened to all but completely wipe out the entire hospitality industry, the company became a savior to locked down dog walkers ordering coffees.  Ordermentum now boast a hugely profitable business that caters to 35,000 venues (or half of the venues in the country), have 650 suppliers signed up, move over $1billion in G&V and process $400million in payments. Ian and Adam cover topics including:  Raises (one of which occurred during the pandemic!) Cricket (of course) Why he supports in-office in a remote moving world The importance of noticing emotional burnout in staff Plans to double his workforce in the next 12 months  The network effect  How important being part of a community is – Adam is a member of Innovation Bay’s Summit (Series A+ Founder Community)  And so much more…  Quickfire Round  Book: Radical Focus, Christina R. Wodtke + Working Backwards (Amazon)  Podcast: Serial  News Source: Sydney Morning Herald  App: Hey You Tech CEO: The Hard Thing About Hard Things  Productivity Tool: Woop  TV Show: Yellowstone, Line Of Duty  Ted Talk Topic: Ability to think on three trajectories – running the right balance between a short, medium and long term success trajectory  Check out Ordermentum Connect with Adam Theobald More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 6: Explore24
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/explore24/

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# Explore24

From little things, big things grow September 9 – 12, 2024 Darwin, NT Register Now Our partners --> --> --> --> --> --> --> Interested in sponsoring? Get in touch with our Partnerships Manager, Alex Vallieres I’M INTERESTED IN SPONSORING What is Explore24? Innovation Bay is Australia’s leading membership community for tech founders and investors. Explore24 is our signature event of the year. 200 attendees coming together over 4 thrilling days , comprising 3 unique journeys , representing 2 sides of the tech ecosystem – founders and investors , all creating 1 must-attend experience . Explore24 is not just another tech conference . It’s an unparalleled, unplugged retreat that fosters genuine connections and collaboration in an immersive environment. Over four days, participants will engage in a series of experiential activities, insightful discussions, and meaningful networking opportunities—all set against a backdrop of the best the Northern Territory has to offer. Designed as three unique 2.5-day journeys, one for each of our Founder, Angel, and VC communities, that culminates in a coming together on the third day to unlock and unleash the power of founders, investors, and ecosystem partners spending quality time together.  This is a one-of-a-kind event for the Australian and New Zealand tech startup ecosystem. We’d love you to be a part of it. Why attend Explore24?  Immerse yourself in the collective wisdom of Australia’s most innovative and inspiring people. Meet founders and investors who are doing, or have done, what you’re doing. There’s infinite potential to discover new ideas and initiatives to deploy in your business, investment opportunities, cross-business collaboration opportunities, and solutions to key problems.  Forge deeper, more meaningful relationships faster. There’s only so much you can talk about at networking drinks. At Explore, you’ll be sharing unique experiences designed to strengthen bonds and build rich connections to propel you forward, professionally and personally. Solve your biggest challenges with a departure from your day-to-day. Ignite your mind with a powerful change of scenery and an injection of fresh perspective. We use neuroscience and our 20+ year history in running events to craft moments that will unlock your ability to think through some of your most pressing problems. Experience Australia’s unforgettable Northern Territory like never before. Innovation Bay has worked in close partnership with the Northern Territory government to create a once-in-a-lifetime itinerary that will immerse you in local indigenous history, connect you with your inner-adventurer and give you the perspective that only this vast and awe-inspiring landscape can offer. What’s on at Explore24? DAY 1: EXCITE Revel in the excitement of our journey to come SUMMIT & CANOPY (Founders) 1pm – Drive from Darwin to Katherine Gorge Welcome networking and fireside chats HORIZON (Angels) ~2:30pm Welcome to Country Sunset sailing excursion Dinner Darwin harbourside DAY 2: EMBRACE Embrace new connections and experiences SUMMIT & CANOPY (Founders) Welcome to Country Day trip boat ride up Katherine Gorge, interspersed with activities and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing sessions Dinner at Nitmiluk Visitors Centre HORIZON (Angels) Day trip including an airboat wildlife tour, interspersed with small group discussions and presentations Dinner at Charlie’s Gin Distillery DAY 3: EXPAND Expand your perspective and rethink your approach SUMMIT & CANOPY (Founders) Drive back to Darwin Robertson Barracks Army base lunch and learn Afternoon presentations and evening party combined with VCs and Angels HORIZON (Angels) Topical discussions and presentations Networking lunch Afternoon presentations and evening party combined with Founders and VCs DAY 4: ENERGISED Leave Explore24 energised to take on the world SUMMIT & CANOPY (Founders) Final networking opportunities and local Darwin sightseeing trips 12pm – Fly home HORIZON (Angels) Final networking opportunities and local Darwin sightseeing trips 12pm – Fly home Who’s attending? Find your people! Here’s a selection of the confirmed attendees for Explore24 Aaron Tan, Principal, KKR Adam Wakerman, Partner, Halkin Alan Bond, Investor Alan Watters, Director, Tech Sector Lead AU & NZ, HSBC Alex Farrugia, Investment Manager, Paspalis Alex Guyer, Partner, Firemark Ventures Alex Kewley, Managing Director / Partner, MARS Equity Dragon Funds Alex Mount, Director, MA Growth Ventures Alex Unsworth, Managing Director – Head of Equities, Canaccord Genuity Amit Verma, Senior Manager, Listings, ASX Andrea Gardiner, CEO, Jelix Ventures Andrew Donald, Founder, Choice Ventures Andrew McCowan, Investment Director, NZTE Andrew Poesaste, Partner, Rampersand Andrew Sypkes, CEO, Sypkes Family Office Angus Blair, General Partner, Outset Ventures Anna Wright, CEO, BindiMaps Anthony Curtin, Managing Partner, Merton Lawyers Anthony McNamara, Investor Anthony Willmott, CEO and Co-founder, Digital Agriculture Services Anthony Woodward, CEO, RecordPoint Ash Lambert, Partner, Co:Act Capital Barnaby Marshall, Partner, Icehouse Ventures Ben Grabiner, Partner, Side Stage Ventures Bryan Williams, Founder, Hockey Stick Advisory Caitlin Iles, Managing Director, EM Advisory & Invest Callum Benson, Senior New Ventures Manager, Monash University Cameron Kavanagh, Principal, Jelix Ventures Charles Carnegie, Investor Charlie Ill, CIO, Investible Cheryl Mack, CEO, Aussie Angels Chris Breidahl, Managing Partner, Upswell Ventures Chris Quirk, Principal Christopher Morgan, Co-CEO, Oxygen Advisors Danny Assabgy, Founder & CEO, Build Buddy Daniel Lohrmann, Managing Director, ikaros Daniel Neilson, Portfolio Manager, Marshall Investments Daniel Ouliaris, Founder & CEO, NeoIntelligence Daniel Tan, Principal, Aera VC Danin Kahn, Electrifi Ventures Dante St James, Director – Innovation and Investment Readiness, Darwin Innovation Hub. Dave Harris, CEO, Guinevere Capital Esports & Entertainment David Moss, Partner, Second Quarter David Rowe, Head of Ventures, 1835i Deborah Johns, Partner, Gilbert + Tobin Derek Gerrard, Managing Director, Purpose Ventures Domenic Fonte, CEO, AssetFuture Dylan Bennett, Director, The Array Ed Bigazzi, Investor, Five V Capital Edwin Mak, Principal, Burda Principal Investments Edward Barraclough, Founder & CEO, Drone-Hand Eliza Jackson, Partner, Macdoch Ventures Ethan Singer, Co-Founder, Fundabl Evan Wijaya, Principal, Touring Capital Gary Xu, Investment Director, Touch Ventures Limited Georgia Barkell, Managing Partner, Sprint Ventures Glenn Bartlett, Head of Ventures, Alberts Hari Srinivasan, Head of Sales, Digital Natives Growth, Google Harley Paroulakis, CEO, Paspalis Ian Beatty, Managing Partner, Second Quarter Iain McDonald, Founder, 8seats James McCLure, General Partner, Antler Jason Georgatos, Managing Director, Partners for Growth Jason Serda, Managing Partner, Utiliti Management Pty Ltd Jay Chiu, Investment Director, One Ventures Jethro Cohen, Principal, Square Peg Jo Wickham, Partner, Icehouse Ventures Jonathan Chow, Principal, Carthona Joshua Mendoza, Director, SEEK Investments Karen Chan, Portfolio Manager, Perennial Karmen Karamanian, Chief Communications Officer, Paspalis Kate Eriksson, Partner, Co:Act Capital Kate Galpin, Manager, Listings, ASX Keaton Swanepoel, Investment Manager, NZTE Kelland Reilly, Partner, Airtree Kevin Wilson, Partner, OIF Ventures Kieran O’Neill, Principal, Tidal Ventures Kylie Frazer, Partner, Flying Fox Ventures Kylie Gerrard, General Partner, Purpose Ventures Llew Jury, General Partner, Sprint Ventures Lucy Lloyd, Co-Founder, Mentorloop Luke Rix, CEO & Founder, KC Ventures Marisa Warren, Founder & Managing Partner, ALIAVIA Ventures Mark Velik, Principal, EVP Marten Peck, Partner, Salus Ventures Matthew Parbhu, Principal, Shearwater Capital Matthew Smith, CEO, MyPass Global Matthew White, Partner, Nuance Connected Capital McGregor Fea, Managing Partner, Altered Capital Melissa Widner, CEO, Lighter Capital Michael Canaris, Investor Michael Chen, CEO/Founder, SpringCapital Investment Pty Ltd Michael Hawkins, CEO, Affirm Sofware Michael Langford, Head of VC, Google Cloud Michael Macrides, Senior Director, VC Breakthrough Victoria Mike Abbott, General Partner, Antler Mike Nicholls, Partner, Main Sequence Mike Robinson, Cofounder and Partner, Macdoch Ventures Milly Goucher, Head of Corporate Development & Investments, Helia Mitali Purohit, Partner, Nuance Capital Mitchell Bissinger, Investment Manager, Folklore Ventures Monica Zarafu, Founder & CEO, Bykko Natasha Prevot, Co-Founder, Techvisa Nick Gainsley, Partner, OneVentures Olivia Grivas, Principal, Skip Capital Olivia Wensley, CEO, Silicon South Owen Humphries, Head of Technology Research, Canaccord Genuity Paul Becker, Founder & CEO, ArtMoney Paul Tontodonati, Co-Founder/Director, Platform Advisory Partners Paula Burton, CEO, Mass Dynamics Peter Kennedy, Senior Adviser, Burda Principal Investments Phoebe Bardsley, CEO & Co-founder, Go Locum Phil Morle, Partner, Main Sequence Priya Saiprasad, General Partner, Touring Capital Prue Gilbert, CEO, Grace Papers Quentin Wallace, Partner, Archangel Ventures Rachel Yang, Partner, Giant Leap Rajeev Gupta, Partner, Alium Capital Rebecca Schot-Guppy, Partner, Firemark Ventures Richard Du, Investment Manager, MA Growth Ventures Rick Baker, Co-Founder & Partner, Blackbird Robert Kinkade, Director (Dynamic Uplift) and Senior Partner (MitchelLake), Dynamic Uplift + MitchelLake Sachin Bhanot, Head of Investments, SEA & ANZ, Prosus Ventures Sahil Arora, Investor, Skip Capital Sally Yu Investment, Principal, King River Capital Sam Bricknell, Director, Techvisa Sam Jacobson, VP, Macquarie Group Simon Betschel, Operating Partner, Possible Ventures Simon Pound, Managing Partner, Previously Unavailable Stefan Hrabar, Founder & CSO, Emesent Stephanie Hamlyn, Investment Manager, Partners For Growth Steve Allan, Investor Steve Fanale, Founder, Fanale Exec Steve Lewis, Founder CEO, Nabu AI Stuart Low, CEO and Founder, BIZA.IO Stuart Dullard, Partner, Ashurst Tom Humphrey, Investments Partner, Blackbird Ventures Tony Mao, Co-founder, Nullify Trent Bagnall, Partner, Melt Ventures Vincent Fletcher, Chief Product Officer, CartonCloud Xavier Keary, Special Counsel, Gilbert + Tobin Walid Nawabi, Co-founder, MotorPlatform William Barratt, Director & Co-founder, BS+A William Scheer, Founder & CEO, Reason Group Yash Varma, Founder & General Partner, Empress Capital Registration Explore24 is exclusively for Innovation Bay members.  Not a member? We have a limited number of openings for prospective members who are exploring becoming joining Innovation Bay. Apply to attend and we’ll be in touch. MEMBERS ONLY → Register Apply to attend Looking for Venture Downunder? Click here Want to get a sense of the Explore24 experience? Watch the videos below to discover more about the adventures and connections you can expect to experience at Explore24. What people say about our events “The Innovation Bay team structured one of the most relevant events for business leaders I’ve experienced with room full of positive ego professionals invested in success beyond 2024.” Steve Lewis | Vigilum, Nabu “Innovation Bay is really unique. It’s an open forum for discussion. We come and connect and share deals and talk about what we’re struggling with or what we’re aiming for. It’s such a great space to be able to get everyone together and all the different ideas in an open forum.” Georgia Barkell | Sprint Ventures “The magic happens when you can put lots of people in a room together who have the right values and intentions. What I’m finding is that everyone wants to help each other. We’ve built some really great relationships.” Yash Varma | Empress Capital Registration Explore24 is exclusively for Innovation Bay members.  Not a member? We have a limited number of openings for prospective members who are exploring becoming joining Innovation Bay. Register your interest and we’ll be in touch. MEMBERS ONLY → Register Apply to attend

## Page 7: Innovation Bay & ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase 2023 
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/presenting-innovation-bay-arena-renewables-startup-showcase-2023/

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# Innovation Bay & ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase 2023 

Innovation Bay & ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase 2023 – Pitch Applications Open The Innovation Bay & ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase returns in 2023. Pitch applications are now open for founders in renewables, climate and cleantech sectors. Image: Innovation Bay & ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase | 1 November 2023 | Melbourne | Apply to pitch After a hugely successful event in Sydney in 2022,  Innovation Bay and ARENA  have once again joined forces for the fourth annual  ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase  in 2023, taking place on  Wednesday 1 November at  Cargo Hall  in Melbourne . Tickets for this year’s event will go on sale on  Monday 8 August . Register your expression of interest to attend  HERE .  ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase 2023 presents Australia’s most exciting early stage renewable technology startups and pairs them with 100+ of the country’s leading venture capitalists and angel investors,  supercharging their growth through funding, connections, and advice. Previous events have seen the likes of the world’s leading drone stringing system,  Infravision , solar manufacturer  5B , and “solar thermal” pioneer  RayGen , raise capital and gain meaningful connections as a part of the event.  Darren Miller, CEO of ARENA  says, “Supporting startups in the renewable energy and climate change sector is important to ARENA. Some of our greatest ideas and innovations originate from startups and entrepreneurs and we need to encourage all available talent and new business models to help us to achieve our goal of net zero emissions. We have funded some incredible startups along the way, including MGA Thermal and Infravision, who both pitched at last year’s Renewables Startup Showcase. Innovation Bay is all about bringing together innovative startups with private investment to boost growth of these amazing new technologies. We look forward to this year’s event – which is now embedded as the premier event in the cleantech sector matching the best startups with investors.”  Darren Miller, CEO, ARENA Phaedon Stough, Co-Founder and CEO of Innovation Bay  expresses his excitement, “The ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase event always fills me with so much enthusiasm and pride. The talent we have in this country in the renewables, climatetech and cleantech sector is incredible. Every year we run this event alongside ARENA the more encouraged I become for the future. Being the vehicle to shine a light on the sheer talent and innovation of companies in this space is truly inspiring. We can’t wait to deliver this event in November!”  Innovation Bay and ARENA are now  calling out for early stage founders  in the  Renewables, CleanTech  and  ClimateTech  sectors, primed for funding to  apply to pitch  at this year’s most prestigious renewables event. With an expected 70+ applications, a rigorous review process will be undertaken by a carefully selected committee of technology, innovation, renewable and Climate/CleanTeach leaders, who will identify four of the most standout founders and companies to pitch to a live audience. Founders:  APPLY TO PITCH HERE. In addition to the hand-selected pitches, guests will be treated to a thought leadership panel on the future of emerging technologies in the renewable energy sector, a sit down gala dinner experience and, as always, incredible networking opportunities. While guest speakers and panelists are yet to be announced, previous years have seen the cream of the crop experts in the space share their knowledge, insights and experience including Mike Cannon-Brookes , CEO and Founder, Atlassian, Robyn Denholm , Tesla Chair and Managing Partner, Blackbird, Dr Alan Finkel , Australia’s former Chief Scientist, and Kate Vidgen , Global Head of Industrial Transition and Clean Fuels at the Green Investment Group (GIG) & Executive Director, Macquarie. FOUNDER PITCH APPLICATIONS Open now until deadline  11:59pm Friday 1 September  FOUNDERS:   APPLY HERE SNAPSHOT DETAILS WHAT:  ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase  WHEN:  Wednesday 1 November, 2023  TIME:  TBC  VENUE:  Cargo Hall WHERE:  South Wharf, Melbourne, Victoria  TICKETS: Tickets on sale Monday 8 August |  REGISTER EOI TO ATTEND HERE More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 8: E184 - Taryn Pieterse, Partner, Rampersand VC
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e184-taryn-pieterse-partner-rampersand-vc/

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# E184 - Taryn Pieterse, Partner, Rampersand VC

20 August, 2024 E184 – Taryn Pieterse, Partner, Rampersand VC In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Taryn Pieterse, Partner at Rampersand. Rampersand is a pioneering Australian venture capital firm, known for being one of the first funds in Australia and its early investment in founders with abnormal potential. With a focus on being a founder-first investor, they stay closely aligned with their portfolio companies. Currently, they are deploying their fourth fund of $50 million. Taryn and Ian discuss Rampersand’s background, investment focus, fund economics, and the importance of alignment with founders. Highlights from their conversation include: Rampersand’s origins and investment strategy Their fund economics Rampersand’s interest in AI-driven startups The future of AI in both business and daily life How Rampersand fosters community and provides concierge services to founders The current exit landscape and emerging opportunities The differences between venture capital firms and family offices Quickfire round : Book –  “The Psychology of Money” Podcast – “Defining Gravity” by Helen Sunitz News source – Overnight Success Newsletter App – Apple watch Productivity tool – Robo vacuum cleaner – I have a dog and this saves me spending hours vacuuming everyday  Tech CEO – Mark Benioff of Salesforce – a great example of start up to scale up and beyond TV show – “The Mole” on Netflix If you were asked to do a TED talk, what topic would you speak about? The art of power napping – I love power naps! More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 9: E174 - Bernadette Olivier - CEO & Co-Founder - The Volte 
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e174-bernadette-olivier-ceo-co-founder-the-volte/

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# E174 - Bernadette Olivier - CEO & Co-Founder - The Volte 

15 March, 2024 E174 – Bernadette Olivier – CEO & Co-Founder – The Volte Our guest this week is Bernadette Olivier , CEO & Co-Founder of The Volte – a groundbreaking peer-to-peer fashion rental marketplace that’s redefining the way we experience fashion globally. From its humble beginnings to its dazzling rise, The Volte seamlessly connects borrowers and lenders, while promoting a sustainable, circular economy. Bernadette takes us through the evolution of The Volte, from its early days catering to fashionistas to its transformation into a platform embraced by mainstream consumers. She reflects on the complexities of remote work, the importance and challenges of strategic partnerships, and the challenges faced during the tumultuous times of COVID-19. The Volte not only weathered the COVID storm, but has since experienced remarkable growth in orders and active users.  She candidly reflects on the importance of trust, dedication, and alignment within a startup team, where she shares co-founder duties with four other women – Genevieve Hohnen, Kym Atkins and Jade Hirniak. From bootstrap beginnings to securing funding from Angels and VCs including eBay Ventures,The Volte defied the odds to become a trailblazer in the fashion rental industry. Bernadette shares the uniqueness of The Volte’s model – which is focused on occasion-based rentals rather than traditional subscriptions – as well as insights into the company’s distinctive unit economics. From leveraging strategic investments, harnessing the power of AI for personalised customer experiences, and visions of international expansion into Europe, Bernadette paints a compelling picture for The Volte’s future. Quickfire Round Book : ‘Atonement’ by Ian McEwan, ‘Burn Book’ by Kara Swisher Podcast: Hard Fork, The Business of Fashion News Source: New York Times Productivity App: ClickUp CEO: Anthony Eisen (Afterpay) Favourite App: Calm TV Show: ‘Vanderpump Rules’ and ‘The Morning Show’ Movie: ‘Barbie’, ‘Oppenheimer’ TED Talk Topic: Changing consumption habits – moving from disposable, one-off usage to reusing, safekeeping and passing onto the next owner. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 10: Community of Founders & Investors Shaped The Future at The Globe
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/insights/the-globe-that-shaped-the-future/

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# Community of Founders & Investors Shaped The Future at The Globe

Community of Founders & Investors Shaped The Future at The Globe A globe is more than just a representation of the world; it symbolises unity, wholeness, and the power of collective efforts. The Globe , hosted by Macquarie Group at its global headquarters in Sydney on Friday 16 June, was a momentous occasion for Innovation Bay. It brought together the brilliant and ambitious minds of their entire collective to share ideas, triumphs, vulnerabilities, and failures. It was a time to reflect on past achievements, learn from the journey that led them to the present, and envision and shape the future together. Innovation Bay members come from diverse sectors, but they all share a common vision: shaping the future through innovation. Recognising that investors and founders play a crucial role in addressing the economic, environmental, and social challenges facing Australia and the world, Innovation Bay has embraced the power of innovation as the key to creating a sustainable, inclusive, and profitable future. This extraordinary event saw around 200 of the country’s leading founders, investors, and thought leaders gather to explore, plan and shape the next 6-12 months and beyond. The agenda was filled with thought-provoking content sessions, keynotes, panels and workshops, covering various insightful, inspiring and future defining topics. These sessions included a keynote focusing on Global Economic Perspectives, Future of the Market, Future Unicorns, Future of Exits, Future of Work, and the Future of Investment.  We heard from a vast range of speakers from our community and network with an enviable and diverse range of skills and knowledge. Speakers and workshop curators included (among many others) Shemara Wikramanayake, CEO and Managing Director of Macquarie Group, Justin Webb, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of AgriWebb, Silvana Williams, Executive Director at Goldman Sachs, Phil Morle, Partner at Main Sequence Ventures, Rajeev Gupta, angel investor and Partner at ALIUM Capital, and Melissa Widner, CEO of Lighter Capital.  The below article provides an overview of some of the key insights obtained from The Globe. Chatham House Rules were adopted for the duration of the event so no quotes have been attributed to specific individuals.  The Globe kicked off with a captivating keynote, addressing the impact of the global economic environment on founders and investors worldwide. It shed light on the nature of economic cycles, benefits of collaboration, impact of technological disruption, and the importance of embracing opportunity while managing risk. “…these cycles come and go, and this one will also move through” The Future of the Market panel, comprising early and later-stage founders and CEOs, angel investors, and VCs, explored the trajectory of the market in the next 6-12 months. This session featured lively discussions on the need for a quantitative approach in investing, the exploration of receptive regions for blockchain technology, understanding blockchain’s transformative power, diversifying investment portfolios, addressing setbacks with patient capital, establishing clarity and regulations, due diligence and diverse perspectives, and the importance of engaging in pre-investing discussions. The panel also highlighted investment strategies for addressing global challenges and the supportive environment for innovators in Australia. “We’ve got to go back to quantitative investing, where it is about revenue, gross margin, to operating profit, to net profit.” The Future Unicorns Think Tank session, held in partnership with Main Sequence Venture Partners and CSIRO, brought to the forefront the commercialisation of deep tech ideas into future billion-dollar companies. It was a showcase of groundbreaking projects, including pitches from founders of MacroKey, iRekon, and VoxelNet, spanning various sectors such as energy, food, textiles, artificial intelligence, medicine, and health. The session underscored the need to combine scientific invention with business expertise and emphasised the importance of securing support and expertise to propel ventures towards billion-dollar valuations. Collaboration, idea refinement, and the development of compelling pitches were encouraged, fostering knowledge sharing and networking. “We are trying to find this sort of beautiful combination of this deep invention that’s coming out of the science teams and some great sort of business savvy to actually build the rest of the business around this technology.”   The Future of Exits Think Tank session delved into the changing dynamics of the exit process from both the founder and investor perspective. This engaging session explored shifts in the exit landscape, valuation fluctuations, the significance of liquidity and investor considerations, M&A activity and optimism, secondary markets and continuation vehicles, challenges in price discovery and media context, and the future outlook for exits. It highlighted the need for understanding evolving exit avenues and emerging alternatives beyond traditional IPOs and trade sales, paving the way for new possibilities and approaches. “…one of the things as a market, we have to do much better at is actively managing those liquidity horizons.” The Future of Work Think Tank session examined how future organisations would harness exponential technologies and possess greater resource flexibility. It addressed the accelerated adoption of flexible work arrangements due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges associated with adapting to a fully hybrid workforce. Key topics of discussion included communication challenges, reskilling for tech market demands, balancing engagement and productivity, nurturing culture, collaboration, and connection, overcoming the challenges of remote work and talent scarcity, and the role of technology and AI in shaping the future of work. “…the challenge for the future of work is how do we build that connection remotely.” In partnership with Goldman Sachs, the Future of Investment Think Tank session provided valuable insights into the investment world’s future over the next 12 months. Esteemed speakers navigated through the uncertainties and funding opportunities, emphasised the importance of a long-term perspective and realistic valuations, and shed light on capital structures and cash flow management. They provided guidance on the next steps for founders, the need to reevaluate metrics and adapt to evolving market dynamics, and the influence of US investors. The session also explored strategies for navigating valuations and IPOs, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the future investment landscape. “It’s a good time to be starting a business. Better to go back into the upturn with the wind behind you.”    Innovation Bay’s The Globe conference was a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and long-term thinking. The event brought together industry leaders, founders, and investors to shape a sustainable and inclusive future. Each session provided invaluable insights, encouraging attendees to adapt, embrace emerging technologies, and leverage market dynamics to position themselves for success. By embracing innovation, collaboration, and adaptation, stakeholders can play a vital role in shaping the landscape of the tech and innovation industry, driving positive change, and contributing to a better future for Australia and beyond. If you’re a disruptive founder or investor keen to harness the power of ​​connection, community and education provided by Innovation Bay, we’d love to hear from you. Find out more and get in touch at innovationbay.com .  More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 11: Phaedon’s Monthly Review – August
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# Phaedon’s Monthly Review – August

Phaedon’s Monthly Review – August Collective Wisdom and Drowning Puppies. (did that get your attention)  We’re three weeks out from our Darwin adventure.  A chance for us to unplug from this crazy world in which we live for three magical days.  A time for us to be with our people, to learn, to share, to give, to participate and to recharge and reinvent ourselves.   This is our most special time of year, because of the group that is coming to Darwin.  The group that it has taken 20 + years to curate.   It’s hard to explain to people who see it as a “conference” when it’s nothing like a conference.  It’s the closest we can come to conjuring magic.  Because that is what happens when you bring together a group of people who are living their dreams.  They’re not working in a bank, turning up to work for 8.5 hours a day.  They are risking everything and daring to be exceptional.  We sometimes forget that our community is so unique and different from everything else out there.  But having lived my life in this community, we can sometimes take it for granted, except at events like this, when we bring everyone together and just talk.  Sometimes the simplest things (like turning up to this event) can have the most significant impact on your life.   Our Explore24 event is bringing together a unique set of founders, angel investors, venture capitalists and critical ecosystems platforms to share what I call, “collective wisdom”. ChatGTP defines Collective Wisdom as,  “the enhanced knowledge and understanding that emerges from the aggregation of information, insights, or knowledge from a group of individuals. This concept is based on the idea that groups can collectively make better decisions, solve problems more effectively, or achieve greater insights than individuals acting alone. Collective wisdom leverages diversity in viewpoints, experiences, and skills among group members, allowing for a richer and more comprehensive understanding of complex issues. It’s often discussed in contexts like decision-making processes, problem-solving tasks, and innovation strategies within organizations or communities. Really that is what we’re doing, learning from each other, leveraging different viewpoints and working towards a future of success.  I was just speaking to someone in the team about the differences in culture between Australia and places like Silicon Valley and Tel Aviv.  Their notion was that the key difference is that Australians tear down successful founders, where they see them as shining lights. At IB, we are bucking that crap Aussie trend; we put our community on stage and they share their wisdom with us.  This amplifies our knowledge and scar tissue.  We currently have just under 300 members of our community…that is a lot of shared knowledge and scar tissue.  What that also helps us do is make hard decisions.  One of our amazing members talked to us last year about making hard decisions and brought in a US term, We Drown Puppies .  Basically, we make hard decisions or as ChatGTP says,  “In business, the phrase has been adapted metaphorically to describe the need to cut off underperforming projects, ideas, or even employees who aren’t contributing effectively to the success of an organization. It’s a stark way of expressing the necessity of making difficult decisions for the overall health and sustainability of a business.” Unfortunately we continue to be in a market where we are all making hard decisions.  What enables me to perform is being part of a community that I can share these difficult decisions with and whom I can leverage their collective wisdom in order to make the right ones. I don’t make the same mistakes twice.  But within Innovation Bay, I’m striving to not make the same mistakes as our collective community. There has never been a time when community means more, than in tough times like these.  I hope everyone out there is well and strong for success. Remember before you give up, take the time to rest.   And when you have to drown a puppy for two, look for a community who can help you navigate the path….you’re not alone.  Cheers, Phaedon – Phaedon Stough is the CEO and co-founder of Innovation Bay. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 12: Happy International Women's Day
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# Happy International Women's Day

Happy International Women’s Day Happy International Women’s Day !  We celebrate women every day at Innovation Bay but are thrilled there’s an international day of recognition to really drive home the incredibly important, selfless and diverse work women do. Without them, all of us would cease to even exist! We absolutely get around this year’s theme – Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress. This #IWD2024, we’re shining a spotlight on just a small handful of the inspiring women within the Innovation Bay community doing the work of goddesses. Huge props to each and every woman in our community, on our team and throughout the industry who lead with grace and dignity in a society that can at times seem so fractured.  Georgia Barkell , Managing Partner at Sprint Ventures (Aurora Member), shared a deeply honest LinkedIn post this week in response to the gender pay gap report. As a mother of 3, Georgia recounts her experiences juggling the work/life balance and calling for some actionable methods to narrow the gender pay gap – “a key one that I see amongst my incredibly smart and experienced mum friends is that if you offer better work flexibility (for everyone! make it the norm) while still offering challenging and meaningful work, more women will stay in the workforce and companies won’t lose so much incredible talent and end up with a gaping gender pay gap.” Cate Hull , Founder & CEO of Freight Exchange (Summit Member), recently penned an article for Channel Life on the importance of diversity in Australian VC funding portfolios being transparent and public. “…when only 2-4% of funds are being invested in women in the industry, it is a clear indication that we need more diversity. If VCs are more publicly accountable for who they invest in, it gives founders of all genders and ethnicities a clearer picture of who they’re getting into bed with. It’d also go a long way to ensuring investors don’t “pinkwash”, she states. Prue Gilbert , CEO & Founder of Grace Papers (Summit Member), shared her thoughts this week with Women’s Agenda following the gender pay gap report. “In essence, closing the gender pay gap and fulfilling the positive duty are not isolated or disparate initiatives but interconnected facets of the same fundamental objective: creating safe, equitable, and respectful workplaces.” Karen Chan , Portfolio Manager at Perennial Private Investments (Aurora Member), features on this month’s Investor Intel series on the Innovation Bay blog. With an impressive career predominantly in private companies, Karen finds immense fulfillment in providing capital to founders/companies, backing their vision, and seeing them hit milestones. She has clearly defined goals for the year ahead to continue to support her founders, deploy into PPI’s growth ventures fund and help her portfolios think through exit strategies. Anna Wright , Founder & CEO of BindiMaps (Summit Member) an innovative internal navigation tool that is revolutionising how people navigate through vast and intricate indoor spaces. Designed to enhance accessibility and ease of movement, Bindi Maps is making significant strides in transforming venues ranging from office buildings to theaters and stadiums into more navigable and user-friendly environments. Anna and BindiMaps recently worked with Westpac OpenAir cinema to make this year’s iconic summer film festival accessible to all, with BindiMaps App specifically focused on helping the hundreds of people with disabilities have a great experience. Check it out here . Melissa Widner , CEO of Lighter Capital (Aurora & Summit Member), is also a Founder and Chair of NFP Apropela where she has supported female founders with business introductions over 10 years. Melissa also runs her own podcast Bootstrapped : The Lighter Side , where she shares the inspiring personal stories of entrepreneurs who have grown successful startups from the ground-up. Zoe Parkin , Associate Director at Clean Energy Finance Corporation (Aurora Member) joined us recently for a deep dive into the investment opportunities in critical minerals and decarbonisation with our angel and VC communities. A key reminder from Zoe was that Australia boasts high ESG standards in its resources sector, with rigorous regulation and transparency in mining operations, making it appealing to both domestic stakeholders and international investors seeking ethically sourced minerals. Olympia Yarger , CEO of Goterra (Summit Member) – a waste management technology company that uses autonomous robotic systems to process food waste using insects. Olympia is doing so much for the environment and climate change and recently penned a heartfelt letter to other climate tech founders doing their part. In it, she names 2024 as “the year of the wartime CEO”. She says, “We will make it, I’m sure of it. One way or another, because what we’re building is so elegant, so enduring. A vision of the version of the world that has won in the greatest war of our time.” Olympia also recently joined us on our podcast Open The Pod Bay Doors. Listen here . Michelle Deaker , Managing Partner of OneVentures (Aurora Member), recently celebrated the successful close of One Ventures’ Fund 1 – a massive milestone for aussie venture. As the AFR article says, ”This is a significant moment for the local technology industry as it marks the first major fund of the post dotcom era to officially wrap up and return good money to investors.” More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 13: Canaccord Genuity Helps Emerging Companies Grow & Thrive 
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/canaccord-genuity-helps-emerging-companies-grow-thrive/

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# Canaccord Genuity Helps Emerging Companies Grow & Thrive 

Canaccord Genuity Helps Emerging Companies Grow & Thrive Innovation Bay is thrilled to welcome investment bank, Canaccord Genuity , as a valued strategic partner to our community of founders and investors. CG specialises in providing corporate advice and investment banking services globally to growth companies in key sectors of the global economy – especially technology, healthcare, sustainability and energy transition. The CG team provides guidance on fundraising, capital structure and access to growth capital. With access to a global network of hundreds of institutional investors, CG is uniquely positioned to help Australian emerging businesses raise the capital they need to grow and thrive. “We’ve aligned with Innovation Bay to develop strong and lasting relationships with emerging companies and their earlier investor bases” says Alex Unsworth , Managing Director – Co-Head of Equities at CG. “The Australian technology space has been a key focus area for a decade or so for Canaccord and we’re committed to helping our local tech ecosystem launch onto the global stage.” CG are global experts in technology and innovation, having partnered with many quality tech companies – on the ASX and NASDAQ – including Atlassian’s IPO, and locally the likes of Audinate, Temple & Webster, Kogan, Eroad on their journeys to IPO and more importantly thereafter. CG’s main HQ’s are in the US, Canada, UK and Australia and has capability to list companies on 10 stock exchanges worldwide. In Australia, CG has consistently ranked in the top five investment banks on the “ECM league tables” – leading $2-5 bn per year of capital raisings on the ASX for ~150 companies annually So far in 2024 CG sits at #2 by total deal value and are #1 by number of deals by a considerable distance, having led 50+ deals in Australia this year .   CG has a strong team of top-rated TMT & Healthcare Research Analysts here in Australia – in Owen Humphries, Elyse Shapiro, Conor O’Prey and Annabelle Holden – complemented by 20+ more across the US, UK, Canada covering the TMT & healthcare verticals A huge warm welcome to Innovation Bay!    More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 14: Community connections: July events
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/community-connections-july-events/

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# Community connections: July events

Community connections: July events It’s been a busy few weeks jam packed with community engagement and connection across all our communities. Our team has zipped around Australia and across the ditch to New Zealand to bring our communities together for incredible insights and education, action-packed adventure, and deep personal connections. From Heli-skiing in NZ to lunch at the ASX, to dinner focused on the thriving Space and Defence tech ecosystem in Brisbane, our events have been as varied and unique as our members. Heli-Skiing | Queenstown, Aotearoa NZ ❄️🏂☃️ Enthralled by the setting, inspired by the company. That is the best way to describe the experience of our inaugural Innovation Bay Heli Ski adventure. An intimate and eclectic group of IB members gathered in the small New Zealand town of Methven to enjoy 5 days of deep powder and perspective sharing. While the snow gods didn’t quite deliver the goods, the conversations and experiences exceeded all expectations. Spanning the full spectrum of their collective life experiences the assembled group tackled topics from living your best life (best tip ➡️ know the 3 things that have to happen daily for you to have a great one, then do them!), to the secrets to successful professional partnerships (best tip ➡️ apparently enjoying two beers at the end of each day as a time to debrief and get things off your chest works a charm). IC Dinner | Horizon | Brisbane A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at this week’s dinner for our community of Angel investors, Horizon! Our Horizon Community Manager Eleanor Salt hosted our Angel Investors in Brisbane to focus on Australia’s fast-growing and vitally important space and defence ecosystem 🚀 What did we cover? 🤔 FOR INVESTORS 💸 ↪ Why Australia’s defence and space ecosystem should be top of mind right now. With a number of dedicated defence focused tech funds, money is flowing to the sector. ↪ The challenges and opportunities of investing in defence while complying with ESG requirements ↪ How to evaluate potential investments: why going deep on founder diligence is paramount, and resilience and perseverance are key traits to look for. FOR FOUNDERS💡 ↪ How many of the problems Australian defence startups are solving for are unclear, making it a difficult area for founders ↪ Why it’s critical to design to manufacture at scale ↪ Why hierarchy decision making is one of the most important factors of a founder team Team Culture Lunch & Learn | Summit + Canopy | Sydney Our Senior Community Manager, Beata brought together our founder communities to a lunch and learn hosted in the AgriWebb offices in Surry Hills with a critical theme: Team Culture. In today’s fast-paced world, with ever-changing trends and growing teams, it’s crucial to keep everyone motivated and ensure new hire’s are a perfect cultural fit. The takeaway? A strong team culture is the heartbeat of success, and a motivated team is the fuel for growth 🚀 Founder Lunch | Summit + Canopy | Brisbane Lunch and Learn| Aurora Lunch | Melbourne Team Culture Lunch & Learn | Summit + Canopy | Melbourne For the second iteration of our Team Culture Lunch and Learn, our Senior Community Manager, Beata brought together our founder communities in Melbourne. VC Lunch & Learn | Aurora | Sydney | Hosted in partnership with ASX Our Aurora community were generously hosted the ASX HQ in Sydney for a uniquely insightful VC lunch and learn. The lunch brought 20 leading Australian VC funds together for a wide-ranging discussion, covering: 🌎 Global markets 🔭 Liquidity outlook and levers ⚖️ Portfolio management 💸 IPO outlook / listing parametres As always happens when this community comes together, we left with some pretty epic learnings and takeaways. Thank you to everyone who came and contributed to the conversation 🙏 Powering the Future | Horizon + Aurora | Sydney  🚀🌏🌱 We joined forces with our friends at Investible  to host our VC and Angel communities at Sydney’s  Greenhouse  Tech Hub for an afternoon dedicated to POWERING THE FUTURE. Attendees heard from two panels off founders, investors and industry experts – diving into how homegrown startups can maximise Australia’s relationship to our neighbours (and largest trading partner) in Asia, as well as the future of electrification for heavy industry. The insightful sessions were followed by networking 🥂 Elevate your Expertise with AI | Summit + Canopy | Sydney Our Founder Community gathered for an inspiring AI workshop hosted both virtually and at Google Cloud ’s stunning Sydney offices. Designed to elevate skills and broaden their AI horizons our community members had an incredible experience delving into the latest trends and tools that will drive our innovation forward led by Ella Grier, renowned Machine Learning Customer Engineer. There’s nothing like pushing the boundaries of AI together! 🤖 These events are exclusively for Innovation Bay’s members. Want to explore membership? Apply to join here More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 15: INVESTOR INTEL - Karen Chan, Perennial Private Investments
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/insights/investor-intel-karen-chan-perennial-private-investments/

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# INVESTOR INTEL - Karen Chan, Perennial Private Investments

INVESTOR INTEL Karen Chan, Perennial Private Investments Karen Chan is a Portfolio Manager with Perennial Private Investments (PPI). Perennial Private Investments is a leading provider of growth stage capital to private and pre-IPO companies with c.$750m funds under management who also cornerstone or participate in IPOs and listed placements. PPI are a crossover investor, attracting companies with their ability to assist on the journey from private to public. PPI is part of the Perennial Partners family of funds, meaning their listed funds can also continue to support companies once they list on the ASX. The fund is sector agnostic in terms of their focus with a strong bias towards technology and tech-enabled business, though avoiding direct property, agriculture or resources company investment. PPI look for later stage companies that have found product market fit so typically Series B and beyond. The VC Journey Karen’s impressive career has predominantly journeyed with private companies, starting out in investment banking with JPMorgan covering technology companies that were mainly looking to go public. Karen was a technology investment banker for around a decade with JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley in Hong Kong and is incredibly well versed at looking at business models and thinking through the ‘key selling points’ as well as the ‘key risks’ of a business.  This tenure first exposed Karen to VCs who were looking for their liquidity event through IPOs of their portfolio companies. After a career change as a lawyer at Jurlique, a skincare and cosmetics private company, she returned to Australia with Gresham Partners as an M&A advisor where she worked with smaller and larger ASX100 companies. Karen then joined Investec and became Head of the Emerging Companies division, where she managed balance sheet and third party capital through an early stage fund, predominantly focused on Series A companies. “It was exciting to return to working with private companies and being able to put capital behind our conviction,” she says. Fulfillment, Challenges and Exciting Investments  Providing capital to founders/companies, backing their vision, and seeing them hit milestones is some of the most fulfilling components of Karen’s role. “It’s fulfilling to be able to add value through ‘connecting the dots’ for founders, whether through providing investor, customer, talent or director introductions, be a sounding board or provide advice,” she says. “I also appreciate there’s something new to learn each day. I enjoy being exposed to many new ideas and business models and getting the opportunity to meet with so many leading private companies.”  It’s no secret that there’s never a dull moment in the land of VC. Curveballs being thrown out of nowhere from the portfolio as well as ups and downs in the market rollercoaster provide some of the most challenging experiences for Karen. “COVID was a really trying to time for my portfolio as it was unprecedented but companies emerged stronger and more resilient,” she reflects. Another challenge is ‘how best to influence’ founders or companies. As a minority investor and where founders would typically be the largest shareholder, Karen reflects on the importance of finding a way to cut through with her advice to founders.  A recent investment Karen is enthusiastic about is Mindset Health, a digital app platform that is based on hypnotherapy research that can target various health conditions. “I’m excited by the intersection of research and the consumer with the ability of patients being able to self manage mental and physical conditions efficaciously without drugs,” she says. “The founders are clear on their focus but also not afraid to ask for help.”   Sage Advice on Clarity for Pitching Founders Her advice to founders pitching to VCs for funding? “Have clarity around your equity story and find a balance between the opportunity and also what could go wrong – how you’re mitigating against the risks,” she says. “It’s also important that founders respond quickly to investors. Answer questions and avoid beating around the bush.”  Supporting Founders and Authenticity in Community  Looking ahead, Karen’s goals are clear – to continue to support her founders, deploy into PPI’s growth ventures fund and help her portfolios think through exit strategies. As a member [and the Advisory Board] of Innovation Bay’s VC community Aurora, Karen has found a genuinely authentic, educational and fun network with her VC peers through Innovation Bay’s offering of community, connection and education. “Community is important to me as we can amplify knowledge and stay abreast of what is happening in the broader venture ecosystem. I’ve found the community to be both fun and authentic.” Connect with Karen Chan. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 16: The big burrito: The IPO of Guzman y Gomez
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# The big burrito: The IPO of Guzman y Gomez

The big burrito: The IPO of Guzman y Gomez It’s been an exciting time for our IB Partners  ASX ,  Gilbert + Tobin , and  Perennial Partners  who all played pivotal roles in the recent, HUGELY SUCCESSFUL, Guzman y Gomez (GYG) IPO – Australia’s hottest IPO in three years. The positive result outcome is a testament to the underscores that such outcomes are possible for Australian companies that have strong fundamentals the market is on an upward trajectory. Guzman y Gomez Limited’s recent IPO and ASX listing is more than just a milestone for the company; it’s a testament to the thriving potential of Australian founder-led start-ups. Founded in 2006 as a Mexican eatery in Newtown, Sydney, what started as a single restaurant soon captured hearts and palates nationwide, transforming into one of Australia’s fastest growing QSR businesses. Over the years, Guzman y Gomez expanded its footprint across Australia (and into Singapore, Japan and the United States), and by the time of its IPO, the company had scaled its operations to over 200 restaurants and garnered substantial brand equity. While the size of the IPO itself was relatively small, with an offer price of A$22 per share and proceeds raised from the issue of new shares being A$200 million, the company was able to achieve an impressive enterprise value of A$1.953 billion, with an EV to FY25 forecast pro forma EBITDA of 32.6x. By close of trading on day 1 of listing, Guzman y Gomez had a market capitalisation of approximately A$3 billion. Gilbert + Tobin’s market-leading capital markets practice guided Guzman y Gomez through a A$135 million pre-IPO funding round that was conducted shortly before the IPO. This pre-IPO round allowed the company to test demand from institutional investors and get an indication on valuation. This strategy was successful, with demand for pre-IPO stock significantly more than what could be accommodated. Guzman y Gomez was able to run its IPO from start to finish in under 3 months. This speed of execution was only possible because the preparatory work done by the company with its advisers allowed it to seize the best window for a run at the boards. This meant having a well-developed legal and finance function, dedicated internal resources available to do the heavy lifting on the prospectus drafting, and already having the requisite audited and reviewed financial accounts, and an FY25 forecast which had been developed prior to kicking off the formal IPO due diligence process. The clear and supportable growth pipeline articulated in the prospectus was compelling to investors, with the pre-IPO investors doubling down on their initial investment by cornerstoning the entire IPO fundraising.  This success story underscores a critical message for aspiring Australian start-ups: significant achievements and favourable valuations are well within reach without the need to undertake large issuances of new shares or seek listing on overseas markets. Australian companies, no matter how modest their beginnings, can aspire to great heights and secure successful listings on the ASX. The trajectory of Guzman y Gomez serves as a powerful example of local potential realised on a national stage. For founders and venture capitalists looking to navigate the IPO landscape, having a team of professional advisers with the right expertise and experience is an invaluable asset. Gilbert + Tobin’s team brings extensive experience and a proven track record in guiding Australian companies through the IPO process, ensuring they achieve More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 17: E173 - Olympia Yarger, CEO & Founder, Goterra
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e173-olympia-yarger-ceo-founder-goterra/

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# E173 - Olympia Yarger, CEO & Founder, Goterra

27 February, 2024 E173 – Olympia Yarger, CEO & Founder, Goterra Proud Canberran and past North Carolina coleslaw wrestling competitor, Olympia Yarger is an incredibly resilient, dedicated, inspiring and super hands-on Founder & CEO of Goterra , a waste management technology company that uses autonomous robotic systems to process food waste using insects. The company enables a circular economy by creating agricultural commodities from the waste stream. Goterra is paving the way for a circular economy by transforming waste into agricultural commodities, all while significantly reducing truck movement and processing costs. Learn about the remarkable environmental impact of Goterra’s technology, which eliminates noxious gasses and slashes emissions by an impressive 97%. Having spoken to her on the podcast 3 years ago, it was our pleasure to touch base with Olympia again on her fascinating journey from sheep farmer to maggot farmer, the incredible growth Goterra has had over the past 3 years while being incredibly efficient with the capital they have raised (just $20M since 2019) all with a laser focus on Goterra’s mission to redefine waste management for a more sustainable future.  On the topic of mental health, Olympia has been working from home more frequently to limit distractions and, after a tough year personally in 2023, has made a commitment to ride her horse at least 5 times a week. As part of Innovation Bay’s Summit community, Olympia has had some of her most meaningful experiences at Summit events. Though it can be difficult to get to the events amongst the day to day commitments of running the business, each time she’s gone she mentions it refills the bucket and gains perspective from other founders doing the same thing.   Olympia and Ian also spend some time unravelling the State of Australian Startup Funding report, particularly around the pressing issues of gender inequality and diversity in the ecosystem that the report reveals. Olympia says, “It’s disgusting and we should be ashamed.” She calls out that as an industry we shouldn’t be using any female founder as an example because the number of female founders receiving funding is still far too low and this needs to change. With deeptech, an even more polarising sector of the industry, Olympia adds: “The sheer limited number of women “making it” are an anomaly, not an attribute and we’ve got to change something.” Quickfire Round: Book: Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés Podcast: Agtech So What News Source: Al-Jazeera Productivity Tool: Notion CEO: Tom Loeffler or Keaton Okkonen App: Instagram TV Show: Yellowstone, Vikings TEDTalk Topic: What building climate tech means Connect with Olympia Yarger and visit Goterra More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 18: EP 186 - Stuart Dullard, Partner, Ashurst
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/ep-186-stuart-dullard-partner-ashurst/

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# EP 186 - Stuart Dullard, Partner, Ashurst

06 Feb, 2025 E186 – Stuart Dullard, Partner, Ashurst Open the Pod Bay Doors is back for 2025! To kick off the year, host Ian Gardiner sits down with Stuart Dullard, Partner at Ashurst , for a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities facing founders in today’s venture landscape. Ashurst is a global corporate law firm with over 30 offices worldwide. Stuart leads the High Growth and Venture Capital team in Australia and is the global co-head of the Tech M&A practice . Described by Ian as one of Australia’s most experienced startup lawyers, Stuart has built a career helping early-stage, high-growth tech companies navigate complex legal and funding challenges.  This episode is a must-listen for founders looking to effectively manage their funding journey and achieve sustainable growth. Key takeaways: 🚀 Ashurst’s strategy for building long-term advisory relationships with high-growth startups 💰 Challenges and strategies for securing funding 🗺️ Navigating venture capital and private equity landscapes 💡 Understanding legal frameworks, investor relationships, and the funding process 📑 Structuring deals, negotiating terms, and setting up for successful fundraising rounds Quick Fire Round: 📚 Book recommendation – Fiction: The Goldfinch (“Read the book, don’t watch the movie!”) | Non-fiction: Time to Breathe by Bill Mitchell 🎧 Podcast recommendation – The Teacher’s Pet (The Australian), The Sure Thing (AFR), Liar Liar (The Age) 👨‍💼 Favourite CEO – The founders of Canva for their business success and people-first approach 🗞️ News source – Radio National every morning 🛠️ Productivity tool – Time to Breathe + morning exercise 📱 Favourite app – The New York Times Games App 📺 TV or movie recommendation – The West Wing 🎤 TED Talk topic – The highs and lows of the founder journey 🎙️ Tune in now for an insightful conversation on funding, legal strategy, and the startup journey! More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 19: Market Update and Crystal Ball from Cut Through Venture 🔮
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/market-update-and-crystal-ball-from-cut-through-venture-%f0%9f%94%ae/

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# Market Update and Crystal Ball from Cut Through Venture 🔮

Market Update and Crystal Ball from Cut Through Venture 🔮 2024 is flying by! As we enter a new financial year we invited Chris Gillings, Founder of Cut Through Venture , Investor at Five V Capital and Aurora Community Member (who became a bit of a celebrity at Inspire for those who were there on Day 2!), to give us an overview of where things stand in the markets. Enjoy the insights below The first half of 2024 told a tale of two quarters: the year began sluggishly with deal and funding announcements hitting lows not seen since 2019, but the second quarter witnessed a notable surge in activity. Q2 saw a significant increase in the number of deals announced and a substantial rise in funding for local startups. Rather than deep diving into the highlights, the crucial figures were as follows: the first half of the year concluded with  167 deals announced , totalling  $2.3 billion dollars in funding . This performance ranks as the  sixth-best half-year  for funding to Australian startups since the beginning of 2018. You can deep dive into  the full report here  for all the the details. At Cut Through, we avoid making predictions (lesson learned!), but when Ian and Phaedon ask for them, we break our own rules. When they say jump, we say how high. Here are a few personal predictions for the second half of 2024, based on Cut Through’s data and takeaways at Five V from recent conversations with lawyers, local investors, international investors, and, of course, founders. Pre-seed and seed investments will remain the only bright spot for female-founded teams.  Pre-seed participation by female founders is at an all-time high, and we expect this bright spot to continue. Unfortunately, this trend is unlikely to extend to larger funding rounds. There are just 38 female-led startups who raised $10M+ rounds in 2020-22 who’ve yet to announce a raise since, so realistically, the pool of female-led startups positioning themselves for a mega raise in the second half of 2024 remains small. Complex deal structuring will become more prevalent.  As runways end and the desire to avoid down rounds persists, some scale-ups will accept investment terms that trade-off investors protecting their downside for maintaining their previously set valuations. Small to medium exits will hit a high.  We predict a large number of $50-$150 million exits will be achieved by Australian startups in the second half of the year or early 2025. While these won’t necessarily ‘return the fund’ for their VCs, they will still be a valuable proof point that the Australian VC asset class can deliver cash returns to LPs. Intra-ecosystem M&A activity, a la Mr Yum and Me&U, will become more commonplace.  Situations where either both or one party is in a strong position for growth but would be better off not competing for market share will result in companies joining forces. This will be funded by venture capital and venture debt dollars, as well as a scrip component. The lines between private equity and venture capital will blur, with new types of investors entering and competing with VCs on their home turf.  Australian and international investors who’ve delivered strong returns investing in larger and usually profitable businesses will come to market with mandates allowing them to invest earlier and, in some instances, take minority stakes in scale-ups that show a solid opportunity to deliver an outcome within a five-year window. Finally, those startups who’ve survived and thrived over the past 18 months will stop playing for runway and begin playing for growth again – a dynamic we’re super relieved and excited about. Chris Gillings  is an Aurora member, the founder of Cut Through Venture, and investor at Five V Capital. Five V invests in B2B Software at the Series A and B. Contact Chris at cgillings@fivevcapital.com More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 20: Introducing the Aurora Advisory Board
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/introducing-the-aurora-advisory-board/

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# Introducing the Aurora Advisory Board

Introducing the Aurora Advisory Board “In the midst of the ANZ technology renaissance, the collaborative and supportive nature of our community has been a defining feature. Our shared goal is to witness Australia’s technology landscape thrive. Aurora has long been a cornerstone of this community, and I’m honored to be part of it.” – Craig Blair, Partner & Co-Founder, Airtree (Member of Aurora Innovation Bay) We’re delighted to announce the formation of a member Advisory Board for Aurora, Innovation Bay’s VC community. Aurora stands as a distinguished group comprising 118 venture capital partners from 95 funds, managing billions in assets and representing numerous Australian and New Zealand founders and companies. The inaugural Aurora Advisory Board comprises the following esteemed members: Rick Baker , Co-Founder, Blackbird Karen Chan , Portfolio Manager, Perennial Private Investments Craig Blair , Partner & Co-Founder, Airtree Milly Goucher , Head of Ventures, Helia Nick Gainsley , Partner, OneVentures Georgia Barkell , Partner, Sprint Ventures Derek Handley , Partner, Aera VC Dan Krasnostein , Partner, Square Peg Established to unite VCs across the region, Aurora provides a space for leaders in VC to engage in thoughtful and authentic discussions, sharing both successes and challenges in a dynamic peer-driven environment. A cohesive, robust, and vibrant venture community paves the way for enhanced outcomes and expanded opportunities for startups and the broader ecosystem The collective expertise and innovative spirit of the Aurora Advisory Board will play a pivotal role in guiding Innovation Bay’s VC community. As advisors, they will provide strategic insights, offer feedback on community initiatives, and shape the future trajectory of Innovation Bay. The board’s primary objective is to enhance the overall experience and value proposition offered by Innovation Bay, focusing on three key areas: Journey: Continually adding value for members and shaping the community’s essence Content: Developing topics and themes for Innovation Bay’s Aurora community content, spanning event programming, member resources, and publicly accessible content Membership: Facilitating the growth of Aurora’s membership base with exceptional VC partners Our members are aligned in their vision to leverage their roles on the advisory board to deepen connections and foster collaborations within the extensive community of 118 VCs. By uniting the VC ecosystem, we anticipate a ripple effect that will bolster support for the wider startup community and industry, fostering connectivity and sustainability for years to come. “Innovation Bay has been instrumental in connecting me with a vibrant and like-minded community,” remarks Karen Chan , Portfolio Manager at Perennial Private Investments. “I joined the Aurora Advisory Committee to contribute to deepening connections and fostering ongoing learning within our ever-evolving venture ecosystem.” Georgia Barkell , Partner at Sprint Ventures, adds, “I’m thrilled to join the Aurora committee to facilitate collaboration across the VC industry, enhancing our collective support for the startup ecosystem. As a female VC based in Queensland, I aim to bring a diverse perspective to the committee and broaden our national reach.” Nick Gainsley , Partner at OneVentures, brings an international perspective to his role on the Advisory Board, drawing from similar experiences in the UK. “Venture thrives on relationships,” he notes. “Community is therefore paramount in building a collaborative and flourishing ecosystem. It’s only natural for members to contribute to optimizing the community for greater achievements.” “I strongly believe that collaboration across the industry is a cornerstone of success,” states Dan Krasnostein , Partner at Square Peg. “The Aurora community plays a crucial role in fostering pivotal relationships among investors, which in turn drives collaboration. I joined the committee to play whatever small part I could in nurturing this incredible community.” Milly Goucher , Head of Ventures at Helia, adds, “This opportunity allows me to support the invaluable efforts of Innovation Bay in cultivating an empowered, connected, and vibrant startup ecosystem. I’m excited to lend my skills and expertise to shape the future of the Venture Capital Community.” We’re thrilled to welcome these esteemed leaders from the Australian and New Zealand VC ecosystem to the Aurora Advisory Board. More information on our Aurora VC community here . More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 21: E172 - Tom Amos, CEO & Co-Founder - Sidekicker 
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e172-tom-amos-ceo-co-founder-sidekicker/

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# E172 - Tom Amos, CEO & Co-Founder - Sidekicker 

2 February, 2024 E172 – Tom Amos, CEO & Co-Founder – Sidekicker  Our guest for episode 172 is Tom Amos, CEO and Co-Founder of Sidekicker – a platform that matches thousands of businesses to pre-qualified temporary staff.  During this chat, Tom reflects on Sidekicker’s journey from the genesis of the idea as sparked by ‘The 4-Hour Workweek’, through to the milestone of turning over a million dollars in a month. Tom’s journey is not just about business but also about building a culture where caring for each other is at the core.  Sidekicker has been backed with $40million in funding, the initial amount of $100,000 primarily from Seek Investments. They have not only disrupted the market but have also become a vital player in the space. Sidekicker work with around 2,000 customers per year, ranging from small catering companies to large organisations like Australia Post.  From the nuts and bolts of Sidekicker to the broader landscape of business and innovation, Tom offers valuable insights into:  the future of work the role of AI – sharing how Sidekicker innovatively uses AI for data automation, matching engines, and award compliance the potential challenges the economy may face in the next 24 months Quickfire Round:  Book: ‘The Year of the Locust’ Podcast: ‘No Laying Up’, ‘Acquired’  News Source: Twitter Productivity Tool: ChatGPT Favorite CEO: Elon Musk App: Uber TV shows: ‘Slow Horses’, ‘Boys Swallows Universe’ TEDTalk Topic: golf or starting a startup without technical experience Connect with Tom Amos or visit Sidekicker for more information. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 22: Horizon Landing Page
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/horizon-landing-page/

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# Horizon Landing Page

Your private invitation to apply for membership to Australia and New Zealand’s most thriving and exclusive community of tech disruptors. Accelerating the success of visionary founders and investors through connection, community and education Our Horizon Community Horizon is a tight knit community of experienced angel investors from diverse backgrounds. Our members are passionate about creating a lasting, positive impact on the Australia and New Zealand tech ecosystem by backing the next generation of ambitious early-stage founders of world changing startups. Horizon is founder friendly – we invest our time in a founder’s success through candid and constructive feedback. Horizon membership fosters active angels – we provide highly curated deal flow, facilitate due diligence and then step aside to empower our community to interact with founders directly.  We believe… We believe in disruptive innovation and the people passionately dedicating their lives to making a positive impact on the world. We believe in the butterfly effect – by supporting one ambitious individual they are better equipped and connected, to positively influence many others. We believe in finding a place of belonging, a safe harbour –  and the transformative power of finding your people, your community. We believe in peer learning – someone has walked the road you’re on and has a goldmine of information to share with you. Who we are Innovation Bay is a thriving community accelerating the success of visionary founders and investors in Australia and New Zealand. Since 2003, Innovation Bay has been igniting the tech landscape, forging valuable connections and creating a dynamic ecosystem where founders, investors, and leaders come together to exchange experiences, knowledge, and inspiration. At Innovation Bay, we believe in the power of community, connection, and education to drive disruptive change. Our mission is to empower the disruptors of today and tomorrow, fuelling their growth and success through the power of meaningful connections, collaborative learning, and unrivalled access to investment and deal flow. Do you qualify? Angel investors or high net worth individual – exited founder, micro VC or family offices Sophisticated Investor Tech focused niche Actively investing – approx $100K per year minimum Who’s in the community? html.logo-carousel-block>div>ul.splide__list { display: grid; padding: 0; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(clamp(15rem, 10rem + 15vw, 24rem), 1fr)); gap: 2rem; list-style: none; } .splide__list .group { list-style: none; padding: 0; margin: 0; } .splide__list .group img { aspect-ratio: 1; object-fit: contain; height: 100%; width: 100%; } The Innovation Bay experience “Horizon is about coming together as a group in a really authentic way that allows you to share your challenges and opportunities. That level of connection is really important as an Investor.” Yash Varma | Founder & General Partner | Empress Capital “The collective mission of this group is they want innovation to succeed and they will do whatever it takes to make that happen.” Steve Allan | Managing Partner | Third Horizon Venture Partners Rajeev Gupta | Partner | ALIUM Captial Horizon Inner Circle Event | Melbourne | 2022 “Horizon is about connecting to a community with a common and shared purpose. We are not VC’s, we don’t have a team around us. It is easy to get stuck in your own head. But this group understands the decisions and the pressures, and can offer great perspectives.” Rob Coe | Director | Spark Finance What’s in it for you… 20 years of history – Access to a wealth of knowledge, insights and learning Deal flow – Top of funnel, high quality. The country’s most promising agnostic tech startups (pre–vetted by an internal board) finding product market fit with a strong go-to-market strategy all primed for funding Community – An exclusive community of like minded investors with an uplifting and positive culture. No more than 25 per geographically placed chapter location. Chapters across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra with plans for Perth.  Education – Peer to peer learning – learn from each other in an intimate and confidential setting. More deeply understand the landscape through community thought leaders and expert external speakers on contemporary and pertinent themes Curated Connection – Your Events Horizon Inner Circle (Family) Our Horizon Inner Circle and Member Dinner series begin the night prior to the Investor Day, with an exclusive members-only dinner, generally at a member’s house or private dining location. The Member Dinner promises an inspiring evening of forging deeper connections with our core Horizon community over delicious food and wine. The day following, we gather for the Investor Day, where we deep dive into a specific theme (past themes include Sovereign Capabilities, Critical Minerals, Space, AI etc) with an all-star expert panel line up. Next we jump into the deal flow component, where we hear from 3-4 pre-vetted and incredibly exciting startup founders primed for funding before finishing up with networking drinks. Inspire (Tribe): Full Innovation Bay community. Our inaugural hallmark event INSPIRE is a beacon for sparking innovation and fostering the exchange of groundbreaking connections. It’s where industry leaders, investors, founders and innovators unite to create synergies that will shape the future of technology. Explore (Tribe): Full Innovation Bay community. Embark on an extraordinary journey with EXPLORE, destined to be one of Innovation Bay’s most thrilling and adventurous events. This inaugural, multi-day, and incredibly unique moment in the calendar will become an annual tradition for Innovation Bay members. EXPLORE offers a unique opportunity to intentionally disconnect from day to day, broaden and deepen key relationships, delve deeply into topics and quality conversations, bond away from it all, where the potency and companionship of shared experience is heightened. What’s the investment? We operate on a membership model: an annual, all-inclusive fee of $10,000+gst Included: All of your Horizon Inner Circle events, Member-Only Content, and Inspire and Explore full Innovation Bay events Not included: Travel and accommodation What’s the ROI?  Accelerated business growth – through peer to peer learning in specifically crafted environments.  Community – we offer a home, a sense of belonging, a sense of finding your people. We remove loneliness. Being a part of this community will give you access to a collective energy, a sense of being part of something greater, and a feeling of strength and support that you’re not alone.  Experiential events – designed to reinvigorate, inspire and take you out of the day to day and bring you back to work and team at a new level.  Connection – to a network of later stage founders, investors and experts who are able to share their collective wisdom in areas that we know you need.   Data – that is collected only within the community that illuminates what the collective is doing, in terms of pay, organisational structures and future strategy.  Additional member benefits:  Annual Survey Member Directory WhatsApp Channel Cross pollination with our other communities Community coordination Access to partner perks Our other communities Canopy Early stage Founders & CEOs A community for ambitious early (Seed) stage founders. A collaborative, confidential environment where members can share closed-door, peer-to-peer conversations. This is the most critical stage of a startup, the Valley of Death: from seed to Series A. You need support and to be surrounded by others going through similar challenges, who will also join in celebrating you and your successes. Discover Canopy Summit Later stage Founders & CEOs An exclusive, highly curated community for Series A+ founders and CEOs. They are the mavericks, visionaries and outliers, who are dedicated to making a positive and lasting impact in the world. Our Summit Community focuses on peer-to-peer learning and connection amongst the top tech founders in Australia and New Zealand. Founders can get answers to their questions sooner, share their challenges with others who truly ‘get it’ and celebrate their successes with others who understand the physical, mental, and emotional demands of startup life. Discover Summit Aurora EXCLUSIVE TO GENERAL PARTNERS OF VC FIRMS Aurora is for Australia and New Zealand’s venture capital general partners. Aurora exists to shape and enable the future of the industry to thrive via more collaboration, deeper connections, and collective learning. We don’t focus on deal flow, we focus on building relationships. Discover Aurora The journey is as important as the destination Book a call for more info. Apply Now

## Page 23: _SOUTHSTART x Innovation Bay
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/_southstart-x-innovation-bay/

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# _SOUTHSTART x Innovation Bay

Innovation Bay and Aurora Community Partner with SOUTHSTART to Bring the ANZ VC Ecosystem to Adelaide Innovation Bay, the leading membership organization for Australia and New Zealand’s tech founders and investors, is excited to announce its return to Adelaide for the first time since 2001. Partnering with SOUTHSTART, Australia’s premier festival of innovation and impact, Innovation Bay’s Aurora community will convene over 70 venture capital (VC) funds to foster collaboration, connection, and growth at this highly anticipated event. Aurora, the only organization representing the entire ANZ VC ecosystem, comprises more than 120 general partners from 97 unique VC funds, collectively managing over $7 billion in assets. Through its annual membership, Aurora enables venture capital firms across Australia and New Zealand to shape the future of the industry via collaboration, deeper relationships, and collective learning. “Adelaide has a rich history of innovation, and we’re thrilled to be back, joining forces with SOUTHSTART to showcase the power of the ANZ VC ecosystem,” said Phaedon Stough, CEO at Innovation Bay. “This partnership underscores our commitment to fostering connections that drive innovation and entrepreneurship across the region.” The collaboration will see leading VC firms such as OIF Ventures, Five V Capital, Empress Capital, Shearwater Capital, Sprint Ventures, Invest New Zealand, InterValley Ventures, and Tidal Ventures convene in Adelaide. These firms, alongside other Aurora members, represent a critical mass of expertise, capital, and ambition dedicated to shaping the future of technology and innovation in ANZ. About Aurora Aurora is an annual membership community for Australia and New Zealand’s venture capital firms, representing over 120 general partners from 97 unique funds managing more than $7 billion in assets. Aurora exists to shape and enable the future of the ANZ VC industry by fostering collaboration, deeper connections, and collective learning. About Innovation Bay Innovation Bay is the leading community for tech founders, investors, and industry leaders in Australia and New Zealand. Through curated events, membership programs, and unique networking opportunities, Innovation Bay empowers its members to thrive and drives the success of tech innovation across the region. Join us in Adelaide and be part of the movement shaping the future of ANZ’s venture capital and innovation ecosystem. Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/aurora-retreat-2025 More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 24: INVESTOR INTEL - Nick Gainsley, OneVentures
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/insights/investor-intel-nick-gainsley-oneventures/

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# INVESTOR INTEL - Nick Gainsley, OneVentures

INVESTOR INTEL Nick Gainsley, OneVentures Navigating Growth and Innovation Nick Gainsley Nick Gainsley is a Partner and head of Credit Strategy at one of Australia’s leading later-stage venture capital firms – OneVentures . With over $800 million in funds under management, OneVentures focuses on scaling Technology and Healthcare companies through growth equity and credit. For this month’s Investor Intel feature we delve into Nick’s journey, his perspectives on the industry, extensive expertise and his insights into the evolving trends in VC and the tech startup ecosystem. . From London to Sydney  Beginning his career in London within KPMG’s Corporate Finance Division, Nick spent the majority of his time in their debt advisory team, honing his technical credit skills. At the time, the GFC was in full force and Nick’s team was the busiest of the entire firm. With a constant interest and appetite for technology and growth stage companies, Nick left KPMG to transition into growth credit investing, moving to a fund called Kreos (now part of Blackrock); the largest player in this sector in Europe. “This was a great role applying my passion for tech investing with my technical debt skills,” Nick reflects. In 2019, Nick made his way to Australia to head up the credit strategy on OneVentures’ launch into the market.   Focus, Fulfillment and Challenges  Nick and OneVentures focus is on technology, but with a sub sector agnostic lens; though Nick has a great deal of experience investing in SaaS businesses. Building relationships and supporting founders with a passion to solve problems is the most fulfilling part of Nick’s role. “I love meeting a range of founders, and really enjoy building relationships and seeking to solve financial needs with an alternative funding tool to equity,” Nick explains. It’s not all rainbows and unicorns however. With plenty of misconceptions in the market Nick states, “Growth credit is still relatively nascent in Australia so I not only have to find good investments but I need to educate on our product.”  Founder Advice & Exciting Recent Investments  Having met with countless founders during his career, Nick offers some first-rate advice for those currently planning for VC funding – “Be clear and concise”, he states. Adding that if a VC finds it tricky to understand the product or service on offer and the problems it’s solving, there’s a very low likelihood they’re going to be willing to invest. A recent investment made by OneVentures that Nick is particularly excited about is InDebted; who are doing amazing things in the world of digitising debt collection. “As unsexy as that sounds, responsibly helping FinTechs, or any business for that matter, collect on debts in a friendly and fair way is really important,” he states. Some of InDebted’s core values revolve around financial wellness and education, which have provided them with incredible customer reviews.  Future in Focus  Looking ahead, Nick is enthusiastic about the ever-evolving way humans interact with technology. The seamless integration of technology into our lives, driven by advancements like AI and speech recognition, fascinates him. The potential symbiosis between humans and technology, as seen in endeavors like Neuralink, is of particular interest and underscores the transformative power of innovation. Over the next 12 months, Nick’s primary goal is to continue deploying OneVentures’ new credit fund. He envisions a local ecosystem that evolves to better utilise debt funding, contributing to the growth and sustainability of businesses in Australia. The Human Element – Community is Key  Being a part of the Innovation Bay community, Nick emphasises the pivotal role of community in the venture capital landscape. “Venture is all about relationships. Therefore community is key to build a thriving collaborative ecosystem. Collectively we can learn, have fun and achieve more together”, he states.  More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 25: E154 - Sunrise - Part 2
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e154-sunrise-part-2/

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# E154 - Sunrise - Part 2

21 December, 2022 E154 – Sunrise – Part 2 On November 10 and 11, Sunrise, Australia’s leading ideas and innovation festival run by our friends at Blackbird, returned to Sydney for their most ambitious event since its inception in 2014. Taking over Sydney’s iconic Carriageworks, Sunrise opened its doors, inviting around 1,000 of its closest pals, all primed to explore the optimism and wonder of human achievement.  Armed with a microphone, and less a wisdom tooth (which was removed around halfway through the festival – by a professional dentist), Innovation Bay’s Co-Founder and familiar host of Open The Pod Bay Doors, Ian Gardiner, tapped 21 people on the shoulder for series of pow wows about business, innovation, a retrospective at what has got them to now, a fast forward of what’s to come for our industry and what’s exciting them, and of course…what they’re hearing, seeing and feeling at Sunrise.  Part 2 features a bunch of incredible humans including : – Joel Connolly (Blackbird) – Alex Apoifis (Blackbird) – Jekaterina Viktorova (Syenta) – Andrea Gardiner (Jelix) – Damon Klotz (Culture Amp) – Mick Liubinskas (Climate Salad) – Kate Glazebrook (Blackbird) More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 26: Global tech powerhouse smartSense partners with Innovation Bay
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/global-tech-powerhouse-smartsense-partners-with-innovation-bay/

### Full Content

# Global tech powerhouse smartSense partners with Innovation Bay

Global tech powerhouse smartSense partners with Innovation Bay A big welcome to the team at global technology heavyweight smartSense which has joined Innovation Bay as a brand new strategic partner to our community of founders and investors. Meet smartSense smartSense Solutions was founded in January 2013 by a group of friends during their final semester at BVM College as a desktop-based edtech product. It rapidly gained traction and was launched in schools and tuition centers across India by March 2013. The initial experiment laid the foundation for what would become a global technology powerhouse, with their global footprint spanning the US, Germany, Italy, Spain and now expanding aggressively across Australia and New Zealand. Today, led by Founder & CEO, Mayur Pabari , smartSense Solutions offers a diverse range of cutting-edge services and products that help clients around the world design innovative tech products, go to market, and scale teams rapidly. Their guiding principle is simple yet powerful: “The Customer’s Win is our Mission.” What can startups and investors expect from smartSense? smartSense brings extensive expertise in emerging technologies like Generative AI, Self Sovereign Identity, Internet of Things, blockchain, and the cloud. As the Australian ecosystem rapidly advances, smartSense is excited to contribute their expertise to help Aussie companies get started and scale rapidly. For startups – smartSense can help with: Product and Platform Engineering: Turn your innovative ideas into scalable, cutting-edge products. Startup Mentorship: Receive expert guidance to navigate the complexities of the startup world. Strategic Investment: Access crucial funding to drive your growth. Go-to-Market Strategy: Develop and execute effective strategies to launch and scale your products. Building and Scaling Offshore Teams: Efficiently grow your team with tailored solutions. For investors: Technology Enablement: Boost the tech capabilities of your investments. Co-Invest in Startups: Partner with smartSense to fund and support exciting new ventures. Technology Audit: Ensure your investments are backed by solid technology assessments. Support for Founders: Provide engineering support to enhance the capabilities of startup founders. Why partner with Innovation Bay? For Founder & CEO Mayur Pabari, collaborating with Innovation Bay will help smartSense build strong relationships with startup founders and investors and support tech development in the ANZ region. What excites him the most about the partnership? “The scale of potential for significant contributions to the Innovation Bay startup ecosystem and the opportunity to forge valuable connections with founders and investors.” Mayur’s words of wisdom ring true whether you’re an investor or startup innovating in Australia: “Success comes from the genuine connections you made and the people you empower.” We couldn’t agree more. Welcome Mayur and the smartSense team! More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 27: Angel Investor Events
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/events-for-tech-founders-and-investors/angel-investor-events/

### Full Content

# Angel Investor Events

2026 Calendar of Events become a member February 12 | First Round Drinks (all communities) | Sydney February 13 | Inner Circle Lunch | Sydney February 19 | First Round Drinks (all communities) | Melbourne February 25 | Inner Circle Dinner | Darwin March 5 | Inner Circle Dinner | Melbourne March 23 | Inner Circle Dinner | Darwin March 26 | Table for 20 (invite-only all communities) | Sydney April 16 | Inner Circle Dinner | Darwin April 28 | Inner Circle Dinner | Sydney May 18-20 | Horizon Retreat | Tiwi Islands May 21 | First Round Drinks (all communities) | Sydney May 28 | Inner Circle Dinner | Melbourne May 28 | First Round Drinks (all communities) | Melbourne June 18 | Inner Circle Dinner | Sydney June 24 | Table for 20 (invite-only all communities) | Melbourne July 23 | Inner Circle Dinner | Darwin August 20 | Inner Circle Dinner | Sydney August 27 | Inner Circle Dinner | Darwin September 9 | First Round Drinks (all communities) | Sydney September 10 | Inner Circle Dinner | Melbourne September 10 | First Round Drinks (all communities) | Melbourne September 16 | Table for 20 (invite-only all communities) | Sydney October 15 | Inner Circle Dinner | Sydney November 12 | Inner CIrcle DInner | Melbourne November 18 | able for 20 (invite-only all communities) | Melbourne Want to get a sense of the Innovation Bay experience? Watch the videos below to discover more about the adventures and connections you can expect to experience. Join Innovation Bay! Interested in attending these events or want to learn more about Innovation Bay? Apply for membership What people say about our events “The Innovation Bay team structured one of the most relevant events for business leaders I’ve experienced with room full of positive ego professionals invested in success beyond 2024.” Steve Lewis | Vigilum, Nabu “Innovation Bay is really unique. It’s an open forum for discussion. We come and connect and share deals and talk about what we’re struggling with or what we’re aiming for. It’s such a great space to be able to get everyone together and all the different ideas in an open forum.” Georgia Barkell | Sprint Ventures “The magic happens when you can put lots of people in a room together who have the right values and intentions. What I’m finding is that everyone wants to help each other. We’ve built some really great relationships.” Yash Varma | Empress Capital

## Page 28: E171 - James Bowe, Co-Founder, OwnHome
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e171-james-bowe-co-founder-ownhome/

### Full Content

# E171 - James Bowe, Co-Founder, OwnHome

12 January, 2023 E171 – James Bowe, Co-Founder, OwnHome Our guest this week is James Bowe , the Co-Founder of OwnHome alongside Tim Harley. With shelter as a fundamental human need, OwnHome aims to transform access to homeownership in Australia, allowing aspirational homeowners to enter the property market without a 20% deposit, helping them get there for just 2% upfront.  With enviable and impressive resumes and backgrounds across consulting and consumer tech with the likes of Bain & Company, Morgan Stanley, UBS, Macquarie, Wise Ltd, and Herbert Smith Freehills between them, James and Tim were driven to start OwnHome after reflecting on some of the biggest challenges they personally face (financial security being at the top of the pile) and how they want to spend the brief period of time they have left on this planet.  After participating in Commonwealth Bank’s accelerator program from overseas, working their day jobs during UK day time and the accelerator program from 10pm – 4am, they finished in the top spot for the accelerator and received $150,000 funding. Now armed with little to no excuses to jump into OwnHome full time, the pair returned to Australia, and raised their seed round while in hotel quarantine in Sydney. Own Home has since received backing from Entrez, Global Founders Capital, Square Peg, and Commonwealth Bank’s X15 Ventures and recently raised $31 million in their series A round.  OwnHome combines technology and human services for a seamless experience. Through OwnHome, aspiring homeowners can wave goodbye to renting forever and forgo intergenerational support as the only avenue to owning a home. Their offer allows those with just 2% deposit on the home value access to a licensed buyer’s agent, split loan structures, choice of home loan and comprehensive support through the process. Over the past two and a half years, they have received well over 20,000 applications and supported 50 families in becoming homeowners. Across the next 12 months, OwnHome aspired to support $500 million of property purchases in the next 12 months.  Quickfire Round  Book: Amp It Up!, Frank Slootman & Black Belt, Joseph Healy Podcast : All-In Newsource: The Economist, Twitter App: Twitter Productivity Tool: Siri CEO: Jeff Bezos TV Show: Succession TEDTalk Topic: Solving the challenges of housing affordability in Australia  Head to OwnHome to learn more. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 29: Ep188 Allegra Spender
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/ep188-allegra-spender/

### Full Content

# Ep188 Allegra Spender

22 April, 2025 E188 – Allegra Spender, Independent MP In this special live edition of Open The Pod Bay Doors , Ian sits down with independent MP Allegra Spender in front of a live audience at Jelix Ventures. With a federal election in Australia just weeks away, Allegra offers candid insights into her journey as a parliamentarian, Australia’s economic crossroads, and the critical reforms needed to ensure a thriving, future-facing nation. The conversation explores Australia’s global trade vulnerabilities, the urgent need to diversify partnerships, and the growing capital challenges faced by the startup sector. Allegra shares her perspective on climate policy, the energy transition, and why Australia is uniquely positioned to lead in solar innovation. The discussion also delves into geopolitical dynamics, immigration, education, and the pressing need for smarter regulation and stronger support for innovation. Throughout the episode, Allegra outlines clear action items—from improving access to innovation funding to bringing startup voices into Parliament—while encouraging Australians to stay politically engaged. This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about Australia’s economic future, climate leadership, and the role of independent voices in shaping smarter policy. We hope you enjoy this insightful and special live recording of Open The Pod Bay Doors. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 30: Founder Events
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/events-for-tech-founders-and-investors/founder-events/
 **Summary:** The webpage provides a comprehensive calendar of events organized by Innovation Bay for tech founders and investors throughout 2026. It includes various types of gatherings such as virtual events, education sessions, and networking drinks across multiple locations, primarily in Sydney and Melbourne.
 **Primary Topics:** Founder Events, Networking, Education for Founders
 **Secondary Topics:** Membership Information, Community Building, Feedback from Participants
 **Semantic Tags:** event-calendar, founder-events, virtual-events, education-events, networking-events, innovation-bay, membership-opportunity, sydney-events, melbourne-events, vc-events, community-engagement, founder-expedition, end-of-year-events, feedback-and-testimonials, 2026-events
 **Key Facts:**
  - Multiple events scheduled throughout 2026, including virtual and in-person gatherings.
  - Key events include Founder Education events, First Round Drinks, and invite-only sessions.
  - Locations for events include Sydney, Melbourne, and virtual platforms.
 **Frequently Asked Questions:**
  **Q1:** What types of events can I expect in 2026?
  **A1:** In 2026, Innovation Bay will host various events, including Founder Virtual events, Founder Education events, and First Round Drinks, providing opportunities for networking and learning.
  **Q2:** How can I become a member of Innovation Bay?
  **A2:** You can apply for membership by visiting the Innovation Bay membership page. Membership grants you access to exclusive events and resources tailored for tech founders and investors.
  **Q3:** Where are the events held?
  **A3:** Events are primarily held in Sydney and Melbourne, with some virtual events accessible to participants regardless of location.
  **Q4:** Can anyone attend the events?
  **A4:** While many events are open to all communities, some are invite-only, particularly those aimed at later-stage founders. It's best to check the event details for specific access requirements.
  **Q5:** What do attendees say about the events?
  **A5:** Testimonials from past attendees highlight the relevance and collaborative environment of the events, emphasizing the positive connections and support fostered among participants.
  **Q6:** How do I find out more about specific events?
  **A6:** You can find detailed information about each event, including dates and locations, on the Innovation Bay events calendar available on their website.
 **Content Type:** informational
 **Content Intent:** inform
 **Target Audience:** Tech founders, investors, and professionals looking to network and learn in the tech industry.

### Full Content

source: https://innovationbay.com/events-for-tech-founders-and-investors/founder-events/
content-type: ai-context-data
ai-purpose: structured-content-reference
last-updated: 2026-04-07T01:11:52.480Z
signaltoai-version: 1.0.22

# Founder Events

**Summary:** The webpage provides a comprehensive calendar of events organized by Innovation Bay for tech founders and investors throughout 2026. It includes various types of gatherings such as virtual events, education sessions, and networking drinks across multiple locations, primarily in Sydney and Melbourne.

**Primary Topics:** Founder Events, Networking, Education for Founders

**Secondary Topics:** Membership Information, Community Building, Feedback from Participants

**Semantic Tags:**
- event-calendar
- founder-events
- virtual-events
- education-events
- networking-events
- innovation-bay
- membership-opportunity
- sydney-events
- melbourne-events
- vc-events
- community-engagement
- founder-expedition
- end-of-year-events
- feedback-and-testimonials
- 2026-events

**Key Facts:**
- Multiple events scheduled throughout 2026, including virtual and in-person gatherings.
- Key events include Founder Education events, First Round Drinks, and invite-only sessions.
- Locations for events include Sydney, Melbourne, and virtual platforms.

**Frequently Asked Questions:**

**Q1:** What types of events can I expect in 2026?
**A1:** In 2026, Innovation Bay will host various events, including Founder Virtual events, Founder Education events, and First Round Drinks, providing opportunities for networking and learning.

**Q2:** How can I become a member of Innovation Bay?
**A2:** You can apply for membership by visiting the Innovation Bay membership page. Membership grants you access to exclusive events and resources tailored for tech founders and investors.

**Q3:** Where are the events held?
**A3:** Events are primarily held in Sydney and Melbourne, with some virtual events accessible to participants regardless of location.

**Q4:** Can anyone attend the events?
**A4:** While many events are open to all communities, some are invite-only, particularly those aimed at later-stage founders. It's best to check the event details for specific access requirements.

**Q5:** What do attendees say about the events?
**A5:** Testimonials from past attendees highlight the relevance and collaborative environment of the events, emphasizing the positive connections and support fostered among participants.

**Q6:** How do I find out more about specific events?
**A6:** You can find detailed information about each event, including dates and locations, on the Innovation Bay events calendar available on their website.

**Content Type:** informational

**Content Intent:** inform

**Target Audience:** Tech founders, investors, and professionals looking to network and learn in the tech industry.

**Authority Score:** 0.8

**Trust Indicators:**
- Testimonials from previous attendees
- Membership application process
- Event calendar with specific dates and locations

---

background image
img[http://innovationbay.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Innovation-Bay-Group-2-520-2-scaled.jpg]



2026 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

become a member
[https://events.humanitix.com/retreat26-vc-at-sea?_gl=1*12debgp*_gcl_au*NDcxMDM4NDk1LjE3Njk0ODQ2NjI.*_ga*MTY2MzM5MjUwMi4xNzIyMzIxNDA0*_ga_LHKW5FR9N6*czE3NzE5MDc3NTQkbzI0MiRnMSR0MTc3MTkwNzc5MCRqMjQkbDAkaDA.]

February 3 | Founder Virtual event | Virtual
February 11 | Founder Education event | Sydney
February 12 | First Round Drinks (all communities) | Sydney
February 18 | Founder Education event | Melbourne
February 19 | First Round Drinks (all communities) | Melbourne
February 25 | Blackstar Session (Invite-only later stage founders) | Sydney

March 10 | Founder Virtual event | Virtual
March 18 | IB x Google Cloud Supercharge | Sydeny
March 26 | First Round Drinks (all communities) | Sydney

April 23 | Founder Education event | Sydney

May 5 | Founder Virtual event | Virtual
May 21 | First Round Drinks (all communities) | Sydney
May 28 | First Round Drinks (all communities) | Melbourne

June 17 | Founder Education Event | Melbourne
June 24 | Table for 20 (invite-only all communities) | Melbourne

July 7 | Founder Virtual event | Virtual

August 19 | Founder Education Event | Sydney

September 8 | Founder Virtual event | Virtual
September 9 | First Round Drinks (all communities) | Sydney
September 10 | First Round Drinks (all communities) | Melbourne
September 16 | Table for 20 (invite-only all communities) | Sydney

October 27-29 | Founder Expedition | Location TBC

November 19 | EOY Founder Event | Sydney
November 26 | EOY Founder Event | Melbourne

December 1 | Founder Virtual event | Virtual


WANT TO GET A SENSE OF THE
INNOVATION BAY EXPERIENCE?

Watch the videos below to discover more about the adventures and connections you
can expect to experience.



background image
img[http://innovationbay.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Innovation-Bay-Group-2-520-2-scaled.jpg]



JOIN INNOVATION BAY!

Interested in attending these events or want to learn more about Innovation Bay?

Apply for membership [https://innovationbay.com/membership/]


WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT OUR EVENTS

“The Innovation Bay team structured one of the most relevant events for business
leaders I’ve experienced with room full of positive ego professionals invested
in success beyond 2024.”

Steve Lewis | Vigilum, Nabu

“Innovation Bay is really unique. It’s an open forum for discussion. We come and
connect and share deals and talk about what we’re struggling with or what we’re
aiming for. It’s such a great space to be able to get everyone together and all
the different ideas in an open forum.”

Georgia Barkell | Sprint Ventures

“The magic happens when you can put lots of people in a room together who have
the right values and intentions. What I’m finding is that everyone wants to help
each other. We’ve built some really great relationships.”

Yash Varma | Empress Capital

---

Generated by SignalToAI v1.0.22
For more information: https://innovationbay.com/llms.txt

## Page 31: VC Events
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/events-for-tech-founders-and-investors/vc-events/

### Full Content

# VC Events

2026 Calendar of Events become a member Feb 2 | VC Monthly Virtual | Virtual Feb 5 | VC Big Funds Lunch | Sydney Feb 12 | First Round Drinks (all communities) | Sydney Feb 17 | VC Small – Medium Funds Lunch | Sydney Feb 12 First Round Drinks (all communities) | Melb March 5 | VC Community Dinner | Melbourne March 10 | VC Monthly Virtual | Virtual March 12 | VC Pre-treat breakfast | Sydney March 12 | Retreat26: VC at Sea | Sydney March 26 | Table for 20 (invite-only all communities) | Sydney April 14 | VC Monthly Virtual | Virtual May 5 | VC Monthly Virtual | Virtual May 12 | VC Big Funds Lunch | Sydney May 13 | Small – Medium Funds Lunch | Sydney May 21 | First Round Drinks (all communities) | Sydney May 28 | First Round Drinks (all communities) | Melbourne June 2 | VC Monthly Virtual | Virtual June 24 | Table for 20 (invite-only all communities) | Melbourne July 1 | VC Community Lunch | Sydney July 2 | VC Community Lunch | Melbourne July 7 | VC Monthly Virtual | Virtual August 4-6 | Venture Downunder | TBC September 1 | VC Monthly Virtual | Virtual September 9 | First Round Drinks (all communities) | Sydney September 10 | First Round Drinks (all communities) | Melbourne September 16 | Table for 20 (invite-only all communities) | Sydney October 6 | VC Monthly Virtual | Virtual October 14 | VC Education Session | Sydney October 21 | VC Big Funds Lunch | Sydney October 22 | Small – Medium Funds Lunch | Sydney November 4 | VC Monthly Virtual | Virtual November 12 | VC Dinner | Melbourne November 19 | EOY VC Community BBQ | Sydney Want to get a sense of the Innovation Bay experience? Watch the videos below to discover more about the adventures and connections you can expect to experience. Join Innovation Bay! Interested in attending these events or want to learn more about Innovation Bay? Apply for membership What people say about our events “The Innovation Bay team structured one of the most relevant events for business leaders I’ve experienced with room full of positive ego professionals invested in success beyond 2024.” Steve Lewis | Vigilum, Nabu “Innovation Bay is really unique. It’s an open forum for discussion. We come and connect and share deals and talk about what we’re struggling with or what we’re aiming for. It’s such a great space to be able to get everyone together and all the different ideas in an open forum.” Georgia Barkell | Sprint Ventures “The magic happens when you can put lots of people in a room together who have the right values and intentions. What I’m finding is that everyone wants to help each other. We’ve built some really great relationships.” Yash Varma | Empress Capital

## Page 32: E178 - Blackbird’s Sunrise 24 (part 2) Ft. Karl Durrance, Dr. Kate Mason, John McDuling, Maxine Minter, Kevin Jochelson
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e178-blackbirds-sunrise-24-part-1-ft-karl-durrance-dr-kate-mason-john-mcduling-maxine-minter-kevin-jochelson/

### Full Content

# E178 - Blackbird’s Sunrise 24 (part 2) Ft. Karl Durrance, Dr. Kate Mason, John McDuling, Maxine Minter, Kevin Jochelson

11 June, 2024 E178 – Blackbird’s Sunrise 24 (part 2) Ft. Karl Durrance, Dr. Kate Mason, John McDuling, Maxine Minter, Kevin Jochelson Join us for part 2 of our “studio on the road” at Sunrise, Blackbird’s annual festival of the startup ecosystem. Armed with his roving podcast mic, Innovation Bay’s Co-Founder and podcast host, Ian Gardiner, was lucky enough to tap the mind’s of some of Sunrise’s stellar speakers.  During this ep, you’ll hear from: 🌅 Karl Durrance , Stripe – discusses Stripe’s mission to increase the GDP of the internet, it’s broad customer base from startups to large enterprises, and the challenges and strategies in the financial infrustructure space. 🌅 Kate Mason, PhD , Hedgehog + Fox – shares her career journey from Google to founding her own firm, insights on effective communication and power dynamics, and details of her Sunrise talk about how confidence is actually unhelpful and authenticity is powerful! 🌅 John McDuling , Capital Brief – chats through the challenges and successes of launching a new media outlet, Capital Brief’s focus on the new Australian economy and providing valuable intelligence, and the subscription model and importance of quality journalism. 🌅 Maxine Minter , Co Ventures – discusses her solo GP fund, their focus on pre-seed investments and accelerating companies internationally, and some quality insights on what makes a successful founder and investor. 🌅 Kevin Jochelson , Upsize & Tech Rooport – shares his approach to helping startups scale and the importance of distribution, the impact of AI on startups, and winning the debate at Sunrise on whether investment success us nice skill than luck. Tune in for many many more nuggets from the mind’s of this all star line up.  This podcast episode is brought to you by Vanta. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 33: INVESTOR INTEL - Derek Gerrard, Purpose Ventures
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/insights/investor-intel-derek-gerrard-purpose-ventures/

### Full Content

# INVESTOR INTEL - Derek Gerrard, Purpose Ventures

INVESTOR INTEL Derek Gerrard, Purpose Ventures The Dynamics of VC and Reflections on the Industry In the fast-paced arena of venture capital, Derek Gerrard stands as a seasoned navigator, steering the ship of Purpose Ventures toward uncharted territories. As the Director of Purpose Ventures, a $45 million fund established in 2023 to invest in early-stage companies and budding innovators, Derek provides insight into the inner workings of the VC landscape, sharing the story of his journey, the challenges faced, and the aspirations that drive his work. The Beginning of the VC Journey Derek’s VC journey began as a response to a void he perceived in Western Australia’s startup investment landscape. Following the sale of his company Greensense, Derek noticed a lack of startup funding in the region, prompting him to become an investor in local tech companies like HealthEngine. From there he led the establishment of the $23 million BetterLabs Fund, backed by the RAC, setting the stage for the creation of Purpose Ventures. Purpose Ventures is entirely backed by WA investors and holds the distinction of being the first conditional ESVCLP (Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership) to register in the region. Investment Focus, Fulfillment & Trend Avoidance  Purpose Ventures nominates an industry-agnostic approach, with a 15% carve-out specifically designated for health-related investments. Derek finds the most fulfillment in backing founders who are pursuing their “life cause”. “Meeting founders is the most fulfilling part of the job,” he reflects. Founders driven by a passion to solve problems who have often taken significant risks, gives him great energy. “We are all about backing founders who are chasing their life cause so we spend a lot of time exploring that and then ensuring the team has the character, competency and chemistry that we feel we can work with,” he explains. Derek dismisses the notion of being a trend investor. Having been in the tech industry for over 25 years, he believes in the enduring importance of creating customer value over transient trends. The Hardest Parts… Derek acknowledges that saying “no” is a significant part of the job. With an average investment rate of 2-4 companies out of 100 meetings, rejecting potential opportunities is unfortunately a common occurrence. “Just because we say no doesn’t mean it’s not a great company,” he explains. “There may just be aspects that don’t meet our investment criteria – so that can be hard.” Recent & Exciting Investments One of Purpose Ventures’ recent investments is Gene S, a company revolutionising medication prescriptions whose technology is all about prescribing the right medicine, at the right dose at the right time. Derek expresses excitement about their technology’s potential impact on mental health, noting that around 70% of the time, initial medication prescriptions are incorrect. Through DNA testing and software, Gene S are able to ensure the right medication is prescribed. “We love this because it can make a real impact in both patient outcomes and health system improvements,” he reflects.  Practical Advice For Founders Derek and Purpose Ventures advises founders to remember their “Why” and maintain authenticity, irrespective of investor responses. “If you can keep that in mind when you are meeting investors you have the best chance of being your authentic self,” he explains.  He reminds founders that regardless of whether investment is made, it isn’t a reflection of whether you are building a great business – there are myriad reasons an investor doesn’t jump. He also emphasises the importance of business “hygiene,” urging founders to take care of fundamental aspects such as clear shareholder agreements and clean balance sheets.  Approaching Due Diligence and Change Adaptation Speaking of due diligence, Purpose Ventures starts the process by assessing the founders, their ambitions, and the company’s potential, they then flip the narrative and actively seek reasons not to invest. “If we can’t find one then we know we’ve found an investment opportunity,” he explains. This rigorous approach ensures that investments align with Purpose Ventures’ standards. Derek reflects on the changes in the VC landscape over the past decade, highlighting the rapid growth in the industry and drawing a parallel with WA’s evolving status within the national VC investment pool. “10 years ago many of the larger VC’s in the market today were just on their fist fund and it shows how quickly an industry can grow,” he reflects. “That is very much contrasted in WA where although we are ~10% of the population and above a 15% contributor to national GDP – less than 1% of Australia’s VC investment pool has been invested here – so as a focused geography we are arguably now at where the rest of the country was at 10 years ago.” Future Goals and the Role of Community Looking ahead, Purpose Ventures eyes further growth, aiming to reach a $50 million fund size and doubling its portfolio within the next 12 months. Derek is hopeful for substantial growth among the current portfolio companies. Beyond the numbers, he envisions continuing to support the West Australian startup ecosystem. Outside the world of venture capital, Derek’s dual role as a church pastor adds a unique dimension to his identity – “Not sure I know anyone else who is a VC and a church minister!” he declares.  As a member of the Innovation Bay community, Derek underscores the significance of collaboration and community in building a thriving startup ecosystem. “ We have to support each other in lots of ways and that just doesn’t happen without community,” he states.  More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 34: EOY - Horizon
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/eoy-horizon/

### Full Content

# EOY - Horizon



## Page 35: EOY - Aurora
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/eoy-aurora/

### Full Content

# EOY - Aurora



## Page 36: EOY - Founders
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/eoy-founders/

### Full Content

# EOY - Founders



## Page 37: E165 - Silvija Martincevic, CEO & Board Director, Deputy
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e165-silvija-martincevic-ceo-board-director-deputy/

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# E165 - Silvija Martincevic, CEO & Board Director, Deputy

13 July, 2023 E165 – Silvija Martincevic, CEO & Board Director, Deputy This week’s special guest is Silvija Martincevic , CEO & Board Director of Deputy . Silvija is a passionate advocate for purpose-driven companies and brings a wealth of experience to Deputy from her background in socially responsible investing and previous roles at Groupon. Deputy, founded over a decade ago, is a leading company specialising in smart scheduling and workforce management. Their software solution is used by over 1.3 million shift workers in more than 100 countries, empowering 330,000 businesses with tools for compliance and communication. Silvija’s journey from Croatia to the United States, combined with her experience in socially responsible investing, has shaped her leadership approach. She aims to take Deputy to new heights by creating a more flexible and transparent workplace for hourly workers. Deputy’s mission is to become a global platform for hourly workers, providing technology solutions to increase productivity and engagement. Despite the significant number of hourly workers in the world, there is a lack of tailored technology tools for them. Deputy is addressing this gap, currently serving over 1.5 million hourly workers and 330,000 workplaces. Silvija’s insights on responsible scaling, company culture, and bridging the gap between employers and hourly workers are valuable for understanding Deputy’s approach. Their focus on diversity and exploration of AI to improve workforce management and customer support are also noteworthy. Quickfire Round: Book: Leading Lightly by Jody Michael Podcast: Pivot with tech journalist Kara Swisher and NYU Professor Scott Galloway News Source: Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Fortune, CNN, Buzzfeed, The Australian App: Spotify CEO: Alison Deans Productivity Tool: WhatsApp TV Show: Working: What We Do All Day (Barack Obama) TEDTalk Topic: Resilience and grit More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 38: Summit Landing Page
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/summit-landing-page/

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# Summit Landing Page

Your private invitation to apply for membership to Australia and New Zealand’s most thriving and exclusive community of tech disruptors. Accelerating the success of visionary founders and investors through connection, community and education Our Summit Community Summit is an exclusive, highly curated community for Series A+ founders and CEOs. They are the mavericks, visionaries and outliers, who are dedicated to making a positive and lasting impact in the world. Our Summit Community focuses on peer-to-peer learning and connection amongst the top tech founders in Australia and New Zealand. Founders can get answers to their questions sooner, share their challenges with others who truly ‘get it’ and celebrate their successes with others who understand the physical, mental, and emotional demands of startup life. We believe… We believe in disruptive innovation and the people passionately dedicating their lives to making a positive impact on the world. We believe in the butterfly effect – by supporting one ambitious individual they are better equipped and connected, to positively influence many others. We believe in finding a place of belonging, a safe harbour –  and the transformative power of finding your people, your community. We believe in peer learning – someone has walked the road you’re on and has a goldmine of information to share with you. Who we are Innovation Bay is a thriving community accelerating the success of visionary founders and investors in Australia and New Zealand. Since 2003, Innovation Bay has been igniting the tech landscape, forging valuable connections and creating a dynamic ecosystem where founders, investors, and leaders come together to exchange experiences, knowledge, and inspiration. At Innovation Bay, we believe in the power of community, connection, and education to drive disruptive change. Our mission is to empower the disruptors of today and tomorrow, fuelling their growth and success through the power of meaningful connections, collaborative learning, and unrivalled access to investment and deal flow. Summit in the media… 36 hours with Innovation Bay: Meet Australia’s most promising tech founders Forbes Australia | By Shivaune Field | October 30, 2023 The Summit community is an elite group of high-growth tech entrepreneurs who band together to help each other through the gruelling start-up and growth grind. It is a part of Innovation Bay, which also facilitates communities of VCs and angel investors. In a Forbes Australia exclusive, reporter Shivaune Field joins 30 of Australia’s best and brightest founders, on First Nations land in the Daintree Rainforest…. Read more HERE . Do you qualify? Founder & CEOs Australian or New Zealand registered technology company $20m+ valuation entry point Who’s in the community? html.logo-carousel-block>div>ul.splide__list { display: grid; padding: 0; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(clamp(15rem, 10rem + 15vw, 24rem), 1fr)); gap: 2rem; list-style: none; } .splide__list .group { list-style: none; padding: 0; margin: 0; } .splide__list .group img { aspect-ratio: 1; object-fit: contain; height: 100%; width: 100%; } What our members say “Joining Summit is one of the best decisions I have made. It is an open and growth oriented environment, where you can talk deeply with entrepreneurs who are going on a similar journey. There are so many lessons, regardless of specific tech niche you are in, that everyone faces when trying to scale a tech business, and Summit allows you to dive into these with fellow entrepreneurs you can trust as they have no agenda apart from sharing and learning together.” James Ferguson | CEO | Immutable “This has to have been the highlight of my year. Not only was I able to unplug, reflect and take stock on where I was at personally, I was able to connect in a way with a group of individuals that I didn’t think possible on an organised “work” event. The experience was life changing. I’ll say it again… for any #founder out there wanting to join a community that will truly make a difference to your journey, you need to be a part of Innovation Bay.” Steve Jones | Director & Founder | Corrivium Matt Smith | CEO | My Pass Chris Jewell | CEO & Co-Founder | Zepto “Once again, Summit has delivered a unique and extraordinary experience for its community of founders. Our trip to Cape Tribulation gave me time to reflect, engage on a deep level with awesome business innovators, discover our first nations’ knowledge, and return to my business more inspired, confident, and refreshed.” Lisa Vincent | Founder & CEO | HowToo What’s in it for you… Exclusive community of like-minded individuals on a similar journey Transformative peer to peer learning, knowledge sharing, education, networking Incredible, bespoke experiential event calendar Access to a network unlike any other in ANZ Curated Connection – Your Events Founder Forums (Family):  Groups of 8-10 founders, location based. Monthly highly confidential meetups. Members believe this is where the true value of Summit comes from. Founders can share openly about their personal and professional life with like-minded people who ‘get it’, people who are in it too or have been there. It’s a space to learn from the experience of others. Each Forum group also has an annual retreat together in the wilderness (1 night) and meet for regular monthly catch ups. Curated & Intimate Dinners and Lunches (Village):  Highly curated dinner and lunch events throughout the year that enable you to connect with other founders outside of your clan group, within an intimate environment.  Some themed on specific topics, others designed specifically for open conversation.  Inspire (Tribe): Full Innovation Bay community. Our inaugural hallmark event INSPIRE is a beacon for sparking innovation and fostering the exchange of groundbreaking connections. It’s where industry leaders, investors, founders and innovators unite to create synergies that will shape the future of technology. Explore (Tribe): Full Innovation Bay community. Embark on an extraordinary journey with EXPLORE, destined to be one of Innovation Bay’s most thrilling and adventurous events. This inaugural, multi-day, and incredibly unique moment in the calendar will become an annual tradition for Innovation Bay members. EXPLORE offers a unique opportunity to intentionally disconnect from day to day, broaden and deepen key relationships, delve deeply into topics and quality conversations, bond away from it all, where the potency and companionship of shared experience is heightened. What’s the investment? We operate on a membership model: an annual, all-inclusive fee of $8,490+gst  Included: All of your Founder Clan Monthly Sessions, Annual Clan Retreats, Intimate Dinners/Lunches Community Events, Member-Only Content, and Explore full Innovation Bay  Not included: travel and accommodation What’s the ROI?  Accelerated business growth – through peer to peer learning in specifically crafted environments.  Community – we offer a home, a sense of belonging, a sense of finding your people. We remove loneliness. Being a part of this community will give you access to a collective energy, a sense of being part of something greater, and a feeling of strength and support that you’re not alone.  Experiential events – designed to reinvigorate, inspire and take you out of the day to day and bring you back to work and team at a new level.  Connection – to a network of later stage founders, investors and experts who are able to share their collective wisdom in areas that we know you need.   Data – that is collected only within the community that illuminates what the collective is doing, in terms of pay, organisational structures and future strategy.  Additional member benefits:  Summit Annual Survey Member Directory WhatsApp Channel Cross pollination with our other communities Community coordination Access to partner perks Our other communities Canopy Early stage Founders & CEOs A community for ambitious early (Seed) stage founders. A collaborative, confidential environment where members can share closed-door, peer-to-peer conversations. This is the most critical stage of a startup, the Valley of Death: from seed to Series A. You need support and to be surrounded by others going through similar challenges, who will also join in celebrating you and your successes. Discover Canopy Horizon FOR PASSIONATE ANGEL INVESTORS Horizon is a tight knit community of experienced angel investors from diverse backgrounds. Our members are passionate about creating a lasting, positive impact on the Australia and New Zealand tech ecosystem by backing the next generation of ambitious early-stage founders of world changing startups. Discover Horizon Aurora EXCLUSIVE TO GENERAL PARTNERS OF VC FIRMS Aurora is for Australia and New Zealand’s venture capital general partners. Aurora exists to shape and enable the future of the industry to thrive via more collaboration, deeper connections, and collective learning. We don’t focus on deal flow, we focus on building relationships. Discover Aurora The journey is as important as the destination Book a call for more info. Apply Now

## Page 39: Retreat26: VC at Sea
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/events-for-tech-founders-and-investors/retreat26-vc-at-sea/

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# Retreat26: VC at Sea

12 March | Sydney REGISTER NOW What is VC at Sea?   Innovation Bay is Australia’s leading membership community for tech founders and investors. Retreat26: VC at Sea is our flagship venture capital retreat. VC at Sea is a one-day, VC-only forum bringing Australia’s venture capital community together at a moment of transition. The day will be centralised around the theme Charting the Course Ahead and reflects the reality venture investors face as 2026 begins. The map has changed. The signals are noisier. The next phase of decisions carries greater consequence. After several years of volatility, capital cycles are no longer moving in sync. Exit activity is returning unevenly. AI has introduced sharp asymmetries in capital access, valuations, and outcomes. Geopolitical forces now sit at the centre of risk assessment. Local venture decisions are increasingly shaped by global conditions beyond any single firm’s control. Rather than attempting to predict where the market is going, VC at Sea is designed as a moment of collective alignment. It creates space for experienced investors to compare how judgement is being formed, how risk is being underwritten, and how strategy is evolving before major capital commitments are made. The maritime setting is intentional. Like navigation at sea, today’s venture environment demands calibration and shared reference points. It also requires steady decision-making amid uncertainty. VC at Sea creates the conditions for alignment so investment teams can move into 2026 with clearer context and stronger conviction. This is not a predictions event. It is a deliberately contained environment where GPs and senior investment teams can pressure-test assumptions, challenge perspectives, and build shared understanding before committing to the next phase of the market. Speakers Dom Pym, Co-Founder, UP & Founder Euphemia. Dom is a renowned Australian entrepreneur and technologist, with over 25 years of expertise across software, web, and mobile development. He has Co-founded several successful businesses, including Up (Australia’s leading digital bank), Pin Payments, Ferocia, Clear Interactive and most recently, Triple Bubble (Oceania’s first fit-for-purpose fintech fund). As a pioneer in the neobank sector, Dom co-founded Up in 2017 — Australia’s first, and now most loved digital bank. Up has been the #1 rated banking app in Australia since launching publicly in 2018, earning the title of Australia’s “most trusted bank” and amassing over 1 million satisfied customers by September 2024. Throughout his career, Dom has been recognised for his leadership and achievements, receiving prestigious awards including, “Outstanding Fintech Leader of the Year 2022”, “Fintech Leader of the Year 2022”, the Pause Award’s “C-Suite 2022”, and most recently named “Australian Startup Investor of the Year 2025”. Dom is a board member at Fintech Australia and previously served as an advisory board member for Ferocia and Up at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank from sale until August 2024. Dom is deeply involved in his family office, Euphemia , where he mentors, advises and invests in founders, startups and venture capital funds globally. With over 120 investments across various sectors, he is a sought-after investor and advisor in the startup ecosystem. Michelle Deaker, Founding and Managing Partner, OneVentures Michelle is a Founding Partner and the Managing Partner at OneVentures. She serves on the investment committees of OneVentures funds and has led the capital raising activities for the firm. Her focus today is in the technology growth practice, though she has also worked extensively across both healthcare and technology investments. With over 25 years’ experience building and investing in high growth technology companies across Australia and the US, Michelle has a proven track record in global business expansion and Australian R&D commercialisation. She has led or co led, and served as a Director of, several landmark investments including Employment Hero ($2B valuation, 13x ROI, Returned 1.5x Fund II), Phocas (7x ROI, acq. Accel KKR), Smart Sparrow (acq. Pearson Learning), My Mobile Data (acq. ASX: AYS), Hatchtech (Lic. to NYSE: RDY), and Vaxxas. Michelle chaired the Employment Hero board until December 2023 and continues to serve as a Director, alongside board roles at Vaxxas and Buildkite, and previously Phocas. A current member of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Payment Systems Board, Michelle is also a former board member of Australia’s National ICT Centre of Excellence (NICTA, now Data61), Seven West Media (ASX: SWM) and served on the NSW Government’s Digital Economy Taskforce. In the lead up to founding OneVentures, Michelle worked for a leading family office on their alternative investments, served as an entrepreneur in residence at Southern Cross Venture Partners and was an angel investor.  Prior to her investment career, Michelle was a business entrepreneur and founder, including one of Australia’s first fintech companies, E Com Industries (www.giftvouchers.com) (acq. LSE: ReD, 4.6x, 70% IRR), IT services business, Networks Beyond 2000 and a tertiary tutoring business. Michelle is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Chief Executive Women (CEW). She was a founding advisory board member of Head Over Heels (now Apropela), supporting women entrepreneurs, and served on the advisory board of the Indigenous fund Ochre Ventures. In addition to these roles, she lectures in the Australian Investment Council’s Foundations of Private Capital Venture Capital Course and is a Co-Founder of WinVC, a non-profit women-led initiative supporting the career trajectory of women investors in venture capital. Agenda This is a deliberately contained, full-day environment designed to surface how peers are actually underwriting risk, allocating capital, and adjusting strategy for 2026. The setting removes distraction. The structure forces interaction, creating shared context and clearer judgement. A voyage into the new year that enables the captains of their respective teams to sail into clear skies, with clear judgement. Day Program Morning Arrival 8:30am – 10:30am Guests gather for breakfast and coffee before boarding. Registration and onboarding take place at King Street Wharf, with time to settle in before departure. Welcome & Setting the Context 10:30am – 11:00am VC at Sea officially begins as the vessel departs Sydney Harbour. The opening session sets the tone for the day, framing the venture cycle ahead and outlining the structure and intent of the forum. Opening Conversation 11:00am – 11:45am A fireside discussion with leading venture voices, reflecting on where the market has been, where it is heading, and how investors are recalibrating judgement for 2026. Mid-Morning Discussions 11:50am – 12:30pm Parallel fishbowl conversations focused on two defining pressures in venture today: • Exits, DPI, and liquidity realities • Fundraising, LP expectations, and positioning venture in 2026 These sessions are designed to stress-test assumptions and surface how peers are thinking in real time. Lunch on the Harbour 12:30pm – 1:30pm A relaxed lunch with peers, designed to encourage informal discussion and synthesis of the morning’s conversations. Community Conversations 1:30pm – 3:00pm A series of concurrent, small-group working sessions focused on the issues shaping venture outcomes, including capital discipline, AI inside VC firms, liquidity pathways, regulation, mid-range growth strategies, and venture’s role in the broader economy. Open Networking 3:00pm – 3:30pm Unstructured time to reflect, connect, and continue conversations from earlier in the day. Closing Keynote & Q&A 3:30pm – 4:30pm A closing address focused on judgement, conviction, and leadership in an environment of uneven recovery and persistent uncertainty. Closing Address 4:30pm – 5:00pm Final reflections and a collective call to action as the day program concludes. Evening Program Arrival & Reset 5:00pm – 6:00pm Day attendees disembark and evening guests arrive. VC Cocktail Soirée 6:00pm – 9:30pm An evening reception on Sydney Harbour bringing together the broader VC, investor, and operator community. Drinks, canapés, and informal remarks as the vessel cruises past the city skyline. Conclusion 9:30pm VC at Sea concludes.. Want to get a sense of the Retreat experience? Watch the videos below to discover more about the adventures and connections you can expect to experiences like Retreat26. What people say about our events “The Innovation Bay team structured one of the most relevant events for business leaders I’ve experienced with room full of positive ego professionals invested in success beyond 2024.” Steve Lewis | Vigilum, Nabu “Innovation Bay is really unique. It’s an open forum for discussion. We come and connect and share deals and talk about what we’re struggling with or what we’re aiming for. It’s such a great space to be able to get everyone together and all the different ideas in an open forum.” Georgia Barkell | Sprint Ventures “The magic happens when you can put lots of people in a room together who have the right values and intentions. What I’m finding is that everyone wants to help each other. We’ve built some really great relationships.” Yash Varma | Empress Capital Retreat26: VC at Sea 2026 is proudly presented by Platinum Sponsor --> Innovation Bay National Partners --> --> Event Sponsor --> Innovation Bay VC Community Partners --> --> Interested in sponsoring? Get in touch with our Partnerships Manager, Alex Vallieres I’M INTERESTED IN SPONSORING

## Page 40: Innovation Bay & ARENA 2025 Renewables Startup Showcase: Presenting Startups announced
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/insights/innovation-bay-arena-2025-renewables-startup-showcase-presenting-startups-announced/

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# Innovation Bay & ARENA 2025 Renewables Startup Showcase: Presenting Startups announced

Innovation Bay & ARENA 2025 Renewables Startup Showcase : Meet the presenting startups The Six Startups Powering Australia’s Race to 100% Renewables From hydrogen-powered aircraft to algae-fuelled agriculture, six startups are redefining what’s possible in Australia and New Zealand’s transition to 100% renewables. These ventures represent the next generation of clean-tech innovation, founders turning scientific breakthroughs into scalable, real-world solutions that can decarbonise entire industries. Spanning hydrogen aviation, industrial heat, energy storage, critical minerals, and sustainable agriculture, they’re not just reducing emissions, they’re reshaping how the world produces, stores, and uses energy. Algenie Melbourne-based biotech startup Algenie is harnessing the power of microalgae to drive sustainable agriculture and environmental innovation. Through proprietary cultivation technology, Algenie produces natural biofertilisers and high-value bioproducts that enhance soil health, boost crop yields, and reduce chemical dependency. Founded by biotechnologists and engineers, Algenie’s mission is to decarbonise the agricultural supply chain by transforming microalgae into a scalable, circular solution for global food production. Banksia Founded in August 2024 by former Rio Tinto executive Leigh Staines, Banksia is commercialising IndooCu , a breakthrough copper-production technology from the University of Queensland’s Hydrometallurgy Lab. Developed by Professor James Vaughan, the system enables smooth copper electrowinning from a chloride leach, overcoming a decades-long industry challenge. The process allows full copper recovery from complex ores, avoids harmful smelting emissions, and supports low-energy, decarbonised production. Banksia is advancing plans for a pilot demonstration in 2026 with industry partners to validate the technology for commercial deployment by 2030. Factor Factor is an API-first SaaS platform designed to automate and scale complex energy contract pricing. It replaces spreadsheet-based models and custom code with a modular engine that ingests forecast libraries, market variables and site-specific data to deliver accurate quotes across EV tariffs, batteries, PPAs and embedded networks. With its unified charge logic system, Factor allows multi-site portfolios to be priced in seconds while maintaining granular service-point accuracy. Designed for energy retailers, aggregators and service providers, it integrates seamlessly with CRMs, billing systems and meter-data platforms to accelerate deal velocity and minimise risk. Good Heat Sydney-based Good Heat provides zero-carbon industrial heat as a service, using advanced heat batteries and smart energy management to replace fossil-fuel boilers. Its renewable-powered systems deliver reliable, affordable, and emission-free heat to manufacturers, helping reduce costs and carbon footprints. By combining storage, software, and service, Good Heat is pioneering cleaner, smarter industrial energy solutions that accelerate the shift toward sustainable production. Stralis Aircraft Stralis develops hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for next-generation aircraft. Its patent-pending fuel-cell technology is six times lighter than existing systems, enabling aircraft to fly ten times farther than battery-electric models. The company has secured US$265 million in customer LOIs and plans to begin deliveries in 2026. The team includes engineers from Google X, Heart Aerospace, Archer, Airbus, Boeing, and Bombardier. Backed by Y Combinator (W23), Liquid2 Ventures, Collab Fund, Trucks, Schox, and Climate Capital, Stralis is ground-testing now and will fly Australia’s first hydrogen aircraft in 2026. Totex Energy Totex Energy has created an AI-powered, all-in-one home energy system delivering heating, cooling, hot water, EV charging, energy storage, and backup power. With integrated lithium and thermal storage equal to four Tesla batteries, Totex optimises usage through real-time arbitrage and forecasting to lower costs and emissions. In 15 months, Totex built a working prototype 60 percent more efficient than traditional HVAC systems and launched successful pilots. With distribution, energy retail, and builder partnerships underway, Totex will launch in the US in 2026. These startups will be featured at the sixth annual ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase , co-hosted by Innovation Bay and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) . Now in its sixth year, the Showcase brings together investors, corporates, founders, and researchers to accelerate the commercialisation of technologies that are driving the nation’s clean-energy transition. By connecting early-stage innovation with capital, capability, and industry expertise, the Showcase continues to play a critical role in turning climate ambition into commercial outcomes.In addition to the hand-selected start-up features, guests will be treated to thought leadership on the future of emerging technologies in the renewable energy sector from Dr Nicole Kuepper-Russell, Chief Strategy Officer, 5B; Kara Frederick, Managing Partner, Jekara Group; Heidi Lee, CEO, Beyond Zero Emissions, and Megan Fisher, CEO and Director, EnergyLab; a cocktail gala event experience and, as always, incredible networking opportunities. Tickets to the 2025 ARENA Renewables Start-up Showcase can be purchased here: About Innovation Bay Innovation Bay is the leading community for technology start-ups, scale-ups and investors in Australia and New Zealand. Since 2003, Innovation Bay has created valuable connections across the tech landscape, bringing founders, investors and leaders together to share experiences and learn from one another through curated events, programs and content. About ARENA The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) supports the global transition to net zero emissions by accelerating the pace of pre-commercial innovation, to the benefit of Australian consumers, businesses and workers. Its purpose is to support improvements in renewable energy competitiveness, increase supply, and facilitate the achievement of Australia’s emissions targets through financial assistance and shared knowledge. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 41: FOUNDERS IN FOCUS - Mark Dombkins, Forever Projects
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/insights/founders-in-focus-mark-dombkins-forever-projects/

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# FOUNDERS IN FOCUS - Mark Dombkins, Forever Projects

FOUNDERS IN FOCUS Mark Dombkins, Forever Projects Empowering Tanzanian Women and Breaking the Poverty Cycle Mark Dombkins , the Founder of Forever Projects , stands out as a beacon of altruism and social impact. Forever Projects, a non-profit organisation, is on a mission to empower Tanzanian women, enabling them to break free from the shackles of poverty and create a future of self-sustainability. In this, our very first Founders In Focus feature, Mark shares the genesis of Forever Projects, the challenges faced, and the profound impact the organisation has had on the lives of Tanzanian women and their families. The journey of Forever Projects began with a poignant question asked by Mark and his wife Anna during their time in Tanzania. “I can vividly remember the question we asked ourselves the day we started the fostering process, leaving the baby home with our 3 kids, and broken hearts for the 57 other children who weren’t going to a family,” he reflects. That question was: “What would need to have changed in these kids’ – and our kids’ – biological mother’s story, for them to have never been abandoned in the first place?” This became the catalyst for Forever Projects, driving the couple to partner with a Tanzanian baby home and embark on a began piloting a solution – a yearlong journey to break this cycle of poverty and create a self-sustaining future. Mark in Tanzania Forever Projects doesn’t merely address the symptoms of poverty; it strives to eliminate the root causes. Mark emphasises the vision of making generosity easy and rewarding for individuals and organisations. By doing so, Forever Projects not only transforms the lives of Tanzanian women and their families but also creates a positive impact on those contributing to the cause. “Our vision is to solve their problem too… making their generosity easy and rewarding!” Since its inception, Forever Projects has sent over $1.75 million to Tanzania, facilitating the transformation of more than 1,500 women and over 2,000 babies from poverty to independence. Mark proudly shares, “Knowing that more than 2,000 babies DIDN’T need to enter an orphanage in the first place… that’s what keeps me going when it’s hard.” The organisation’s success is evident in the scalability of its 12-month program, executed at six separate locations across Tanzania. A typical day for Mark involves a delicate balance between his role at Forever Projects and part-time teaching to support his six children. He describes his day as a mix of connecting with Tanzanian partners, fostering new funders and partnerships in Australia, and securing resources to fuel the mission. Looking ahead, Forever Projects aims to scale its contribution to the mission. Mark envisions expanding existing programs in Tanzania and establishing connections with impact partners in East Africa and beyond. To achieve this, the organisation has set a target of raising $3.5 million in public donations over the next two years. Reflecting on triumphs, Mark emphasises the satisfaction of knowing that over 2,000 babies were spared from entering orphanages. Regarding setbacks, he highlights the economic challenges in 2022 and the need for quick decisions to position Forever Projects for success. On setbacks: “Probably the speed at which the economic climate deteriorated in 2022… Despite that, we made some quick decisions that best positioned us to thrive,” he reflects.  One valuable lesson Mark imparts is the recognition of immense value in starting with empathy and acting generously from a place of abundance. Forever Projects believes that this approach can add significant value even in interactions with accomplished individuals and organisations. “I as a person, and Forever Projects as a startup, have immense value to add… IF we start with empathy, then from a place of abundance, act generously.” Mark Dombkins with his wife Anna and children. The best advice Mark has received to date revolves around embracing obstacles and setbacks as key ingredients in creating a remarkable life story. He encourages actively seeking challenges, recognising their role in preventing a bland and uneventful journey. “Embrace obstacles, friction, and setbacks as key ingredients in making your life story a remarkable one,” he says.  On community and connection, Mark emphasises the significance of community, acknowledging that being part of the Innovation Bay community shapes his average. He values both benefiting from remarkable individuals and contributing to others’ journeys. Mark joined our Summit members on their recent Expedition to Cape Tribulation in North Queensland, where his highlight was quality time with founders further along in their growth journeys.  “Benefiting from the remarkable people around me… and equally contributing to them is awesome.” Mark and Summit members on the recent Summit Expedition in Cape Trilbulation, North Queensland Mark Dombkins, the driving force behind Forever Projects, exemplifies the transformative power of compassion and commitment. Forever Projects is not just an organisation; it’s a movement that aims to break the cycle of poverty and create self-sustaining futures for Tanzanian women and their families. Mark’s journey, marked by profound questions, resilience in the face of challenges, and a commitment to making a positive impact, serves as an inspiring example of how one person can create lasting change. Forever Projects is rewriting the narrative, offering hope, and paving the way for a brighter and more sustainable future. To make a donation, pledge, or learn more about Forever Projects, visit https://foreverprojects.org/ More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 42: Cameron Webb Joins Innovation Bay as SVP of Member Experience and Managing Partner
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/cameron-webb-joins-innovation-bay-as-svp-of-member-experience-and-managing-partner/

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# Cameron Webb Joins Innovation Bay as SVP of Member Experience and Managing Partner

Cameron Webb Joins Innovation Bay as SVP of Member Experience and Managing Partner Celebrating their 20th year in operation in 2023,  Innovation Bay  is thrilled to announce the appointment of  Cameron Webb  as the  Senior Vice President of Member Experience and Managing Partner . Cam joins the leadership team of  Phaedon Stough, CEO and Co-Founder,  and  Ian Gardiner, Director and Co-Founder. Cam is driven by a purpose to inspire positive personal and organisational change by empowering leaders to elevate their performance and make a lasting impact. With a wealth of experience as a world-class facilitator and talent development trainer, he brings a deep passion for the art and science of leadership. He draws on a rich breadth of experience and cultural context from working with leadership teams globally at organisations ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies.  Reflecting on his new role, Cam says,  “Community is at the heart of the human experience. Community is where we find our strength and stimulation to explore and push boundaries. Yet so few of us truly feel connected to a community in our manic modern world. Innovation Bay is changing all that. We offer life-changing connections, ideas, and experiences for everyone in the startup ecosystem. It is an adventure that excites me, and I needed to be a part of it.” Innovation Bay is confident Cam’s appointment will further strengthen their commitment to building a thriving and supportive ecosystem. His vast experience and dedication to empowering leaders align perfectly with the organisation’s mission to provide transformative connections, ideas, and experiences for all. “I met Cam while we were both living in the US and was struck by his ability to connect on the deeply human level,”  says Phaedon Stough, CEO and CO-Founder of Innovation Bay.  “We enlisted Cam’s skills for two of our major community events over the past 12 months and were blown away by his delivery. We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Cam as SVP of Member Experiences and Managing Partner in the business and know he’s going to make an incredible impact to the experiential level of our events and to Innovation Bay.” Cam brings a compelling presence, neuroscience insights, practical frameworks, and personal storytelling from his adventures around the world to everything he does. His immersive and memorable development experiences, as honed through his tenure as Founder of The Sparring Partners, have made a significant impact on individuals and organisations to date – and are skills he will bring across to Innovation Bay. Cam holds a Bachelor of Science from Macquarie University and an accreditation in Neurolinguistic Programming from the Australian College of Traditional Medicine. Outside of work, he actively engages in environmental and Women in Leadership pro bono work and enjoys spending time indulging his passion for the outdoors. Through The Sparring Partners, Cam has supported numerous prestigious clients, including Google, Twitter, Microsoft, HP, Cisco, Chubb, UBS, BlackRock, Standard Chartered, RedHat, Mastercard, Bank of America, DirecTV, StarHub, Heineken, JLL, SAP, RingCentral, S&P Global, Stripe, Allianz, and AzuPay. His expertise and insights have been instrumental in driving positive change and success for these organisations. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 43: E185 - Bryan Williams, Founder, Hockey Stick Advisory
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/bryan-williams-founder-hockey-stick-advisory/

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# E185 - Bryan Williams, Founder, Hockey Stick Advisory

22 April, 2022 E185 – Bryan Williams, Founder, Hockey Stick Advisory After a brief hiatus, Open the Pod Bay Door is back with an exciting new episode! Host Ian Gardiner sits down with Bryan Williams, Founder of Hockey Stick Advisory , to dive into the world of strategic partnerships and growth acceleration. Hockey Stick Advisory provides market leading strategic partnerships advisory, operational and executional guidance with accountability for growth alongside prioritised partners. We empower ambitious companies to accelerate top line growth, whilst protecting scarce bottom line resources. Highlights from their conversation include: 📊 Understanding Partnerships 🚀 The importance of Partnerships for Startups 🔍 Identifying Potential Partners 📈 Measuring Partnership Success 💡 Common Pitfalls in Partnerships 🌐 Building a Partnership Ecosystem 🛠️ Best Practices for Partnerships 📅 Community and Networking  Quick Fire Round: Book recommendation – “Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink. He’s a former Navy seal, hardcore guy, but I think it’s similar to the lines of Kim Scott’s book Radical Candor.  Podcast recommendation – “Rich Roll – when it’s relevant and something I like, Stephen Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO and there’s a bunch of really good partnership ones in the US where I can sort of follow along and absorb best practices. Favourite CEO – Yamini Rangan, CEO, Hubspot News source – Capital Brief Productivity tool – “I’m a big believer in power naps!” Favourite app – Strava TV show or movie recommendation “Well, the new Gladiator is coming out this weekend, so looking forward to that one”   If you were asked to do a TED talk, what topic would you speak about? Going viral and what not to do Don’t miss this insightful conversation packed with actionable advice for growth-focused businesses! More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 44: E191 - Matt Loop, Rippling
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e191-matt-loop-rippling/

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# E191 - Matt Loop, Rippling

27 August, 2025 E191 – Matt Loop, Rippling In this episode of Open the Pod Bay Doors , Ian Gardiner sits down with long-time friend and tech leader Matt Loop , now Head of Asia Pacific at Rippling . Matt has been at the heart of SaaS for two decades. From opening Salesforce’s first Australian office out of his Bondi apartment, to helping LinkedIn scale across Asia and the US, guiding Slack through the chaos of COVID, and now leading Rippling’s rapid expansion across APAC — Matt has lived through (and helped build) some of the most iconic software companies of our time. They cover: Opening Salesforce AU with nothing but a laptop and a dream Lessons from LinkedIn’s hypergrowth and $26B acquisition by Microsoft Scaling Slack globally during the pandemic and its $27B acquisition by Salesforce Building Rippling’s Australian business from scratch to 100+ people in two years The hard realities of scaling from 10 → 100 people (and why it’s “really bloody hard”) How to hire and evaluate top sales talent (including Matt’s playbook) Product-led growth vs sales-led growth, and why the best companies do all three (PLG, SLG, and community-led) How Rippling is using AI today — and where it’s headed Scaling culture across regions and why “toxic hires” can kill momentum Liquidity, secondaries, and the trade-offs of staying private at $16B+ valuation Matt is a natural storyteller with practical lessons for founders, operators, and investors — and plenty of laughs along the way. Quick Fire Round 📚 Book recommendation – Going Infinite by Michael Lewis (Sam Bankman-Fried story) 🎧 Podcast recommendation – SmartLess (Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes) 🗞️ News source – AFR , LinkedIn Newsfeed, and a mix of global outlets 👨‍💼 Favourite CEO – Satya Nadella (plus reflections on Benioff, Jeff Weiner, Stewart Butterfield, and Parker Conrad) 🛠️ Productivity tool – Slack (still his #1) 📱 Favourite app – Slack (for staying connected to work + investor/advisory communities) 📺 TV / movie recommendation – Mob Land (Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren, Tom Hardy), plus Yellowstone and the Taylor Sheridan spin-offs 🎤 TED Talk topic – The evolution of US sports: from blue-collar pastime to corporate billion-dollar industry More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 45: ARENA presenting start ups
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/arena-presenting-start-ups/

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# ARENA presenting start ups

Innovation Bay & ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase 2024 Introducing the six groundbreaking innovators that are shaping the future of clean energy, solar and beyond Endua, a Brisbane-based deep tech startup, develops next-gen hydrogen technologies for on-site hydrogen production in energy storage, power, and mobility. Focused on localized hydrogen generation, Endua reduces costs and environmental impact by eliminating long-distance transport and storage. Backed by key partners—CSIRO, Ampol Australia, and Main Sequence—Endua benefits from strong technical expertise, market access, and early-stage funding. CEO and founder Paul Sernia brings over 20 years in energy and manufacturing, previously co-founding Tritium, a global EV charging company. Paul holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and degrees in Computer Systems Engineering and Computer Science. Hadean Energy, a Melbourne-based CSIRO spin-out, is advancing green hydrogen and e-fuels with its tubular Solid Oxide Electrolyser (tSOE), which operates up to 30% more efficiently than traditional electrolysers. This high-performance technology lowers electricity requirements, reducing costs for green hydrogen and e-fuels. Hadean’s solution supports decarbonisation in hard-to-abate sectors like steelmaking and ammonia production, and enables low-cost syngas for shipping and aviation. Backed by CSIRO and RFC Ambrian, Hadean is rapidly commercialising, securing grants and preparing for a megawatt-scale demonstration in Australia. Halocell Energy is an Australian solar innovator focused on manufacturing next-generation Perovskite solar cells. With a pilot facility in NSW’s Riverina district, Halocell aims to lead in photovoltaics, initially targeting the Indoor IoT market and expanding to space and drone applications. Collaborating with academic partners (QUT, UNSW, UQ) and industry leaders (Tindo Solar, Gilmour Space), Halocell advances sustainable energy solutions. Founded in 2020 by CEO Paul Moonie, who brings over 20 years in solar technology, Halocell is committed to supporting Australia’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Founded in 2021 in Napier, New Zealand, Kwetta is transforming ultra-fast EV charging by eliminating grid constraints to unlock electric mobility’s potential. Its flagship, the Prime Grid Gateway, uniquely addresses capacity, voltage, and power quality issues without costly upgrades or batteries, enabling customers to deploy rapidly and access more power at grid-constrained sites. At the 2024 Renewables Startup Showcase, Aidan Clarke, Kwetta’s Brisbane-based Product Manager, will share Kwetta’s vision for scalable EV infrastructure, leveraging his expertise from Tritium and intelliHR to support global decarbonisation and clean transport innovation Reswitch was founded to bridge a crucial gap in the renewable energy sector: ensuring that the economic benefits of clean energy projects reach the communities that host them. This innovative platform enables energy infrastructure developers, including Renewable Energy Zones coordinators, to deliver tangible benefits such as free or reduced power bills to nearby residents at any project phase—without requiring recipients to switch energy providers. By digitising and streamlining best practices in benefit-sharing, Reswitch fosters early community ties, enhances local support, and helps projects gain and maintain social license more effectively. Solstice AI delivers AI solutions for energy utilities, traders, and solar asset owners to boost profits and manage risks amid rising solar variability. Our product, Solstice SkyScan, uses AI with overhead imagery to locate all solar generation in a region. Solstice SkyFlow applies AI to satellite images, predicting cloud movement—the main factor in solar output—to forecast generation at specific sites or across regions. Since 2022, Solstice AI has completed projects for utilities and energy providers in Australia, Germany, and Spain, supporting a more resilient, efficient energy landscape. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 46: ARENA 25
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/events-for-tech-founders-and-investors/arena-25/

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# ARENA 25

Tuesday, 25 November 2025 Richmond, Melbourne Applications closed Tickets on sale now Innovation Bay x ARENA The Innovation Bay and ARENA 2025 Renewables Startup Showcase is returning for the sixth year!  Every year, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) partners with Innovation Bay to bring together 100+ of the country’s leading angel investors, Venture Capital, Private Equity and Corporate Venture Capital community for a gala event that showcases Australia’s most exciting renewable energy and climate tech start-ups, creating the connections to supercharge future growth.  This year, the showcase will be held in Melbourne on Tuesday, 25 November . Whether you’re an investor, corporate, policymaker or professional working in or passionate about the energy transition, this is your opportunity to gain front-row access to emerging innovation and connect with the ecosystem driving Australia’s net zero future. Join us for an unmissable event where you’ll connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for renewable energy and clean tech. Get access to cutting-edge deal flow and gain insights into the latest trends shaping the market. Hear from keynote speakers and thought leaders driving Australia’s energy future, and discover the stories behind breakthrough technologies and the visionary founders bringing them to life. Be part of the momentum behind Australia’s transition to net zero and help shape what comes next Presenting Startups Algenie Melbourne-based biotech startup Algenie is harnessing the power of microalgae to drive sustainable agriculture and environmental innovation. Through proprietary cultivation technology, Algenie produces natural biofertilisers and high-value bioproducts that enhance soil health, boost crop yields, and reduce chemical dependency. Founded by biotechnologists and engineers, Algenie’s mission is to decarbonise the agricultural supply chain by transforming microalgae into a scalable, circular solution for global food production. Banksia Founded in August 2024 by former Rio Tinto executive Leigh Staines, Banksia is commercialising IndooCu , a breakthrough copper-production technology from the University of Queensland’s Hydrometallurgy Lab. Developed by Professor James Vaughan, the system enables smooth copper electrowinning from a chloride leach, overcoming a decades-long industry challenge. The process allows full copper recovery from complex ores, avoids harmful smelting emissions, and supports low-energy, decarbonised production. Banksia is advancing plans for a pilot demonstration in 2026 with industry partners to validate the technology for commercial deployment by 2030. Factor Factor is an API-first SaaS platform designed to automate and scale complex energy contract pricing. It replaces spreadsheet-based models and custom code with a modular engine that ingests forecast libraries, market variables and site-specific data to deliver accurate quotes across EV tariffs, batteries, PPAs and embedded networks. With its unified charge logic system, Factor allows multi-site portfolios to be priced in seconds while maintaining granular service-point accuracy. Designed for energy retailers, aggregators and service providers, it integrates seamlessly with CRMs, billing systems and meter-data platforms to accelerate deal velocity and minimise risk. Good Heat Sydney-based Good Heat provides zero-carbon industrial heat as a service, using advanced heat batteries and smart energy management to replace fossil-fuel boilers. Its renewable-powered systems deliver reliable, affordable, and emission-free heat to manufacturers, helping reduce costs and carbon footprints. By combining storage, software, and service, Good Heat is pioneering cleaner, smarter industrial energy solutions that accelerate the shift toward sustainable production. Stralis Aircraft Stralis develops hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for next-generation aircraft. Its patent-pending fuel-cell technology is six times lighter than existing systems, enabling aircraft to fly ten times farther than battery-electric models. The company has secured US$265 million in customer LOIs and plans to begin deliveries in 2026. The team includes engineers from Google X, Heart Aerospace, Archer, Airbus, Boeing, and Bombardier. Backed by Y Combinator (W23), Liquid2 Ventures, Collab Fund, Trucks, Schox, and Climate Capital, Stralis is ground-testing now and will fly Australia’s first hydrogen aircraft in 2026. Totex Energy Totex Energy has created an AI-powered, all-in-one home energy system delivering heating, cooling, hot water, EV charging, energy storage, and backup power. With integrated lithium and thermal storage equal to four Tesla batteries, Totex optimises usage through real-time arbitrage and forecasting to lower costs and emissions. In 15 months, Totex built a working prototype 60 percent more efficient than traditional HVAC systems and launched successful pilots. With distribution, energy retail, and builder partnerships underway, Totex will launch in the US in 2026. Speakers Heidi Lee CEO, Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE) Heidi Lee is CEO of Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE), an independent think tank driving the climate solutions to power Australia’s clean industrial future. Since 2020, she has transformed BZE into a national leader in decarbonisation and industrial innovation. With over two decades in sustainable design and environmental leadership, Heidi focuses on practical, scalable change. Under her guidance, BZE has launched major national initiatives including the National Action Plan and regional decarbonisation programs shaping policy and accelerating the clean economy. BZE is recognised by Giving Green as one of Australia’s top climate organisations, and Heidi has been named a Top Green Power Player by The Australian for three consecutive years. She also serves on the Net Zero Economy Authority stakeholder panel and advises The Energy media platform. Megan Fisher CEO & Director, EnergyLab Megan Fisher is the CEO & Director of EnergyLab, Australia’s largest climate tech startup accelerator and innovation ecosystem dedicated to reaching net zero. EnergyLab helps talented founders tackling the climate crisis connect with the mentors, investors, partners and peers they need to succeed. With a background in product development and innovation, Megan has led the commercialisation and scaling of products and driven novel technology initiatives from pilot to adoption. Her career has spanned industries in the midst of disruption – from telecommunications and media through to energy – giving her deep experience in transformation and change. Since 2017, Megan has worked with innovators in the energy sector, supporting startups in Australia and around the world. In 2021, she “jumped the fence” from corporate into the not-for-profit sector to have a greater impact on the climate tech ecosystem, inspired by the more advanced international clean energy startup communities she had engaged with Dr Nicole Kuepper-Russell Chief Strategy Officer, 5B Dr Nicole Kuepper-Russell joined 5B in August 2020 as Chief Strategy Officer and leads strategy development, government engagement, and HR. She is also a company secretary. 5B is an Australian clean energy innovator that accelerates the deployment of large-scale solar using its prefabricated, modular, rapidly deployable 5B Maverick technology. Prior to joining 5B, Nicole spent 10 years with management consulting company Bain & Co working across strategy, innovation and performance improvement, primarily in energy and industrial sectors. She also has deep subject knowledge and expertise in photovoltaics, having completed a PhD in solar cell devices at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Kara Federick Managing Partner, Jekara Kara is the Managing Partner of Jekara Group, a venture capital firm that has raised institutional and family office capital to back exceptional founders accelerating the global energy transition. She has extensive global capital market experience on the sell side and the buy side in New York, Silicon Valley, and Australia. Jekara Group was recently listed as one of the Top 100 Green Energy Players in The Australian’s Green List. Agenda Substantial 3-course tapas and cocktails supplied by local zero-emissions, organic catering. Key Note – Heidi Lee, CEO, Beyond Zero Emissions Panel Presentation – Including Heidi Lee, CEO, Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE) Megan Fisher, CEO & Director, EnergyLab Dr Nicole Kuepper-Russell, Chief Strategy Officer, 5B Kara Federick, Managing Partner, Jekara Moderated by: Megan Fisher, CEO & Director, EnergyLab Six Founder Pitches Networking opportunities before and throughout the night Want to get a sense of the experience? Watch the videos below to discover more about the connections you can expect to experience. Our partner -->

## Page 47: Innovation Bay & ARENA 2025 Renewables Startup Showcase: Applications now open
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/insights/innovation-bay-arena-2025-renewables-startup-showcase-applications-now-open/

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# Innovation Bay & ARENA 2025 Renewables Startup Showcase: Applications now open

Innovation Bay & ARENA 2025 Renewables Startup Showcase: Applications now open Applications are now open for high-growth renewable energy and climate tech start-ups – positions filled on a rolling basis until 29 September 2025. Innovation Bay, Australia’s leading membership community for technology founders and investors, and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) are proud to announce the return of the ARENA Renewables Start-up Showcase for its sixth year. Taking place in Melbourne on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, this prestigious annual event will connect Australia’s most promising start-ups with the country’s elite investment community (including leading angel investors and the venture capital (VC), private equity and corporate VC community) – creating the connections needed to supercharge future growth in the sector. Applications are now open for early-stage founders in the renewables, clean tech and climate tech sectors to be featured at the event, which provides a rare opportunity to pitch directly to investors actively seeking impact-focused opportunities. Beyond the gala evening, the program includes several weeks of engagement with Innovation Bay’s founder and investor community, providing valuable insights on refining pitches, preparing for investment, and scaling growth. Start-ups that have previously been featured have gone on to secure significant funding and partnerships, collectively raising hundreds of millions of dollars and attracting investors such as BP Ventures, Blackbird, SLB, Shell, and Energy Impact Partners. Success stories include Kwetta (A$16m Series A led by Blackbird), Hysata (US$111m / A$172m Series B), 5B (A$55m Series B, with more than A$81m raised to date), RayGen (A$127m Series D), and Sicona (A$22m Series A plus a A$15m international licensing deal). Alumni such as MGA Thermal, Infravision, Renewable Metals and Novalith have also gone on to secure substantial rounds and strategic partnerships – underscoring the Showcase as a proven launchpad for Australia’s clean tech innovators. Collectively, Showcase alumni have raised hundreds of millions of dollars to date, attracting global investors and partners such as BP Ventures, Blackbird, SLB, Shell, and Energy Impact Partners. Success stories include Hysata’s US$111m (A$172m) Series B, 5B’s A$55m Series B, RayGen’s A$127m Series D, and Sicona’s A$22m Series A plus international licensing deal. These outcomes highlight the Showcase as a proven launchpad for Australia’s most ambitious clean tech innovators. Darren Miller, CEO of ARENA, says: “To meet the emissions reduction task ahead, Australia must continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible and unlock new pathways that future-proof our economy. From ultra-low cost solar to hydrogen and critical energy minerals, we’re not just imagining the future, we’re building it. The Showcase has become a launchpad for some of the country’s most exciting renewable energy start-ups, and by partnering with Innovation Bay we’re shining a light on the bold ideas and brave execution that will power the next chapter of our energy transition and strengthen Australia’s position as a renewable energy superpower.” Phaedon Stough, CEO and Co-Founder of Innovation Bay, says: “The road to 100% renewables will be driven by bold founders and the investors who believe in them. Connecting these two groups is where the magic happens – it’s how we grow the industry, accelerate innovation, and build the future Australia needs. Through our continuous partnership with ARENA, we’re proud to provide a platform where groundbreaking clean tech ideas are discovered, supported, and given the chance to thrive. The Showcase is where tomorrow’s renewable energy leaders take their next big step.” HOW TO APPLY Early-stage founders in the renewables, clean tech and climate tech sectors that are primed for funding are now invited to apply to be featured at this prestigious event, with applications closing at 11:59PM AEST on Monday, 29 September 2025. Applications can be submitted here. Applications will be rigorously reviewed on a rolling basis by a carefully selected committee of technology, innovation, renewable and climate/clean tech leaders. Start-ups will be selected each month until all positions are filled, so companies are encouraged to submit their application as early as possible. Ultimately, six companies will be selected to present at the gala to an audience of Australia’s elite investment community. HOW TO ATTEND THE GALA Tickets to the 2025 ARENA Renewables Start-up Showcase can be purchased here: https://events.humanitix.com/innovation-bay-and-arena-2025-renewables-startup-showcase In addition to the hand-selected start-up features, guests will be treated to thought leadership on the future of emerging technologies in the renewable energy sector, a cocktail gala event experience and, as always, incredible networking opportunities. 2024 speakers included Alexandra Clunies-Ross (Artesian), Angela Karl (HMC Capital), and Katerina Kimmorley (NSW Net Zero Emissions Commission), while previous years saw Mike Cannon-Brookes (Atlassian), Robyn Denholm (Tesla Chair, Blackbird Operating Partner), Dr Alan Finkel (Australia’s former Chief Scientist), and Kate Vidgen (Global Head of Industrial Transition and Clean Fuels, Green Investment Group) joining the speaker line-ups. 2025 speakers will be announced shortly. About Innovation Bay Innovation Bay is the leading community for technology start-ups, scale-ups and investors in Australia and New Zealand. Since 2003, Innovation Bay has created valuable connections across the tech landscape, bringing founders, investors and leaders together to share experiences and learn from one another through curated events, programs and content. About ARENA The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) supports the global transition to net zero emissions by accelerating the pace of pre-commercial innovation, to the benefit of Australian consumers, businesses and workers. Its purpose is to support improvements in renewable energy competitiveness, increase supply, and facilitate the achievement of Australia’s emissions targets through financial assistance and shared knowledge. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 48: Ep187 Rob Sibo
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/ep-187-rob-sibo-head-of-ai-ml-customer-engineering-anz-google/

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# Ep187 Rob Sibo

10 April, 2025 E187 – Rob Sibo, Head of AI/ML Customer Engineering ANZ, Google In this special live edition of Open The Pod Bay Doors , Ian sits down with independent MP Allegra Spender in front of a live audience at Jelix Ventures. With a federal election in Australia just weeks away, Allegra offers candid insights into her journey as a parliamentarian, Australia’s economic crossroads, and the critical reforms needed to ensure a thriving, future-facing nation. The conversation explores Australia’s global trade vulnerabilities, the urgent need to diversify partnerships, and the growing capital challenges faced by the startup sector. Allegra shares her perspective on climate policy, the energy transition, and why Australia is uniquely positioned to lead in solar innovation. The discussion also delves into geopolitical dynamics, immigration, education, and the pressing need for smarter regulation and stronger support for innovation. Throughout the episode, Allegra outlines clear action items—from improving access to innovation funding to bringing startup voices into Parliament—while encouraging Australians to stay politically engaged. This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about Australia’s economic future, climate leadership, and the role of independent voices in shaping smarter policy. We hope you enjoy this insightful and special live recording of Open The Pod Bay Doors. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 49: E183 - Nick Gainsley, Partner, OneVentures
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e183-nick-gainsley-partner-oneventures/

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# E183 - Nick Gainsley, Partner, OneVentures

22 April, 2022 E183 – Nick Gainsley, Partner, OneVentures Join our host Ian Gardiner as he chats to Nick Gainsley, Partner at One Ventures and Aurora Community Member, on episode 183 of Open the Pod Bay Doors. Nick is Partner at OneVentures and leads the debt fund strategy, which was launched 5 years ago to address gaps in the Australian market. The fund offers non-dilutive alternative funding options through 3-4 year loans with interest and small equity options for growth stage companies post-Series A. Nick explains the differences between debt and equity funding, market trends, and the fund’s structure as GPLP. The conversation also delves into the use of debt funding to avoid down rounds or complement equity funding, as well as discussions on AI, productivity tools, and current events. Highlights from Ian and Nick’s conversation include what a debt fund looks like and how it compares to a traditional GPLP Venture Fund     What do the mechanics of a debt fund deal look like Why Nick prefers the term growth credit over venture debt Nick’s view on liquidity and exits in the next couple of years The future of AI and how OneVenture apodt this in their day to day operations potential downsides to a debt fund Is poker simple gambling or is it a skill? Quickfire round.  If you were asked to do a TED talk, what topic would you speak about? I know random small snippets from lots of different things.. Book – Just finished Outlive by Peter Atia Podcast – All in with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg News source – Australian Financial Review App – Spotify (shout out to Spotify Audibooks) Productivity tool – A bit boring but I use OneNote Tech CEO – You’ve got to be impressed with Satya Nadella from Microsoft TV show – Colin from Accounts More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 50: The Financial Year Ends… and the Real Game Begins
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/insights/the-financial-year-ends-and-the-real-game-begins/

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# The Financial Year Ends… and the Real Game Begins

The Financial Year Ends… and the Real Game Begins EOFY is here. Half the year has flown by, and what a ride it’s been. We’re finally seeing funding momentum pick back up. Sales across scale-ups are growing steadily. Inflation is easing (slowly), but human recruitment remains flat—while business adoption of AI is going exponential. General market conditions, however, remain slow. Everyone seems to be raising. But here’s the twist: early-stage company formation is rising again, a sign that belief is returning to the market. In the past six months, global instability has reached new highs—geopolitics, elections, capital flows—and yet investing continues to climb. At Innovation Bay, we just sold out our flagship venture event (VDU) with a waitlist. That says something: confidence is returning. But it also means community has never been more essential not just as a support network, but as a filter for truth in an era of narrative overload and societal noise. The right community that is. That said, when looking at global market conditions: USA 2025 full-year forecast: ~ 1.8% growth (revised down from 2.7%) theguardian.com Takeaway: A slow start in 2025, but overall growth is still positive. Canada, 2025 forecast: ~ 2.3% fred.stlouisfed.org +15en.wikipedia.org+15wsj.com+15 Takeaway: Improving momentum—strongest growth outlook within the G7. United Kingdom: 2025 forecast: ~ 1.1–1.5% data.imf.org +15theguardian.com+15economicsinsider.com+15 Takeaway: Early strength, though risks remain in Q2. France : 2024 to 2025 forecast: steady at ~ 0.6–1.1% (2024: 1.1%, 2025: 1.1%) Takeaway: Modest but consistent growth. Germany: Q1‑2025: sluggish, with forecasts around 0–0.8% growth Takeaway: Weakest among G7; minimal recovery underway. Japan : Long-term forecast (IMF/World Bank): around 1.0% annualized Takeaway: Modest pick-up after years of stagnation. And closer to home looking at Australia and NZ: Australia : RBA forecasts growth of 2.4% for 2025 and 2.3% in 2026 , but the OECD and bank economists warn it could be nearer 1.8–2.0% , indicating a subdued rebound marketspy.com . NZ : Forecast : Slight rise beginning 2025, with consensus pointing to ~ +2.1% growth heading into 2026 . What I’ve Learned So Far This Year The world is rarely as f*cked as the media says. Under the surface, business confidence is growing — just follow the sales numbers and Series A announcements. AI is about to become all we talk about. Adoption isn’t just happening — it’s defining winners and losers. Physical community has never been more important. Real people. Real conversation. Real context. That’s where clarity lives. What’s Coming in the Next 6 Months A wave of AI-native business models will emerge — not just AI-enhanced, but AI-first companies with entirely new economics. AI will outperform humans in more operational domains — and hiring will reflect that. (e.g. 46% of HR roles are expected to be impacted by AI tools in the next 2 years – McKinsey, 2024) Recruitment as we know it is about to break 50% of traditional recruiter workflows could be automated by year-end. Startups that delay AI adoption will get outpaced — fast. Early-stage funding will accelerate — especially into vertical-specific AI, climate, and fintech models. VC investment in AI startups has already doubled YoY globally (Crunchbase, June 2025) Founder Opportunity: SUMMIT EXPEDITION 2025 We’re now accepting applications for our annual Founder Retreat – an off-grid experience for ANZ’s top scaling founders. We have 30 spots available for founders based in Australia, generating $1M+ ARR. This is where real conversations happen, and lifelong connections are made. 👉 Apply to attend here. Thanks, Phaedon. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 51: Innovation Bay During SXSW
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/innovation-bay-during-sxsw/

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# Innovation Bay During SXSW

Innovation Bay During SXSW Innovation Bay, together with Salesforce, presents ‘The Hub’ within the SXSW Sydney Tech Expo at the inaugural SXSW Sydney (18 – 21 October), and an exclusive members-only space, ‘The Lounge’. The Hub is a dynamic space within the SXSW Sydney Expo, set as a central meeting point for attendees to connect, network, reset and be inspired. The SXSW Sydney Expo floor is your chance to network with businesses and creators exhibiting at The Hub, breaking new ground across technology and innovation, entertainment, education, health and wellness, and more.  The Lounge, will be exclusive to Innovation Bay members – Seed to Series A+ founders, CEOs of Australia’s most inspiring startups, angel investors, and partners of leading VC firms – featuring curated programming for the community.  Phaedon Stough, Co-Founder & CEO of Innovation Bay says, “We’re beyond excited to be teaming up with Salesforce to deliver this unique content as part of SXSW Sydney. Having a presence at the inaugural SXSW Sydney is such an honour. Come and say hello!”  SXSW Sydney brings together inspired thinkers, creators and innovators worldwide for a series of conferences, festivals, expos and parties over seven exhilarating days and nights. With 1,000 conference sessions, events, screenings, shows and stimulating brand activations guaranteed to inspire 100,000+ attendees, SXSW Sydney is set to ignite creative discovery. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 52: Summit Expedition 25
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/events-for-tech-founders-and-investors/summit-expedition-scale-up-edition/

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# Summit Expedition 25

October 28 – 30, 2025 VIC Register Now What is Summit Expedition? Innovation Bay is Australia’s leading membership community for tech founders and investors. Summit Expedition: Scale-up Edition is our flagship event of the year designed exclusively for founders navigating the challenges of scaling their companies. More than just another tech conference, Summit Expedition: Scale up edition is an immersive, unplugged retreat where real connections and breakthrough insights happen. Over three days, you’ll step away from the daily grind to engage in hands-on experiences, candid discussions and meaningful networking – all focused on the unique journey of scaling a company. Set against the stunning backdrop of remote Victoria, this retreat is designed to help you tackle growth challenges, refine your strategy, and connect with those who truly understand the scale-up journey. Join us and take your next leap forward. Why attend Summit Expedition?  Immerse yourself in the collective wisdom of Australia’s most innovative and inspiring people. Connect with fellow tech founders who are navigating—or have successfully navigated—the scale-up journey. Discover fresh ideas, collaborate across businesses, and gain actionable insights to tackle your biggest challenges. This is your opportunity to learn, share, and grow alongside those who truly understand the founder experience. Forge deeper, more meaningful relationships faster. There’s only so much you can talk about at networking drinks. On this journey, you’ll be sharing unique experiences designed to strengthen bonds and build rich connections to propel you forward, professionally and personally. Solve your biggest challenges with a departure from your day-to-day. Ignite your mind with a powerful change of scenery and an injection of fresh perspective. We use neuroscience and our 20+ year history in running events to craft moments that will unlock your ability to think through some of your most pressing problems. Experience Australia’s unforgettable Victorian Wine Country like never before. We’re crafting an unforgettable experience that will immerse you in the region’s rich cultural heritage, ignite your sense of adventure, and offer a fresh perspective shaped by one of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth. Speakers Adam Schwab CEO/Founder, Luxury Escapes In 2010, Adam co-founded what would become Luxury Escapes from a tiny, windowless office in a dark Melbourne laneway. Fourteen years later, Luxury Escapes has growth to turns over more than a $1 billion annually with more than 600 team members across four continents. Adam and his co-founders bootstrapped the business until 2022, before raising more than $120m in growth and secondary capital. Luxury Escapes survived and thrived during Covid better than any other travel business globally – doubling in size and being one of the only travel businesses to increase its team during the pandemic. Didier Elzinga CEO/Founder, CultureAmp Didier Elzinga is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Culture Amp, a leading employee experience platform that focuses on improving workplace culture and engagement. Elzinga founded Culture Amp in May 2009 and has since grown the company into a global leader in employee feedback and analytics. With a background in technology and leadership, Elzingas vision and innovative approach have made Culture Amp a key player in the HR technology space. Tessa Court CEO, IntelligenceBank Tessa Court is the CEO, Founder and Director of IntelligenceBank, a smart content operations platform supporting blue chip clients with digital asset management, brand governance, and marketing compliance. In 2024, she led the acquisition of AI marketing compliance company Red Marker and integrated it into IntelligenceBank. In 2021, she raised $50M in growth capital to fuel expansion in the US and Europe. Previously, Tessa was on the Executive Team at Hitwise, where she led global marketing, research, and sales, growing revenue by 270% and supporting international expansion. Hitwise was acquired by Experian for $240M. Earlier in her career, she worked in global advertising in New York with Ogilvy, BBDO, and Univision. Tessa has served as a NED for multiple tech companies and mentors founders in the B2B SaaS space. She holds a BA from Tulane University and an MA from NYU. Steve Vamos Global Executive, Xero, Apple, Microsoft A seasoned global executive, Steve brings more that 40 years experience in tech and digital media, including five years as CEO of Xero (2018–2023). He’s led through every major tech shift and economic shock since the 1980s, with leadership roles at IBM, Apple, Microsoft, and ninemsn. Spending time across Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Asia, Steve has been at the frontline of every significant technology shift and economic shock since the 1980s with companies such as IBM, Apple, Microsoft, and ninemsn. He has also been a non-executive director of ASX listed companies such as Telstra, Fletcher Building and David Jones and several start-ups and emerging businesses. From 2005 – 2014 Steve also founded and ran a not for profit called the Society for Knowledge Economics (SKE), a cross industry collaboration aimed at improving the quality of workplace leadership in Australia. In his newly released book, Through Shifts and Shocks: Lessons from the Front Line of Technology and Change, Steve shares eight Must-Do actions that represent the most important lessons he has learnt about how leaders need to think and act in the face of uncertainty and change. Sasha Baranikov Managing Director, Steam Ventures Mum, Artist & Investor – Sasha also Co-Founded ASX listed Uniti Wireless, which recently sold for ~$3.7bn. Sasha has never worked in the same industry twice. Her story is one of a non-conformist, of following opportunities and doing things differently. Currently MD of Steam Ventures, a strategic advisory that aims to put the ‘A’ back into STEM, her 17 years of global experience spans entertainment, gaming, telecommunications, space and technology industries.  Sasha will share her experiences and practical examples of how doing things differently can make your vision come true. Learn what on earth ‘pickles’ has to do with this, including insights into listing a company and working in the space industry. Sasha believes it’s a privilege to now support other Australian Founders on their journeys – their unwavering pursuits that push boundaries to create the future that lays ahead of us. What’s on at Summit Expedition? DAY 1: The Big Picture Itinerary: 12:00pm – 2:00pm – Arrival 2:00pm – Welcome to Expedition 2025! 2:20pm – 3:40pm – ‘Still in the Storm’ activity 3:40pm – 4:00pm – Afternoon Tea 4:00pm – 5:00pm – Survive & Thrive Keynote and Q&A wtih Adam Schwab 5:15pm – 6:00pm – The Economic Storm session 6:00 – 9:00pm – Dinner & Founder Firesides 9:00pm – Unscripted Connection: drinks, chats, and late-night connections Day 2: Scaling Your Business Itinerary: 6:30am – Optional Wellness Activity 6:30am – 8:45am – Breakfast 9:20am – 9:50am – Remove the Noise, Focus on the 8 with Steve Vamos 9:50am – 10:50am – small group reflections 10:50am – 11:10am – Morning Tea 11:10am – 11:40am – Group breakout sessions 1: AI and HR 11:40am – Group breakout sessions2: AI and HR 12:30pm – 1:15pm – Long lunch 1:15pm – 2:15pm – The Changing Role of the Founder/CEO as you Business Grows with Tessa Court 2:15pm – 3:15pm – Member led interactive workshops 3:15pm – 3:30pm – Afternoon Tea 3:30pm – 5:30pm – Afternoon activities 5:30pm – 6:30pm – Free Time 6:30pm – 10:30pm – Murder Mystery dinner & drinks Day 3: Scaling your Leadership Itinerary: SCALING YOUR LEADERSHIP Thursday 7 August 6:30am – Optional Wellness Activity 6:30am – 8:45am – Breakfast 9:20AM – Scaling and Running Your Executive Team with Didier Elzinga 10:30am – Morning Tea 10:45am – Workshop: One-to-Many Problem Solving with Didier Elzinga 12:00pm – Reflections 12:15pm – Lunch 1:15pm – Widom Wrap Up 1:45pm Summit Expedition officially ends 2:00pm – departure Who’s attending? Find your people! Here’s a selection of the attendees who will be joining you at the event: We’ll keep updating this section as registrations roll in 👀 Registration Innovation Bay members can register directly for VC at Sea. Not a member? We have a limited number of tickets of non-member tickets available to purchase. Secure your spot to experience the magic of Innovation Bay MEMBERS ONLY → Register Purchase a ticket Want to get a sense of the Summit Expedition experience? Watch the videos below to discover more about the adventures and connections you can expect to experience. What people say about our events “The Innovation Bay team structured one of the most relevant events for business leaders I’ve experienced with room full of positive ego professionals invested in success beyond 2024.” Steve Lewis | Vigilum, Nabu “Innovation Bay is really unique. It’s an open forum for discussion. We come and connect and share deals and talk about what we’re struggling with or what we’re aiming for. It’s such a great space to be able to get everyone together and all the different ideas in an open forum.” Georgia Barkell | Sprint Ventures “The magic happens when you can put lots of people in a room together who have the right values and intentions. What I’m finding is that everyone wants to help each other. We’ve built some really great relationships.” Yash Varma | Empress Capital Registration This event is exclusively for Innovation Bay members.  Not a member? We have a limited number of openings for prospective members who are exploring becoming joining Innovation Bay. Register your interest and we’ll be in touch. MEMBERS ONLY → Register Apply to attend Our partners --> --> --> --> Interested in sponsoring? Get in touch with our Partnerships Manager, Alex Vallieres I’M INTERESTED IN SPONSORING

## Page 53: Partner Referral
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/partner-referral/

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# Partner Referral

An Innovation Bay Partner thinks you’d be an amazing fit for our community Welcome to Innovation Bay! As a referred member, you’ll receive 10% off your first year’s membership if you sign up! We’re building a community where the success of one member helps elevate everyone, powered by a culture of shared knowledge and collective growth. Our community is growing fast, and we’re always excited to welcome talented new people. Since one of our partners recommended you, we already know you’ll be a great fit. We can’t wait to meet you! Why join Innovation Bay? > Join our 250+ strong community of Australia’s most innovative and inspiring startup and scale-up tech founders, angel investors and venture capitalists > Peer to peer learning, knowledge sharing, education, networking, deal flow  > Incredible, bespoke experiential event calendar > World class curated content and programming > Access to a network unlike any other in ANZ > Receive 10% off your first years membership hbspt.forms.create({ portalId: "23535512", formId: "d3b9fcfc-016e-497f-991c-63bfd6beaa25" }); Why Innovation Bay? “Innovation Bay is really unique. It’s an open forum for discussion. We come and connect and share deals and talk about what we’re struggling with or what we’re aiming for. It’s such a great space to be able to get everyone together and all the different ideas.”  – Georgia Barkell | Sprint Ventures INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 54: E177 - Blackbird’s Sunrise 24 (Part 1) Ft. Adam Gilmour, Kristen Durham, Tova Angsuwat, Bronwen Clune
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e177-blackbirds-sunrise-24-part-1-ft-adam-gilmour-kristen-durham-tova-angsuwat-bronwen-clune/

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# E177 - Blackbird’s Sunrise 24 (Part 1) Ft. Adam Gilmour, Kristen Durham, Tova Angsuwat, Bronwen Clune

22 April, 2022 E177 – Blackbird’s Sunrise 24 (Part 1) Ft. Adam Gilmour, Kristen Durham, Tova Angsuwat, Bronwen Clune A few weeks back Blackbird held their annual conference Sunrise – a festival and celebration of the the startup ecosystem in Australia; or as Ian describes it “real life LinkedIn”.  Our fearless Co-Founder, host of Open The Pod Bay Doors, and arguably one of the most connected humans in the ecosystem, Ian Gardiner, took the studio on the road.  Ian chatted to 9 incredible speakers who featured on Sunrise’s epic line up, to pick their brains on their area of expertise and the industry at large.  During part 1, you’ll hear from:  Adam Gilmour , Gilmour Space Technologies – discussing the challenges in the space industry, Gilmore Space’s upcoming first orbit launch and future plans including reusable rockets and lunar missions (SO COOL!) Kristen Durham , Zendesk – about her recent promotion, the integration and future AI in Zendesk’s customer support strategy Tova Angsuwat , Series Build (ex-Google) – about her transition from Google to founding Series Build, insights on effective recruitment strategies for startups, and the importance of diversity in startup teams. Bronwen Clune , Capital Brief – on her background and shift to Capital Brief (one of the newest and fastest growing tech and innovation focused media outlets), about Capital Brief’s mission to cover the new economy, and the challenges and highlights in startup journalism. It’s a mixed bag of brilliant minds, set against the backdrop of the electrifying hum of Sunrise 2024.  More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 55: E190 - Evan Walden, Getro
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e190-evan-walden-getro/

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# E190 - Evan Walden, Getro

16 June, 2025 E190 – Evan Walden, Getro In this episode, Ian sits down with Evan Walden, CEO of Getro—a startup rethinking how VCs support their portfolio companies through meaningful connections and talent networks. From his early days at General Assembly to leading a platform used by top-tier VC firms, Evan shares candid insights on leadership, founder relationships, startup career pathways, and why authentic networking matters more than ever. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or ecosystem builder, this conversation is packed with practical ideas and fresh perspectives on value creation in venture capital. 🔑 Key Conversation Highlights: From Philosophy to Tech : Evan’s unconventional path from studying philosophy to building tech platforms that empower communities and ecosystems. Lessons from General Assembly : The founding journey, scaling a mission-driven business, and how career outcomes, not just education, shaped their growth. The Power of “Network-Driven Outcomes” : Why intros and warm connections still drive results, and how Getro helps VCs operationalise this at scale. Rebuilding the VC Tech Stack : What most venture firms get wrong about talent support—and why the future of VC is about network intelligence . Getro’s Origin Story : From internal project to standalone company, and what it’s like spinning out of a fund like OnDeck. Tactical Advice for VCs : How to actually help founders. Hint: it’s not just capital. Evan shares real strategies around intros, hiring, and network mapping. Quick Fire Round: 📚 Book recommendation – The Great CEO Within – There’s a PDF that’s available for free, but to me this is like the Bible for any startup founder and I would just recommend anyone starting a company go get it like right now. 🎧 Podcast recommendation – This Jungian Life – not business related but a funny poscast to listen to 🗞️ News source –  I’ve actually been using X a lot more recently. I realised once I curated who I follow it became the best place to learn about the nuances of what’s getting built in AI and tech, stuff that never makes it into the news cycle. 👨‍💼 Favourite CEO –  Collison brothers (Founders of Stripe) for their ability to build a massive company while maintaining their value system and Brian Chesky (Founder of Airbnb). 🛠️ Productivity tool – Superhuman and chatGPT 📱  Favourite app – Whisper Flow – a speech to text app that’s 99% accurate 📺  TV or movie recommendation – I’m half way through The Last of Us 🎤 TED Talk topic – Networking doesn’t have to suck: building authentic relationships in a world of fakeness. The Innovation Bay job board is powered by Getro. Looking for your dream role? We have you covered with over 450 open roles across almost 5000 companies: https://jobs.innovationbay.com/jobs More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 56: Venture Downunder 2025
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/events-for-tech-founders-and-investors/venture-downunder-2025/

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# Venture Downunder 2025

From little things, big things grow August 5 – 8, 2025 Perth, WA What is VDU?   Innovation Bay is Australia’s leading membership community for tech founders and investors. Venture Downunder (VDU) is our hallmark event for the VC community. An unparalleled gathering of the sharpest minds in venture. VDU is more than an event; it’s a unique opportunity to intentionally disconnect from the day to day, broaden and deepen key relationships , delve deeply into topics and quality conversation , and bond over shared experiences away from the hustle and bustle. Over three days, 120+ VC partners from across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond will came together to share knowledge, challenge perspectives, and strengthen the bonds that drive our ecosystem forward. This is the must-attend event for the ANZ tech and venture community. A space where collective wisdom shapes the future. We’d love for you to be part of it. Why attend VDU?  Immerse yourself in the collective wisdom of Australia’s most innovative and inspiring people. Meet investors who are doing, or have done, what you’re doing. There’s infinite potential to discover new ideas and initiatives to deploy in your business, investment opportunities, cross-business collaboration opportunities, and solutions to key problems.  Forge deeper, more meaningful relationships faster. There’s only so much you can talk about at networking drinks. At VDU, you’ll be sharing unique experiences designed to strengthen bonds and build rich connections to propel you forward, professionally and personally. Solve your biggest challenges with a departure from your day-to-day. Ignite your mind with a powerful change of scenery and an injection of fresh perspective. We use neuroscience and our 20+ years of experience in events to craft moments that will unlock your ability to think through some of your most pressing problems. Experience Western Australia like never before. We’re crafting an unforgettable experience that will immerse you in the region’s rich cultural heritage, ignite your sense of adventure, and offer a fresh perspective shaped by one of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth. What’s on at VDU 2025 VDU Agenda: DAY 1: EXCITE Come excited for another amazing edition of VDU 12:00pm – Arrival 🤗 2:30pm – Unofficial Welcome and introduction to theme of VDU 2025: Collective Wisdom 2:45pm – Welcome activity – Putt Putt golf ⛳️ 4:20pm – Welcome to Country  4:30 – Official welcome to VDU  4:45pm – Keynote speaker  5:30pm – Formalities end  6:15pm – Welcome party 🎉 9:00pm – Day 1 concludes 😴 DAY 2: EMBRACE Embrace new connections and experiences 6:30am – Wellness Activity – Your choice: Run club, walk club, yoga club 🧘‍♀️ 6:30am – 8:00am – Breakfast 8:10am – Ready for bus departure 8:30am – Group activity  3:15pm – Free time & refresh for afternoon activities  4:15pm – Ready for bus departure 4:30pm – Arrive at Nikola Estate for breakout sessions 6:00pm – Networking Drinks and Canapes 6:45pm – Dinner with fireside chat keynote 8:30pm – Dinner ends & bus returns to accommodation 9:15pm – Day two concludes 😴 DAY 3: EXPAND Be ready to expand your perspective and rethink your approach 6:30am – Wellness Activity – Your choice: Run club, walk club, yoga club 🏃‍♂️💨 6:30am – 8:00am – Breakfast 8:30am – Group activities  2:00pm – Afternoon tea 2:30pm – Free time & refresh for afternoon + final party 3:20pm – Bus departure to Sandalford Winery 3:45pm – Wine tasting at Sandalford Winery 5:15pm – Buses Depart to Old Youngs for final night party 🥳 9:30pm – Rolling bus departure back to accommodation 10pm – Final night concludes 😴 DAY 4: ENERGISED Leave energised to take on the world 6:30am – 8:00am – Breakfast 8:30am – Group meet up and activity 9:45am – VDU official closing 10am – check out and bus departure to the airport Speakers Ariella Vildan You ng Director of Ecosystem Allocator One Ariella Vildan Young is Director of Ecosystem at  Allocator One , a global fund-of-funds investing in the next generation of venture capital managers. Based in London, Ariella plays a central role in helping first- and second-time fund managers access capital, infrastructure, and strategic support—at a time when fundraising has never been more demanding. Her own path into venture is just as dynamic. A former M&A lawyer in Hong Kong turned investor and operator, Ariella brings legal, financial, and entrepreneurial experience to the table. She’s worked at HSBC Innovation Banking and Silicon Valley Bank, helped lead an M&A advisory fund, and successfully built and exited a startup. Along the way, she’s backed early-stage companies and venture funds as both an angel and LP. At  Allocator One , she helps anchor emerging managers across geographies and sectors—from frontier climate tech to new funds in India, the UK, and Eastern Europe. And in the process, she’s helping reshape how capital finds conviction—especially when track records are short, but the signal is strong. She holds an LLB (Hons) from Birkbeck, University of London, and an MBA from Stanford. Ariella also serves as a Venture Partner at Visionary Future and sits on multiple UK-based boards and accelerators. Brad Banducci CEO, TEG Ex-CEO, Woolworths Brad Banducci was the Chief Executive Officer of Woolworths Group from February 2015 until his retirement in September 2024. Prior to this, he served as Managing Director of Woolworths Liquor (Endeavour Group) from 2012 to 2015. Brad joined Woolworths in 2011 following its acquisition of the Cellarmasters Group, a direct-to-consumer wine retail and production company. He had been CEO of Cellarmasters since its 2007 leveraged buyout by Archer Capital, leading the business through a period of growth and transformation until its sale to Woolworths. Earlier in his career, Brad was Chief Financial Officer—and later a Non-Executive Director—of fintech start-up Tyro Payments (2004–2006). He also spent 15 years with The Boston Consulting Group in Australia and the United States, where he was a Vice President and Director, and a core member of BCG’s global retail and corporate development practices. Brad holds a Master of Business Administration from the Australian Graduate School of Management and Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce degrees from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Originally from South Africa, Brad moved to Australia in 1989. His early years working in his parents’ retail businesses sparked a lifelong passion for entrepreneurship. Today, he manages the Cinderella Investment Fund, supporting a diverse portfolio of emerging ventures. Brendan Rynne Partner and Chief Economist KPMG Brendan is Chief Economist for KPMG Australia and is the Regional Chief Economist for KPMG Asia Pacific.  He has been at KPMG for nearly 30 years, and a partner for more than 21 of those years. He is an Adjunct Professor at Queen Mary University of London in the School of Economics and Finance and is a Visitor at National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) in Westminster, London.  For most of his career at KPMG Brendan has advised private and public sector clients on a range of issues and activities, including econometric analysis, economy-wide modelling, infrastructure regulation and pricing, cost benefit analysis, impact assessments, efficiency improvements, and legislative/regulatory reform.   Major roles include providing macroeconomic policy advice to the Commonwealth Treasury for both the Henry Tax Review and the Tax White Paper, he advised the Murray Darling Basin Commission on water pricing and analysed the economic impact of the proposed Brown coal to hydrogen project in the La Trobe Valley for the Kawaski consortium.  Brendan holds a Bachelor and Masters’ degree in economics, a Masters in Applied Finance and a Ph.D. from the University of Adelaide. Chris McEvoy Senior Vice President ICONIQ Chris brings over 20 years of industry experience as a capital allocator and fiduciary advisor to founders and family office executives, leveraging a global network of entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists and professional advisors. He joined ICONIQ Capital’s Singapore office in September 2020 to help scale the Investment Management Division’s team and operations in APAC, before relocating to Australia in 2024 to grow their local footprint. Prior to ICONIQ, Chris spent five years as a Senior Director with HSBC Private Banking (Singapore) across a mix of advisory and leadership roles servicing UHNW individuals and family offices in APAC and Europe. Chris commenced his career with UBS Wealth Management and ABN Amro in Sydney. Chris holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland and an MBA from HEC Paris. David Sabow Global Head of Innovation Banking HSBC David Sabow is the Global Head of Innovation Banking at HSBC. Dave has dedicated nearly two-decades of his career to supporting the financial and strategic needs of the innovation economy. As the Global Head of Innovation Banking, Dave is leading the development of propositions, products and services for HSBC Innovation Banking globally. In this capacity he is integrating the financial strength and global reach of HSBC with the unique client experience, product solutions, and strategic value required to support innovation at every stage. Prior to joining HSBC in 2023, Dave spent ten years with Silicon Valley Bank in a variety of roles, most recently running the Technology & Healthcare Division for North America. In this capacity Dave managed the North American sales force, underwriting teams, investor coverage teams, and relationship advisory teams supporting the Technology & Healthcare portfolio across the US and Canada. Prior to joining Silicon Valley Bank, Dave spent approximately eight years as an investment banker with Canaccord Genuity in San Francisco, California, where he focused on both domestic and international transactions for innovation economy clients. Dave obtained dual degrees in both Economics and French at Santa Clara University in 2001 where he graduated with honors. He subsequently completed an Executive Program focused on Leadership & Strategic Impact at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business. Dave lives in Mill Valley, California with his wife and three children. He is an avid biker, runner, skier, surfer, and father to Aldo (his beloved Bernadoodle). Dave also serves on the Advisory Board for the Kelly Brush Foundation – an organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering people with spinal cord injuries to lead active and engaged lives. Trent Blacket Co-Founder EMT Partners Trent Blacket is an Australian-born lawyer and media/tech investor based between Melbourne and California. He is the Co-Founder of EMT Partners, a firm delivering legal, strategic, and investment support across the entertainment, media, sport, and technology sectors. EMT is chaired by Brett Chenoweth and led alongside Peter Davey (CEO). Trent is also a founding shareholder in Chris Hemsworth’s  Centr.com  and FLG, in partnership with Quadrant Private Equity via Ward Blacket Investments LLC. He has been a long-term co-investor with Amalfi Capital, operating across San Francisco, Shanghai, and Melbourne. Over the past two decades, Trent has worked at the intersection of law, media, and finance—advising, managing, and investing in cross-border ventures spanning Asia, Australia, and the United States. He draws on a foundation in commercial law and merchant banking, and his early career began with the TCA group of companies in Melbourne in 1996. Trent is passionate about contributing to mission-driven organisations. He serves as a founding member of the US Development Board for the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and is a Board Member at Bus Stop Films, a social enterprise focused on inclusive storytelling and employment in the screen industry. Previously, Trent was Chairman of Advance’s Los Angeles Chapter, a founding Advisory Board Member of Westpac’s Alpha (Entertainment & Sports) division, and an advisor to VidCon Australia. He also served as MD of ROAR Asia Pacific and was Of Counsel at Glaser Weil, a leading Los Angeles law firm, representing Australian clients in California. Trent holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Jurisprudence from Monash University. EMT Law joined the Cornwalls Federation in July 2024. Who attends? Find your people! You’re in good company! We’ll keep updating this section as registrations roll in 👀 Want to get a sense of the VDU experience? Watch the videos below to discover more about the adventures and connections you can expect to experience at VDU. What people say about our events “The Innovation Bay team structured one of the most relevant events for business leaders I’ve experienced with room full of positive ego professionals invested in success beyond 2024.” Steve Lewis | Vigilum, Nabu “Innovation Bay is really unique. It’s an open forum for discussion. We come and connect and share deals and talk about what we’re struggling with or what we’re aiming for. It’s such a great space to be able to get everyone together and all the different ideas in an open forum.” Georgia Barkell | Sprint Ventures “The magic happens when you can put lots of people in a room together who have the right values and intentions. What I’m finding is that everyone wants to help each other. We’ve built some really great relationships.” Yash Varma | Empress Capital Venture Downunder 2025 was proudly presented by Venture Downunder Major Event Sponsors --> Innovation Bay National Partners --> --> Venture Downunder Gold Event Sponsors --> Aurora Community Partners --> --> Venture Downunder Event Sponsors --> --> --> Interested in sponsoring? Get in touch with our Partnerships Manager, Alex Vallieres I’M INTERESTED IN SPONSORING

## Page 57: Renewable Potential: Rewards For Pitching Founders at ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase 
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# Renewable Potential: Rewards For Pitching Founders at ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase 

Renewable Potential: Rewards For Pitching Founders at ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase With Christopher Cox, Co-Founder & Director, Infravision Cameron Van Der Berg, Co-Founder & CEO of Infravision, pitching on stage at Innovation Bay & ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase in 2022 The fourth annual Innovation Bay & ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase returns in 2023 on Wednesday 1 November at Melbourne’s Cargo Hall . The Showcase presents Australia’s most exciting early stage renewable technology startups, pairing them with an exceptional 100+ strong assembly of the country’s powerhouse players in the space, from angel investors, venture capitalists, private equity firms, and corporate venture capitalists, to supercharge founders’ growth through funding, connections, and advice. Tickets are available now here .   Previous events have seen the likes of the world’s leading power line stringing system, Infravision, solar manufacturer 5B, and “solar thermal” pioneer RayGen, raise capital and gain meaningful connections as a part of the event.  Four founders will be chosen to pitch at the event in 2023. With applications closing tonight, Friday 1 September at 11:59pm , we tapped on the shoulder of, Christopher Cox, Co-Founder and Director of Infravision (whose Co-Founder & CEO Cameron Van Der Berg pitched at the 2022 event) , to discuss Infravision’s experience and value gained from pitching last year.  Tell us about your company and what it does? What problems is it solving? “Infravision deploys a drone hardware and software technology system for energy utilities that installs and upgrades power lines in a cost-effective, time-efficient and environmentally conscious manner at a speed and scale that hasn’t been available to the industry previously. To modernise and decarbonise the power grid – we need to build and upgrade 10X faster than we do today. It’s estimated that an additional 16 million kilometers of new power lines will need to be built by 2030. Current solutions are simply too slow and dangerous. For context on just how slow they are: we can build a new solar or wind farm in about a 1 year, whereas it often takes 10 years or more to build out new power transmission lines.  Infravision solves this issue by empowering electric utilities to deliver safer, faster, lower-cost power line upgrades using our grid modernisation technology ecosystem.” What compelled you to apply for this event? “We found out about the event through our relationships within ARENA and our existing investor network. We saw the value in the event being it was a clean energy focused pitch event (of which there are relatively few of) with an audience of decision makers, experienced investors in the energy space and key Australian energy personalities.  Infravision was also negotiating support by ARENA on a project with one of our customers and we were also beginning the long journey of raising a series A capital round. This event served as a great platform to ensure the Australian clean energy community knew about our vision, mission and solutions within the energy industry.” Tell us about your experience with the pitching process… “It was a really well thought out and thorough selection process,” says Chris. “Feedback was mixed from mentors. As you can expect, there are always differing opinions as you move through the process, however on the whole it was all incredibly useful in dialing in the story of Infravision. It gave us a great platform to begin investment conversations with bigger funds both in Australia and the US.” What was your overall experience like? “Being a small invite only event every attendee was a valuable connection to make and communicate our story with. Following the event, Infravision was able to secure funding for a network intelligence project together with Transgrid. The experience was very valuable as an official kickoff for Infravision’s series A” What was a highlight of the event and experience for you? “Seeing my Co-Founder and CEO Cameron pitching and winning the People’s Choice Award. A combination of Infravision’s past track record, future vision, and support from the Innovation Bay team in being able to communicate our story effectively to some of the best clean tech minds in the industry and being recognised for it.  What would you say to other founders who are on the fence about getting their application in? You only get out what you put in. The experience was not arduous and benefits far outweighed the time commitment for the process itself. Would recommend it to anyone looking to make a space in Australia’s clean tech scene.”  Why do you think events like this are important? “Historically, the early stage Australian cleantech and energy startup sector has previously been under-represented and under-funded compared to the size and long-term nature of the problem we are trying to solve. The sector is now hot topic on the top of everyone’s minds – which is great to see and be a part of. Accelerating the energy transition to achieve global carbon targets by 2030 is a mammoth task and needs the support of the government, private industry and the population to execute in a timely fashion, events like this provide the exposure needed.”  How do you feel Australia is doing in terms of addressing climate change? What could people be doing better? “Australia could do well to take a look at how North American energy focused collaborative strategic investment firms operate, where a core of utilities (who are critical enablers and partners in the energy transition) come together with energy adjacent companies to invest with a common goal. This centralized approach to investment in companies that have direct emissions reduction impact and/or lay the foundation for a faster transformation to net zero emissions provides a supercharged ecosystem for innovation and creates funding opportunities for companies that are building deep technology solutions that don’t fit the traditional VC investment criteria.” Founders in the renewables, cleantech and climatetech space have until 11:59pm tonight, Friday 1 September to get their applications in for an opportunity to pitch at the Innovation Bay & ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase on Wednesday 1 November 2023 in Melbourne. 👉 APPLY HERE More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 58: 12 unicorns. 13 exits.
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/insights/12-unicorns-13-exits/

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# 12 unicorns. 13 exits.

12 unicorns. 13 exits. Can your GTM advisor say that? On Thursday 8 May the legend that is Scott Leese presented a no-BS GTM masterclass of unfiltered insights. Scott is one of the worlds top GTM minds, trusted by founders, sales leaders, and operators scaling companies from the ground up. In this insightful session Scott shared practical and provocative insights on go-to-market (GTM) strategy for startups. Drawing from decades of experience building and scaling sales teams, Scott emphasized the importance of founder-led sales in the early days and the need for brutal clarity around ICP (Ideal Customer Profile) and messaging. Key takeaways: • Founder Sales First: Founders should sell the product themselves early on to deeply understand the customer, objections, and positioning before hiring a sales team. • Don’t Hire Too Early: Avoid rushing to hire a VP of Sales or scaling a sales team before reaching repeatability. Premature hiring can kill momentum and burn cash. • “Sell the Vitamins and the Painkillers”: Understand both the aspirational and essential value your product delivers. • Hire Hustlers, Not Veterans (early on): In early stages, look for sales hires who are gritty, creative, and adaptable — not just experienced. • Keep It Simple: Nail your messaging in plain language. If your customer can’t repeat what you do after one meeting, your pitch is too complex. • GTM Isn’t Just Sales: GTM includes product, marketing, customer success, and even support. Alignment across teams is crucial. • Be Deliberate with Channels: Don’t assume outbound is the only way — test inbound, partnerships, community-led growth, etc. Scott’s approach was direct, practical, and founder-first — challenging many startup myths around growth and scaling sales. Big shout out to our friends at Rippling for hosting this epic session! More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 59: Innovation Bay launches angel investor network in the Northern Territory!
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/innovation-bay-launches-angel-investor-network-in-the-northern-territory/

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# Innovation Bay launches angel investor network in the Northern Territory!

Innovation Bay launches angel investor network in the Northern Territory! We are thrilled to announce that we’ve launched our Horizon Angel Investor community in the Northern Territory! Innovation Bay in the top end After being selected as the winning design under the Territory Government’s latest innovation challenge which required participants to design an Angel Investment Network to support the development of the innovation ecosystem in the Territory. The Horizon Angel Investment community will provide early-stage funding and expertise to start-ups and small businesses and help bridge gaps between innovation support programs and venture capital funding. We held the official launch event in Darwin on August 30 where over 40 Territorians joined us to learn about Innovation Bay, angel investing, and community building. This is a huge step forward for local startups, and we can’t wait to get started! With over 20 years of experience in building vibrant, member-based communities for tech founders and investors, we’re ready to bring our expertise to the Territory. The Horizon Angel Investment community will provide early-stage funding and invaluable support to local startups and small businesses. Our goal is to bridge the gaps between innovation support programs and venture capital funding, creating a thriving environment for growth. Martin Redhead, Director of Business Innovation, shared his enthusiasm: “The Territory is excited to partner with Innovation Bay to harness the incredible entrepreneurial spirit and potential in our region. Innovation Bay has an impressive track record in helping founders and investors build the skills and relationships necessary for success. We’re thrilled to give Territorians the same opportunity!” Eleanor Salt, our Community Manager for Horizon, added, “We’re delighted to launch our Angel Investor community in the Northern Territory and harness the unique knowledge of local investors. Horizon is a diverse community of passionate individuals eager to positively impact the Australian startup ecosystem. Let’s boost innovation in the NT together!” Empowering Local Investors Our Horizon community is all about empowering local investors. We’re here to equip them with the skills and know-how needed to effectively support tech startups in the Territory. By fostering connection and peer-to-peer learning, we’ll help drive economic growth and innovation in the region. We’re excited to welcome our first members to Horizon, including Michael Canaris, who brings over 25 years of experience in property development and investment. “Innovation Bay’s move to the NT shows their belief in our region’s potential, bringing valuable expertise and a solid business model to help local investors access opportunities they wouldn’t normally have. I’m looking forward to supporting local early-stage projects and fostering innovative entrepreneurship in the Northern Territory!” Michael Canaris. Join Us! If you’re a local Darwin angel investor interested in becoming part of the Horizon community, you can apply for membership here . More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 60: Podcast Template - PRESS NEW DRAFT
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/the-founders-blueprint-josh-foreman/

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# Podcast Template - PRESS NEW DRAFT

22 April, 2022 Scaling Indebted: From Solo Founder to Global Expansion with Josh Foreman, Founder & CEO, InDebted Welcome to The Founders Blueprint —Innovation Bay’s brand-new podcast, where we break down the journey of building and scaling great companies. From the highs to the lows and everything in between, we uncover the real stories behind entrepreneurial success. In each episode, host  Phaedon Stough  sits down with an inspiring founder to explore the hard-won lessons, mistakes, and pivotal moments that shape their journey. For Episode One, Phaedon catches up with  Josh Foreman, Founder and CEO of InDebted , who is revolutionising the global debt collection industry through technology, data, and customer insights. A longtime friend and member of Innovation Bay, Josh recently relocated to Dallas, Texas, to scale InDebted. In this episode, you’ll hear: Josh’s experience as a sole founder and the challenges that come with it. The decision to raise a Series C round led by Australian VC firm AirTree , despite now being US-based. How InDebted has achieved rapid global growth , scaling to over 320 employees across Australia, the US, and beyond—with plans to enter 3–4 new markets this year . InDebted’s 2025 goals , including expansion into new product areas to become a multi-product platform . The key challenges of entering the US market , from navigating regulations to building a local presence and hiring senior talent. We’re thrilled to kick off  The Founders Blueprint  with this conversation and can’t wait to share more stories from the founders shaping the future.  Tune in, subscribe, and join us as we explore what it takes to build a truly great company. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 61: Phaedon's Monthly Review - April
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/insights/phaedons-monthly-review-april/

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# Phaedon's Monthly Review - April

Phaedon’s Monthly Review – April “People are frugal in guarding their personal property; but as soon as it comes to squandering time, they are most wasteful of the one thing in which it is right to be stringy” – Seneca.  April, what a month. April has been a tricky one, a mixed bag. Personally, it’s been tough. One of my son’s friends’ father passed away. While I was  not super close to them, I knew them and liked them and spent hours connecting with them over basketball games, watching our kids play. I have another friend who is suffering through a very aggressive form of brain cancer. And another boy I coached last year going through a super aggressive type of leukemia at the age of 9. Life is tough, unforgiving and random.  Sometimes we don’t get to choose the path, but rather have to manage with what we have been given.  I’m sorry to start this monthly post on such a note, but what it does for me is it reiterates how precious the gift of life is. I do feel so lucky most days, getting to chat to so many people doing amazing things. I also appreciate and recognise that this market has been super tough for a lot of people, specifically founders.  So I wanted to pause and ask, are you ok?  Innovation Bay is all about providing an environment for people to connect, to build relationships, to support each other. I like to think that on our founder’s side we provide meaningful and tactical insights on how to scale faster, how to drive personal and business performance, but more importantly, we provide a social network that supports founders through the ups and downs. Because there are many.  Innovation Bay is about building communities, providing a network of support for founders navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Our founder community forums (8-15 people) embody the Dunbar number principle, fostering tight-knit groups akin to “good friends,” where support is readily available. According to the theory, the tightest circle has just five people – loved ones. That’s followed by successive layers of 15 (good friends), 50 (friends), 150 (meaningful contacts), 500 (acquaintances) and 1500 (people you can recognise). But on average, each person has only 1.5 connections that really matter.  Did you know that having close friends correlates with life longevity? Our aim is to cultivate these meaningful connections, offering a support system for all members. So, pause for a moment and ask yourself, “Are you okay?” We’re here for you. Above is one of the reasons why we are so excited about our Inspire event on 22-23 May in Sydney – our full community event will see 200 of the brightest minds in the startup ecosystem come together at Sydney’s ACO for our inaugural, future-focused event Inspire. It’ll provide a platform for us to tap into the collective wisdom of our members, partners and supporters, for a crowd sourced collage of what the future will hold across the next 5-10 years.  Inspire is really a reflection of what Innovation Bay is; a community of passionate people coming together to connect, learn and share bread. You don’t want to miss out! Read on for how to get your hands on a ticket if you’re not an Innovation Bay member. Here’s a few more reasons to attend:  The audience will be exceptional, made up of ANZ’s leading venture capitalist, angel investors, founders and ecosystem builder.  The environment is intimate, capped at 220, it is designed to allow attendee’s to build real connections.  The topics amd format will be like no other tech event in ANZ – intimate, honest, unique.  The forum is going to include a series of great debates to help us get back to challenging conversations and appreciating different perspectives. Inspire is really a reflection of what Innovation Bay is; a community of passionate people coming together to connect, learn and share bread. You don’t want to miss out! If you’re a member, you will have received a link to register. DO IT! If you’re not a member but eager to attend, we have opened up just a handful of spots to join us. Express your interest HERE and our team will be in touch. In more news, we’re fast approaching our membership half way mark. We are intentionally capping membership at 600. This is a super exciting milestone for us. So what else is news at Innovation Bay?     We are recruiting for a Growth Manager to help us identify and select new members. if you have experience in working in a growth team, we’d love to hear from you.   We launched our very first pre IPO forum in Summit for founders who have a valuation of around $250M. A few thank you – to the team at ASX for supporting this initiative; to the amazing Steve Vamos for coming along and speaking to the group; and to our friends at Canacord for participating.  We launched a new COO group , similar to how we structure our Summit and Canopy forum that has been designed for COO’s of scale up’s who want to come learn from each other and come into a supportive and connected environment.  We are saying goodbye to our Head of Marketing, Ella Petite . Ella has been the engine behind our entire marketing and communications function for more than 2 years. I wanted to thank Ella for everything she has done over for Innovation Bay and wish her all the best in setting up her own advisory and consulting business!  Welcomed a bunch of new members in April – WELCOME! Here are just a couple that we profiled – Mithali Purohit, Iain McDonald , Justin Tomlinson , Keith Pitt .  We are launching a book club and a running club. Why not?  For our major adventure this year we will be heading to the NT in September.   I am very excited by this and even more excited that the NT government is investing $1-2B over the next decade. If you’re a founder there are a bunch of very attractive grants to have a look at.  We still have a couple of spots available on our first ever Heli Ski trip to NZ . If you’re a member and interested, run, don’t walk.  We officially kicked off our ARENA 2024 event.  If you are a renewable energy startup looking for funding, connections, publicity, customers and talent, then talk to us about presenting at our November event in Sydney.  This is all about showcasing the four most exciting renewable energy startups in the country to a gala dinner of 100+ investors.  It will be special.  Link to apply is HERE Deputy has now reached a $1.1B valuation! I can remember when we had Steve Shelley come to an IB dinner way back when…what an amazing founder. Steve’s previous business was in the air travel baggage business. We’ve also been super lucky to get Ashik Ahmed on podcast and at our dinners, amazing leader.  And what an awesome allstar board they have with Alison Deans and Howard Leibman to name just a couple. It’s so awesome to see the success of Deputy, well done!  Let’s move into the market…In addition to the returns on Canva, there has also been liquidity with the sale of Accelo and secondary in Bugcrowd among others. This affects employees in those companies who get a return on their shares and early investors. Why is this so significant…maybe even a key turning point in our industry.   We haven’t seen the sort of liquidity event like this in Australia start up history.  Yes we’ve had successful IPOs and tech acquisitions that have created liquidity for founders and investors.  But nothing like what Canva is doing, in terms of scale.  While many who have been exposed to this event will be paying down their  mortgages or maybe upgrading, most will be allocating a % of that capital for redeployment into early stage tech, either into funds, to supporting the creation of their own startups or directly into companies.   And once again, many will be at Inspire many ex employee’s to start up their own companies….. This is the fuel that accelerates our industry. There is nothing like a major liquidity event to provide returns and confidence in a market. It’s going to be a very interesting 6 months ahead.  Could 2024 be the golden age of early stage investing before valuations become tricky?  Let’s take a quick look at a handful of funds made in April – a short but active month.  Tability closes an over subscribed round (Innovation Bay)  Veyor Digital raises $2.75M in a pre-Series A funding round led by Sydney VC Investible for US market expansion. ( Startup Daily ) Sophie Purdom ‘s Planeteer Capital leads a $5.3m seed round, her first international investment. ( Startup Daily ) Bygen raises $2.6m in Series A, backed by Breakthrough Victoria and VCs like Alberts Impact Ventures . ( Startup Daily ) MGA Thermal, who presented at our ARENA event,  secures $5.7m for thermal energy storage system, with backing from existing and new investors, totalling $28.8m in funding. ( Smart Company ) Vitadrop secures $3.17m in pledges for upcoming capital raise on VentureCrowd . ( Capital Brief ) Former Canva , Eucalyptus exec launches Oodle media strategy startup. ( Startup Daily ) Investible CEO secures US$150m ($232.88m) funding for climate-focused technology start-up investments Southeast Asia. ( AFR ) VC firm Andreesen Horowitz has completed a US$7.2b fundraise. ( The Information ) Three Australian space tech startups secured $18m in funding from the Australian government’s International Space Investment India Projects program. ( Startup Daily ) The federal and Queensland governments invest $940m in PsiQuantum , a US-based quantum startup aiming to build the first useful quantum computer by 2030. ( Startup Daily ) Sydney startup Xefco raises $10.5m in Seed extension funding, led by Main Sequence Ventures and supported by Virescent Ventures and Breakthrough Victoria. ( Startup Daily ) Ok, I’m starting something new and love to hear from you out there. Here are some recommendations of interesting news, tools, insights and thoughts I’ve come across in the past month:  AI Tool: Threado AI * – helping customer support teams resolve 2x queries in half the time. Positive News: Rwanda is on track to light up every household WTF? The first ever Jet Pack grand prix. I want one . Book: Indistractable by Nir Eyal. Really enjoying this read, very simple, easy to read with some great insights that you can apply immediately.  Interesting Tech News: Australia Can Achieve Close to 100% Reneables with Todays Technology – Are We Up For the Challenge? Great Video: The Annual White House Correspondents Dinner . For me this is democracy at work, being able to look at the funny side of politics makes us all  more human.  (sorry in advance to those who feel we are talking about politics too much of late) but this is awesome if you haven’t watched it lately   Podcast: Invest Like The Best with Patrick O’Shaughnessy . Dunbars law and optimising human connections, something we are all about. In fact we have based our optimal members numbers of Dunbars number. Prediction for May:  Inspire will be awesome and have a waitlist list of 500 people wanting to attend  It will be the biggest funding month in the last year  More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.  Sign Up

## Page 62: <strong>E159 - Anuj Goel, Head of Technology Sector and Executive Director, Macquarie Capital </strong>
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e159-anuj-goel-head-of-technology-sector-and-executive-director-macquarie-capital/

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# <strong>E159 - Anuj Goel, Head of Technology Sector and Executive Director, Macquarie Capital </strong>

9 March, 2023 E159 &#8211; Anuj Goel, Head of Technology Sector and Executive Director, Macquarie Capital&nbsp; Our guest this week is Anuj Goel , Head of Technology Sector and Executive Director at Macquarie Capital.&nbsp; Anuj joined Macquarie’s Technology, Media, Entertainment and Telecommunications (TMET) team in 2006 following a short period working as an actuarial consultant.​ Today, Anuj focuses on helping Technology companies with M&amp;A, IPO, trade sales, capital raising and other strategic priorities. In addition, Anuj is actively involved in Macquarie’s principal investing activities having been involved with companies such as Seek, oOh!media, PEXA and Temple &amp; Webster. ​Leading a team of 22 staff across advisory and investment, some days Anuj will be solving complex problems with a large ASX company &#8211; the next &#8211; helping a Series A company think about their growth and investments.&nbsp; Anuj and his team have a broad technology coverage across online businesses, classifieds, FinTech and software, and are building capabilities in emerging sectors like AgTech. Ian and Anuj discuss a number of topics including:&nbsp; Macroeconomics and a potential continuation of a flat economy Trends in the tech debt market and how corporates are going after growth&nbsp; The difference between VC and PE and the relationship between them&nbsp;&nbsp; Pre-planning for the IPO market&nbsp; Investment opportunities in AI And so much more!&nbsp; Quickfire Round:&nbsp; Book : Total Recall &#8211; Arnold Schwarzenegger Biography&nbsp; Podcast : Alan Watts on YouTube News Source : Letter of Intent, AFR&nbsp; App : YouTube, Outlook&nbsp; Tech CEO : all CEOs bring different things, Shemara Wikramanayake (Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie Group) is inspirational.&nbsp; Productivity App: n/a&nbsp; TV : Carl Pilkington&nbsp; Ted Talk : How do you find your purpose?&nbsp; Learn more about Macquarie Capital HERE &nbsp; Connect with Anuj Goel HERE &nbsp; More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 63: E164 - The Globe 2023
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e164-the-globe-2023/

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# E164 - The Globe 2023

4 July, 2023 E164 &#8211; The Globe 2023 This week’s very special episode was recorded at our recent full community event. The Globe, hosted by Macquarie, brought together our four communities of early and later stage founders and CEOs, VCs and angel investors, to connect, learn, discuss and shape the future of our industry. Ian sat down with five of our incredible members for this all star line up featuring: Yash Varma , Founder &amp; Partner, Empress Capital (Aurora &amp; Horizon member) Phil Morle , Partner, Main Sequence (Aurora member) Georgia Barkell , Managing Partner, Sprint Ventures (Aurora member) Lisa Vincent , CEO &amp; Founder, HowToo (Summit member) Alon Greenspan , Partner, Mind Ventures (Aurora member) Cameron Webb , SVP of Member Experience and Managing Partner, Innovation Bay (Innovation Bay team) With the taste of celebratory champagne at our cocktail party on their lips, Ian and our members discuss (among plenty more): Their own background, progressions and evolution in the ecosystem Some of the recent challenges they’ve faced Their pulse on the current market and focuses in their respective roles Their experiences and takeaways from this year’s incredible The Globe event The benefits and why being a part of the Innovation Bay community is awesome For more information on our events, or to apply for membership, visit innovationbay.com More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 64: Venturing Downunder - Kia Ora Tāhuna
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/insights/venturing-downunder-kia-ora-tahuna/

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# Venturing Downunder - Kia Ora Tāhuna

Venturing Downunder &#8211; Kia Ora Tāhuna “There are 89 funds in the room so the ability for us to get those learnings from all these folks that have done it before and the next generation coming through. It’s fantastic to have all the knowledge from our whole venture ecosystem in Australia and New Zealand all in one room.” &#8211; Stew Glynn, TEN13 Our VC community is welcomed to Queenstown with a traditional Māori Pōwhiri For the sixth year, our Venture Downunder event has remained a mainstay and hallmark moment on the Innovation Bay events calendar. Each year, we invite our VC community (Aurora) to gather, celebrating the camaraderie of togetherness and collaboration. Our venture members learn from one another, adventure together, and connect in a deeper, less distracted way that enriches them (and us) with new insights, new connections and a fresh view that we all can take on the road and into the wider industry. This year’s VDU was a spectacular reminder of the powerful and meaningful community that has been built in Aurora and Innovation Bay.&nbsp; Across 3 days and nights, with Tāhuna (Queenstown), Aotearoa (New Zealand) as the incredibly stunning backdrop, we drew a line in the sand between what came before and how we dive into the next chapter from here. 105 VCs from 89 funds collectively came together to forge deeper connections and learn valuable insights from one another.&nbsp; This extraordinary event was made possible by our critical partnerships with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, New Zealand Growth Capital Partners, our national partners Google Cloud, IAG Firemark Ventures, and KPMG High Growth Ventures, and our Aurora partners ASX, Gilbert + Tobin, FCX, Edda and Department of Industry, Science and Resources.&nbsp; Upon arrival, we were welcomed by a traditional Pōwhiri, a breathtaking and deeply moving blessing from our Māori neighbours, where we let them know we came in peace &#8211; eager to forge a connection. After a lesson on the haka, hearts full and welcome, we jumped on jet boats into the centre of Queenstown. We spent our first evening at the beautiful Mountain Club, the hub of all things startup in Queenstown, where members had the chance to connect with the local ecosystem through a meet and greet with 14 of New Zealand’s top founders. We then moved to a beautiful and intimate dinner at Eichardt’s Grill. The crisp morning of day 2 began with a brisk walk or an invigorating plunge into Wakatipu Lake for some eager early risers. We then headed up to arguably one of the most stunning places on earth &#8211; New Zealand High Country &#8211; where we spent the day immersed in content and learning. Innovation Bay curated a unique program which put our members in the driver’s seat &#8211; a loosely framed, choose-your-own-adventure style of absorption. Kicking off the morning we heard from Rick Baker (Blackbird) and Kim Jackson (Skip Capital) who together wonderfully articulated the evolution of the VC/startup ecosystem in Australia, reminiscing on their first hand experiences of when the ecosystem looked a little different to where it is now. Venture members at New Zealand High Country for our content day Next, we called upon 12 moderators from our community &#8211; members and partners &#8211; to facilitate learnings across three content themes Liquidity: Profit like a Pro , Beyond the Investment: Nurturing Founders , and Navigating the Macro Economic Outlook . Across the three themes we delved into four sub-themes to derive the following insights… Nurturing Founders, Beyond the Investment Founder &#8211; VC Relationships Build relationships from the beginning to add value &#8211; touching base more often than quarterly&nbsp; Building trust is imperative&nbsp; Set clear expectations throughout the relationship and engage in conversations about exits from the beginning&nbsp; Hands On vs Hands Off: How Active Should VCs Be With Their Portfolio?&nbsp; VCs need to be clear upfront about where they can help VCs want to be helpful, but knowing when to be hands off is of extreme importance&nbsp; Pitching/fundraising Coach founders through different rounds&nbsp; Provide access to your network &#8211; plug them into people who could be transformational through their journey&nbsp; Strategic advice &#8211; identifying the difference between a great, good and not so great strategy&nbsp; Assist founders in making good decisions &#8211; be a sounding board and provide advice Dealing With Co-Founder Breakups&nbsp; Understanding when co-founder fallout is an issue is critical Early visibility is crucial &#8211; VCs tend to gain knowledge when the issue is past the help phase Imperative to deal with it as quickly and flexibly as possible, the resolution generally being an exit of one of the parties from the business.&nbsp; A Founder vs a CEO&nbsp; Self aware founders tend to have less issues&nbsp; Changing CEO is like heart surgery so it has to be the right decision for the business&nbsp; Have clear communication and set expectations on who is best placed to be CEO This may mean finding another CEO &#8211; a conversation that should happen early on&nbsp; Involving the founder in the search for a CEO is important and normally leads to a better outcome Look for red flags &#8211; what are the things to consider when thinking about whether a founder might transition to CEO? Culture&nbsp; Plateauing of metrics&nbsp; Staff turnover&nbsp; Liquidity: Profit like a Pro&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Liquidity Options VCs should have a strong portfolio approach and view on their companies &#8211; top tier, middle tier, bottom tier &#8211; potential IPO, trade sale, M&amp;A VCs should look to upskill themselves in investor-led activities to generate liquidity GP-led secondaries&nbsp; Strip sale &#8211; selling part of the whole portfolio Partial exit &#8211; can some cash distributions be made in the middle of fund life IPO: When, Where and How&nbsp; IPO option is good for ecosystem &#8211; recycling capital back to investors and founding team&nbsp; Education required for VCs and founders to discover when they’re ‘match fit’. What size do you need to be, how do you deal with press, compliance and requirements and is it really that hard?&nbsp; Where is the biggest challenge? Is it learning a few listing rules or building a billion dollar company?&nbsp; There are challenges in Australian based unicorns listing elsewhere&nbsp; The Future of Private Markets&nbsp; VCs are generally very open to allowing founder/insider secondaries &#8211; there’s a level of comfort versus too much, but certainly want to see some money come off the table.&nbsp; Key focus needs to be on shareholder agreements &#8211; what’s legally allowed to be sold/transacted? Considerations with regards to the level of disclosure needed. Big focus on the balancing act for people buying into a fund on the want/need to know.&nbsp; Lots of education needed both on the buying and selling side as there hasn’t been a huge amount of secondary activity in the Australian market.&nbsp;&nbsp; Growth vs Profitability / Hold vs Sell&nbsp; The 2021 growth at all cost trend is now out! Capital efficient growth is in vogue! Early stage investors still need to see growth and want to see more than 100% YoY growth. Later stage companies should be targeting at least 30% annual growth. Hold vs Sell &#8211; VCs generally want to hold to the end (to maximise fund performance) but others are happy to take money off the table &#8211; including secondaries or cash off the table from later rounds.&nbsp; Be anti cyclical &#8211; sell into the bull market.&nbsp; Macro Economic Outlook&nbsp; At What Speed Should We Be Deploying Capital? On the solution focussed end of the problem &#8211; do your down rounds, get c-notes out of the system. While you’re doing that take care of your founders &#8211; when you’re in down rounds, you can end up diluting the founders out of existence. There is a lot of dry powder at the moment. And there are fewer good opportunities in the market. How do we focus on finding good opportunities? One area of focus could be improving the rate and quality of opportunities from universities in a commercialisable fashion. What&#8217;s Happening Globally? (particularly in the US)&nbsp; Market sentiment now is trending upwards in a more positive direction. Although consumer tech and product investing is still tough. There is definitely more enterprise SaaS plays at the moment in the US.&nbsp; Each state in the US has Economic Development Funds which are doing a lot to attract the top end of town (employers by tax breaks, startups and VC funds).&nbsp; US VCs tend to be a bit more structured around deal terms than in Australia.&nbsp; Immune Sectors: Where Should We Be Investing? &nbsp; Broad agreement to disagree on the ideal investible profile &#8211; from having a good balance sheet to anything that shows extraordinary growth. Healthtech and education have been safe or immune in the broader sense with the new kids on the block being defence, security, cleantech and AI.&nbsp; The power of data and raising funds&nbsp; Data can help raise capital. We need to be able to track better information and data from startup companies.&nbsp; LPs are asking for more and more transparency and communication.&nbsp; There is no magical solution. It’s not just the responsibility of VCs or founders, it’s about everyone working together to make things better.&nbsp; The stunning views of Queenstown, New Zealand After two days of connecting and learning, day 3 was designed as a brain break &#8211; to allow the learnings to simmer and settle in our minds and cement the new and continued relationships we’d built. Our members broke out into activity groups &#8211; from skiing and snowboarding at Coronet Peak, a tour through the picturesque Queenstown wine country, to jet boating, quad biking and scenic hikes through the countryside. VDU’s final night was a neon 80s apres-ski themed affair &#8211; an evening to celebrate the abundance of community spirit in the fresh Queenstown air.&nbsp; There&#8217;s no doubt our Venture Downunder event fortifies the VC community, but what does it do for our founder communities? Well, lots actually. VCs have different investment theses and philosophies and we spent significant time delving into each of them. We know exposure to diverse perspectives and opinions encourages critical thinking and open-mindedness. Leaders of the Australian VC community have returned from VDU energised and fuelled by a heightened sense of curiosity. This makes them aptly equipped with a wider network and incredible peer-to-peer insights, so they can better support their portfolio of founders through the scale-up journey. For more insights on the power and purpose of events like Venture Dowunder, and their butterfly effect on our industry, please take a read of Phil Morle’s (Main Sequence) recount here .&nbsp; More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 65: Breaking Down the Buzzwords: Canopy, Summit, Horizon &amp; Aurora
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/insights/breaking-down-the-buzzwords-canopy-summit-horizon-aurora/

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# Breaking Down the Buzzwords: Canopy, Summit, Horizon &amp; Aurora

Breaking Down the Buzzwords: Canopy, Summit, Horizon &amp; Aurora Whether you’re new here or have been around for a while, you’ve likely heard the words Canopy, Summit, Horizon, and Aurora tossed around often. They sound a little out there at first, but each name is more than just a label. It’s a metaphor, thoughtfully chosen to represent where you are in your startup journey. We get it, the startup world is already full of jargon. So we wanted to take a moment to unpack what these names really mean, and more importantly, what they stand for. At Innovation Bay, we set out to build a living, breathing ecosystem made up of interconnected communities, each with its own rhythm, purpose, and momentum. Whether you’re an early-stage founder planting the seeds, a scale-up leader navigating new heights, an angel investor scanning the horizon, or a venture capitalist shaping the future from above, there’s a community here for you. So, what’s the story behind the names? Let’s break them down—and share why they matter. 🚀 Canopy: Where Ambition Takes Root&nbsp; In the forest, the canopy is where growth begins. A dense layer of life that filters light, fosters diversity, and shapes the future of the ecosystem. The same is true for early-stage founders. They’re the ones setting the tone for what’s possible, experimenting boldly, and creating the first shoots of what may become the next generation of industry-defining companies. Canopy is a community for ambitious early-stage founders. A space designed to nurture bold ideas and help them grow. Some founders will branch out in unexpected directions. Others will intertwine, supporting one another through shared learnings. And a few will rise above, becoming towering forces in the tech landscape. This community offers peer-to-peer support, leadership development, and tailored introductions that help early-stage founders move faster and make smarter decisions. It’s a place for the daring and the driven — where your wildest ideas aren’t just accepted, they’re encouraged. Core Purpose / Mission Statement: To empower early-stage founders to take bold first steps by providing them with a supportive peer community, early access to resources, and the confidence to grow game-changing ideas from seed to scale. Defining &#8220;Why&#8221;: Nurture at the Start: Founders at this stage are often navigating uncharted territory. We create a safe, energising space where vulnerability, experimentation, and ambition are all welcome. Build Foundations: We help founders build the core capabilities — from leadership and mindset to strategy and storytelling — that will underpin long-term success. Grow Together: Canopy is rooted in community. Members uplift one another, learn from shared mistakes, and celebrate the wins (big and small) along the way. Do I fit the Canopy community? You’ll likely be a great fit if: You’re the founder or CEO of a startup You’re building in the tech space (software, platforms, AI, etc.) You’re at the pre-seed or seed stage Your company is pre-revenue or generating under $1M You’re working solo or with a small team You value real conversations over hype, and believe in building something meaningful &#8211; your way Our members come from all walks of life. Many are first-time founders and many are balancing family, ambition, and the reality of startup life. If that sounds like you, Canopy could be your crew. 🏔️ Summit: The Ascent of Australia’s Top Founders&nbsp; Climb higher and you’ll reach Summit, our community for later-stage founders who are leading some of Australia’s most established and influential startups. This is where authenticity meets aspiration. Summit members are the trailblazers building Australia’s next potential billion-dollar companies. They don’t just have big dreams they’ve got teams, traction, and the scar tissue to prove it. They gather not only to pitch, but also to share real experiences, learn from one another, and support each other on the climb toward even greater impact. Through tight-knit Clans, bespoke experiences, and curated forums, Summit offers a space for meaningful connections because even for the most experienced leaders, they need a tribe. Core Purpose / Mission Statement: To connect and empower founders with the network, knowledge, and tools they need to scale their visions into successful reality, driving change and innovation across industries. Defining &#8220;Why&#8221;: Supportive Ecosystem: We provide a nurturing ecosystem where founders can connect with peers, mentors, and industry leaders, gaining the support necessary to thrive. Driving Innovation: Our community is committed to fostering a culture of innovation where all members are motivated to push boundaries and develop groundbreaking solutions. Transformation with Purpose: We believe in the transformative power of startups that operate with purpose, guiding founders to not only achieve business success but also to make a positive impact on society. Do I fit the Summit community? You’ll likely be a great fit if: You’re the founder or CEO of a tech company You’ve raised Series A (or are generating meaningful revenue) Your annual revenue is typically $1M+ Your company valuation is at least $10M+ AUD You’re building a team, scaling operations, or expanding into new markets You’re aiming to create long-term value &#8211; many of our members are on a path toward $100M+ valuations You’re looking for a trusted group of peers who understand the highs and lows of leading at this level Summit brings together a diverse mix of founders &#8211; many of whom are female founders&nbsp; &#8211; who are scaling impactful companies on their own terms. If you’re looking for a space to grow as a leader and build something enduring, this might be your place. 🌅 Horizon: Investing in What Comes Next&nbsp; Scan the skyline and you’ll find Horizon, where angel investors look ahead for the next big opportunity. It’s a community built for those with the vision, capital, and heart to support Australia’s most promising founders. At Horizon, we’re about professionalism and foresight. Members are experienced operators, ex-founders, CEOs, and high-net-worth individuals who share one goal: to make smart investments and help grow the next generation of successful startups. From exclusive pitch events and co-investment opportunities to educational workshops and strategic introductions, Horizon is the launchpad for the startup success stories of tomorrow. Core Purpose / Mission Statement: To empower angel investors to fuel passion-driven startups, providing both capital and mentorship that paves the way for a vibrant future of opportunities. Defining &#8220;Why&#8221;: Empowering Passion Projects: We strive to empower investors who are passionate about nurturing early-stage startups that innovate with purpose and creativity. Mentorship and Development: Our community thrives on sharing knowledge and experience, supporting angels in their journey to become effective mentors and advocates. Unlocking Potential: By fostering a culture of learning and support, we help angels unlock the full potential of the startups they back. Do you fit this community? Members of Horizon typically meet the following criteria: Be a high-net-worth individual Actively looking to invest in Australia and/or New Zealand startups This community brings together a diverse mix of investors — from first-time angels just starting their investment journey to seasoned operators, and exited founders. Whether you&#8217;re here to make your first investment or deepen your portfolio, Horizon is a place to learn, contribute, and be part of something bigger than any one deal. 🌌 Aurora: Reflect, Connect, and Recharge&nbsp; Hovering above the startup landscape, Aurora, our curated community for venture capitalists across APAC. It’s a rare and intentional space where VCs can step away from the deal flow, unwind, and make connections with their peers on a deeper level. At its core, Aurora is about connection and insights. Through thoughtfully designed retreats and intimate gatherings, we bring together the people shaping the future of innovation. It’s a place to reflect on the state of the venture ecosystem, exchange ideas, and surface the trends and opportunities that matter most. Aurora is where real conversations happen, which you can’t have on a Zoom call or at a high-speed pitch event. It’s where industry insights are unpacked, new partnerships are formed, and lasting relationships are built among VCs who are united by a shared mission: to elevate the entire startup ecosystem. Core Purpose / Mission Statement: To create a collaborative powerhouse where venture capitalists drive impactful investments, fueling innovation and growth that generates both economic and societal value. Defining &#8220;Why&#8221;: Collaborative Excellence: We believe in the power of collaboration to elevate venture capital practices and outcomes, bringing together like-minded professionals to share insights and strategies. Investment Impact: Our purpose is to not just fund businesses but to back visionary entrepreneurs who are poised to tackle significant challenges and create a meaningful impact. Guidance and Growth: By connecting VCs with a wealth of resources and a network of experts, we aim to enhance their ability to guide and grow successful companies. Do you fit this community? Members of Aurora typically meet the following criteria: Be a Partner (or equivalent) at an active venture fund or corporate venture fund Have funds under management and deploy capital (or planning to in the next 6 months). Aurora is home to a diverse group of VCs — not just in terms of fund size or stage, but in backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experience. This diversity fuels richer conversations, broader insight, and a stronger ecosystem. 👔 Welcome to the Innovation Bay’s Ecosystem&nbsp; Innovation Bay is more than just a network, it’s an ecosystem of thriving and purpose-driven communities. Each community plays a role in shaping the startup landscape. Now that you know a little more about us and our communities we’d love to get to know you too! Explore the link below to find your place in the world of startups. 🔗 Explore our communities and get involved More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 66: E167 - Aengus Tran, CEO &amp; Co-Founder, harrison.ai
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e167-aengus-tran-ceo-co-founder-harrison-ai/

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# E167 - Aengus Tran, CEO &amp; Co-Founder, harrison.ai

25 August, 2023 E167 &#8211; Aengus Tran, CEO &amp; Co-Founder, harrison.ai This week’s podcast episode features our special guest harrison.ai , CEO and Co-Founder, Aengus Tran. harrison.ai started with the problem statement of healthcare capacity. According to Aengus, one of the biggest problems of our time is how to look after such a huge population with increased health needs. harrison.ai is looking to scale the global capacity of healthcare by building automation with AI systems and providing clinicians with superpowers of scale. Aengus says, &#8220;of all the things being done in in healthcare, scale will be the solution of quality healthcare globally.&#8221; After moving to Australia from Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, Aengus was one of very few Vietnamese students at an English-speaking Australian school so quite quickly had to learn the English language. After school Aengus went on to study medicine at university after advice from none other than Paul Ramsay of Ramsay Healthcare &#8211; a company that has gone on to invest in harrison.ai . While working through his medical degree, Aengus realised how much in terms of scale was missing from medicine. During his final years of training, Aengus was involved in a research project building technology along with Vertex Health to select human embryo; opening his eyes to the capabilities of AI systems and how they can scale. After starting out in Australia and New Zealand, harrison.ai ’s radiology arm is regulated with FDA clearance in 38 countries with 1 million live touches and one in four radiologists using their technology in Australia alone. Their north star is to touch 1 million lives per day with their technology. harrison.ai has gone on to raise $US120M in series A and series B with investments from Skip Capital, Blackbird, Horizon Ventures and specialist, strategic, corporate investors Sonic Healthcare and Ramsay Healthcare. Quickfire Round: Book: Prediction Machines, The Simple Economics of Artificial Intelligence, Ajay Agrawal, Joshua Gans, Avi Goldfarb Podcast: Lex Fridman on YouTube News Source: Medium, mainstream news App: VS Code, Rise Productivity Tool: very basic reminders app and keeping notes, Slack Favourite CEO: Mark Zuckerberg TV Show: House TEDTalk Topic: The health equality and impact that is possible through the scalability of AI harrison.ai are continuously hiring in their AI teams. If you&#8217;d like to learn more or are you&#8217;re curious about the tool, reach out to harrison.ai . More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 67: ARENA x Innovation Bay Showcase
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/2024-renewables-startup-showcase/

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# ARENA x Innovation Bay Showcase

Solar and beyond: get ready for the 2024 Renewables Startup Showcase! We’re buzzing with excitement! 🎉 Tickets are now on sale for the 2024 Innovation Bay &amp; ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase, happening on Thursday, November 21, 2024 , at the stunning View by Sydney in Walsh Bay. What’s the buzz about? This year marks the fifth installment of our Showcase, where we bring together Australia’s brightest renewables, clean tech, and climate tech startups with an elite group of investors. The theme this year? “Solar and Beyond: The Next Generation of Renewables.” 🌞✨ Our hand-picked finalists will take the stage to unveil their groundbreaking solutions designed to help Australia achieve its net zero targets. They’ve gone through a competitive selection process, and we can’t wait for you to meet them! Who’s in the spotlight? Notable past participants include impressive success stories like Hysata, 5B, and RayGen. This year, you’ll hear insights from ARENA CEO Darren Miller and engage in a candid conversation with top investors, including: Alexandra Clunies Ross – Partner, Artesian Angela Karl – Managing Director, Head of Energy Transition, HMC Capital Katerina Kimmorley – Head of Commercial and Investments, Boundless &amp; Commissioner, NSW Net Zero Emissions Commission The conversation will be moderated by Bronwen Clune , VC and startup correspondent at Capital Brief, diving deep into the future of clean energy investment in Australia. Why you shouldn’t miss this! This isn’t just any event; it’s a unique opportunity to connect with the leaders in the renewable energy space. Enjoy a sit-down gala dinner while networking with key players, discovering prime investment opportunities, and building relationships with innovative founders. As Phaedon Stough, CEO of Innovation Bay, puts it, “The Renewables Startup Showcase is the premier event that connects visionary founders with the right investors to foster the growth of the renewables sector.” We couldn’t agree more! Grab your tickets! Don’t wait too long—tickets are available now and are sure to sell out fast! Here are the details: Date: Thursday, November 21, 2024 Time: 5:00 PM Location: View by Sydney, Pier 2, 13 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay Ticket price: Innovation Bay members: $195 (inc. GST) Non-members: $225 (inc. GST) Get your tickets here and be part of an evening that promises to spark connections and ignite innovation in the renewable energy sector! More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 68: Rippling x Innovation Bay
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/rippling-x-innovation-bay/

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# Rippling x Innovation Bay

Rippling and Innovation Bay to support Australian startups in driving productivity and fuelling successful international expansion New partnership brings Rippling’s workforce management solutions to Innovation Bay’s community of 100+ Australian startup founders SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – 20 FEBRUARY 2025 – Rippling , a leading workforce management platform, has announced a new partnership with Innovation Bay, Australia’s premier community for tech founders, venture capitalists, and angel investors. The collaboration will equip Innovation Bay members with the tools to support their growth by tackling key challenges in workforce management and scaling internationally. The announcement comes as Innovation Bay also signs on to Rippling’s platform, further strengthening their partnership. Australian startups are navigating mounting hurdles, from economic pressures and an increasingly complex regulatory environment to the demands of scaling in competitive global markets. With more than 80% of startups planning to expand internationally, founders must also contend with fragmented HR and IT systems, managing cross-border teams, and scaling operations efficiently. These challenges can drain time and resources, making it harder for startups to focus on innovation and growth. This new partnership between Rippling and Innovation Bay aims to address these issues head-on, empowering founders to streamline operations and unlock growth opportunities. Rippling’s all-in-one platform seamlessly integrates HR, IT, and finance functions, allowing businesses to consolidate their operations and effortlessly manage global teams. By combining Rippling’s workforce solutions with Innovation Bay’s thriving community of tech founders, the partnership is set to deliver significant value to Australia’s startup ecosystem, equipping them with the tools they need to scale fast and smart. Recognising the benefits of streamlining workforce management for its members, Innovation Bay will also be adopting Rippling’s platform for its own operations, reinforcing the value it believes the platform can bring to its members. “Innovation Bay’s members are ambitious, driven, and tackling some of the world’s most complex challenges,” said Matt Loop, Vice President and Head of Asia at Rippling . “We’re thrilled to partner with Innovation Bay to support founders on this journey, empowering them with the tools they need to scale their businesses and expand internationally. By simplifying their workforce management, we enable them to focus on what matters most: innovation and growth.” Phaedon Stough, CEO and Co-Founder of Innovation Bay , added, “The journey of scaling a startup can be isolating and complex, and we’ve seen firsthand the challenges founders face with managing their tech stack. Our partnership with Rippling reflects our shared commitment to providing founders with the technology and resources they need to accelerate growth, share knowledge, and avoid common pitfalls. We believe in leading by example, which is why we also chose Rippling as our own workforce management platform. For us and our members alike, Rippling will help us to focus on the big picture while handling workforce needs with efficiency.” This partnership will deliver value to Innovation Bay’s network of over 100 founders, spanning industries including medtech, agritech, and logistics. It will also build on Rippling’s growing presence in Australia, where it has supported startups in consolidating systems, streamlining processes, and managing international expansion. About Rippling Rippling gives businesses one place to run HR, IT, and Finance. It brings together all of the workforce systems that are normally scattered across a company, like payroll, expenses, benefits, and computers. For the first time ever, you can manage and automate every part of the employee lifecycle in a single system. Take onboarding, for example. With Rippling, you can hire a new employee anywhere in the world and set up their payroll, corporate card, computer, benefits, and even third-party apps like Slack and Microsoft 365—all within 90 seconds.&nbsp; Based in San Francisco, CA, Rippling has raised $1.2B from the world’s top investors—including Kleiner Perkins, Founders Fund, Sequoia, Greenoaks, and Bedrock and serves clients in over 150 countries.&nbsp; For more information, visit Rippling.com . More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 69: E182 – Inspire 24 (Part 2) FT Craig Blair, Elaine Stead, Chris Capon
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e182-inspire-24-part-2-ft-craig-blair-elaine-stead-chris-capon/

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# E182 – Inspire 24 (Part 2) FT Craig Blair, Elaine Stead, Chris Capon

22 April, 2022 E182 – Inspire 24 (Part 2) FT Craig Blair, Elaine Stead, Chris Capon Earlier this year, Innovation Bay brought more than 250 of Australia’s leading tech founders and investors together at Inspire, held at Sydney’s Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) on May 22-23, 2024. Set under the overarching theme ‘The Future is…’, Inspire was a platform for the exchange of revolutionary thoughts and ideas about what the future holds for the startup ecosystem across the next 5-10 years. Our co-founder and podcast host Ian Gardiner, set out with his roving mic to chat to get his geek on with some of the event’s incredible speakers as they made their way off the main stage. He continued the conversation with them on the podcast. During Part 2, you’ll hear from: Craig Blair, Airtree – on the future of venture capital in Australia and what needs to happen over the next ten years to make VC a success. Elaine Stead, Main Sequence – on how she taps into her background in biochemistry to help her invest, and the critical role the media plays in advancing the leading-edge legislation and policies that are vital to the future success of the startup sector. Chris Capon, Nominal Systems – on why he’s working to change the mindset around how people think about space, the incredible things that are going to be done in space in the not-too-distant future, and why Australia needs to be a part of it. Listen now to get a front row seat into what Australia’s tech leading minds are passionate about and be INSPIRED. Missed Part 1? Listen now to hear from The Hon. Ed Husic MP, Minister for Science &amp; Industry, Greg Miller Partner at Arena Mars (exited founder of Faethm), and Melanie Silva, Managing Director and VP, Google Australia &amp; New Zealand. Inspire was proudly supported by Innovation Bay’s official media partner Forbes Australia and event partners IAG Firemark Ventures, Google Cloud, the Field Jobs, and the Dylan Alcott Foundation. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 70: E177 - Clive Burcham, Founder Compadres, Founding Partner, Global Citizen
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e176-clive-burcham-founder-compadres-founding-partner-global-citizen/

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# E177 - Clive Burcham, Founder Compadres, Founding Partner, Global Citizen

3 May, 2024 E177 &#8211; Clive Burcham, Founder Compadres, Founding Partner, Global Citizen E176 &#8211; Clive Burcham, Founder Compadres, Founding Partner, Global Citizen Our guest for episode 176 is Clive Burcham , a highly influential, philanthropic and impact driven individual. Clive is one of the founding partners of Global Citizen , $46bn New York based juggernaut whose mission is to end extreme poverty. He is also the founder of what he terms a “side hustle” called Compadres , where he works with founders and CEOs to help them achieve &#8220;a better life, a better business, a better you&#8221;.&nbsp; From growing up in a beef and dairy farming family in regional West Australia, to jumping into TV at 15 and becoming a media executive at the age of 25, to moving to New York to run the Search for a Supermodel television show and working with leading advertising, design and branding agencies. Clive&#8217;s life has been varied and rich with experiences.&nbsp; Armed with a whole lot of technical knowledge from his time in NY, Clive moved back to Australia to undercut the local advertising industry to create better quality creative and content for clients. Taking his company from zero to hero in just 3 years, Clive sold a large stake to leading advertising holding company WPP, later buying it back to rebuild it.&nbsp; With a penchant for giving, a captivating and wise mind, a values-led existence, and a heart of gold, Clive has founded and aligned himself with organisations that aim to make better and illuminate the human experience. “We’re put on this earth to make a difference to other people and to live in a community and be connected,” he says.&nbsp; Tune in to learn of Clive’s fascinating journey, one we could all take a leaf from!&nbsp; Quickfire Round:&nbsp; Book : ‘Who Not How’, Dan Sullivan&nbsp; Podcast : Your Move with Andy Stanley&nbsp; News Source : Reuters&nbsp; Productivity Tool : Calendar&nbsp; CEO : Dan White, Luke Harris, Steven Marks&nbsp;&nbsp; App : Instagram&nbsp; TV Show : WeCrashed&nbsp; TEDTalk Topic : How do we use our power to influence good&nbsp;&nbsp; Get in touch with Clive at https://wearecompadres.com and follow along on Instagram @wearecompadres This episode is brought to you by Vanta . More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 71: E170 - Belonging: The Superpower of Our Species 
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e170-belonging-the-superpower-of-our-species/

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# E170 - Belonging: The Superpower of Our Species 

9 November, 2023 E170 &#8211; Belonging: The Superpower of Our Species Human beings have an innate need to belong to a group or tribe. Large parts of our brain are dedicated to engaging and interacting with others. Belonging triggers the release of chemicals in our brain that promote trust, empathy, and social bonding. Building belonging is essential in a fractured world and requires understanding and addressing our default setting. During this very special episode recorded during the Innovation Bay panel at SXSW Sydney&#8217;s inaugural event in October 2023, an all star panel featuring Phil Morle (Main Sequence Ventures), Jenny Li (Scarlare Partners) , Joel Connelly (Blackbird), and Skye Riggs (Ripple Opportunities) join moderator and guest Open The Pod Bay Doors host, Cameron Webb (Innovation Bay) to share insights on how to build belonging at speed and scale. They share strategies for welcoming new members and creating meaningful connections that keep people engaged over the long term. This episode is proudly brought to you by Pro Podcast and Salesforce More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 72: E163 - Clément Aglietta, Co-Founder &amp; CEO, Edda 
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e163-clement-aglietta-co-founder-ceo-edda/

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# E163 - Clément Aglietta, Co-Founder &amp; CEO, Edda 

31 May, 2023 E163 &#8211; Clément Aglietta, Co-Founder &amp; CEO, Edda E163 &#8211; Clément Aglietta, Co-Founder &amp; CEO, Edda&nbsp; Our guest this week is Clément Aglietta, Co-Founder &amp; CEO of Edda, a collaborative tool for private equity investors. Edda is an all-in-one solution for deal flow, portfolio management, and LP’s relationship management. The tool is designed to be user-centric and integrates with external databases and other tools. Edda has recently launched into the ANZ market via a partnership with Innovation Bay’s VC community, Aurora.&nbsp; Clément began his career at CERN, the biggest physics laboratory in Europe, where he learned about quantum physics. He then went on to study design. This gave him the opportunity to join the dots between physics and design and discover a new method of solving problems &#8211; a passion that led to the creation of Edda.&nbsp; Clément’s desire to be an entrepreneur led him to attend conferences and meet investors. He worked at Rebag, a luxury handbag marketplace, and was later invited to join LG Labs as a VC. As a designer turned VC, he noticed the lack of advanced technology in the industry and decided to create Edda. Edda raised the first funding round after building a team and creating the first version of the product.&nbsp; Edda helps investors manage their deals and portfolio companies by capturing information from emails, synchronizing data, and providing collaboration tools. It provides statistics and creates profiles for companies, while allowing users visibility on the true value of investments and the impact they create, in real time. With a team of 33 (growing to 40 imminently), Edda now has 130 clients in 26 countries and manages around $30 billion in assets across the private and public equity markets. With lofty ambitions to be the global industry leader, and a passion to make a positive impact on people, society and the planet, Edda has big plans for the future.&nbsp; Quickfire Round: Book: Build by Tony Fidel, Civilisation by Kenneth Clark Podcast: audio books News Source: VC news via LinkedIn Productivity App: Turning off phone notifications Favourite CEO: Demis Hassabis from DeepMind TV Show: n/a TEDTalk Topic: Financing impact Get in touch with Clèment via LinkedIn and learn more about Edda here https://edda.co/ &nbsp; More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 73: <strong>Women To The Front - Coby Sullivan </strong>
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/insights/women-to-the-front-coby-sullivan/

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# <strong>Women To The Front - Coby Sullivan </strong>

Women To The Front &#8211; Coby Sullivan Coby Sullivan | Head of Founder Communities | Innovation Bay In case you missed it, today is International Women’s Day. A day to celebrate all women, their achievements and unique differences, and to raise awareness on inequality and discrimination to create a world where gender equality exists.&nbsp; The UN’s theme for International Women’s Day 2023 is Cracking The Code: Innovation for a gender equal future . Certainly one we couldn’t let pass us by! So throughout the month of March (Women’s History Month), we’re highlighting some of the incredible change makers in our community and network, putting in the work to ensure equality for all.&nbsp; Our first guest is our very own Coby Sullivan . We took some time out with Coby to reflect on her achievements, inspirations and the changes she hopes to see in the industry. What does your role entail? Supporting the top tech founders across Australia so they, and their businesses can thrive. Startups are all consuming; scaling one takes serious passion, perseverance, and grit. The founders we work with believe in their solutions wholeheartedly and will do whatever it takes to bring their products to the world! It&#8217;s not just a career choice, it&#8217;s a lifestyle. So I support them in all aspects of that journey. This might mean connecting fellow founders to have a confidential conversation about a specific issue that’s keeping them awake at night or organising an important event with thought leaders and key players in their industry.&nbsp; Prior to this, what did you do? I ran an incubator. It took a lot of energy, blood, sweat and tears but it produced a human at the end so I&#8217;d say it was successful. So successful that I&#8217;ve run it twice. 80 weeks all up, with a little girl and a little boy at the end of it all. Definitely the best investment I&#8217;ve ever made. Why is it important to have female role models in the innovation sector? The tech sector is still predominantly male, with females accounting for about 30% of management or executive teams. The best way to increase this representation is to model it, which is why female role models are so important. I&#8217;m proud to say at Innovation Bay we have a majority of female leaders! I want my daughter to know that tech is an area where she can make an impact &#8211; if she wants to, of course. I&#8217;m hopeful about the future, as this next generation seems well-supported and fearless. Who is a woman (in the industry or otherwise) you look up to and why? There are many. Lately I’ve been reading more about Mira Murati, the CTO of OpenAI, and her story. I love that there is a female leader at the helm of this generative-AI boom. What changes would you like to see in the industry? I think to achieve true gender equality in not only this industry but all industries we must all pay more attention to the micro-moments when decisions are made, and check ourselves and others for bias, be it conscious or subconscious. Connect with Coby Learn more about our founder communities HERE . Connect with Coby HERE . More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 74: E181 – Inspire 24 (Part 1) FT The Hon. Ed Husic MP, Greg Miller, Melanie Silva
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e181-inspire-24-part-1-ft-the-hon-ed-husic-mp-greg-miller-melanie-silva/

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# E181 – Inspire 24 (Part 1) FT The Hon. Ed Husic MP, Greg Miller, Melanie Silva

22 April, 2022 E181 – Inspire 24 (Part 1) FT The Hon. Ed Husic MP, Greg Miller, Melanie Silva Earlier this year, Innovation Bay brought more than 250 of Australia’s leading tech founders and investors together at Inspire, held at Sydney’s Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) on May 22-23, 2024. Set under the overarching theme ‘The Future is…’, Inspire was a platform for the exchange of revolutionary thoughts and ideas about what the future holds for the startup ecosystem across the next 5-10 years. As he does, our co-founder and curious podcast host Ian Gardiner, set out with his roving mic to chat to some of the event’s incredible speakers and get a sense of what’s top of mind for them as they consider the evolution of the Aussie startup landscape. During part 1, you’ll hear from: The Hon. Ed Husic MP, Minister for Science &amp; Industry – on quantum computing and its long-term importance to the Australian economy. Greg Miller , Arena Mars (exited founder of Faethm) – opines on rapidly building, scaling and exiting his AI business that tackled the future of work, and how he’s now paying it forward. Melanie Silva , Google Australia and New Zealand – shares how Google is showing Australians the power of great digital tech through the Digital Future Initiative, and bringing together the world’s greatest Googlers to work with Australian partners to solve local problems using Google AI. Listen now to get a front row seat into what Australia’s tech leading minds are passionate about and be INSPIRED. Inspire was proudly supported by Innovation Bay’s official media partner Forbes Australia and event partners IAG Firemark Ventures, Google Cloud, the Field Jobs, and the Dylan Alcott Foundation. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 75: Edda Launches into the ANZ Market with Innovation Bay Partnership
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/edda-launches-into-the-anz-market-with-innovation-bay-partnership/

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# Edda Launches into the ANZ Market with Innovation Bay Partnership

Edda Launches into the ANZ Market with Innovation Bay Partnership Edda, the collaboration tool for professional investors, announces its launch into the Australian and New Zealand market. Made possible via a partnership with Innovation Bay, the region’s leading and longest running community for technology startups, scale-ups and investors, Edda has become the newest partner for Innovation Bay’s VC investor community, Aurora.&nbsp; With the majority of investors reliant on simple tools such as spreadsheets to manage their portfolios, Edda is on a mission to provide the market with fit-for-purpose technology, bringing efficiency, transparency and safety to the industry, from the earliest days of deal selecting through to portfolio management and exits.&nbsp; Combining dealflow, portfolio, LPs and business community management, Edda allows users visibility on the true value of investments and the impact they create, in real time. With over $30bn in assets under administration to date, Edda has been adopted by over 130 investment firms across 30 countries.&nbsp; Co-Founder &amp; CEO Clément Aglietta, expresses his excitement of the launch into the market and partnership with Innovation Bay, “We’re beyond thrilled to be bringing the Edda solution to the ANZ market. Our partnership with Innovation Bay has been the cornerstone for our launch in the region. We love what Innovation Bay is doing in the Australia and New Zealand tech ecosystem. The quality and breadth of their membership is incredibly unique and I can’t wait to make connections and start solving problems” he explains.&nbsp; Innovation Bay’s Co-Founder Ian Gardiner, echoes Clément’s sentiment, ”Edda provides an incredible solution for professional investors that we’re certain is going to make waves in the ANZ market. We’re delighted to be welcoming Edda to the Innovation Bay and Aurora partner family”. Based in Paris, since its inception in 2017, Edda has tripled its headcount and built the client base to over 150 clients active in 30 countries, which collectively manage over $30bn USD. High profile client names include Tidal VC and Betterlabs, located in Australia, and Citizen Capital, AIFund, Standard Chartered Bank and Headline, situated around the globe.&nbsp; Edda is backed by high profile investors including Mucker Capital, Plug&amp;Play, FJ Labs, iPhone co-creator Tony Fadell’s Future Shape (now Build Collective) and angel investor, and Arnaud Bonzom.&nbsp; More information on Edda More information on Innovation Bay More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 76: Community connections: the first events of 2025
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/community-connections-the-first-events-of-2025/

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# Community connections: the first events of 2025

Community connections: the first events of 2025 Our 2025 event calendar is officially underway! Last week, we kicked off the year doing what we love most &#8211; bringing people together &#8211; with a packed lineup of 7 events across 2 cities in just 3 days 😮‍💨🥵 11 Feb – Aurora (VCs) Curated Lunch | For funds with $150M+ FUM hosted by ASX | Sydney Not only our first event of the year this was also Ryan&#8217;s first event as Aurora Community Manager. A big thank you to ASX for hosting us. 12 Feb – Aurora (VCs) Curated Lunch | For first-time funds and those with under $150M FUM hosted by Halkin Global | Sydney Conversation explored some of the biggest trends shaping the investment landscape: 🔹 Trump’s Impact – With Trump’s tech and crypto-friendly stance, we discussed how his leadership could influence markets, policy, and investment opportunities in unconventional ways. 🔹 AI &amp; DeepSeek – As AI advancements like DeepSeek continue to evolve, we examined their long-term market effects through the lens of Jevons’ Paradox—where increased efficiency leads to greater consumption. 🔹 Market Liquidity – Liquidity remains a crucial factor in investment strategy. We took a deep dive into current market conditions and what they mean for investors navigating today’s environment. 🔹 Portfolio Health – A look at how portfolios are performing in the current climate, with insights on potential adjustments to optimize resilience and returns. 🔹 LP Outlook – With small funds facing challenges in raising capital, we explored the shifting dynamics in venture capital and private equity, and what this means for fund managers and investors. It was an insightful discussion, bringing together sharp minds to share perspectives and strategies for the road ahead. 12 Feb – Canopy (Early-Stage Founders) Lunch | Melbourne Our early stage founders from Melbourne met for a lunch and learn sessions moderated by Senior Community Manager, Beata. &#8216;Love is in the Air&#8217; was a very timely theme with Valentine&#8217;s day just around the corner. Love in this scenario referred to something extra important for founders: customer attraction and retention. The group dived into conversations around attracting and onboarding customers, keeping customers engaged and loyal, and how to deal with churn and win back customers over a delicious lunch. First Round Drinks | All communities | Melbourne We regularly host First Round Drinks which is an opportunity for all Innovation Bay members to come together and connect over drinks and nibbles. Our first event of the series was held in Melbourne and saw 30+ current and prospective members across our founder, angel, and VC communities come together. 13 Feb – Summit (Later-Stage Founders) Member Dinner | Melbourne An intimate and exclusive dinner with a small group of our Melbourne based founders. While we often host large scale events we love the depth of conversation and value sharing that can happen with a smaller group. 13 Feb – Horizon (Angel Investors) Digital Assets Inner Circle | Melbourne A group of 14 of our Angel Investors joined us for dinner in Melbourne. Horizon member Anthony and Kyall led some really diverse and interesting discussions including re real world implications of digital assets v AI, how the&nbsp;unfolding&nbsp;current macroeconomic environment may change the ecosystem, as well as what investors should be looking for in order to separate noise from signal when it comes to investing in crypto. Aurora (VCs) Location Dinner | Melbourne These events are exclusively for Innovation Bay’s members. Want to explore membership? Apply to join here More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 77: Halkin Partner with Innovation Bay's VC Community, Aurora
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/halkin-partner-with-innovation-bays-vc-community-aurora/

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# Halkin Partner with Innovation Bay's VC Community, Aurora

Halkin Partner with Innovation Bay&#8217;s VC Community, Aurora Innovation Bay is thrilled to welcome holistic business consultants, Halkin , as a partner to our VC community, Aurora. Halkin and Innovation Bay are similarly aligned in our respective missions to support Australian business. Halkin provides a range of outsourced services across key business disciplines to help propel innovative companies forward, with Innovation Bay providing an incredibly important community that fosters the exchange of ideas, provides a forum for connectivity, and a critical support structure for entrepreneurs to lean into. Adam Wakerman , Partner at Halkin, shares “We believe Halkin can play a key role in the Innovation Bay community, adding value through the provision of essential services to the startup ecosystem, and further enhancing its reputation as a trusted resource for both investors and startups alike.” Halkin acts as a financial, operational and strategic partner in navigating the dynamic landscape of business growth. With a proud 20-year history as a trusted SME consultancy, Halkin brings a wealth of experience to support Australia’s startup ecosystem, providing both critical business discipline and commercial acumen to ensure our rich supply of Aussie innovators reach their true potential.&nbsp; So, how can Halkin help you? Halkin’s specialised services for startups are fourfold:&nbsp; Fractional CFO and Outsourced Accounting: Halkin helps start-ups achieve financial transparency for better decision making with their seasoned accounting and finance professionals, from accurate and timely day to day accounting, cashflow management and financial modeling through to the delivery of sound financial strategies and reporting for sustainable and profitable growth. Tax &amp; Structuring Solutions: Assisting start-up clients navigate the complexities of structuring and taxation to ensure businesses are set up for both asset protection, tax optimisation and investment. Their tax team helps deal with the now, but also plan for the future. Outsourced HR Services: Build a powerhouse team with Halkin’s HR expertise. From talent acquisition to employment related compliance and performance management they ensure your team is as dynamic as your business. Strategic Advisory: Leverage Halkin’s strategic minds to chart a course for sustainable success. They provide analysis, insights and advisory services that will keep businesses on course and provide support through significant milestones, be it a capital raise, due diligence process, merger or acquisition. Trusted by investors and loved by startups, Halkin actively partners with their clients at every stage of the business lifecycle &#8211; from nurturing budding start-ups to fortifying high growth enterprises, Halkin’s success stories resonate across industries and borders, showcasing the tangible impact of our collaborative approach.&nbsp;&nbsp; “Success stories serve to strengthen and bolster the Aussie startup ecosystem and community” says Adam. “The more startups we can support and help navigate through the challenges of growth and development, the more success stories we create and the stronger the Australian startup ecosystem becomes!” With a firm footing in the Australian market, Halkin’s vision expands beyond, extending its reach from the shores of Australia to the mega markets of the USA and UK. “Our international presence reflects our commitment to providing world-class business solutions tailored to the unique needs of the Australian start-up space,” says Adam.&nbsp; To find out more about Halkin’s dynamic services, visit their website .&nbsp; More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 78: Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Venture Capital in Australia
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/insights/navigating-the-shifting-landscape-of-venture-capital-in-australia/

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# Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Venture Capital in Australia

Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Venture Capital in Australia Recently, through a number of events we have attended, ours and others, we have been talking a lot about the future of the market and the effects on our industry.&nbsp; So I wanted to share some insights that I have gathered to date.&nbsp; I hope they are useful. Words by Phaedon Stough, CEO &amp; Co- Founder Innovation Bay In the ever-evolving world of venture capital, it&#8217;s essential to stay ahead of the curve and understand the dynamics that shape the industry. Recent insights from key players in Australia&#8217;s venture capital scene shed light on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. In this article, we&#8217;ll delve into the key takeaways and observations made by industry experts, providing a glimpse into the unique characteristics of the Australian VC ecosystem.&nbsp; High Seed Valuations and Challenges to Series A Seed-stage valuations remain steady and consistent, making it increasingly challenging for startups to progress to the Series A stage. Most commentators continue to suggest that Series A capital rounds are tough in the current market, with valuations down from 18x of 18 months back to the 9-11x of the current market. It is forecast that many startups who reached unicorn status in early 2022, that a significant percentage of the 400 to 500 will eventually fade into obscurity, points to the need for caution and a more critical evaluation of investments.&nbsp; Comments suggest that we will see more redundancies for later stage tech in the coming months, which will provide a unique opportunity to hire for those with capability to do so.&nbsp; Return to Normalcy and a Shift in Dynamics While the past few years saw a relatively low failure rate in the VC industry, experts predict that we&#8217;re likely to see a return to a more normal rate of failure. The power law dynamic, which recognises that a small number of investments will drive the majority of returns, is expected to become more prominent. This shift may bring about more down rounds and bridging rounds. Impact on VC Returns and Contrarian Thinking As a result of these changes, VC returns are expected to diminish, potentially impacting the overall VC industry. However, one exciting development in this correction is the resurgence of contrarian thinking. This encourages diversity of thought and approaches, which can lead to more innovative and sustainable investments. Australia&#8217;s Unique Position Australia&#8217;s venture capital industry, relatively young at just ten years old, has unique characteristics. It&#8217;s considered a spoke market, with companies here often aiming to tap into larger global markets. There&#8217;s a growing belief that Australia can create global companies, and the industry is on the cusp of a golden age of venture. Lean and Efficient Startups Australian startups are known for their efficiency and lean operations, with a different breed of entrepreneurs compared to Silicon Valley. The country is on the brink of significant growth, with a cohesive and supportive startup ecosystem. This really does provide a unique opportunity for many Australia startups to scale globally. AI, Valuations, and the Role of Government AI innovation remains strong, and valuations are subject to the supply and demand dynamics, often driven by the perspectives of VCs and founders. The government plays a crucial role in driving talent into the country, particularly in quantum and AI, which have national security implications. Comments suggest that San Francisco is going through a resurgence in the AI space as startups spring up everywhere and valuations are high. Founder-Centric Investing In the Australian VC landscape, founder and team quality often outweigh the product when making investment decisions. The venture industry&#8217;s uniqueness lies in the intricate process of selecting the right founders and companies. Unique Nature of Venture Capital Venture capital isn&#8217;t a scalable industry due to the highly individualised nature of finding the right companies and founders. In Australia, the limited availability of tech funds capable of investing substantial amounts presents its own set of challenges. Conclusion Australia&#8217;s venture capital scene is at an intriguing crossroads. As the industry matures and adapts to changing dynamics, it&#8217;s crucial for both investors and entrepreneurs to stay agile and informed. The shift towards more realistic valuations, the importance of founder quality, and the government&#8217;s role in driving talent are all key factors that will shape the future of venture capital in Australia. With the right strategies and a keen eye on global opportunities, Australia&#8217;s startup nation is poised for remarkable growth and success. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 79: What is an ecosystem?
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/insights/what-is-an-ecosystem/

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# What is an ecosystem?

What is an ecosystem? Australia is a small place in terms of people, with a big geographic spread. So how should we think about a startup ecosystem? ✍️ Words by Phaedon Stough, CEO &amp; Co-Founder, Innovation Bay Image by Saidie Creative What is an ecosystem?&nbsp; This week saw LaunchVic commence their campaign called Startups Start Here. We love LaunchvVc! They funded the start of our amazing Horizon (angel investor) community three years ago and without them, Horizon wouldn’t exist. But also because of how they think about, support and build an ecosystem. The campaign is all about drawing startups to set up in Victoria and it has uncovered some amazing stats, including: There are 19 unicorns in Victoria &#8211; can you name them or their founders? There are now 2,300 &#8211; 3,000 startups in Victoria &#8211; wow! This number has tripled in the last three years. 1,300 are new! 88% of founders have created multiple companies &#8211; that is a lot of repeat founders.&nbsp; The value of pre series A companies have 15x in the last three years $90B is the total value of the ecosystem. The ecosystem in Victoria now employs more people than the energy and water industries combined. We have also been lucky enough to partner with NSW Gov, who are amazing and take a long term view. The investment that the NSW government is making into startups is truly remarkable and we work specifically with their international trade group, which focuses on helping startups scale beyond Australia. They also help and advise not just NSW based startups; they take a national view, which is inspiring. We’ve also worked with the QLD government and SA Government. But I think the benchmark is New Zealand. We have been lucky enough to work with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and wow…what an organisation. Not only the people they hire but also in the way they think about helping founders. This really got me thinking, what is a startup ecosystem? Australia is a small place in terms of people, with a big geographic spread. So how should we think about a startup ecosystem? Well of course I asked ChatGPT. Here’s some takeaways from it’s output: A startup ecosystem is a network of individuals, institutions, and resources that support the growth and success of startups. It includes a range of elements such as entrepreneurs, investors, accelerators, incubators, coworking spaces, universities, government agencies, and other organizations that work together to create an environment that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship. Overall, a startup ecosystem is a dynamic and interconnected network of people, institutions, and resources that supports the growth and success of startups and helps to drive innovation and economic development. I then asked about the Australian startup ecosystem. What is interesting, Australia doesn’t really have a startup ecosystem, Melbourne/Victoria has one, Sydney has one, Adelaide, Brisbane&#8230;get my gist? Australia has a relatively strong and growing startup ecosystem, but it is not currently ranked among the top startup ecosystems in the world. However, it is worth noting that Australia has made significant strides in recent years to support the growth of its startup community. Some of the challenges facing Australia&#8217;s startup ecosystem include a relatively small market size, limited access to capital compared to some other countries, and a shortage of skilled workers in certain areas.&nbsp; And this is what I wanted to ask all of you….Should we be thinking of an “Australian tech ecosystem or is it all about regions?” Would Australia be better served from a Federal Government approach, rather than States? We&#8217;d love to hear your thoughts HERE . Here are my thoughts…&nbsp; We have an AIS, which seems to be a global example of how to centre a community and pool resources, but also leverage different localities. Is there an example of this work in tech in Australia?&nbsp;&nbsp; By creating regional expertise within a national context, would it not pool resources more effectively, eg. is Melbourne the MedTech hub of Australia? Is Queensland/Brisbane the Robotics Hub of Australia or is Sydney the Fintech Hub of Australia? In that instance, would there ever be a case where the NSW Government would fund a MedTech business to relocate to Victoria?&nbsp; One thing we do here at Innovation Bay is take a national view. We strongly believe that empowering founders to connect with other founders not specifically in their geography adds a tremendous amount of value.&nbsp; So…what does Innovation Bay do to help the startup ecosystem in Australia?&nbsp; We don’t think about it in terms of regions, but rather a whole We drive capital into early stage founders We support founders on the journey to realise their dreams and ambitions We acknowledge, highlight and celebrate both success and failure We build communities that work collective for the betterment of the industry That is pretty awesome. I feel very privileged to be working in this business. If someone said, you will be running a membership business, there is no way I would have thought it would align with my dreams and goals in life. Because, in all honesty, membership businesses are a bit weird.&nbsp; They have this strange connotation about them, part ponzi scheme, part bullshit exclusive club…but that is not how I consider or think of this business. I think of it as a community &#8211; a bunch of really awesome people who come together, have a good time and share common passions and, in many ways, skills &#8211; such as entrepreneurialism.&nbsp; Our vision is indeed to help the ecosystem thrive, but unlike the Tech Council of Australia , which is all about being the voice of the ecosystem (which is so awesome and what a great organisation &#8211; pending podcast with the CEO), our future is about supporting individual elements (founders and investors) in the ecosystem to perform at a higher level.&nbsp; Sometimes it is simpler to say what we are not:&nbsp; A lobby group for the industry An events business A professional sales network&nbsp; A recruitment body We are, and always will be, driven by the evolution of our society through adoption of innovative, disruptive technologies that enhance how we do business, connect, learn and grow as a supportive society. Technology, like everything in life, has the potential to cause great harm, as well as immense positivity, in medicine, education and our day to day lives. Our mission is to help those founders and investors who choose to be part of our communities to make better decisions, learn from each other, support each other and really at the end of the day, not to go off the deep end, because growing something from nothing is extremely hard and painful. Want to be a part of our community? Drop us a line HERE . More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 80: Preacta Partners with Innovation Bay's Founder Communities
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# Preacta Partners with Innovation Bay's Founder Communities

Preacta Partners with Innovation Bay&#8217;s Founder Communities Introducing Derek Macartney, CEO and Founder of Preacta We’re thrilled to announce our founder communities have forged a partnership with talent and recruitment visionaries, Preacta . Preacta; derived from the ability to pre-empt and act, ahead of the game.&nbsp;&nbsp; For 10 years Preacta has been scaling tier-1 Tech companies such as Atlassian, REA Group, Carsales, Typeform, and Miro, across APAC, Europe, LATAM, and the USA, through a range of talent solutions.&nbsp; Determined to set a new benchmark in talent, Preacta is driven to help companies scale in a sustainable and ethical way. They play upstream to solve future problems that you are not even aware you have yet.&nbsp;&nbsp; Preacta applies global best practice thinking into emerging start-ups and scale-ups, working to ensure their talent strategy is established and future-ready for the complexities of scale as early as possible. Preacta have helped their partners undo dysfunction and build excellence through their Talent Intelligence-led approach. Removing hearsay and flippant advice, they bring data and empirical evidence to the heart of talent decision-making, and ensure their clients are achieving hiring success with your strategy as early as possible. We sat down with Derek Macartney , Preacta’s CEO and Founder, to learn a little more about how Preacta can solve for the Innovation Bay founder communities and vastly beyond.&nbsp; Derek, tell us a little about your role… As the Founder of Preacta, I am privileged to lead a team of some of the best talent and recruiting consultants in the world. We get to solve the most complex hiring challenges, as well as build and execute incredible Talent Strategies for awesome companies. My vision is to create the leading management consultancy for Talent in the world, whereby we can shift the needle in how our work can have transformative impact on our ecosystem of clients and industry. I truly believe Talent Intelligence is the differentiator between how companies scaled for the past 20 years to how they can scale more efficiently in the future as the tech talent market becomes under-supplied. I get to bring this to life through my amazing team and clients each day! What can the IB founder community come to you for? The IB members can come to Preacta for advice or an expert ear on everything talent related. We’re here both informally and formally for recruitment and hiring needs, technology advice, process, optimisation, strategy definition and workforce planning / strategic hiring advice. Any talent, people, and operations questions, you can come and bounce with us. We also have an ecosystem of trusted partners we can introduce you to if your need is outside our scope of expertise. Why is supporting the Innovation Bay founder community important to Preacta? As an Australian company we want to support emerging Australian organisations in developing their people strategies early on, providing the framework for scale. Often you’ll find that the “people” and “talent” side of a start-up or scale-up is a real struggle for entrepreneurs. They’ll frequently come from a commercial or tech background rather than HR, People, or Talent. People, culture and talent are the keys to the puzzle in many ways. By providing free consultation advice and support at the early stages of growth, we hope to clear up the fog surrounding people &amp; talent, giving the founders the opportunity to leverage our expertise to flourish. Learn more about our Founder Communities HERE . More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 81: Landing Page
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/landing-page/

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# Landing Page

Your private invitation to apply for membership to Australia and New Zealand’s most thriving and exclusive community of tech disruptors. Accelerating the success of visionary founders and investors through connection, community and education We believe&#8230; We believe in disruptive innovation and the people passionately dedicating their lives to making a positive impact on the world. We believe in the butterfly effect &#8211; by supporting one ambitious individual they are better equipped and connected, to positively influence many others. We believe in finding a place of belonging, a safe harbour &#8211;&nbsp; and the transformative power of finding your people, your community. We believe in peer learning &#8211; someone has walked the road you’re on and has a goldmine of information to share with you. Who we are Innovation Bay is a thriving community accelerating the success of visionary founders and investors in Australia and New Zealand. Since 2003, Innovation Bay has been igniting the tech landscape, forging valuable connections and creating a dynamic ecosystem where founders, investors, and leaders come together to exchange experiences, knowledge, and inspiration. At Innovation Bay, we believe in the power of community, connection, and education to drive disruptive change. Our mission is to empower the disruptors of today and tomorrow, fuelling their growth and success through the power of meaningful connections, collaborative learning, and unrivalled access to investment and deal flow. INNOVATION BAY Our communities Our vibrant community comprises four carefully curated and distinct ecosystems: For Founders Canopy A community for ambitious early (Seed) stage founders. A collaborative, confidential environment where members can share closed-door, peer-to-peer conversations. This is the most critical stage of a startup, the Valley of Death: from seed to Series A. You need support and to be surrounded by others going through similar challenges, who will also join in celebrating you and your successes. Summit Summit is an exclusive, highly curated community for Series A+ founders and CEOs. They are the mavericks, visionaries and outliers, who are dedicated to making a positive and lasting impact in the world. Our Summit Community focuses on peer-to-peer learning and connection amongst the top tech founders in Australia and New Zealand. Founders can get answers to their questions sooner, share their challenges with others who truly ‘get it’ and celebrate their successes with others who understand the physical, mental, and emotional demands of startup life. For Investors Aurora Aurora is for Australia and New Zealand’s venture capital general partners. Aurora exists to shape and enable the future of the industry to thrive via more collaboration, deeper connections, and collective learning. We don’t focus on deal flow, we focus on building relationships. Aurora was created to unite VCs across Australia and New Zealand and provide an intimate and relaxed environment for leaders in VC to have thoughtful and authentic conversations, share the triumphs and tribulations and dynamic peer-driven discussions. Horizon Horizon is a tight knit community of experienced angel investors from diverse backgrounds. Our members are passionate about creating a lasting, positive impact on the Australia and New Zealand tech ecosystem by backing the next generation of ambitious early-stage founders of world changing startups. Horizon is founder friendly &#8211; we invest our time in a founder’s success through candid and constructive feedback. Horizon membership fosters active angels &#8211; we provide highly curated deal flow, facilitate due diligence and then step aside to empower our community to interact with founders directly. What our members say “What stood out about Innovation Bay for me was the attention to the purity of the community. Innovation Bay have always done a terrific job of cultivating the community.” Phil Morle | Partner, Main Sequence Ventures “Innovation Bay is really unique. It’s an open forum for discussion. We come and connect and share deals and talk about what we’re struggling with or what we’re aiming for. It’s such a great space to be able to get everyone together and all the different ideas.” &nbsp;Georgia Barkell | Partner, Sprint Ventures Jeremy Duff | Co-Founder, Sizle Michelle Deaker | Managing Partner, One Ventures “Joining Summit is one of the best decisions I have made. It is an open and growth oriented environment, where you can talk deeply with entrepreneurs who are going on a similar journey. There are so many lessons, regardless of specific tech niche you are in, that everyone faces when trying to scale a tech business, and Summit allows you to dive into these with fellow entrepreneurs you can trust as they have no agenda apart from sharing and learning together.” James Ferguson | CEO, Immutable “Innovation Bay is done in the right spirits. It’s the first time in a long time I feel like I’m part of a community and can contribute. The magic happens when you can put lots of people in a room together who have the right values and intentions. What I’m finding is that everyone wants to help each other. I’ve built some really great relationships.” Yash Varma | Founder &amp; General Partner, Empress Capital Rajeev Gupta | Partner, ALIUM Capital What&#8217;s in it for you&#8230; Exclusive community of like-minded individuals on a similar journey Find your people! You need not walk this road alone! Get answers to your questions sooner, share challenges with others who truly ‘get it’ and celebrate yours and others success in a safe and familiar environment. Transformative peer to peer learning, knowledge sharing, education, networking, deal flow There’s nothing quite like learning from someone who has walked the path you’re on, made the mistakes you need to hear about, and hold a wealth of knowledge you likely won’t find anywhere else. Our community, and wider network, is filled with some of the best and most intriguing minds in the industry&nbsp; This is what Innovation Bay is all about. Incredible, bespoke experiential event calendar Our events have been called “the best on offer in the industry”. We meticulously curate events especially focused on what founders and investors are experiencing. You’ll always walk away from every Innovation Bay interaction with fresh knowledge, inspiring insights, deeper connections and a more robust network! Access to a network unlike any other in ANZ The ecosystem we’re creating really is the cream of the crop. Our membership is selective and exclusive &#8211; the quality of our membership speaks for itself! And lastly…. Because it’s damn good fun Community Pillars Each moment we facilitate with our community (events, workshops, meetings etc) is shaped on three key pillars: Community &#8211; Breadth…it all starts here (noun) the condition of sharing or having certain attitudes and interests in common Each moment to connect signifies the level of community interaction – whether it’s with the whole community, your entire sub-community, or a curated, intimate group. Tech founders and funders are a unique breed. We offer a home, a sense of belonging, a sense of finding your people. The concept of ‘the strength of weak ties’ states that it is the people outside our immediate circle of friends and connections that unlock the greatest insights, inspiration and opportunities. Being a part of this community will give you access to a collective energy, a sense being part of something greater, and a feeling of strength and support that you’re not alone. Connection &#8211; Depth…from breadth, humans seek depth (noun) the act of joining or being joined to something else, or the part or process that makes this possible We strive to drive deeper interpersonal relationships with kindred spirits. We foster a place for moments of visceral connections with those on a journey similar to yours. High risk pursuits, like founding or investing in startups, require incredibly trusted relationships. We facilitate the development of trust and confidence in your fellow member connections. Education &#8211; Vulnerability…from depth we become open (noun) an enlightening experience Being a part of a community gives us a heightened ability to access openness and receptivity &#8211; to not only to lean in and share, but also to absorb and learn. Tech is a rapidly changing space, where new challenges frequently arise and continuous learning becomes crucial. Our education pillar accelerates learning by offering the opportunity to tap into collective wisdom, share with and learn from our peers, and give an educational experience unattainable elsewhere. Event Pillars Family Small, intimate groups of members from your core community come together to share experiences, create memories and forge deep friendships. Each month a “FAMILY” event will be on offer for you to attend. Experiences may be with geographically located members, or nationally spread. Village Events specifically curated for your community (Canopy, Summit, Horizon, Aurora) filled with themes, topics and conversations relevant to your current set of experiences. A number of opportunities to connect with your village are peppered throughout the year. Tribe An opportunity to connect with the entire Innovation Bay community &#8211; where all four communities&nbsp; come together &#8211; from seed &#8211; later stage founders and CEOs, angel investors and VC partners. We run 2+ major event opportunities per calendar year and a number of more casual catch ups throughout the year.

## Page 82: Anthony Woodward RecordPoint
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/anthony-woodward-recordpoint/

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# Anthony Woodward RecordPoint

22 May, 2025 From Bootstrap to Global Scale: Anthony Woodward&#8217;s RecordPoint Journey Welcome to The Founders Blueprint—Innovation Bay’s brand-new podcast, where we break down the journey of building and scaling great companies. From the highs to the lows and everything in between, we uncover the real stories behind entrepreneurial success. In each episode, host Phaedon Stough sits down with an inspiring founder to explore the hard-won lessons, missteps, and pivotal moments that have shaped their journey. In Episode Two, Phaedon catches up with Anthony Woodward, a remarkable entrepreneur whose story might be unfamiliar to many in our community. Anthony is the Founder and CEO of RecordPoint, a platform that enables companies to discover, govern, and control their data—boosting compliance, efficiency, and reducing risk.&nbsp;This episode dives into Anthony&#8217;s complete entrepreneurial journey—from launching his business and scaling globally, to relocating to Seattle and recently returning to Australian shores. His story is filled with valuable insights for founders at any stage. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Founding a company before the modern VC landscape existed in Australia RecordPoint’s evolution from a Microsoft SharePoint add-on to a global tech scale-up Transitioning from a mostly bootstrapped startup to raising $4 million from Macquarie Bank The highs and lows of relocating to Seattle for global expansion How COVID-19 affected their international growth strategy Managing a team of 130 Anthony’s reflections on fundraising—what he’d do differently The importance of family and a strong support network on the founder journey Anthony’s current reading list and book recommendations for fellow entrepreneurs Tune in, subscribe, and join us as we explore what it takes to build a truly great company. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 83: 2025 Company update
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/insights/2025-company-update/

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# 2025 Company update

2025 company update from our CEO This is a special note to you—our members—at the start of 2025, and I ask that you keep it confidential. Think of it as an internal memo, a shared moment between those of us who believe in this mission and what we’re building together. Dear Members, supporters, and friends This is a special note to you—our members—at the start of 2025, and I ask that you keep it confidential. Think of it as an internal memo, a shared moment between those of us who believe in this mission and what we’re building together. First, Thank You. Thank you for your ongoing support, your energy, and your belief in this community. To those who have recently joined us—welcome! I hope the year ahead brings you personal growth, professional breakthroughs, and financial success. Four years ago, we made a bold decision to pivot to a membership model and double down on building something bigger, something that would have a lasting impact. It’s been a journey—one full of challenges, moments of doubt, and exhilarating wins. But most of all, it has reinforced our belief in the power of community and how essential it is to the success of this industry. As we step into 2025, I want to share our vision for the future—not just a plan but a collective mission. Why We Exist For Ian, Cam, myself, and our incredible team, this is not just a business—it’s a calling. We’ve all benefited from the wisdom, generosity, and support of others along our journeys. Building Innovation Bay is our way of paying it forward. We believe that collective wisdom is our secret weapon. The strength of this community isn’t just in the deals we do or the insights we share—it’s in how we show up for each other and the kind of wisdom we exchange. Building a business in this country is f#%king hard. I won’t sugarcoat it. There are days I question why I’m doing this at all. Especially when I think about how much easier it was to build a business in the US. There, the current flows with you—capital is abundant, the ecosystem is designed to support builders, and scaling comes with fewer barriers. Here? It’s different. And yet, we keep showing up. Some days, I imagine an alternate universe—one where I’m sitting on the 32nd floor of a towering corporate building, never worrying about cash flow, enjoying 20-minute coffee breaks, planning team retreats, and watching McKinsey consultants roll in to teach us strategy. But that’s not who I am. That’s not who we are. We Are the Outliers. We are the ones who chose to step outside the safe lane, to build something from nothing. We are the ones who put all our chips on the table and said, “Let’s go.” We are elite athletes of business—but instead of running sprints, we run marathons. Instead of competing for medals, we are changing industries. We are builders, creators, and challengers of the status quo. And that is what excites me. Our Mission: Building $100M Companies At the core of this community is a belief that innovation drives change. Whether in healthcare, commerce, or knowledge sharing, innovation is what reshapes industries and creates opportunities. And here’s where we are making a bold commitment that works for our whole community. We aim to build more $100M revenue businesses in our community. Our goal? By 2028, we want 10 of our founder members running companies generating $100M+ in revenue. Some of you might read that and think, “That’s unrealistic.” Bullshit and hopefully some of you think that’s not big enough. If we don’t think big, we are limiting our own potential. Sure, some of you might dream of a $10M, $20M, or $30M exit—and that’s great. But that should not stop you from striving for something bigger. We want to build a community that is not only ambitious in the products it takes to market but also in the scale and impact it has on the world. We believe this works for our whole community, not just founders, but also our investors who are empowering company creation and supporting it through the ups and downs. And we don’t just want to talk about this ambition. We want to quantify it. We’ll be sharing more soon on how we plan to track and measure this journey together. Our Vision for Impact At the heart of our mission is a belief that great companies are not built in isolation. Through collaboration, shared challenges, and collective victories, we can create an environment where ambitious ideas thrive and the impossible becomes achievable. For us, this looks like: More Unique Content: Member-led sessions that share hard-earned lessons and drive growth. Forum Sessions: Honest, insightful conversations on the challenges that matter most. Events and Experiences: Memorable, high-impact gatherings. Platform Engagement: Tools and connections that elevate your personal and professional growth. How We Measure Success At the heart of our mission is a belief that great companies are not built in isolation. Through collaboration, shared challenges, and collective victories, we can create an environment where ambitious ideas thrive and the impossible becomes achievable. We track impact through: Growth of our community and our members. High Renewal rates. NPS &#8211; on all our experiences. Member feedback and experience scores. Referrals and new member growth. Participation rates at events. Contributions to community content. Connections and collaborations sparked within the network. Impact on the broader ecosystem. Why This Matters to You Through this community, we can: Enhance your journey and drive your success. Reduce isolation and provide the support you need, both now and in the future. Build something bigger than ourselves &#8211; a community that drives impact and creates change. How You Can Help &#8211; We are the net sum of our parts Lead Content: Share your expertise and insights with the community. Be an Evangelist: Help us identify and welcome the right future members. Aspire Together: Make Innovation Bay the community others aspire to join. Give us Feedback: We need your help to continuously improve what we do. Get Involved: Be part of our community committee’s, reach out with new initiatives that we can support or programs we can help create. The Bigger Picture Ultimately, we measure success by how well we live up to our mission: to empower tech founders and investors to succeed individually and as a community. Our north star is this 600-strong ecosystem we are creating together &#8211; a place where ambition meets support, where challenges are shared, and where success is celebrated as a community achievement. Together, we define what success looks like for Innovation Bay, and more importantly, for the entire tech ecosystem in our region. Closing Thoughts We are the sum of our parts &#8211; that means you. Each of us is time-poor, under pressure, and working to build mission-driven companies. But together, we have the power to build something lasting &#8211; a competitive advantage for our ecosystem, a place to drive success, and a community to lean on through the challenges of entrepreneurship. This isn’t a service; it’s a passion project. And we would love your help to make it extraordinary. FAQ’s Why We Run Three Unique Communities We believe in the power of interconnectedness. Founders and investors need each other, and while there’s often tension in these relationships, the outcomes are worth it. By fostering collaboration across our communities, we elevate conversations and unlock shared success. Our North Star We aim to grow to 600 members-a critical mass that enables richer insights, deeper connections, and more impactful collaborations. We want to see more interconnected investments &#8211; not just financial, but also in the form of mentorship, guidance, and coaching. Lessons from the Journey Over the past five years, we’ve learned that building community is much harder than we expected: Our community is volatile but resilient. The high-risk, high-reward nature of our environment creates pressure, but it also breeds greatness. We all tend to underinvest in ourselves because there’s always too much to do. We are unsure about the community and tend to revert back to our needs. Thank you for being part of Innovation Bay. Let’s continue to dream big, support one another, and change the world together. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 84: Innovation Bay Member News > July 2024
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/innovation-bay-member-news-july-2024/

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# Innovation Bay Member News > July 2024

Innovation Bay Member News &gt; July 2024 Welcome to another installment of: our members continue to take on the world! At Innovation Bay, there&#8217;s nothing we love more than hearing about what our members are up to. From brand new start-ups, to raising funds, to receiving growing industry accolades… it&#8217;s all happening. Read on for our latest member news! 💸 Ethan Singer, Fundabl . Fundabl just raised a Venture Debt fund. A very flexible mandate, funding terms up to 3 years, with cheque sizes up to $5 million. 🏆 Anthony Willmott, DAS Intel. DAS was named Startup of the Year at the LaunchVIc 2024 Governor of Victoria Startup Awards. 💸 John Fargher, AgriWebb. AgriWebb has secured an additional AU$11 million (US $7.2 million, £6 million), in an oversubscribed round. 💡 Steve Fanale, DriveYello . With over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, Steve has just launched his new Fractional Exec site, Fanale Exec . 💡 Steve Lewis, Nabu.ai . Steve is launching healthcare advocate Nabu AI, securing high level industry advisors along with partnerships for trials starting Q4. Get a sneak preview here. 🎤 Keaton Okkonen, Black.ai was part of the AFR Entrepreneurship Summit 2024 panel on AI Startups . 💜 Mark Dombkins, Forever Projects . Our charity partner Forever Projects ran a successful EOFY campaign for a new vehicle for their Tanzania partners, raising $85K in 13 days! Innovation Bay are proud to support Forever Projects&#8217; overheads, enabling 100% of funds raised to reach Tanzania and help women break the cycle of poverty. 🏆 Jeremy Leibman, Powour . Powour made the cut for this year&#8217;s QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge . This is a global challenge powered by Leading Cities (a Boston-based B2G accelerator). They were selected from over 740 applicants from 70 countries. 🤗 Robert Kinkade, Dynamic Uplift . Dynamic Uplift has achieved significant milestones with the &#8216;FutureFit&#8217; program in partnership with Optus, receiving strong user feedback and high NPS. The venture focuses on offering scalable consulting advice for SMBs, leveraging digital strategy and transformation expertise, with recent expansions including new strategic advisors and Google cloud credits for advancing their generative AI product roadmap. 📺 Anna Wright, BindiMaps . BindiMaps was featured on Channel 10 Evening News (10 News First Melbourne) highlighting its collaboration with Guide Dogs Victoria (GDV) in setting a new gold standard for accessible buildings. 🏆 Dominic Woolrych, Lawpath . Dominic was named a finalist of the “Innovator of the Year” award at the Australian Law Awards. 🏆 Carolina Dreifuss, SyncTechnologies . SyncTechnologies has been named a finalist for the “Insurtech Startup of the Year” award by ANZIIF for the second consecutive year! 💸 Dennis Savic, Savic Motorcycles . Savic Motorcycles’ Equity Crowd-Sourced Funding Expression of Interest phase is now live with Birchal. The offer to actually invest will go live on 1st August. Those who sign up through EOI will get priority access before the public from 30th July. Sign up to stay informed here. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 85: Inspire - The future is...
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/inspire-the-future-is/

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# Inspire - The future is...

Wednesday 22 &#8211; Thursday 23 May&nbsp; 10am &#8211; 5pm&nbsp; ACO | Sydney Inspire is a groundbreaking and unmissable event exclusively for Innovation Bay members and special guests. Inspire brings together the 250 most influential people in the ANZ startup industry &#8211; from visionary founders, ambitious VC and High Net Worth investors, to prominent ecosystem leaders and inspiring innovators &#8211; for a crowd sourced collage of what the future holds across the next 5-10 years for the startup ecosystem. The future is… Over two thrilling days, Inspire is designed to empower futures and ignite ideas. Set under the overarching theme ‘The Future is…”, the event will be a multidisciplinary exploration of our collective future as told by the people who are building and investing in it.&nbsp; Inspire will provide a platform for the exchange of revolutionary thoughts and ideas, where attendees walk away with a competitive advantage, mind’s full of inspired perspectives from a unique collective without parallel. Speakers The Hon. Ed Husic MP, Minister for Science &amp; Industry The Future of Australia is… Melanie Silva Managing Director &amp; VP of Google Australia and New Zealand The Future is Reimagined with AI, Presented by Google Cloud Dylan Alcott AO The Future is Accessible, Presented by theField.jobs Craig Blair Partner &amp; Co-Founder, Airtree The Future of Venture Capital is… Anna Wright, Founder &amp; CEO, BindiMaps The Future is… Inclusive Chris Jewell, CEO &amp; Co-Founder Zepto The Future of Money is… Elaine Stead Partner, Main Sequence The Future of Media and how it will shape venture capital, technology, and new industries Greg Miller Partner, Arena Mars The Future is…Australia standing tall among the OECD leaders in Innovation Nina Curtis The Future of Sailing Mick Liubinskas, CEO, Climate Salad The Future of Climate is… Melissa Widner, CEO, Lighter Capital The Future of Funding Female Founders is&#8230; Iain McDonald Founder, CEO, 8seats The Future is Superhuman… Sarah Nolet Co-Founder &amp; General Partner, Tenacious Ventures The Future of Food is&#8230; Olly Bridge Human Performance Expert, Principal of Essentio Health The Future of Health &amp; Wellness Jeremy O&#8217;Brien, PsiQuantum The Future of Quantum Chris Capon CEO, Nominal Systems The Future of Space is… Inspire 2024 Agenda Overview DAY 1 | 22 MAY Time Session &amp; Speaker 10:00am &#8211; 12:00pm Welcome &amp; Context The Hon. Ed Husic MP &#8211; The Future of Australia is&#8230; &amp; Moderated by Ian Gardiner Greg Miller, Arena Mars &#8211; The Future is Australia standing tall among the OECD leaders in Innovation Mel Silva, Google &#8211; The Future of Digital, Presented by Google Cloud Anna Wright, BindiMaps &#8211; The Future is Inclusive 12:00pm &#8211; 1:15pm Lunch 1:15pm &#8211; 3:00pm Community Specific Breakouts &#8211; sessions designed for each of our communities across founders, VC and angel investors 3:00pm &#8211; 3:30pm Break 3:35pm &#8211; 5:15pm Elaine Stead, Main Sequence Ventures &#8211; The Future of Media and how it will shape venture capital, technology, and new industries Chris Jewell, Zepto &#8211; The Future of Money is&#8230; Olly Bridge &#8211; The Future of Health &amp; Wellbeing is&#8230; Dylan Alcott AO &#8211; The Future is Accessible, Presented by theField.jobs 5:30pm &#8211; 7:30pm Cocktail Party DAY 2 | 23 MAY Time Session &amp; Speaker 10:00am &#8211; 12:00pm Craig Blair, Airtree &#8211; The Future of Venture Capital is&#8230; Melissa Widner, Lighter Capital &#8211; The Future of Funding Female Founders Chris Capon, Nominal Systems &#8211; The Future of Space is… Sarah Nolet, Tenacious Ventures &#8211; The Future of Food Iain McDonald, 8seats &#8211; The Future is Superhuman&#8230; 12:05pm &#8211; 1:05pm Lunch 1:05pm &#8211; 2:30pm Community Specific Breakouts &#8211; sessions designed for each of our communities across founders, VC and angel investors 2:30pm &#8211; 3:00pm Break 3:00pm &#8211; 5:00pm Jeremy O&#8217;Brien, PsiQuantum &#8211; The Future of Quantum is&#8230; Mick Liubinskas, Climate Salad &#8211; The Future of Climate is., Presented by IAG FV The Great Debates &#8211; Teams to be revealed Nina Curtis &#8211; The Future of Sailing 5:00pm &#8211; 6:00pm Closing Drinks &amp; Networking Some kind words about our events “The Innovation Bay team structured one of the most relevant events for business leaders I’ve experienced with room full of positive ego professionals invested in success beyond 2024.” Steve Lewis | Vigilum “Innovation Bay is really unique. It’s an open forum for discussion. We come and connect and share deals and talk about what we’re struggling with or what we’re aiming for. It’s such a great space to be able to get everyone together and all the different ideas in an open forum.” Georgia Barkell | Sprint Ventures “The Innovation Bay team structured one of the most relevant events for business leaders I’ve experienced with room full of positive ego profession &#8220;Innovation Bay is done in the right spirits. It’s the first time in a long time I feel like I’m part of a community and can contribute. The magic happens when you can put lots of people in a room together who have the right values and intentions. What I’m finding is that everyone wants to help each other. We’ve built some really great relationships.&#8221; als invested in success beyond 2024.” Yash Varma | Empress Capital Who&#8217;s attending? Representatives from the following companies will be in attendance: 1835i 2040 Ventures 3 Towers 4You Innovation 8seats Airtree Ventures Alberts Allectus Capital Altered Capital Amazon Web Services Antler Archangel Ventures ARENA ARENA Arena Mars ASX Atlas Platforms Aura Ventures Aussie Angels AWS Startups Backbone Partners Bailador BetterLabs BindiMaps Bitwise Ag Blackbird Ventures Bridgewest Ventures Burda Principal Investments Cake Canaccord Genuity Carthona Capital CartonCloud CEFC Climate Salad Community VC Corrivium Digital Agriculture Services Dynamic Uplift Ecotone Partners Empress Capital Essentio Health Everclime Evermed Firemark Ventures Five V Capital FreightExchange Fundabl Gilbert + Tobin Goldman Sachs Google Cloud Grace Papers Guinevere Capital Esports &amp; Entertainment Halkin Helia Hockey Stick Advisory Hutly IAG Firemark Ventures IDA Ireland Intervalley Ventures Jelix Ventures Juno KC Ventures Kilara Capital KttiPay Lighter Capital LIIVELY MA Growth Ventures (part of MA Financial Group) Macquarie VC Main Sequence Ventures Marshall Investments Mass Dynamics Mentorloop Merton Lawyers MINIMUM bio Mirvac Ventures MyPass Global NAB Ventures Neo Intelligence Nominal Systems Nuance Capital NUVC.ai NZTE Investment OneVentures Orion Industrial Ventures Partners For Growth Possible Ventures Powerblocks Powour Primary Privy ProSpend Prosus Ventures QBE Ventures Rampersand Savic Motorcycles Scripted Health Technology SCV SecondQuarter SEEK Investments Shearwater Capital Simple KYC Skip Capital Sprint Ventures Step Ahead Capital Sync Technologies Sypkes Family Office Take2 Techvisa Terra Digitalis Third Horizon Tidal Touch Ventures Utiliti Ventures Veyor Veyor Digital Pty Ltd Vigilum Technologies Pty Ltd Wallet Nation Wiise WNT Ventures Zepto Keen to attend? Inspire is exclusively for Innovation Bay members.&nbsp; If you&#8217;re keen to unlock the accelerated success that comes with being a member of our community, please get in touch&nbsp; HERE .&nbsp; Members will have received their registration&nbsp;links. Please notify your community manager if you require the link.&nbsp; Partners Inspire is made possible by our collaborations with:&nbsp; --> --> --> -->

## Page 86: E161 - Alan Tsen, IAG Firemark Collective, Head of fmX
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e161-alan-tsen-iag-firemark-collective-head-of-fmx/

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# E161 - Alan Tsen, IAG Firemark Collective, Head of fmX

31 March, 2023 E161 &#8211; Alan Tsen, IAG Firemark Collective, Head of fmX Our guest this week is Fintech expert Alan Tsen, Head of fmX, IAG’s corporate accelerator program. Currently in the middle of its fifth season, fmX invites 8 startup companies per cohort to engage in a 12 week program giving participants a unique opportunity to learn how to infiltrate their product successfully into the insurtech ecosystem. Across the entirely free program, participants gain hugely valuable knowledge through training and face to face workshops to learn how to structure and position their businesses while giving them access to internal technical and design outlets to explore insurance use cases. One unique element of fmX is the potential for startups to partner with IAG. With an enviable resume which includes practicing international tax law, a tenure as the GM of Stone &amp; Chalk Melbourne, Chair and board member of Fintech Australia and Director of Revenue for startup Chipper Cash, Alan is also a lover of fine wine, even studying to become a sommelier, and writes a hugely knowledgeable Fintech newsletter Fintech Radar .&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Quickfire Round &#8211; Book: Unreasonable Hospitality, Will Guidara &#8211; Podcast: Got Somme &#8211; Aussie wine podcast &#8211; News Source: Twitter &#8211; App: Tana, Oura &#8211; Tech CEO: Andy Grove &#8211; TV Show: Ru Paul’s Drag Race &#8211; TEDTalk Topic: The State of Fintech in Africa While recruitment for the next season of fmX won’t officially kick off until October this year, Alan is always on the lookout for startups with amazing ideas that might fit the fmX mould. Get in touch with Alan alan.tsen@iag.com.au or follow along on Twitter @alantsen . More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 87: From Founder Scars to An Optimistic Future
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/insights/from-founder-scars-to-an-optimistic-future/

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# From Founder Scars to An Optimistic Future

From Founder Scars to An Optimistic Future SXSW Sydney&#8217;s debut event brought together an eclectic mix of brilliant minds, sparking inspiration, fostering connections, and imparting new knowledge. Innovation Bay, in collaboration with Salesforce, proudly presented The Hub at the SXSW Sydney Tech &amp; Innovation Expo. Nestled beneath an impressive lifelike tree, The Hub provided a unique space for attendees to reset and connect with kindred spirits eager to absorb the wealth of insights offered by SXSW Sydney. We also hosted an exclusive Lounge powered by Innovation Bay &amp; Salesforce and curated a series of thought-provoking sessions. Across our three distinct community sessions, we heard from distinguished speakers such as Ben Crowe (Mojo Crowe), Catherine Ball (ANU), Robyn Denholm (Tesla, Blackbird, Tech Council of Australia), Rob Newman (Venture Advisor), Maxine Minter (Co Ventures), Zac Zavos (Shearwater Capital), Ben Grabiner (Side Stage Ventures), Cibby Pulikkaseril (Baraja), Michael Priddis (Arena Mars), Daniel Darling (focal), and David Whitfield (FireJet), to name a few, among others. They led engaging discussions across various themes encompassing market dynamics, future trends, capital market liquidity, founder experiences, emerging technologies, global expansion, and AI investment opportunities. Angel investors also had the unique opportunity to evaluate pitches from OpoBio, AquaWatch, Guinevere Cspital, and Mass Dynamics. In these turbulent times, with climate change, global instability, and economic challenges looming over us, it was easy to succumb to a sense of darkness. However, as we reflect on the insights garnered over our three days together at SXSW Sydney, a resounding theme emerges &#8211; optimism. Our world is grappling with multifaceted issues, but the tech startup industry shines as a beacon of hope, poised to shape a brighter future. Below, we provide the key takeaways from a number of our sessions and explore the profound sense of optimism that has left us inspired, reinvigorated, and deeply moved. In a world filled with uncertainty, one thing was clear: our future is bright. The Future &#8211; A High-Level Look At The Next 50-100+ Years The journey began with a sobering look at the future. Environmental indicators have deviated from earlier predictions, serving as an urgent call to responsibility. The future is shaped by three formidable forces: climate change, quantum computing, and social cohesion. Urgent global action is needed, exemplified by pressing issues such as ocean heating, ice sheet loss, ocean acidification, and overfishing. As the tech landscape evolves, concerns like the carbon footprint in cloud computing and the role of governments in regulating AI to combat misinformation become increasingly more urgent to address. Leadership Next, we delved into the essence of leadership in today&#8217;s ever-changing landscape. The Four C&#8217;s of Leadership—curiosity, connectedness, creativity, and courage—were addressed as the pillars on which tech industry leaders stand. Diversity in leadership styles is celebrated, as effective tech leaders inspire teams regardless of their personality type. It was asserted that complementary co-founders and an inclusive decision-making environment are vital for success in tech leadership. Emerging Tech &#8211; Future Industries That Will Change the World Our journey took a futuristic turn as we explored the industries poised to revolutionise the world. Government support emerged as a crucial driver of deep tech innovation, especially in high-risk, early-stage concepts that private investors often shy away from. The multifaceted role of governments—funding, regulation, and acting as an early customer—create a vital support system for innovations capable of driving societal and economic transformation. Scaling, rather than the technology itself, stood out as the primary challenge in deep tech projects. The remarkable growth of the space industry, fueled by a significant reduction in rocket launch costs, makes it an increasingly attractive field for investors. Space technology was poised to play a pivotal role in shaping our future, symbolising a domain of remarkable growth and innovation. Investment Opportunities in AI Our journey of exploration continued into the world of AI, where we discovered that its true value lay not in mere presence but in its application within organisations. Traditional corporate structures could be barriers to effective AI adoption. The strategy of investing in startups with proprietary tech and data, which could later be acquired, remain a viable path to success. The Australian VC sector, distinct from the US and UK, has the potential for competitiveness in AI despite some criticism. Mars Discovery District in Toronto was used as a great example of an effective innovation hub. Identifying strengths and fostering innovation through government support, collaboration, and academic research institutes is essential for Australia&#8217;s AI sector. The landscape of AI investment is evolving, shifting from a technology-focused approach to integration within business processes. Hardware limitations are closely linked to AI&#8217;s developmental progress, and understanding enterprise culture and structure is vital for successful AI adoption. Community The narrative then led us to the collaborative potential of the community within this group. Silicon Valley Bank&#8217;s approach, with its comprehensive ecosystem map, showcased the significance of community. This community thrives on paradoxical thinking around risk, fostering a culture comfortable with high-risk projects and innovation. The ecosystem was built on the principles of &#8220;give first&#8221; and &#8220;pay it forward,&#8221; where support, introductions, and assistance were readily offered. The notion of &#8220;drown the puppies&#8221; was discussed, emphasising the importance of letting go of non-viable companies to fuel new opportunities. The community&#8217;s enthusiasm for second-time founders, bringing valuable experience, added to its dynamic and innovative spirit. Future of the Market The &#8220;Future of the Market&#8221; panel painted an uncertain outlook with a balance between optimism and caution. Anticipation of an interest rate hike up to 7% added to the economic uncertainty. Economic cycles are characterised by a downward trend, but positive developments in technology offer hope. Realistic valuations, AI-driven cost reduction, and access to talent emerged as positive aspects, while geopolitical conflicts posed threats. Optimism centered around the reopening of the IPO market, while M&amp;A activity paused in the U.S. Seed-stage companies now require revenue demonstrations and valuations of around $7 million post-funding. It was also highlighted that the prevalence of &#8220;pay to play&#8221; funding is increasing, and that AI will play a pivotal role in reducing software development costs. Founder Illusion Versus Reality &#8211; Scar Tissue You Wish You Saw Next, we went behind the scenes with well-known tech founders, who shed light on the challenges they face behind their public success. The importance of approaching advice with curiosity and customisation for startups was underscored. The role of customers in startup growth and the need to align with the right ones were also highlighted. We delved into the art of balancing a founder&#8217;s vision with customer feedback for product-market fit. The session advocated celebrating impact over mere financial success in the journey of entrepreneurship. It was affirmed that the CEO&#8217;s role has been redefined as a visionary leader driving overall company performance. The valuable insights of &#8220;The Trust Equation&#8221; were mentioned as a guide for navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship. Giving it back &#8211; Secondaries for DPI In this session we delved into the need for liquidity returns to LPs and different approaches to achieving it. To sell an asset you need buyers, and whilst there is a mix in ‘quality’ of these assets, strategies to maximise competitive tension and secure a favourable valuation are crucial. It&#8217;s common to see discounts to previous valuations. Even with the world&#8217;s best valuation policy, it’s often not the market value. It’s advised that managers in Australia and NZ that are looking at releasing some of their portfolio should split them up into three clusters: long tail, the mid portfolio, and the premium. Single asset deals are the ones often done on the premium &#8211; you’ll have lots of buyers coming in wanting to pay that premium price. In the mid portfolio, it’s likely that specialised funds will come in with a little bit more of an operating focus. From a practical perspective, the panelists flagged the importance of the buyer understanding the business. It&#8217;s essential to bring the founders, the management team and the buyers along that journey. It’s all about the process. Finding Your Mojo &#8211; the Search for Confidence and Happiness Our journey concluded with a quest to unlock true confidence. This session spoke to the unlocking of true confidence through principles like authenticity, vulnerability, and storytelling, creating a competitive advantage. In a world filled with distractions, the need for certainty and an illusion of control was acknowledged. The session encouraged us to embrace intrinsic motivations of play, purpose, and potential to achieve success. We were reminded to connect with ourselves, identify personal values and goals, and embrace our imperfections. Kindness to ourselves and the power of mantras, such as &#8220;I am enough,&#8221; were celebrated as tools for enhancing self-compassion. In light of this shared experience with our community, and further afield, the word that stands out is &#8220;inspiration.&#8221; We are inspired by the amazing people dedicating their lives to make the world a better place. In a world where personal wealth often takes center stage, our community is driven by a deeper purpose: to create a positive impact. What we take away from SXSW Sydney is a profound sense of optimism and a renewed focus on addressing impactful issues, from climate to health and wellbeing, and food tech, among many others. Our journey is a testament to the enduring spirit of innovation and the boundless potential of the tech startup industry to shape a brighter future. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 88: E166 - Max Cunningham, CEO of FCX
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# E166 - Max Cunningham, CEO of FCX

10 Aug, 2023 E166 &#8211; Max Cunningham, CEO of FCX Our guest this week is Max Cunningham , CEO of FCX . FCX is Australia’s only end-to-end registry, capital raising and trading platform for private companies whose aim is to make owning and transacting private company shares simpler. Max is an industry veteran. From his early career experiences to the development of a groundbreaking technology platform, Max&#8217;s story is one of passion, expertise, and innovation. His LinkedIn profile is short, though his tenures have been long held &#8211; spending approximately 10 years each at Macquarie, Goldman Sachs, and the ASX before developing and launching FCX.&nbsp; Max takes us on a journey through the realms of public and private markets, shedding light on the fundamental differences and the rapid growth of private markets in Australia. He explains how FCX was born out of the need for simplifying ownership of private company shares and the revolutionary concept of regularly trading private company shares. With a firm belief in the FCX ecosystem, Max outlines the platform&#8217;s unique features and its ability to provide instant atomic settlement, granting companies immediate access to capital. He delves into FCX&#8217;s vision of creating a secondary market for privately listed tech companies, offering liquidity to staff, early investors, and shareholders. Plus so much more…&nbsp; Quickfire Round Book: Arafat: The Biography, by Andrew Gowers and Tony Walker Podcast: Unholy: Two Jews on the News News Source: New York Times App: RunKeeper Productivity Tool: Empiraa CEO: Yuval Rooz, Digital Asset TV Show: Succession TEDTalk Topic: Tokenisation of capital markets Check out FCX https://fcx.com.au/ &nbsp; And get in touch with max@fcx.com.au or josh@fcx.com.au to find out more.&nbsp; More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 89: February - Let's Talk Vulnerability & Failures
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# February - Let's Talk Vulnerability & Failures

February &#8211; Let&#8217;s Talk Vulnerability &amp; Failures Words: Phaedon Stough , CEO &amp; Co-Founder, Innovation Bay Aurora Retreat | Image credit: Tayla Lokman, Plus One Studio It&#8217;s already been an action packed two months for us here at IB. Why, you ask? So far this year we have:&nbsp;&nbsp; Welcome a bunch of new members across all of our communities&nbsp; Launched a new chapter of our angel investor community, Horizon, in Brisbane&nbsp; Kicked off the annal Aurora (VC) Retreat, two days of 80+ VC partners coming together&nbsp; Launched new Summit forum retreats in the southern mountains, very secret that is&nbsp; Kicked off our engagement with Hubspot and Chargebee&nbsp; Welcomed two new partners, Preacta for our Founder communities and FCX for our VC community Launched four new podcast episodes, including the amazing Adam Theobald, Adam Schwab and James Petrie.&nbsp; I’m trying to stay balanced and calm. The market is unstable, we are seeing so many mixed experiences from layoffs, to companies closing, to capital rounds, acquisitions and more.&nbsp; It feels like COVID hasn’t let us go yet and we are running a race with our legs tied together.&nbsp; I just want the space and freedom to run.&nbsp; But, as we all fear, it seems the worst is still ahead.&nbsp; I expect the next 4 months to be the hardest as interest rates continue to climb and the RBA seeks to ensure inflation is under control.&nbsp; On that note is my topic for this newsletter. When we launched our new and awesome Brisbane Horizon chapter, our dinner ice breaker question was, “what has been your worst investment and why?”. The reason we ask this is that it provides a great platform for humility and vulnerability, two things that enable us to have real conversations. The funny thing is, as Australians, we still struggle with failure and vulnerability. There were some great stories, but they were painful and few.&nbsp; If we look at the standard venture returns (of 10 investments, 1-2 might expect to return 10x, 2-4 might return 2-4x and 2-5 will fail…but we never actually say that, we say they will return their investment..). In our industry, which has a high failure rate, don’t we need to appreciate that while the returns can be significant, the rate of failure will be high? Why? Because we are pushing the boundaries of what is possible. We are not replicating existing business models, we are creators, disruptors and innovators. But most of all, we are dreamers. I heard someone say, the problem with founders is that they are all liars. They are not, they are dreamers and visionaries. We don’t invest, unless there is a vision.&nbsp;&nbsp; The Oxford Dictionary definition of a vision is, “the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom”.&nbsp; Founders do both, but no one can predict the future. If we wanted to purely make money, there are much easier ways. Our drivers, while mostly measured by economic returns, are not what motivate most of us. That motivation is about creation, innovation and doing things better. Striving to be unique, exceptional and challenging the status quo.&nbsp; Most of us are making things up as we go, faking it until we make it, or not.&nbsp; Most of the founders in our community have never been CEO’s before. Most don’t come from corporate development backgrounds. Most don’t have MBA’s, they are what I like to call street fighters of entrepreneurship. They hustle, they pivot, they get shit done.&nbsp;&nbsp; Someone asked once about what we do for our founder communities; is it mentorship, is it education, is it experiences? We help our founders make better decisions, by providing them with a peer network to talk through experiences, Data to help guide them in and the space in which to make decisions. Getting back to failure, we need more of it. One of the GP’s at Accel once told me, our favorite type of person to invest in is someone who has just had a failed venture. And you see so much of that in other well established and flourishing startups epicenters.&nbsp; To manage this, we need to invest smaller amounts earlier in order to get portfolio distribution.&nbsp; But before we do that, we need to accept, no, we need to embrace the fact that 40% of our investments will fail. We need to let them fail. We need to encourage them to fail, rather than hanging on, not learning any lessons, struggling into a lifestyle business. We need to invest in founders who have failed and can demonstrate what they have learned, because those founders are the ones who will be great. It took Graeme Wood seven business until he got to Wotif. MCB had a failed business before Atlassian.&nbsp; As I tell my son, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. This year we will see more companies, more investments, not make it. Isn’t that a good sign that we are pushing the limits of what is possible. Doesn’t that give us an exceptional pool of talent to re-invest in?&nbsp; I’ve founded a couple of companies. The first one, Mitchellake, which I was in for 15 years. It took me to many places and enabled me to have many amazing experiences with some exceptional people. But it was a constant battle and I decided to walk away from it and leave it with my business partner, who has also been one of my closest friends. That was the hardest decision of my life, because I walked away without feeling that I had completed the journey I started on.&nbsp; I left because I couldn’t see a way to achieve what I felt the vision of the business was. I felt like a failure, even though the business continues to do exceptional work with an amazing team.&nbsp;&nbsp; I learnt so much from that business, I will be forever grateful to the team and our customers.&nbsp; I’ve taken those learnings to Innovation Bay and it has made this journey so different.&nbsp; I know where many of the potholes in the road are. That doesn’t stop me from hitting them, but it just means that I can drive at a much greater speed, as I know where most of the issues will come from.&nbsp; My failure to achieve what I dream of at Mitchellake will never leave me. It will be a burden that I carry for the rest of my life. But that burden is&nbsp; knowledge and that knowledge empowers me now with my new journey of building IB.&nbsp;&nbsp; Let&#8217;s embrace failure, it’s never easy and will never leave you as a founder. Let’s re-invest in the founders who have the scar tissue, who still have visions of the future and the capability to get people excited. Who have learned from their experiences and still have the energy and horsepower to build something exceptional. As we embark further into 2023, let&#8217;s look out for the dreamers who are experienced and yearning to create impact. I’m very excited. More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 90: HSBC x Innovation Bay
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/hsbc-x-innovation-bay/

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# HSBC x Innovation Bay

Innovation Bay and HSBC announce 2025 recipients of Ignite Innovation, an initiative to broaden representation within the venture ecosystem Innovation Bay and HSBC have today announced the 2025 recipients of the newly launched Ignite Innovation , an initiative aimed at increasing the representation of women across Australia and New Zealand’s founder and investor communities. Centered around a purpose of broadening perspectives, fostering collaboration, and accelerating innovation,&nbsp; Ignite Innovation&nbsp; reflects a shared commitment by Innovation Bay and HSBC to create a more inclusive venture ecosystem. The&nbsp; 2024 State of Australian Startup Funding Report &nbsp;recently found teams with a female founder saw their share of funding drop to just 15% of total allocated capital, down 3% compared to 2023, while all-woman teams received just 2%. Ignite Innovation &nbsp;gives six selected female entrepreneurs and investors the opportunity to join the Innovation Bay network, Australia’s premier community for tech founders, venture capitalists, and angel investors. The initiative also offers access to HSBC resources and experts, including the Australia and New Zealand Chief Economist and the Tech and Venture Coverage Lead, a tailored upskilling and training program plus opportunities to leverage the bank’s global footprint. In selecting the recipients, Innovation Bay and HSBC worked together to identify six outstanding women whose entrepreneurial work aligns with their shared vision for a more inclusive and dynamic business landscape. Steve Hughes, Head of Banking Australia and New Zealand, Corporate and Institutional Banking at HSBC said “Congratulations to the very deserving recipients of Ignite Innovation . Since our beginning, HSBC has been an organisation that has championed a forward-thinking and entrepreneurial mindset. “Our partnership with Innovation Bay is another example of this, and we are excited to work together to build a more inclusive venture ecosystem across Australia and New Zealand. Phaedon Stough, CEO of Innovation Bay, said: “Increasing diversity in venture isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s essential for driving better innovation and stronger outcomes. Ignite Innovation is about breaking down barriers and creating meaningful opportunities for women in the founder and investor community. “By partnering with HSBC, we’re not just opening doors for these incredible leaders; we’re strengthening the entire ecosystem. We’re thrilled to welcome this talented group to Innovation Bay and look forward to seeing their impact unfold.” Congratulations the 2025 recipients: Anna Rakoczy, Co-Founder and CEO of the Homemade Method: Anna is the CEO and Co-Founder of The Homemade Method, a health and wellness platform helping women over 50 lose weight and reverse chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol without diets or medication. A dual Master&#8217;s degree holder from Stanford University and UC Berkeley, Anna is also a Fulbright Scholar, John Monash Scholar, and was named Australian Young Lawyer of the Year. The Homemade Method delivers a consumer subscription mobile app supported by a thriving community of members. Under Anna’s leadership, the platform has empowered over 35,000 paying members to lose up to 80kg (175 lbs), reverse diabetes, stabilise blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce or eliminate multiple medications. With eight years spent in San Francisco and now based in Australia, Anna is driven by a mission to solve complex social problems in simple, scalable ways. Her work continues to transform lives and redefine health for thousands of women globally. Katy Barfield, Founder &amp; CEO at Yume:&nbsp; Katy Barfield’s mission to reduce food waste began over 20 years ago when she saw firsthand the staggering amount of good food discarded at a Melbourne bar she owned. This sparked a passion that reshaped Australia’s approach to food surplus and sustainability. As the founding CEO of SecondBite in 2006, Katy helped build one of Australia’s leading food rescue organisations. However, recognising the need for a scalable solution, she launched Yume, a B2B tech platform that prevents surplus food from becoming waste. Industry leaders like Unilever, Mars Food, Simplot, and General Mills use Yume to sell or donate excess stock, keeping high-quality food out of landfill. To date, Yume has returned $27M to food manufacturers and diverted 10.5M kg of food waste. In recognition of her impact, Katy was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2023 for her contributions to sustainability. Katy Landt, Co-Founder &amp; CEO at Safe Ag Systems:&nbsp; Katy Landt is a passionate advocate for safety and technology in agriculture, inspired by five generations of grain farming on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula. After a near-miss incident on her family farm, Katy committed to improving farm safety without disrupting productivity or frustrating workers. With expertise in product development, business operations, and UI/UX design, she co-founded Safe Ag Systems—initially launched as a safety software platform to educate and empower agricultural workers. Under her leadership, it has grown into a comprehensive operational management system supporting safety, compliance, and daily operations. Today, Safe Ag Systems serves over 10,000 users across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Canada, and the US, helping farms and agribusinesses operate more safely and efficiently. Katy’s vision continues to drive innovation in agtech, shaping a smarter and more sustainable global farming industry. Lisa Fedorenko, Head of Impact Investing at Save the Children Global Ventures:&nbsp; Lisa is Head of Impact Investing, leading investments in innovative projects and companies driving transformative change for children across APAC. Previously, she led the $16M Alberts Impact Venture fund, backing 23 impact-driven companies focused on sustainability, mental health, culture, and gender equality. She pioneered investing to structurally reduce inequality and conducted deep dives into gender equality and mental health. A well-respected figure in Australian venture capital, Lisa was named to the 2023 Fortune Change Makers list for co-founding Equity Clear, a reporting standard for founder diversity adopted by 60+ funds in Australia. Earlier, she worked at Credit Suisse on IPOs for Alibaba, Healthscope, and Wisetech before managing the $1B+ Montgomery Fund in listed equities. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney, majoring in Advanced Mathematics, Computer Science, and Econometrics. Nadine Hill, Partner at 2040 Ventures:&nbsp; Nadine Hill is a seasoned venture capital professional and director with deep expertise in finance, strategy, and corporate governance. As a Partner at 2040 Ventures and a Director at Orah, Projectworks, QUBEdocs, and the Hungry Hungry Pty Group, she plays a pivotal role in helping technology startups scale to global success. With a strong background in banking and M&amp;A, Nadine has guided numerous companies through capital and debt transactions, earning recognition as part of top funding teams and receiving multiple industry awards. Passionate about empowering startups, Nadine is dedicated to fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem across Australasia and beyond. Selcen Arslan-Sibo, Founder &amp; CEO at Sastain: Selcen has worked across consumer goods, life sciences, retail, and manufacturing, driving transformation through collaboration, data-driven insights, and strategic change. Her passion for impact led her to identify an industry gap, inspiring the creation of Sastain.io. Sastain.io is a mission-driven B2B AI/ML SaaS platform that helps brands proactively address upstream issues, reducing revenue loss, landfill waste, and carbon footprints. By enabling agile decision-making, it fosters meaningful change for a sustainable future. Committed to ethical manufacturing, consumer behavior shifts, and brand protection, Selcen believes in strong eco-partner collaboration to create impact across the entire value chain. Inspired by her mother, a mentor to female students in mathematics and engineering, Selcen continues her legacy by supporting women in leadership and encouraging girls in STEM education. ends MEDIA ENQUIRIES Innovation Bay &#8211; Jessikah Cresswell | +61 484 760 051 | jessikah@innovationbay.com HSBC &#8211; Jessica Effeney | +61 400 998 373 | jessica.effeney@hsbc.com.au More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 91: Google Cloud Championing Collaboration in the ANZ Tech Ecosystem 
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# Google Cloud Championing Collaboration in the ANZ Tech Ecosystem 

Google Cloud Championing Collaboration in the ANZ Tech Ecosystem Michael Langford, Head of VC &amp; Startup Ecosystem JAPAC at Google Cloud, addressing the audience at the Innovation Bay &amp; Google Cloud Mixer during SXSW Sydney week. Google Cloud Championing Collaboration in the ANZ Tech Ecosystem As the longest running community for tech founders and investors in Australia and New Zealand, Innovation Bay sits at the epicentre of the ecosystem. Our community networks span early stage founders, later stage scale up founders &amp; CEOs, angel investors and VC partners. But there’s a fifth element to the work that we do, which, without their support, networks and belief, we would struggle to exist. That is of our deeply valued corporate partnerships.&nbsp; Innovation Bay is beyond grateful for the support and encouragement we receive from our network partners. These organisations include Google Cloud, IAG Firemark Ventures, ASX, Gilbert + Tobin, Canaccord, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Investment NSW, Preacta, TechVisa, Merton’s Lawyers, and IDA Ireland KC&nbsp; Ventures. We feel privileged to be connected to these partners who all align on our values and mission to accelerate the success of visionary founders and investors through community, connection and education.&nbsp;&nbsp; Innovation Bay has a long standing and mutually valuable partnership with Google Cloud &#8211; who believe that strong, authentic networks are the lifeblood of a thriving tech community. They see their role as a facilitator, creating spaces and opportunities for connection, learning, and collaboration. Some of their key local initiatives include:&nbsp; Google Cloud Events: such as CTO Connect and Women in Tech Connect were specifically designed to bring technical founders, CTOs and engineers together to develop their network and build their leadership and technical competency.&nbsp; Google Developer Groups (GDGs): These vibrant communities operate across major Australian cities and provide a platform for developers to share knowledge, network, and participate in hands-on workshops and events. Innovation Bay events: “ We love the Investor and Founder events that Innovation Bay hosts, and are proud to be a platinum sponsor,” says Mike Langford , Head of VC &amp; Startup Ecosystem JAPAC at Google Cloud. “I think these events set the gold standard for networking with a very high calibre audience.”&nbsp; Google Cloud has engaged in many strategic collaborative partnerships to date. “Our most successful collaborations are built on a shared vision and mutual benefit,” says Mike Langford,&nbsp; “We have active programs designed to support early-stage startups in the Australian tech ecosystem,” says Mike. Through the Google for Startups Cloud program , they provide credits, technical support and training designed to empower the next generation of innovators, with up to US$350k for AI-first startups.&nbsp; Google Cloud’s partnership with Australia&#8217;s national science agency, CSIRO , has pushed the boundaries of scientific research. Leveraging Google Cloud&#8217;s advanced analytics and AI, CSIRO is able to tackle complex challenges ranging from climate modeling to disease prediction. “We’ve recently announced the AI Sprint that aims to help startups develop AI solutions to address national issues like cost of living, supply chain resilience and environmental well-being,” Mike states.&nbsp; They also collaborate with VCs to bring innovation to their portfolio companies through thought leadership roundtables, workshops and training. Given their leading AI capabilities, Google Cloud has been rolling out a series of gen AI workshops to help startups identify use cases for gen AI adoption and map out an activation plan to realise their potential.&nbsp; “Google and Google Cloud are deeply committed to being a positive force within the Australian tech community. We see our success as intertwined with the overall health and dynamism of the ecosystem,” says Mike. This commitment drives their key initiatives in the community.&nbsp; Skills Development: They offer extensive training programs, certifications, and hands-on labs to close the cloud skills gap in Australia, with a goal to equip Australians, from students to seasoned professionals, with the expertise necessary to thrive in the digital economy. Sustainability: Google and Google Cloud are committed to working with Australian organisations to leverage cloud technologies in the pursuit of environmental sustainability goals. “Our carbon-intelligent cloud platform and expertise can help businesses optimise their operations and reduce their environmental footprint,” Mike says. “Google Cloud matches all of its energy usage with renewable options, with the most ambitious sustainability goals in the market, allowing startups to Start at Zero.” Accelerating growth: Google for Startups supports founders through a number of initiatives, including mentoring, trainings and programs and they’ll soon be announcing a Google for Startups Accelerator program in Australia, focused on accelerating the next generation of AI startups.&nbsp; Mike encourages corporates looking to actively engage with and contribute to the thriving tech and innovation community to lead with the value they can provide. “The startup ecosystem is always looking for additional support but it will be resistant to companies that are just trying to extract revenue,” reflects Mike. “Remember founders are time poor and often revenue is tight.” Mike suggest three wise focus points for other corporates eager to engage the startup ecosystem:&nbsp;&nbsp; Listen First: Before offering solutions, take the time to truly understand the needs and challenges facing the community. Engage with startups, developers, and organisations on the ground to build authentic relationships. Focus on Long-Term Impact: Look beyond one-off events or sponsorships. Consider sustained commitments, such as mentorship programs, collaborative research initiatives, or open-sourcing datasets that can benefit the community at large. Collaborate, Don&#8217;t Dominate: The tech community is built on a collaborative spirit. Seek opportunities to work alongside existing initiatives and empower local leaders rather than seeking to control the narrative or start from scratch.&nbsp; Innovation Bay offers an unparalleled platform for engagement with our highly curated audience. Corporate ecosystem supporters seeking to showcase products, share thought leadership insights, or establish strategic partnerships are invited to join in fostering innovation and forging meaningful connections within our vibrant community. For more information, get in touch with Hayley Rynehart .&nbsp; More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 92: Top 12 Takeaways from Inspire 2024: The Future Is…
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# Top 12 Takeaways from Inspire 2024: The Future Is…

Top 12 Takeaways from Inspire 2024: The Future Is… It&#8217;s been a little while since Inspire , and we&#8217;re still buzzing with excitement! Set at Sydney’s Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) on May 22-23, 2024, the groundbreaking event was exclusively for Innovation Bay’s founder and investor members and special guests – 250 of the most influential people in the Australian startup industry.&nbsp; Set under the overarching theme ‘The Future is…’, Inspire was a platform for the exchange of revolutionary thoughts and ideas about what the future holds for the startup ecosystem across the next 5-10 years. The audience heard from inspiring speakers including Dylan Alcott, AO, The Hon. Ed Husic MP, Minister for Science &amp; Industry, Melanie Silva, Managing Director &amp; VP of Google Australia and New Zealand, Craig Blair, Partner &amp; Co-Founder, Airtree, Anna Wright, Founder &amp; CEO, BindiMaps, Chris Jewell, CEO &amp; Co-Founder Zepto, among many other distinguished voices.&nbsp; Ready to relive the magic? Let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore some of the key takeaways of those amazing two days. Quantum Leap: The recent $1 billion investment in quantum computing showcases the game-changing potential for Australia’s innovation landscape, highlighting key sectors like AI, space, health, and energy transition. Global Innovation Leadership: Recognition by the OECD for Australia’s advancements in the commercialisation ecosystem emphasised the importance of positioning founders at the core of the innovation ecosystem and leveraging strategic industry engagement. AI Revolution: The shift from ‘what could we do with AI’ to ‘what are we doing with AI’ underscored Australia’s potential to be a leader in tech innovation, particularly within climate and environmental sectors. Inclusivity Matters: Emphasising the social model for inclusivity, it was highlighted how modifying environments benefits everyone and the importance of compliance with accessibility standards. Strategic Partnerships: The discussions on partnerships revealed their substantial benefits and strategic importance in driving business growth and efficiency, providing actionable strategies for effective collaborations. Health Simplified: Simplifying approaches to health and technology was a key theme, with a focus on the importance of sleep, physical activity, stress management, and the significant impact of our environment and community on health. Media Influence: The powerful role of media in shaping ventures and public perception was explored, with examples illustrating how media framing can act as a catalyst for policy and legislative changes. Real-time Payments: The future of payments is real-time, with the government’s plans to retire the direct entry system by 2030 marking a significant shift in the payment ecosystem towards more efficient and immediate processes. Space Tech Impact: The transformative potential of space technology in solving global problems and driving innovations across sectors like communication, healthcare, and energy was highlighted. Sustainable Protein: Innovations in sustainable protein production and autonomous farming technologies were discussed, emphasising the importance of diversity in the AgTech sector to tackle climate-related challenges. Tech Adaptation: Businesses must adapt to rapid technological changes and evolving consumer behaviours, with a vision for individuals harnessing technology to become superhuman. Accessible Employment: The introduction of The Field jobs platform highlighted the importance of inclusive employment opportunities for people with disabilities and shared impactful personal experiences and statistics. Inspire saw investors, VCs and founders participate in a lively exchange of ideas – emphasising the importance of cultivating diverse perspectives as well as a sense of camaraderie and fun in our ecosystem.&nbsp; Innovation Bay extends a huge thank you to everyone who came along, we’ll see you next year!&nbsp; Inspire was proudly supported by Innovation Bay’s official media partner Forbes Australia and event partners IAG Firemark Ventures, Google Cloud, the Field Jobs, and the Dylan Alcott Foundation.&nbsp;&nbsp; More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 93: Innovation Bay Partners with Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/innovation-bay-partners-with-australian-government-department-of-industry-science-and-resources/

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# Innovation Bay Partners with Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Innovation Bay Partners with Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources Innovation Bay is pleased to confirm partnership with the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources (the department) for 2023-24. Innovation Bay is pleased to confirm partnership with the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources (the department) for 2023-24.&nbsp; The department and its broader portfolio helps the Australian Government build a productive, resilient and sustainable economy enriched by science and technology by:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; growing innovative and competitive businesses, industries and regions investing in science and technology strengthening the resources sector. In alignment with this purpose, the department delivers a range of programs designed to support commercialisation, innovation, entrepreneurship and startups.&nbsp; The department has partnered with Innovation Bay’s VC community, Aurora. Within their range of programs, the most relevant for the VC community are the department’s concession programs to incentivise venture capital investment into startups and early stage businesses.&nbsp; The DISR programs include: Venture Capital Limited Partnerships Early-Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnerships&nbsp; Australian Funds of Funds Biomedical Translation Fund Pooled Development Funds. The tax concession programs attract foreign and local capital into the Australian venture capital sector, build investment skills, and support the growth of globally competitive businesses. Since the commencement of the programs, $30 billion of capital has been committed for investment with around 2,500 early-stage businesses receiving investment to scale their ventures. Innovation Bay welcomes the department’s partnership, joining ASX, FCX, Edda and Gilbert + Tobin in the Aurora community, and Google Cloud, IAG Firemark, KPMG High Growth Ventures, Investment NSW and Preacta in the wider Innovation Bay partner family. Additional information can be found here . More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 94: <strong>E158 - Adam Schwab, CEO and Co-Founder at Luxury Escapes</strong>
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e158-adam-schwab-ceo-and-co-founder-at-luxury-escapes/

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# <strong>E158 - Adam Schwab, CEO and Co-Founder at Luxury Escapes</strong>

16 Feb, 2023 E158 &#8211; Adam Schwab, CEO and Co-Founder at Luxury Escapes Adam Scwhab runs at a million miles an hour &#8211; literally, he runs barefoot marathons! The CEO and Co-Founder of Luxury Escapes, Adam Schwab is our guest this week.&nbsp; Outside of running one of the country’s most successful, bespoke travel sites, and running really far without shoes, Adam is also a contributing journalist and writer, podcast host, father of two young children, is on the investment committee of Save The Children, and is an angel investor.&nbsp; An ex-lawyer, Adam and Luxury Escapes co-founding partner Jeremy Same (an ex-banker), started their first business in 2004 &#8211; apartment accommodation for backpackers. Fast forward to 2023, Luxury Escape has 510 staff on its books across Australia, Sri Lanka, India, Brazil, Ukraine, and New Zealand and will turn over close to $1b this year.&nbsp; Ian and Adam discuss a heap including: Taking asymmetric risks&nbsp; How COVID affected the business and helped them pivot their product offering&nbsp; That every great founder balances incredible self confidence with consistent paranoia&nbsp; His podcast From Zero&nbsp; And so much more.&nbsp; Quickfire Round&nbsp; Book: The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon Podcast: Pivot, What The Flux&nbsp; News Source: AFR, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg&nbsp; App: BOM&nbsp; Tech CEO: Jeff Bezos&nbsp; Productivity Tool: WhatsApp&nbsp; TV Show/Movie: WeWork, Superpumped, The Crown &#8211; fact based fiction&nbsp; Ted Talk Topic: n/a&nbsp; Luxury Escapes are always hiring and Adam’s DM’s are open. Hit him up on Twitter .&nbsp; More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 95: Retreating To The Other Side
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/insights/retreating-to-the-other-side/

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# Retreating To The Other Side

Retreating To The Other Side Image by Tayla Lokman, Plus One Studio Aurora is Innovation Bay’s community for Australia and New Zealand’s venture capital general partners. Aurora exists to shape and enable the future of the industry to thrive via more collaboration, deeper connections, and collective learning. We don’t focus on deal flow, we focus on building relationships. Our next event is the biggest in the VC calendar &#8211; Venture Downunder. This year, we’ll be taking over 100 ANZ VCs to Queenstown, New Zealand. If you’re a VC and interested in learning more about how our Aurora community could become a huge support for you, reach out today HERE .&nbsp; February saw 80 of Australia and New Zealand’s best VCs descend upon Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast for two packed days of learning, connecting and team building for Innovation Bay’s Aurora Retreat . The event was made possible in partnership with Advance Queensland , Queensland Government and the Office of the Office of the Queensland Chief Entrepreneur and our valued national and Aurora partners.&nbsp; Aurora Retreat delivered an inspiring and engaging program centred around the human experience &#8211; all under the guise of the overarching theme ‘The Other Side’. With the assistance of our facilitator Cameron Webb, Founder of Sparring Partners, the event featured keynote speeches, expert panels, fireside chats, peer-led breakout sessions and insights from startup founders.&nbsp; Throughout the event, Innovation Bay took the room’s pulse on a number of topics. When asked about the current economic conditions and how they are impacting deployment strategy, 44% of respondents declared they are being more cautious, conservative or slowing down fund deployment in 2023 with 21% seeing little to no impact and 13.5% accelerating or taking an optimistic view. Fifty per cent of respondents plan on making more investments in 2023 than last year, 39% the same amount and just 10% expecting to invest less than. When quizzed on their sectors of focus for 2023, 29% of respondents will focus on HealthTech, 25% on Climate/CleanTech, with 18% taking an agnostic approach and 17% attracted to AI.&nbsp; Following a welcome address from our very own Co-Founder Ian Gardiner and Lea Diffey, Deputy Director-General, Innovation in the Queensland Government’s Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport, we dove head first into our programmed content with a discussion on VC, PE &amp; Economic Cycles and what we can learn from our friends in Private Equity.&nbsp; Like all Innovation Bay events, the Chatham House Rule was observed but some of the key takeaways touched on there being a special set of skills required to apply tech to private equity. It was observed that one thing that is constraining Australia from having a vibrant tech community is the supply of great labor and great people. The conversation moved to a need to change the narrative on who can work in tech, what it’s like, and how to attract more women and a better stream of talent to the industry.&nbsp; We spent the first afternoon at the Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove’s lagoon, where our VCs broke off into teams for a raft and team building exercise with Be Challenged. Armed with a one-pager of instructions and a selection of materials and tools, each team was to craft a vessel which would later be raced across the lagoon. Team Sweet 16 came out on top with Team Unicorn taking home the wooden spoon. We weren’t short of drama with black heavy clouds dropping a tropical downpour during the race &#8211; though not dampening competitive spirit in the least! We connected further over dinner that evening, taking festivities to a cocktail bar for deeper conversation and networking. More rain, no spirits dampened!&nbsp; Day 2 was brimming with programmed content &#8211; the day kicking off with a Queensland Startup Showcase where five of the region&#8217;s most impressive founders pitched their companies to our room full of VCs. We heard from: Uuvipak &#8211; a packaging alternatives company for a greener future;&nbsp; Tour Amigo &#8211; a global B2B travel tech company digitising and distributing multi-day tours globally; PicUp &#8211; digitising analogue industries through their on-demand goods movement and junk removal mobile and web app; GeoNadir &#8211; building the best map of the world using crowdsourced drone imagery to save at-risk ecosystems; and Eggy &#8211; an app for busy families to easily organise, share and manage their bills, appointments and to-do lists.&nbsp; Our facilitator, Cameron Webb, was our keynote speaker and delivered an inspiring moment for the room to connect. Titled, Belonging: The Superpower of Our Species, Cam worked collaboratively with guests to demonstrate that a culture of &#8216;full contact&#8217; collaboration and commitment is what every leader and business aspires to achieve. But most don&#8217;t get there because they fail to build belonging up front. In this session we launched into the science linking belonging to collaboration and success. The next couple of hours saw our guests break out into six different peer and expert-led sessions. Delivered “in the round”, each session was intended to be a collaborative discussion, with input from each member welcomed.&nbsp; Chris Gillings of Five V Capital, and Kylie Frazer from Flying Fox Ventures, led a dynamic, and even a little heated, discussion on how we can join forces titled “ANZ&#8217;s Competitive Advantage: What is it now? What could it be? And what do we have to do to get there?” Deborah Johns, Partner, Gilbert + Tobin offered an opportunity to be quizzed on all things legal. Deborah’s funds practice focuses on the entire lifecycle of infrastructure, private equity and venture capital funds &#8211; from establishment, to portfolio build, to winding down. Session attendees appreciated the chance to ask questions directly affecting their companies.&nbsp; Cameron Webb led “Move Mountains: Avoiding Burnout and Unleashing Your Peak Performance” discussing how great companies are built on great people&#8230;but too many of us don&#8217;t feel great most of the time. We&#8217;re stressed, fatigued, and operating sub-optimally. In this session we took a deep dive into what is holding us back and what can be done to ascend to our peak.&nbsp; Scott Thomson, Head of Innovation, Customer Engineering at Google Cloud, offered a wonderfully informative (if not eye-opening) presentation on “Generative AI &#8211; Now and in the Future”. The executive level TL;DR and fireside chat on Generative AI (with Alezeia Brown, Senior Investment Associate at Main Sequence Ventures expertly moderating) discussed where AI is heading with future themes relevant to media, personalisation and productivity as AI generates text, audio, imagery and video. If you want to dive a little deeper, Google&#8217;s recent GenAI announcements are summarised in the Google Cloud VC &amp; Startup &#8220;AI special&#8221; newsletter .&nbsp; Rajeev Gupta of ALIUM Capital and Nick Gainsley of OneVentures, led “Reaching End of Fund Life: Now What?” During this session, the pair (and a jam packed room) discussed what’s on the other side of the fund. With companies staying private for longer, what does this mean for fund structure? During “The Other Side of the Coin: Portfolio and Fund Capital Raising”, Llew Jury of Sprint Ventures and Karen Chan from Perennial Partners spent an hour navigating the challenges and opportunities for raising in 2023.&nbsp; And finally, Cameron Webb led “Strong 4 Life: A Model For Resilience in Turbulent Times”. During this session, Cam discussed how resilience is as important, if not more so, than intelligence when it comes to thriving&nbsp;in a VUCA world. Guests explored a 6-part model&nbsp;for building individual, team and organisational resilience. Get in touch if you&#8217;re keen to learn more about membership HERE . More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 96: E155 - Sunrise - Part 3
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e155-sunrise-part-3/

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# E155 - Sunrise - Part 3

11 January, 2023 E155 &#8211; Sunrise &#8211; Part 3 On November 10 and 11, Sunrise, Australia’s leading ideas and innovation festival run by our friends at Blackbird, returned to Sydney for their most ambitious event since its inception in 2014. Taking over Sydney’s iconic Carriageworks, Sunrise opened its doors, inviting around 1,000 of its closest pals, all primed to explore the optimism and wonder of human achievement.&nbsp; Armed with a microphone, and less a wisdom tooth (which was removed around halfway through the festival &#8211; by a professional dentist), Innovation Bay’s Co-Founder and familiar host of Open The Pod Bay Doors, Ian Gardiner, tapped 21 people on the shoulder for series of pow wows about business, innovation, a retrospective at what has got them to now, a fast forward of what’s to come for our industry and what’s exciting them, and of course…what they’re hearing, seeing and feeling at Sunrise.&nbsp; Part 3 features an admirable group of people including: &#8211; Flavia Tata Nardini (Fleet Space Technologies) &#8211; Andy Tsao (Silicon Valley Bank) &#8211; Matthew Pearson (Fleet Space Technologies and Airspeeder) &#8211; Lucy Wark (Normal) &#8211; Tim Moore (Investor) &#8211; Matt Allen (Tractor Ventures) &#8211; Alex McCauley (Tech Council of Australia) More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY Proudly supported by Our Partners INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 97: Member Directory
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/member-directory/

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# Member Directory

Member Directory As a member you can view all Innovation Bay members and request direct connections using the Bridge platform. Founders Canopy Summit Investors Horizon Aurora Partners window.onload = function(){ setTimeout(function(){ document.getElementById('horizon').src = 'https://airtable.com/embed/appL8n2PjMeHh77vG/shrArKvefhBbdBnpF?viewControls=on'; },5000); setTimeout(function(){ document.getElementById('aurora').src = 'https://airtable.com/embed/appL8n2PjMeHh77vG/shrdl0P9oLfYxRBEF?viewControls=on'; },7500); setTimeout(function(){ document.getElementById('partners').src = 'https://airtable.com/embed/appL8n2PjMeHh77vG/shrAr9LpP8ZSN3EmK?viewControls=on'; },10000); }; &#8220;Innovation Bay is really unique. It’s an open forum for discussion. We come and connect and share deals and talk about what we’re struggling with or what we’re aiming for. It’s such a great space to be able to get everyone together and all the different ideas.&#8221;&nbsp; &#8211; Georgia Barkell | Sprint Ventures

## Page 98: A Mighty New Partnership with Innovation Bay
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/a-mighty-new-partnership-with-innovation-bay/

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# A Mighty New Partnership with Innovation Bay

A Mighty New Partnership with Innovation Bay We’re thrilled to welcome Mighty Partners as the newest strategic partner to join the Innovation Bay community of founders and investors. With a deep passion for supporting ambitious Aussie companies, Mighty is a perfect fit for our ecosystem—helping founders grow, scale, and retain more equity along the way. Meet Mighty Mighty Partners is a growth lender backing high-potential Australian companies with bespoke debt funding solutions. Their mission? To empower both founders and investors to achieve ambitious growth goals—without giving away too much equity.Mighty has already helped scale standout companies like Safewill, Amber Electric, and Lyka . Want to find out how they can support your growth journey? Contact Mighty today. What can startups and investors expect? Mighty Partners offers tailored venture debt funding of up to $10 million , with flexible repayment terms of up to three years. Their funding is ideal for: Shareholder buybacks to consolidate the cap table Accelerating growth and expansion Extending runway or bridging to a capital raise Complementing an equity round to minimise dilution Seizing opportunities in M&amp;A or strategic initiatives Why partner with Innovation Bay? &#8220;At Mighty, we back founders who are building real businesses — not just raising the next round. We provide capital that helps them grow with confidence, without giving away more ownership than necessary. Innovation Bay is home to some of Australia’s most capable and ambitious founders. Their commitment to long-term outcomes — not just headlines — aligns deeply with how we think about capital. Through this partnership, we’re making it easier for founders to access smart, structured funding that supports sustainable growth and preserves control. Together, we’re helping more companies scale on their terms — with capital that respects what they’ve already built.&#8221; &#8211; Kal Jamshidi, General Manager at Mighty Partners More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 99: Tability Announces Successful Fundraising Round Through Innovation Bay Angel Investors and Five VC Funds
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/tability-announces-successful-fundraising-round-through-innovation-bay-angel-investors-and-five-vc-funds/

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# Tability Announces Successful Fundraising Round Through Innovation Bay Angel Investors and Five VC Funds

Tability Announces Successful Fundraising Round Through Innovation Bay Angel Investors and Five VC Funds Tability Co-Founders Bryan Schuldt and Sten Pittet Tability have announced a successful fundraising round from five leading venture capital funds and angel investors: Empress Capital , Investible , Jelix Ventures, Right Click Capital and Skalata Ventures , alongside Innovation Bay’s angel investor community, Horizon , for an undisclosed amount. Co-founded by Summit member, Sten Pittet , and Bryan Schuldt , both Atlassian alumni, Tability is pioneering a shift in work culture by placing goals, rather than hours, at the core of team activities, facilitated by intuitive goal-tracking technology. AI technology plays a crucial role in Tability&#8217;s approach, moving beyond basic applications to revolutionise strategy formulation, and shifting from outputs to outcomes thinking. In a world where workforces are increasingly remote, spanning multiple time zones, and where the demand for flexibility from top talent is at an all-time high, traditional metrics of productivity fall short. &#8220;We&#8217;re addressing three concurrent challenges: 1) the remote nature of teams, 2) the desire for flexibility, and 3) the imperative for companies to be more results-oriented than ever,&#8221; Pittet explains. &#8220;The old way of monitoring hours is obsolete. What teams need are clear goals and a straightforward method to track their progress.&#8221;&nbsp; Leaders in various sectors, including technology giants like Atlassian, Netflix, LinkedIn, and Asana, have already shifted towards goal-setting frameworks such as OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to focus on outcomes rather than outputs &#8211; Innovation Bay included. Schuldt highlights the unique solution Tability offers to this widespread problem: &#8220;The issue isn&#8217;t a lack of desire for goal-oriented work; it&#8217;s that traditional tools, like spreadsheets, drain the energy from teams. Our platform transforms what used to be a tedious reporting task into an engaging collaborative activity.&#8221;&nbsp; Tability’s recent fundraising round included a pitch to Innovation Bay’s angel investor community, Horizon. Ian Gardiner, Co-Founder of Innovation Bay, is an investor in Tability through Jelix Ventures, mentioned an upcoming Horizon Inner Circle pitch event to Sten. “We were in the middle of a fundraise for Tability. I had heard great things about the community and thought it&#8217;d be a great opportunity to pitch in person,” he says.&nbsp; Horizon Inner Circles invite 3-4 startup founders to pitch to their community of active and engaged angel investors &#8211; all with deep experience in the startup ecosystem. “Having only 4 startups presenting felt great as a founder,” Pittet recalls. “Oftentimes, there&#8217;s a risk of pitch-fatigue for the crowd when there are many startups presenting. The crowd was also really serious about investing.”&nbsp; Following the pitch, Horizon members showed strong interest in the product, with Tability securing a decent investment from the group. Armed with a clear, concise and positive pitch result, Pittet offers some stellar advice to other startup founders:&nbsp; “Be clear about your ask. People won&#8217;t be able to help you if you don&#8217;t know what you want. Come in prepared. Know your numbers, data, customers. Don&#8217;t lie. People will detect it right away and it&#8217;s best to acknowledge the things that you need to figure out – it&#8217;s also the best way to get the right kind of support. This funding round marks a significant milestone for Tability, enabling further development and expansion of their platform to support more organisations worldwide in adopting a more flexible, effective, and results-focused work culture. Innovation Bay is proud to support Tability through our angel investor community and peer to peer flounder network, Summit. 🎤 Startup founders looking to raise in 2024 can apply to pitch to our community of passionate and active angel and VC investors HERE . 💌 If you’re a founder, CEO, VC, angel investor, or corporate ecosystem supporter and would like to find out how being a part of Innovation Bay could accelerate your success this year and beyond, we’d love to hear from you HERE . More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up

## Page 100: Oxygen Advisors Helps Early-Stage Companies Get Financial Clarity from the Outset
 **Page URL:** https://innovationbay.com/news/innovation-bay-welcomes-oxygen-advisors-as-a-founder-partner/

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# Oxygen Advisors Helps Early-Stage Companies Get Financial Clarity from the Outset

Oxygen Advisors Helps Early-Stage Companies Get Financial Clarity from the Outset Innovation Bay is tremendously excited to announce our newest founder partner, Oxygen Advisors. Oxygen Advisors are tech and high-growth experts. They run the finance function for early-stage companies, freeing up founders to focus on building their business. Their purpose is to empower the companies creating the world of tomorrow.&nbsp;&nbsp; “We provide oxygen to a founder. This gives them space to breathe and get on with what they do best,” says Chris Morgan, co-CEO and Director of Oxygen Advisors. Chris recently relocated his family to Sydney from New Zealand to lead the expansion of Oxygen in Australia.&nbsp; Oxygen brings vast experience from working with around 100 early-stage tech startups across Australasia, primarily in the SaaS sector. As a result, they have a deep experience in identifying and solving the financial challenges that early-stage companies face. Their services range from CFO to bookkeeping, ensuring companies are financially sound from the start. Supporting Australian tech companies from the outset “Once a company raises funds, there is a specific set of financial challenges that need to be addressed. If these are mismanaged, they can lead to problems down the line. We know what these are and how to prioritise them so that our clients are set up for success from the beginning,” says Chris.&nbsp; Oxygen provides financial clarity to early-stage companies through accurate, timely monthly reporting and proactive forecasting. This enables decision makers (i.e. founders, board members, and investors) to make better decisions. Their high-growth expertise ensures they understand which metrics companies should focus on, and how they stack up against other companies. The Oxygen Advisors team includes 30 people including 8 CFO partners. The team is able to leverage each other for advice, training, or knowledge sharing, and in turn passes those insights on to their clients. Additionally, having clients on both sides of the Tasman puts the team in a strong position to share insights and connections.&nbsp; The team itself is always on the hunt for new ways to improve their own approaches. “Being so close to the tech sector, we are constantly looking for new/better approaches that help us be more efficient for us/our clients. This includes using innovative fin-tech software solutions,” says Chris.&nbsp; A Partnership Built on Shared Values Aligning with Innovation Bay was a natural choice for Oxygen Advisors.&nbsp; “It was an easy decision as Innovation Bay is all about connection in the tech industry,” says Chris. “With me moving to Sydney, my mandate is to grow our network. The forums that IB provide are the perfect place for me to do this.”&nbsp; We look forward to a meaningful partnership with Oxygen Advisors and are also very proud to be their second Australian client!&nbsp; Most importantly, we’re excited about the innovations and growth this collaboration will bring to our community.&nbsp; Welcome Oxygen Advisors!&nbsp; More Innovation Bay content Podcast Insights News Join the Innovation Bay community Founders Investors INNOVATION BAY NEWSletter Stay up to date Sign up for monthly updates including exclusive interviews, pitch dates, event announcements, profile, news and much more.&nbsp; Sign Up