Business strategy

Pre-Money vs Post-Money SAFE Notes: What Australian founders need to know

- November 26, 2024 5 MIN READ

Raising capital using SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) notes has become a go-to tool for Australian founders. SAFEs streamline the fundraising process by postponing valuation debates until a future funding round. However, understanding the distinction between pre-money and post-money SAFEs is critical, as it directly impacts founder dilution and investor ownership. In this article,… Read more »

Business strategy

A ‘MUD’ MAP: how to avoid getting stuck as you shift from startup to scaleup

- November 4, 2024 3 MIN READ

The startup journey is a rollercoaster – exciting, exhilarating, undeniably daunting and not for the faint-hearted. While social media tends to glamorise the #hustlelife, the reality of scaling a business is far more complex. It’s the point where a company moves from proving its concept to expanding operations, growing its customer base, and increasing market… Read more »

Business strategy

After studying 100 successful startup founders – and here’s what I learnt

- November 1, 2024 4 MIN READ

In the world of startups, success is often attributed to a complex interplay of factors ranging from personal characteristics to strategic decision-making. This report analyses 100 of the top startup founders to identify what separates the successful from the rest. By examining their backgrounds, leadership styles, strategic approaches, and other critical factors, we aim to… Read more »

office arm wrestle
Advice

Why founders should be wary of de-valuing themselves during negotiations

- October 29, 2024 3 MIN READ

The core of negotiation is about navigating uncertainty, and if you’re in the world of startups, uncertainty is something you’ve already embraced. Unlike traditional business owners with proven business models, products, and services, you’re operating in a space where creativity and adaptability are fundamental to your success. You’re invested in your business on every level,… Read more »

Business

Marketing guru Kayla Medica’s written a guide to building brands from scratch

- October 16, 2024 2 MIN READ

A new book offering a comprehensive go-to guide on product marketing has been written by expert Kayla Medica. The Mehdeeka Method aims at demystify product marketing for companies of all stages of growth, providing a bridge between traditional brand marketing and emerging product marketing schools of thought, to build a brand from scratch. Kayla Medica… Read more »

Business strategy

Startups 101: Understanding secondary share sales  – why not all fundraising is created equal

- October 15, 2024 3 MIN READ

In recent years, the media has increasingly blurred the lines between true capital raises and secondary sales, distorting the actual amount of new funding startups are receiving.  This confusion often misleads founders and investors, making it harder to understand the real financial position of a company. For first-time founders, navigating the complexities of capital raising… Read more »

Parent, baby
Business strategy

A new study reveals that if you really want to keep staff, forcing them back into the office isn’t going to work

- October 9, 2024 3 MIN READ

Less than a month after Amazon announced employees would need to give up their flexible work arrangements and return to the office full-time, new research has reinforced the value of a flexible work culture. The 2024 Employee Benefits Review, by consultancy firm Mercer, found 89% of Australian organisations still offer the option of working from… Read more »

Business strategy

Why universities need to focus on an entrepreneurial mindset, not just new ideas

- September 24, 2024 3 MIN READ

As universities consider their future in the 21st century, many are embracing the concept of “innovation” in their strategic plans. According to Harvard Business School, innovation is “a product, service, business model or strategy that’s both novel and useful”. By focusing on innovation, universities are attempting to position themselves as drivers of progress – as… Read more »

woman and two men in old black and white photo
Advice

The questions founders should ask startup investors in the first meeting

- September 18, 2024 4 MIN READ

I coach founders every week on how to hold more effective investor meetings, and there’s one recurring problem: founders wasting time chasing investors who don’t fit. Sound familiar? Success isn’t pitching your startup. The path to fundraising success starts with making sure the investor is right for you. You have the right – and responsibility… Read more »