Writing the story of our journey wasn’t something I ever imagined doing, until recently. While overseas on a work trip – with a bit of R&R at the end – I met a woman who was genuinely curious about MyTrucking. She asked me, “Have you ever thought about writing some of this down? Your learnings,… Read more »
The hardest lesson I’ve learned about raising capital is that there’s no such thing as the right investor — only the right capital stack. Every time we started raising for Goterra’s next phase, the advice was the same: find your lead investor, fill the round, move fast. That playbook hasn’t changed much, even as the… Read more »
For decades, Silicon Valley has been the default destination for ambitious founders. It is still the centre of gravity for venture capital – but that monopoly is quietly eroding. A growing number of global founders, particularly from the US, are now looking beyond the Valley for their next funding partner. And increasingly, that includes Australia.… Read more »
In the startup world, we’re conditioned to worship at the altar of data. We’re told to build cases based on data before we build products, to chase quantifiable metrics, and to present spreadsheets that prove a market exists. But what happens when you discover a problem so fundamental that no one has been able to… Read more »
When growth slows, every founder feels it. The pressure for bigger. The instinct that says, “We need new products.” So you react quickly, and it feels like progress. Yet often those fresh new products are good, but not great. And there’s a good chance that you might not be able to be the best at… Read more »
Let’s cut through the noise. Entrepreneurs love the grind. They wear struggle like a badge of honour – how many hours they’ve worked, how many startups they’ve launched, how many failures they’ve endured. They call it resilience. Businesspeople call it wasted effort. Because here’s the truth no one wants to hear: The world doesn’t pay… Read more »
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 »
In entrepreneur Jamie Pride’s book, Unicorn Tears, he states that the failure rate of startups is 92% – alarmingly high, but there are things that founders can do to improve these odds. Based on my own experiences in founding and leading software companies, I discovered a way to steward SMEs. I call this way ‘succession… Read more »
In 1949, a wildfire broke out in a place called Mann Gulch, a remote area of Montana. A team of 15 smokejumpers, highly-trained wildfire fighters, were flown into the area, and parachuted onto an otherwise inaccessible mountainside to begin hemming in the flames. Almost as soon as the team hit the ground, the wind changed,… Read more »
In our journey through the business world, we often encounter hurdles that test our resolve, creativity, and strategic thinking. Transitioning from corporate burnout to building a six-figure business within a year, I learnt the indispensable role of essential systems in achieving scalability and profitability. I want to take some time to share with you the… Read more »
2023 was a tough funding year across the market, so many founders are looking hopefully ahead to the promise of 2024. While I believe there is going to be some recovery this year for startups seeking funding, this will be gradual and geared towards the larger end of the market, as mergers and acquisitions and… Read more »
It’s reasonable to imagine that if you’ve grown up in an industry, perhaps worked in one or two companies within it over two or three decades, and been regularly promoted into more senior roles, that you might self-identify as an industry expert. After all, you’ve probably seen it all right? asks Adam Bennett author of… Read more »
You’re a startup raising capital between pre-seed and Series A and struggling to find a lead investor – have you thought about a party round? But before we start the party, let me explain the purpose of a lead investor. When you typically raise capital there is one investor who takes the lead in the… Read more »
In 2006, the Victorian State Government ran a program called Business Continuity. The program addressed the devastating impacts a 10-year drought was having on hundreds of small businesses in regional communities. Businesses undertook a SWOT analysis, were reviewed against their strategy, financials, and then given a plan to help generate cashflow. A year later, the… Read more »
In the neon-lit glory of the 1990s, the dawn of the internet era, I took my first steps into the world of entrepreneurship. A period defined by the dot-com bubble, the era was rife with nascent technologies, untapped potential and a burgeoning belief that technology was an alchemical touch transforming everything into gold. This was… Read more »
Daily startup news and insights, delivered to your inbox.
