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 »
The team at Sydney VC firm Folklore are sharing some of their insights on the investment process to give founders, particularly early founders, an insight into how to approach VC engagement from your first conversation through to what to expect from your VC after receiving your first cheque, or even rejection. In part one of… Read more »
I recently returned from Silicon Valley where I had insightful conversations with a diverse range of founders and investors. These discussions shed light on the challenges faced by technology startups in the current funding landscape. With venture capitalists (VCs) taking longer to respond and valuations subdued, it is crucial for founders to approach these obstacles… Read more »
I feel like every day I walk across the grass to my little office, and I sit down and my desk, and I fire up the laptop, and open my apps, and I wrestle with this question: “Can I save Good Empire, or should I just let it die?” And my chest tightens, and my… Read more »
Business planning platform Empiraa has eschewed venture capital for a second time to raise $518,000 on a $7.5 million valuation. The Melbourne startup was founded in 2021, and went on to raise $637,000 in December that year, after an initial $110,000 pre-seed round. Founder Ash Brown said business had “a half-time pivot due to changing… Read more »
The federal government has issued a discussion paper on the development of a new National Robotics Strategy to better understand the opportunities and challenges for Australian industries adopting robotics and automation. Industry and science minister Ed Husic said the discussion paper will help guide a conversation on growing the production and responsible use of robotics… Read more »
Startmate CEO Michael Batko spent nine months talking to 15 Australian startup founders, from unicorns such as Mr Yum and Culture Amp, to Brighte, Forage, 5B and Mintable. He published those interviews on his substack (see below for the links). Batko then took all he learnt and summarised their insights into “how to CEO” below.… Read more »
Have you ever searched for an airfare only to find that the price for a particular flight has significantly increased compared with when you searched a few days later? Or have you noticed that some people are paying less to receive access to the same subscription service that you pay for? What about that time… Read more »
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