Founders and Funders Australia

Founders and Funders Australia

Founders and Funders is a podcast dedicated to exploring the dynamic and ever-evolving world of startups in Australia. Hosted by Ray, the show dives deep into the stories of innovative entrepreneurs building some of the most exciting companies across the country. Each episode features conversations with the founders of startups, sharing their unique journeys, challenges, and insights as they navigate the complex path of turning ideas into thriving businesses. In addition to hearing from startup founders, Founders and Funders also brings on investment professionals from venture capital

Episodes

March 27, 2025 • 44 mins

Join us on Founders and Funders Australia as we explore the future of education with Dhruv, the innovative founder of Huddled. In this episode, Dhruv reveals how Huddled’s AI-driven platform—described as "Slack for educators and students"—is transforming the learning experience. By enhancing student engagement, empowering teachers, and fostering inclusive, secure spaces, Huddled is redefining education. From his early days as a tee...

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In this episode of Founders and Funders Australia, host Ray explores the cutting-edge intersection of AI and law with Daniel and Jordan, the founders of LawMe, a platform that’s transforming legal work with AI-powered virtual workers. From their university days to launching a tool that automates drafting, compliance, and research, they share their inspiring startup journey, the pivot from legal research to workflow automation, and ...

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What would make you walk away from a stable career? For Jaryd Krause, it was the realization that the life he had built as a plumber wasn’t the one he wanted.

So, he left it all behind. No business experience. No roadmap. Just a desire to create financial freedom. Today, Jaryd runs one of the world’s largest communities for buying and growing online businesses, helping others escape the 9-to-5 grind.

In this episode, we talk about:

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In this episode of Founders and Funders, I chat with Jay Pottenger from EQ Minds. We explore his journey from a successful career in banking to building a thriving mental health and mindfulness business. Jay shares how EQ Minds grew from a deeply personal experience into a company helping thousands improve their mental health and performance worldwide.

We cover:

How Jay transitioned from banking to EQ Minds

Practical strategies for bu...

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In this episode of Founders and Funders Australia, I sit down with Helena Turpin, co-founder of GoFigr, an Australian career tech platform helping businesses retain and upskill talent. Helena shares her journey from working in HR at Adecco and Randstad to launching her own startup through the Antler accelerator program.

We dive into the challenges of building a SaaS business, securing early customers, and leveraging AI to drive wor...

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James McClure is a Partner at Antler Australia, a global early-stage VC firm. With a background in tech leadership roles at Google, Airbnb, and other innovative companies, James brings a wealth of experience in scaling startups, building teams, and navigating the venture capital landscape.

Key topics:

Breaking barriers in venture capital to support founders globally. James’ Journey: From corporate tech to venture capital. Start...

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In this episode, Ray sits down with Tick, CEO and founder of NUVC, to explore her inspiring entrepreneurial journey. Tick shares how her early ventures, a challenging property career, and personal setbacks shaped her resilience and determination. Discover how she pivoted into AI, building tools for investors and redefining deal-making in the venture capital world. Join us for insights on overcoming obstacles, creating impact, and l...

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In this episode of Founders and Funders, Ray sits down with Alina, the director of Coolibah Downs Private Estate, a premier wedding venue in the Gold Coast hinterland. Alina shares her inspiring journey from helping out in her family's business as a teenager to taking the reins of a struggling venue and transforming it into a thriving destination.


Alina discusses the unique challenges of running a wedding venue, her experiences in...

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In this exciting episode of Founders and Funders, Ray speaks with Dan Copsey, a seasoned entrepreneur, philanthropist, and early-stage startup investor. Dan’s journey spans from his roots in Melbourne’s suburbs to building multiple successful businesses and investing in the next generation of startups.

Discover: How Dan turned a landscaping career into a springboard for entrepreneurship. The story behind his viral clothing brand...

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Join us in this episode of Founders and Funders as we speak with Amanda Siqueira, co-founder and CEO of VAPAR, a trailblazing company transforming the way we manage infrastructure. Amanda shares her inspiring journey from civil engineering to entrepreneurship, creating a groundbreaking AI-powered platform that automates pipe condition assessments for municipalities worldwide.

We explore:

  • Amanda’s transition from engineering ...
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In this episode, the host welcomes Susan, also known as 'The Laundry Lady,' who shares her inspiring journey from a corporate career in international marketing and business development to founding and scaling her own business, The Laundry Lady. She discusses the challenges and tipping points that led her to start her laundry service, balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, and her experiences on Shark Tank Australia. Susan also...

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In this episode of Founders and Funders, Ray Yee sits down with Lisa, the founder of The Saucy Wench, to talk about her transition from a career in architecture to becoming a successful sauce maker. Lisa shares her inspiring story, from a stormy night where she made her first batch of chili oil to scaling her business and eventually landing her products in Woolworths. They discuss the challenges of entrepreneurship, scaling a food ...

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In this episode of Founders and Funders, Ray Yee sits down with Georgia from Sprint Ventures to explore her journey from corporate banking at Westpac to venture capital. Georgia shares insights into the world of family offices, venture capital, and private equity. The conversation covers how startups can approach investors, the importance of competitive analysis in pitch decks, and what makes a successful investment relationship. I...

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In this episode, Ray speaks with Will and Scott, co-founders of Driva, a fast-growing auto finance platform simplifying car loans and other lending processes. They share their journey from corporate backgrounds at McKinsey and Goldman Sachs to founding Driva, scaling the business, leveraging AI and fintech innovations, and acquiring customers through digital marketing strategies. Listen in to learn how they've navigated the challen...

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In this episode of Founders and Funders, Ray talks with Simon Costello, co-founder of FrankieOne, about the power of being adaptive in the fintech industry. Simon shares how his startup pivoted from launching a neobank to becoming a fintech infrastructure provider, helping other financial institutions with KYC and fraud prevention. He emphasizes the importance of persistence, relationship-building, and staying flexible in the face ...

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In this episode of Founders and Funders, we sit down with Frazer King, founder of Lanestay, one of Australia's fast-growing Airbnb Co-host companies. Frazer shares the behind-the-scenes story of how Lanestay leveraged smart growth strategies and emerging trends in short-term rentals to scale quickly. From navigating Airbnb’s evolving platform to customer service, Frazer dives into the tools and insights that helped Lanestay stand o...

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In this conversation, Morty from Elbaite shares his journey from a resourceful childhood to becoming the founder of a Bitcoin exchange. He discusses the challenges of building a secure platform in a volatile industry, the importance of company culture, and the lessons learned from navigating the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency. Morty emphasizes the significance of mentorship and offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.


@...

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