25 JUN. 2024 · In this long-awaited episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve finally has the chance to sit down with Mike Langford, Head of VC & Startup Ecosystem JAPAC at Google Cloud. Mike discusses his role at Google, overseeing the VC and startup ecosystem across Asia-Pacific. He shares his 12-year journey with the company, his passion for technology, and the strategic moves that led to his current position. Mike covers Google’s Digital Futures initiative, a $1 billion commitment to advancing Australia’s digital landscape, highlighting projects like AI research centres and environmental efforts in the Great Barrier Reef and kelp forests. The conversation includes how Google supports startups through tools, credits, and mentorship, helping them start, build, grow, and scale. Mike emphasises the importance of balancing passion with practical business strategies and staying aligned with evolving revenue models. The discussion also touches on the impact of AI, its rapid advancements, and its applications across various industries. Mike stresses the need for an innovative mindset and embracing AI as a tool for growth and efficiency. Mike explains why startups should choose Google Cloud, citing its user-friendly interface, cost-effectiveness, and comprehensive support. He highlights Google’s commitment to open-source models and fostering innovation within the startup community. Timestamps: 00:44 - Mike's journey to Google 01:20 - Role at Google Cloud and focus areas 02:35 - Mike’s tech background and early career 03:40 - Transition to non-tech roles at Google 05:11 - Building a role in the startup space 06:11 - Digital Futures initiative and key projects 09:50 - Environmental and medical partnerships 11:35 - Supporting startups through various stages 14:00 - Importance of balancing passion and practicality 16:18 - Impact of AI and its future applications 19:45 - Why choose Google Cloud for startups? 23:10 - Final thoughts and future outlook Subscribe to Give It A Nudge for the latest insights from top startups, scale-ups, and high-growth companies!

18 JUN. 2024 · In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Sam Wood, the CEO & Co-Founder of Azura Fashion Group, to discuss the innovative journey of his company. Sam shares the origin story of Azura Fashion Group, which started in 2019 with a mission to provide a better solution for luxury fashion brands to manage their off-season and postseason stock. The company helps brands like Dolce & Gabbana by moving their excess inventory into new markets rather than traditional outlet stores, thereby maintaining brand value. Throughout the interview, Sam discusses how Azura Fashion Group has grown to operate in 28 countries, partnering with over 900 brands, and how their AI-driven platform has revolutionised their operations by handling data enrichment and order management efficiently. He also talks about the company’s upcoming launch into the Korean market and plans for further expansion. Sam emphasises the importance of leveraging technology to scale without increasing operational costs and highlights the success of their recent $3 million investment raise. The conversation also touches on the company's commitment to supporting Australian designers and retailers by helping them reach international markets. For those interested in investing, Sam discusses their crowdfunding campaign and the unique benefits for investors, including potential luxury fashion perks. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:41 - What is Azura Fashion Group? 01:26 - The initial concept and market disruption 02:53 - Landing the first big client: Dolce & Gabbana 04:03 - Sam’s background in sales and marketing 06:08 - The leap from employment to entrepreneurship 07:26 - The importance of stress and adrenaline in business 08:15 - The company’s growth journey and technological advancements 08:44 - Expanding globally and leveraging AI for data management 11:00 - Innovative AI platform using Google, Microsoft, and Amazon technologies 13:16 - Zero-inventory model and digital consignment 14:05 - Current scale and brand partnerships 14:50 - The challenge and opportunity of circular fashion 17:10 - Future plans and market expansion 20:52 - Scaling with AI and crowdfunding plans 22:10 - Final thoughts and call to action Subscribe for more insights into the world of startups, scale-ups, and high-growth businesses, and don’t miss out on this exciting episode with Sam Wood! Links:  Azura Fashion Group website - https://www.azurafashiongroup.com/ Crowdfunding campaign - https://www.onmarket.com.au/offers/azura-consulting-eoi/

11 JUN. 2024 · In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve visits the Honey Insurance offices to talk with Richard Joffe, the Founder & CEO. Richard shares the story behind Honey Insurance, a digital home insurance company aiming to simplify and improve the insurance experience in Australia. He explains how his move from San Francisco to Australia highlighted the need for a more modern and customer-friendly insurance service. Richard discusses his background, from growing up in South Africa and Canada to his experiences building businesses in London, New York, and San Francisco. He talks about the challenges of starting Honey Insurance, navigating Australia's competitive market, and overcoming regulatory hurdles. You'll hear about the inspiration for the name "Honey Insurance," the company's new partnership with Aldi, and their plans to offer better deals to customers. Richard also talks about the importance of company values, maintaining a close-knit team, and the effort required to secure funding and grow a startup. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and setting the scene 00:24 - What is Honey Insurance? 01:06 - The inspiration behind Honey Insurance 02:15 - Challenges in traditional insurance models 03:18 - The Australian market and its unique challenges 06:11 - Richard's background and journey to entrepreneurship 09:32 - Identifying the opportunity in the insurance industry 12:09 - Regulatory hurdles and market entry challenges 14:03 - Why "Honey Insurance"? 15:13 - Honey Insurance’s launch and early successes 18:00 - High technical talent in Australia 20:18 - Fundraising challenges and strategies 22:44 - New partnership with Aldi 25:01 - Growth plans and maintaining company culture 27:14 - Importance of company values and hiring standards 30:48 - Closing thoughts and future plans Stay ahead of the curve—subscribe to Give It A Nudge for the latest insights from top startups, scale-ups, and high-growth companies!

4 JUN. 2024 · In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve reconnects with Ali Lord, CEO of Headbox Australia, two years after their first interview during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Ali talks about how Headbox navigated the challenges brought by the pandemic and the changes within the events industry. Starting with a small team during the pandemic, Headbox adapted by focusing on market expansion and improving their technology. This technology now helps corporate clients and venues manage events more efficiently and sustainably, reflecting the growing global focus on environmental responsibility. Ali shares how Headbox has grown into a diverse team that offers innovative and practical event solutions across Australia. Their technology simplifies event planning and incorporates sustainability practices. For those interested in business resilience and innovation, this episode with Ali provides practical insights into overcoming challenges and adapting to change. Make sure you subscribe to Give It A Nudge for more discussions on technology, entrepreneurship, and business trends.

28 MAY. 2024 · Join us on this episode of Give It A Nudge where host Steve chats with Cheryl Mack, CEO of Aussie Angels. Cheryl takes us through her journey from Toronto to becoming a key player in Australia’s startup scene. She shares her insights into the evolution of Aussie Angels, her experiences with angel investing, and the growing startup ecosystem in Australia. 🔗 Useful Links: Connect with Cheryl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylmack/ Check out Aussie Angels to explore investment opportunities: https://www.aussieangels.com/ Find helpful tips and guides for founders and investors on Mack's Resources: https://macksresources.com/ Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more interesting talks with the movers and shakers of the startup world!

21 MAY. 2024 · In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve chats with Lucy Wark, the dynamic founder of two innovative companies: Normal and Fuzzy. Normal revolutionises sex education with engaging digital content and sex toys, while Fuzzy focuses on teaching essential soft skills often overlooked in traditional education. Lucy shares her path from launching a student magazine at the University of Cambridge to her strategic experiences at McKinsey, which helped pave the way for her entrepreneurial ventures. She also introduces her latest project, Grapevine, aimed at combating sexual harassment in the tech industry by sharing stories and providing practical advice. Feeling inspired by Lucy's story? Tune into Give It A Nudge for more episodes that explore the intersections of tech, business, and meaningful impact. Subscribe now to catch every inspiring story that could be just the nudge you need in your own entrepreneurial journey.

15 MAY. 2024 · In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve is joined by Dr. Neetu Johnson, the Chief Medical Officer and Co- Founder of Prescribe Life. Neetu shares her journey from experiencing burnout in the demanding field of psychiatry to pioneering a platform focused on improving the mental health and overall well-being of founders. Neetu explains how her personal burnout and dissatisfaction with traditional psychiatric practices led her to integrate Ayurveda and yoga into her approach, aiming to offer more holistic care. This approach laid the foundation for Prescribe Life, which is specifically designed to address the unique pressures founders face, such as founder burnout, intense work hours, and the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship. The conversation also covers the psychological traits of founders, including their risk-taking behaviour and the high incidence of neurodivergence like ADHD among entrepreneurs. Neetu emphasises the importance of comprehensive support systems for founders, akin to the team around a top athlete, to sustain their health and business performance. Steve and Neetu discuss the potential role of venture capitalists in supporting founder well-being as part of their investment, suggesting that more comprehensive care could significantly enhance founders' long-term success and resilience. For more stories on entrepreneurship, startups and high-growth businesses, make sure to subscribe to Give It A Nudge and tune in next week for another episode.

14 MAY. 2024 · In the latest episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve talks with Maria Halasz, the CEO of Stride Equity, a venture group that uniquely combines the resources of venture capital with the power of equity crowdfunding. Maria explains how Stride Equity is not just investing in startups but is deeply involved in preparing them for securing investments, leveraging a model that goes beyond simple transactions. Maria shares her extensive background, which spans starting in biotech, moving through investment banking, and ultimately leading a listed biotechnology company for 14 years. Her comprehensive experience in fundraising, management, and regulatory compliance uniquely positions her to lead Stride Equity. During the discussion, Maria outlines the innovative approach of Stride Equity, which is designed to meet the needs of founders and investors. This venture group provides more than capital; they invest their experience, expertise, and connections, offering mentorship, advice, and invaluable access to their networks. For more stories on startups, scale-ups and high-growth companies, don’t forget to subscribe to Give It A Nudge for our weekly episodes.

7 MAY. 2024 · In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve is joined by Peita Piper, CEO of Avenue Bank, a pioneering financial institution that specialises in bank guarantees.  Avenue Bank has dramatically transformed the traditional, cumbersome process of securing commercial leases by digitising and streamlining it, reducing issuance time from weeks to just 24 hours. Peita shares the story of Avenue Bank's inception, highlighting the long journey from conception to launch just four weeks ago, and details the challenges and innovations that define this unique banking venture. She also discusses her broader career journey, which has consistently focused on digitising and simplifying complex business processes to enhance efficiency and service quality. Feeling by the Avenue Bank story? Make sure to subscribe to Give It A Nudge for more episodes exploring the intersections of technology, finance, and entrepreneurship. Don't miss out on the stories and insights that could inspire your next big idea or venture.

30 ABR. 2024 · In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Anurag Vasisth, the Group CEO of Loyalty Now, a Loyalty Tech SaaS platform that's changing the way loyalty is integrated with payments.  Anurag details his transition from working with industry giants like British Airways, MasterCard, and American Express to leading Loyalty Now. He shares insights into the company's strategy of embedding loyalty directly into transactions, making the process seamless for consumers and explaining the company's expansion plans and the upcoming series B funding round. Feeling inspired by Anurag Vasisth's innovative approach in the fintech space? Make sure to subscribe to Give It A Nudge for more episodes exploring the intersections of technology, business, and entrepreneurship.