Episódios
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In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve chats with Tom Waterhouse, a well-known name in Australian bookmaking and online betting. Tom opens up about his fascinating journey, from growing up in a family of bookmakers to launching his own online betting business, TomWaterhouse.com, in 2009.
He shares how he went from being an on-course bookie to building a business that grew from 100 to a quarter of a million customers in just 18 months! After selling to William Hill in 2013, Tom became the CEO of William Hill Australia, overseeing a massive $2.5 billion turnover.
But Tom wasn’t done yet—he’s now focused on a new adventure: his own venture fund, investing in tech suppliers for the gambling industry. He explains his unique option strategy and how he’s building a global portfolio.
Timestamps:
00:18 – Meet Tom Waterhouse and a quick intro to his background
01:07 – From on-course bookie to launching TomWaterhouse.com
02:26 – Growing the online business and selling to William Hill
05:45 – Tom’s time as CEO of William Hill Australia
11:15 – Starting his venture fund and focusing on gambling tech suppliers
16:55 – The option strategy and finding the next big thing
19:30 – Diversification and expanding globally
27:00 – Why execution is everything when it comes to startup success
31:10 – What’s next for Tom and his fund
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In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve welcomes Rafael Niesten, founder of Proptech Labs, a company revolutionising property management by handling essential back-end services like maintenance, inspections, and invoicing for residential properties. Rafael, a serial entrepreneur, shares his colorful journey, from running a mobile phone business and starting a youth radio station in Perth to tackling the challenges of the property tech space.
Timestamps:
00:18 – Introduction to Rafael Niesten and Proptech Labs
01:07 – Overview of Proptech Labs and its back-end property services
02:26 – Rafael’s early ventures: mobile phones and community radio
05:45 – From Perth to Sydney: starting over and building new ventures
11:15 – Managing a medical IT company through a data breach
16:55 – Transition to Proptech Labs and the drive to innovate property management
19:30 – Expanding internationally and navigating different markets
27:00 – Reflections on resilience and the entrepreneurial journey
31:10 – Rafael’s future plans to mentor and give back
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In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Ben Ford, a fintech expert who’s been shaping Australia’s fintech landscape for over a decade. Ben shares his journey from corporate roles to becoming a key player in fintech, proptech, and logistics, recounting his early days with industry pioneers like Afterpay and Acorns. Beyond business, Ben opens up about his latest project—the Vanessa Ford Foundation, a new initiative inspired by personal loss and focused on mental health support for high-achieving professionals.
Timestamps:
00:18 – Introduction to Ben Ford and his fintech journey
01:20 – Early days with Afterpay, Acorns, and fintech in Australia
06:14 – The evolution of fintech and Ben’s insights on the sector’s future
10:03 – Challenges in open banking and new fintech opportunities
16:25 – Proptech and logistics: Ben’s latest ventures in tech
19:00 – Launching the Vanessa Ford Foundation and its mission
23:15 – Remembering Vanessa and the motivation behind the foundation
26:00 – Future goals for the foundation and mental health advocacy
30:12 – Ben’s thoughts on upcoming tech trends and the next wave of startups
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In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Scott Berriman, founder of TenantX, a unique commercial property consultancy that’s all about representing tenants. Scott, who’s flying solo as a founder, dives into his transition from a long career in corporate real estate to building his own brand and business.
Scott shares his journey from the early days working in retail leasing, through the highs and lows of corporate life, and what finally pushed him to go independent. He talks about how TenantX saves companies time and money by navigating lease negotiations, and he explains why having a dedicated tenant representative is crucial, even if many businesses don’t realise it. They also discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on the real estate market and how it led to many people reevaluating their careers.
Timestamps:
00:18 – Introduction to Scott Berriman and TenantX
00:45 – What TenantX does and the role of a tenant rep
02:28 – Scott’s background: From retail leasing to office leasing
05:12 – The transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship
09:07 – Reflecting on the impact of COVID-19 and making life changes
13:46 – Challenges and rewards of running a solo business
16:34 – Strategies for business development and building a brand
21:00 – Handling setbacks and staying motivated
24:41 – Scott’s future plans and vision for TenantX
Don’t forget to subscribe to Give It A Nudge for more fascinating conversations with founders and industry leaders who are making an impact!
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In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve welcomes back Jessica Baird Walsh, who has made big changes since her last appearance. Formerly the founder of Remote Social, Jessica now plays a key role in KPMG Futures, where she drives innovation, venture partnerships, and strategic collaborations with startups.
Jessica shares insights on her new role, how KPMG is staying ahead in tech, and what it's like working with early-stage founders from the corporate side. She also dives into her personal life—raising three kids and running every day for two years straight!
Timestamps:
00:18 - Jessica’s return: Big changes since Remote Social
01:02 - Jessica’s role at KPMG Futures explained
02:16 - Working with early-stage startups in a corporate setting
03:50 - Why KPMG continues to invest in innovation
06:23 - Jessica’s journey from Remote Social to KPMG
08:25 - Balancing startup and corporate cultures
09:48 - The resources and flexibility at KPMG
11:08 - How having three kids shapes Jessica’s work-life balance
13:32 - Jessica’s daily habit: Running for over 760 days straight!
18:20 - Launching her passion project, Capital X
24:37 - How Capital X is helping female founders find investors
27:16 - The future of work and AI: What’s next for Jessica?
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In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve Grace sits down with Damon Rahmate and Andrew Davey, the innovative minds behind Genevo Marine, as they prepare to launch Australia’s first luxury electric recreational boat.
Steve, Damon, and Andrew dive into the creation of Genevo Marine, exploring how their backgrounds in boat building, electrical engineering, and renewable energy led them to develop a groundbreaking electric boat. Designed to offer a smoother, quieter, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional boats, Genevo Marine is poised to make waves in the rapidly growing electric boating industry.
Damon and Andrew share their vision for the future of electric boating, discuss the importance of government support, and outline their strategy for showcasing the boat at international boat shows. They also touch on their unique career paths, the burgeoning market for electric boats, and the potential for Australia to become a leader in sustainable marine technology.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:18 - Meet Damon Rahmate and Andrew Davey of Genevo Marine
00:36 - The vision behind Australia’s first electric luxury boat
03:30 - Overcoming challenges in electric boat design
08:23 - The environmental benefits of electric boating
12:29 - Leveraging government support for innovation
15:36 - The growing market for electric boats
23:10 - Future plans for international expansion
27:09 - The evolution of sustainable marine technology
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In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve Grace sits down with Timo Kugler, co-founder of Foodini, a cutting-edge platform designed to help people with dietary needs navigate the food world more easily. From gluten-free to vegan and everything in between, Foodini is simplifying dining for 33% of the global population with dietary restrictions.
Timo shares the journey of launching Foodini, the growth of the app in Australia and the recent expansion into the U.S. market. He dives into how AI and a dedicated team of dietitians power the app, helping restaurants cater to dietary needs, while also improving their business operations. Timo also talks about his fascinating career journey, from MTV Europe to launching multiple startups, and how Foodini is positioned to reshape the future of food and hospitality.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Meet Timo Kugler and the Foodini story
02:16 – Tackling dietary challenges with Foodini
04:33 – From MTV to startups: Timo’s wild career ride
07:10 – How Foodini makes dining safer for everyone
09:34 – AI and dietitians: The brains behind Foodini
11:52 – Boosting restaurant menus and revenue with Foodini
15:10 – Foodini’s big leap into the U.S. and beyond
19:34 – Fundraising and scaling: What’s next for Foodini?
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In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve chats with Elena Tsalanidis, Co-Founder of Deeligence, a cutting-edge legal tech startup that’s using AI to transform the traditionally tedious process of legal due diligence. Elena explains how Deeligence is cutting down the time lawyers spend on M&A due diligence, helping law firms improve accuracy and efficiency while reducing risk.
Elena also shares her journey from being a corporate lawyer to becoming a tech founder, the challenges of building a secure AI-driven platform, and the future of AI in the legal world. She dives into the role of AI in legal workflows and discusses how Deeligence is poised to reshape the way law firms handle complex transactions.
Timestamps:
00:45 – What Deeligence does and how Elena transitioned from law to legal tech
03:15 – The initial challenges of building an AI-driven platform
05:30 – How Deeligence uses AI to speed up the due diligence process
07:00 – Overcoming resistance from traditional law firms to adopt new technology
09:10 – The impact of AI on reducing manual work and improving efficiency for lawyers
11:45 – Ensuring security and confidentiality in a legal tech platform
13:30 – How Deeligence improves lawyer retention and client satisfaction
15:20 – Elena’s vision for the future of AI in the legal industry and what's next for Deeligence
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In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Thomas Telfer, Chief Operating Officer of Scimita Ventures, to explore how his company is driving innovation across industries, with a strong focus on science, engineering, and sustainability.
Thomas shares his journey from studying pharmacology to leading a startup that helps companies turn early-stage tech ideas into tangible products. They dive into Scimita’s pioneering work in battery recycling and the circular economy, the transition from academia to entrepreneurship, and the exciting plans for expanding Scimita’s operations.
Timestamps:
00:35 – What Scimita Ventures does
02:10 – Thomas’s background: From pharmacology to entrepreneurship
05:00 – Transitioning from academia to startups
07:45 – Working on innovative medical devices like non-invasive blood glucose monitors
10:15 – The impact of COVID-19 on product development and remote testing
12:30 – The importance of collaboration with universities and entrepreneurs
15:00 – Circular economy projects: Battery recycling and reducing waste
18:40 – Future plans: Expanding Scimita Ventures' operations to a new facility in Western Sydney
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In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Michael Batko, CEO of Startmate, to dive into how he’s building one of the most successful startup accelerators in Australia. Michael shares the story of his journey from consulting to startups, the growth of Startmate, and his vision for the future.
They discuss how Startmate is supporting founders, investors, and job seekers while scaling a vibrant startup community. Michael also gives a sneak peek into his productivity-focused side hustle and reveals his ambitious plan to build a "Startmate City" for founders and innovators.
Timestamps:
00:18 - Welcome Michael Batko to the show
00:53 - What is Startmate and its mission
01:31 - Michael’s background in consulting and transition to startups
02:18 - Early days at Mad Paws and lessons from scaling startups
03:50 - The value of making mistakes in startups
06:49 - Trekking through the Amazon: Lessons from Michael’s travels
10:00 - Returning to Australia and the serendipity of landing at Startmate
13:09 - Setting up and scaling an incubator at Startmate
14:42 - The challenges of running a startup accelerator
16:00 - Michael’s thoughts on community-driven growth and marketing
17:05 - The vision for Startmate’s future and building "Startmate City"
20:48 - The success of Startmate’s investments and community-driven venture fund
24:00 - Michael’s productivity side hustle and teaching AI tools
26:13 - The hardest lessons Michael has learned in fundraising and people management
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In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve chats with Scott King, co-founder of Zapme, an innovative global communications platform that simplifies international travel by providing seamless connectivity.
Scott dives into the story of how Zapme was born out of the challenges he faced during the COVID-19 pandemic while working overseas, sparking the idea for a service that offers global numbers, data, and messaging—all in one app.
Scott shares his entrepreneurial journey, from growing up in Alice Springs to working in Japan, Miami, and on cruise ships before founding Zapme. He reflects on the importance of solving problems, the lessons learned along the way, and Zapme’s potential to help not only travellers but professionals, recruiters, and even dating app users.
Scott also offers a glimpse into Zapme’s exciting future, including plans to expand into B2B markets and how the platform can be used beyond travel. He emphasises the importance of building a global community and solving everyday communication challenges.
Timestamps:
01:00 - What Zapme does and Scott’s inspiration
03:00 - The impact of COVID-19 on Zapme’s creation
06:45 - Scott’s entrepreneurial background: From Japan to cruise ships
09:30 - How Zapme solves global communication issues for travellers
13:00 - Expanding Zapme’s use cases: Recruiters, dating apps, and more
16:30 - Scott’s vision for Zapme’s future and the B2B market
19:00 - The importance of community and solving global problems
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In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Ruth Hatherley, Founder & CEO of MoneyCatcha, a fintech company making waves by using open banking data to revolutionise the home loan process for consumers and brokers alike.
Ruth shares the story of MoneyCatcha's evolution, starting from blockchain technology to leveraging open banking to democratise data and offer faster, more competitive home loan solutions. She dives into the impact of COVID-19 on the financial landscape, how the shift toward digital processes changed the game for brokers, and her passion for improving the customer experience in the home loan industry.
Ruth also discusses the challenges of being a first-time founder, the resilience required to build a fintech startup, and her exciting plans for MoneyCatcha’s future, including expansion into other industries and markets.
Timestamps:
00:57 - What MoneyCatcha does and Ruth's journey
03:30 - Shifting from blockchain to open banking
05:00 - The impact of COVID-19 on the home loan industry
07:45 - Helping brokers use data to provide better loan options
09:30 - Ruth’s personal journey from banking to fintech founder
12:00 - Open banking and its impact on consumers
15:00 - The future of MoneyCatcha: Expanding beyond banking
18:30 - Ruth's thoughts on resilience and growth as a founder
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In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve Grace chats with Cameron Smith from Take2, a company that provides individuals who have had contact with the justice system a second chance at life through a three-year tech training and employment program.
Cameron explains how Take2 offers not just technical training but also essential life skills, aiming to break down barriers and create employment pathways for those who have faced significant challenges.
Cameron shares his journey into founding Take2, his background in recruitment, and how witnessing the discrimination faced by people with convictions inspired him to launch the organisation. The conversation dives into the difficulties of getting prisons, funders, and employment partners on board, and the challenges of implementing the program in both New Zealand and now Australia.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
01:10 - Take2's mission: A second chance for those in the justice system
02:03 - Cameron's background and inspiration for starting Take2
03:30 - Overcoming initial challenges in launching the program
05:00 - The transformative power of employment for marginalised individuals
07:00 - Launching in Australia: Adapting the model for a new market
09:30 - Building employer partnerships and breaking down prejudices
11:15 - Success stories from Take2's graduates
13:00 - How to get involved and support Take2’s mission
Don't forget to subscribe to Give It A Nudge for more inspiring stories from the world of startups, scaleups and high-growth companies!
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In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Sophie Hood, founder of Seoul Tonic, to explore her journey of creating a unique health tonic inspired by South Korean traditions.
Sophie shares her story from starting in consulting and finance to diving into the world of consumer health products. She discusses her fascination with Korean skincare, which led her to discover traditional ingredients that help with alcohol metabolism and liver detoxification.
Timestamps:
01:17 - Quick pitch on Seoul Tonic
01:43 - Sophie's inspiration from South Korea
03:12 - Transition from consulting to Moet Hennessy
04:52 - Experience at Moet Hennessy and Red Bull
06:29 - Starting Seoul Tonic and creating the product
09:59 - Finding the right manufacturer during COVID
13:10 - Distribution challenges and initial marketing
15:59 - Winning Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars
21:04 - Expansion into international markets
25:35 - Bootstrapping the business and maintaining equity
30:26 - Future plans and new product launch
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In this episode of Give It a Nudge, Steve chats with Alex Kerr (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-kerr-6599b7197/), the founder of Kumo Study (https://www.kumostudy.com/), a study management tool for students with ADHD and other forms of neurodiversity.
Steve and Alex discuss her journey from university to founding Kumo Study, the unique challenges she faced as a non-tech founder, and how she successfully bootstrapped the business. They also explore Kumo Study's innovative approach to digitising occupational therapy techniques to create an effective learning tool for neurodiverse students.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction and setting the scene
00:18 - Meet Alex Kerr of Kumo Study
01:06 - Quick pitch on Kumo Study and its mission
02:21 - Alex’s background and journey to founding Kumo Study
03:13 - Realising the impact of ADHD on her own study habits
06:29 - Transition from university to startup life
09:18 - Importance of setting up the right study environment
12:30 - Features of Kumo Study: digitising occupational therapy techniques
15:00 - Addressing comorbidities: Dyslexia, Autism, and ADHD
20:21 - Bootstrapping and building Kumo Study
25:35 - Current state and future plans for Kumo Study
This episode is perfect for anyone interested in how technology can support neurodiverse students in their academic journey, and how personal challenges can lead to innovative solutions.
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In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve chats with Gabriela Scharf, Founder of Get Cool Brands. Gabriela's fascinating career journey takes centre stage as she shares her experiences moving from Brazil to Australia, working with major brands like Red Bull and WeWork, and eventually finding her passion in purpose-driven initiatives.
Gabriela recounts the challenges of starting anew in Australia, initially working in hospitality before landing marketing roles. Her time at WeWork during COVID shaped her views on the importance of flexibility and community, leading her to focus on building communities and promoting sustainable brands through Get Cool Brands.
Gabriela also discusses her role as an ambassador for the Community Collective, a global network for community managers, and emphasises the value of human interaction and community in a post-COVID world.
Timestamps:
00:18 - Introduction to Gabriela Scharf
01:22 - Moving from Brazil to Australia
03:00 - Early career struggles and transition
06:19 - Working at WeWork during COVID
08:14 - Importance of community and human interaction
11:46 - Founding Get Cool Brands
15:20 - Supporting sustainable brands
18:24 - Ambassador role at Community Collective
21:50 - Future plans and goals
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In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve Grace chats with Jessie Hughes, Senior Creative Technologist at Leonardo.Ai, just days after their acquisition by Canva.
Steve and Jessie discuss the groundbreaking features of Leonardo.Ai, a generative AI-powered content creation suite designed to democratize creativity by making high-quality content creation accessible to everyone.
Jessie shares insights into the company’s rapid growth, innovative tools like real-time canvas doodling and high-resolution upscaling, and the strategic benefits of the Canva acquisition while maintaining Leonardo.Ai's independence.
They also explore Jessie’s unique career path, from her background in interaction design and VR filmmaking to her role in the AI industry, highlighting the importance of adaptability and the transformative potential of AI in various sectors.
The conversation touches on the future of AI, the balance between technological advancement and human creativity, and the collaborative efforts to ensure AI's positive impact on society.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:18 - Meet Jessie Hughes of Leonardo.Ai
00:36 - Canva's acquisition of Leonardo.Ai
03:30 - Overview of Leonardo.Ai's tools and features
08:23 - Democratizing creativity with AI
12:29 - Jessie's career journey and impact of AI
15:36 - Synergy between Leonardo.Ai and Canva
23:10 - Future of AI and creative industries
27:09 - Navigating rapid technological advancements
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In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve chats with Stephen Zilioli, the Founder & CEO of PostLock (https://www.postlock.com.au/), a revolutionary new savings product designed to help aspiring homeowners keep up with runaway property prices.
Steve and Stephen discuss the journey from a stable banking career to founding PostLock, the difficulties of navigating government regulations, and the unique approach PostLock takes in partnering with governments to provide secure, inflation-adjusted returns for home savers. They also explore the significant progress made in the UK, the strategy behind choosing the UK market, and the future plans for expansion and capital raising.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:18 - Meet Stephen Zilioli of PostLock
00:33 - Quick pitch on PostLock and its mission
03:30 - Challenges of saving for home deposits
08:23 - How PostLock works
12:29 - Flexibility and potential exceptions
15:36 - Government partnerships and UK progress
23:10 - Raising capital and ideal investors
27:09 - Surprises and easiest aspects of the journey
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In this very exciting episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Dickie, known as "the hype man" for the Australian tech and innovation ecosystem.
Dickie talks about his unique career path, starting from law school and the Territorial Army, moving on to become a Moroccan country specialist in the travel industry, and finally diving into the Australian startup world. He shares his colourful experiences and the impactful roles he's had, highlighting his passion for promoting Australian innovation.
Steve and Dickie discuss his move from Melbourne to Sydney and his impact on the startup community through roles at Startup Victoria and his current project, Tech Australia Advocates. This initiative aims to connect the Australian tech ecosystem with global partners and create a more inclusive community.
Dickie also talks about his dedication to creating meaningful content and fostering innovation. He reveals his long-term dream of becoming a travel writer, telling global innovation stories and linking them to Australia.
Timestamps:
00:18 - Introduction to Dickie, the hype man
01:08 - Dickie's unique career journey
06:19 - Startup experiences in Australia
10:02 - Role at Startup Victoria and Tech Australia Advocates
18:43 - Moving from Melbourne to Sydney
22:00 - Dickie's dedication to content creation and innovation
26:45 - Balancing work-life and avoiding burnout
32:15 - Dickie's long-term dream of becoming a travel writer
36:30 - Importance of diversity and inclusion in tech
40:50 - Final thoughts and future outlook
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In this episode of Give It a Nudge, Steve chats with Melissa Reader, the founder and CEO of Violet (https://www.violet.org.au/), a pioneering virtual care platform dedicated to supporting individuals and their families during the last stage of life.
Steve and Melissa talk about her shift from consulting to starting Violet, the unique challenges she faced as a non-tech founder in a tech world, and how she successfully bootstrapped the business while keeping control. They also cover Violet’s innovative approach to blending humanity and technology to offer scalable, impactful solutions.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction and setting the scene
00:18 - Meet Melissa Reader of Violet
01:17 - Quick pitch on Violet and its mission
03:12 - Transition from consulting to founding Violet
04:52 - Melissa’s personal story and inspiration behind Violet
06:29 - Building Violet: Combining humanity and technology
09:59 - Overcoming challenges in a non-tech founder journey
13:10 - Distribution challenges and initial marketing strategies
15:59 - Winning support and recognition for Violet’s mission
21:04 - Expansion into international markets and future plans
25:35 - Bootstrapping Violet and maintaining equity
30:26 - Future plans and new product launch
This episode is perfect for anyone interested in how technology can be used to support people during one of the most challenging times in life, and how personal experiences can drive impactful innovation.
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