Marc Orchard

🟢 UCS Advisors' Green Nugget Advisory Tip: Track Your Investor Connections 🟢 When navigating the fundraising journey, it’s not just about who you talk to—it's about how you got connected. Are you keeping track of your investor conversations AND the details of those connections? Make sure to note how you connected with each investor. Was it through a direct reach-out, an introduction, or a specific platform like LinkedIn? Understanding the origin of your connections can help you refine your outreach strategy and build stronger relationships. Remember, the details matter. Keep track, stay organized, and enhance your investor relations. #GreenNuggetTips #UCSAdvisors #InvestorRelations #Networking #Entrepreneurship #StartupSuccess #FundraisingStrategy

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12 deals before Christmas! A massive few weeks ahead here at Birchal And female founders getting it done. Congrats to Jay Curtin and the team at Got Bakey for closing their $180k raise last week. And thrilled to see Andi Lucas founder of X-Hemp Pty Ltd in The Australian over the weekend. Closing in on $500k raised, doing an amazing job! Other things that piqued our interest this week: IPO market thawing according to Simon Evans at The Australian Financial Review. Klarna announces its plans to list in NY and not London. Australian Business Growth Fund (ABGF) commissioned report released last week identifies $38b equity funding gap holding back growth businesses and Australian productivity. Lots happening over the next few weeks, check it out in the comments. #equitycrowdfunding #csf #investment #startups #australia #founders

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Fantastic The Australian Financial Review Entrepreneur Summit kick off, with a great panel: - Matthew Koertge from Titanium Ventures - Ben Thompson from Employment Hero - Kylie Frazer from Flying Fox Ventures - Luke Achterstraat from Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) Some great insights: - Founder resilience in difficult environments increasingly critical...it's tough out there! (hence the name Titanium - highest strength to density ratio and corrosion resistance) - 2024 is expected to be a fantastic vintage - great startups are created in every market - Wages inflation in Australia running at 8% (not the 4.1% in official stats) - Growing need for reporting via digital means - including around climate metrics - Liquidity is crucial (hello Canva secondaries) Excited to hear from other founders like Paul Riley from Samsara Eco and Kim Teo from me&u, sharing their stories building meaningful businesses with real impact

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Investors Advisors is here to guide you every step of the way! 🏠📊 Whether you're new to investing or a seasoned pro, we've got the insights and strategies to elevate your game. 📈✨ Let’s build your wealth together! 💼 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁 📩[email protected] 📞 04 24 26 55 25 #investorsadvisors #realestate #propertyinvestment #linkedin #wealthcreation

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Scaling isn’t just about resources—it’s about networks with “boots on the ground” insight. Startup ecosystems like French Tech Australia (FT AU) connect founders to mentors, resources, and markets, offering local knowledge that is crucial for expansion. These networks lend credibility, open doors, and provide on-the-ground insights to navigate new markets with confidence. From strategic partnerships to market access, ecosystems are invaluable in a startup’s journey from local success to global presence. Tip: Use your ecosystem’s resources proactively—growth is faster with the right boots on the ground. How has your network helped you scale? Share your experiences below! 👇 https://lnkd.in/gmuYeYDB #StartupGrowth #ScaleUp #BusinessNetworking #GlobalExpansion #StartupCommunity #EcosystemSupport #InnovationHub #EntrepreneurTips #MentorshipMatters #CrossBorderBusiness Resumption - Sales, Marketing, and Operations Consulting

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We're thrilled to announce that {{linkedin_mention(urn:li:organization:3158121|Pie Funds)}} has invested $10m into Growth Fund II, our late-stage venture fund offering exposure to 20 established NZ technology companies. Their investment brings the fund’s total to $98m of the $100m target. Pie’s KiwiSaver Growth Fund’s move into venture capital enables thousands more Kiwis to gain exposure to—and participate in the journey of—some of New Zealand’s exceptional tech companies. “{{linkedin_mention(urn:li:person:wk5-2xhHug|Mike Taylor)}}, {{linkedin_mention(urn:li:person:b1-HgkmQKY|Ana-Marie Lockyer)}} and the {{linkedin_mention(urn:li:organization:3158121|Pie Funds)}} team have spent more than a decade studying, investing in, and championing great Kiwi companies. Their investment speaks volumes of the quality of the entrepreneurs we are supporting.” - {{linkedin_mention(urn:li:person:WLWiYFmwXy|Robbie Paul)}} Read Robbie’s perspective on why this investment supports the case for the next global tech giant to emerge from Aotearoa here: https://lnkd.in/g_tJ2Zga Find the news article covering the partnership here: https://lnkd.in/gceS6qmD And learn more about Growth Fund II and how to get involved here: https://lnkd.in/gsn4z3UR

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First Cheque co-hosts Cheryl Mack from Aussie Angels & Maxine Minter from Co Ventures have interviewed some seriously impressive investors who’ve openly shared how they’ve built their early-stage startup portfolio. 🚀 🎧 Catch up on all the interview episodes of First Cheque: 🎧 🤖 Ash F. has invested between $20K to $20MM AI startups. After building Topguest, then AngelList, Ash founded Zetta Ventures which has gone on to support 50 AI startups. 📚 Marvin Liao from Diaspora Ventures has spent 25 years in Silicon Valley and is ex-Yahoo and ex-500 Startups. So far, Marvin has made +460 investments totalling over USD$50M. ⚙️ ⚡️ Michael Batko from Startmate leads ANZ’s largest community-driven seed fund which raises ~$3M from 100+ investors every 6 months - supporting a total portfolio of 230+ startups with a total value of over $3.5 billion. 🔮 Trang T. Nguyen from Transpose Platform shares how to disrupt industries using a platform based approach. Trang has helped to create +15 programs, +1,000 startups and has made direct early-stage investments into 9 unicorns. 🧠 Elicia McDonald from Airtree joined their investing team in 2016. Elicia meets around 200 founders a month and supports leading startups like Abyss Solutions, Reejig, HotDoc, and Regrow Ag. 🌳 Craig Blair from Airtree shares key lessons from early-stage investing since the early 2000s and now running a fund with $1.3B funds under management. 🐦 Samantha Wong from Blackbird discusses spotting opportunities and intentionally building community with +100 startups, +150 founders and +6,800 operators. 🛠️ Anabel Lippincott Paksoy from 43 invests in pre-seed and pre-product startups based out of the Bay Area with a focus on community operators. 🦄 Elaine Stead from Main Sequence has made +100 personal investments (including 2 unicorns) discusses bravery and risk when supporting startups. 😱 Rayn Ong from Archangel Ventures is one of the best connected investors in Aus with +100 personal investments. Archangel has +$10M invested into +40 companies with +90 founders. 🌱 Judy Anderson-Firth from Euphemia investing and supporting +40 companies and +20 funds with their ~$70M portfolio. 🐑 Daniel Gavel from Black Sheep Capital aims to invest with a ‘everyone wins’ approach with multiple strategies running a fund, a syndicate and personally investing in startups. ⚡ Jessy Wu from AfterWork Ventures in Sydney has $20M funds under management and they've invested in +50 startups so far with +$100M revenue ambition. Listen and learn with First Cheque wherever you listen to podcasts. 🎙️ #venturecapital #funding #investments #vc #seedcapital #angelinvestors #startupfunding #podcast #startuppodcast

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🟢 UCS Advisors' Green Nugget Advisory Tip: Track Your Investor Connections 🟢 When navigating the fundraising journey, it’s not just about who you talk to—it's about how you got connected. Are you keeping track of your investor conversations AND the details of those connections? Make sure to note how you connected with each investor. Was it through a direct reach-out, an introduction, or a specific platform like LinkedIn? Understanding the origin of your connections can help you refine your outreach strategy and build stronger relationships. Remember, the details matter. Keep track, stay organized, and enhance your investor relations. #GreenNuggetTips #UCSAdvisors #InvestorRelations #Networking #Entrepreneurship #StartupSuccess #FundraisingStrategy

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With over 110 companies including the likes of Canva, Linktree, Employment Hero, Zoomo, Athena & many more, in their fast-growing portfolio, having helped over 250 founders create more than 17000 jobs, Airtree as the one of the most iconic Venture Capital firms in Australia & New Zealand doesn't need an introduction. I am super excited to have joined forces with Airtree as an Angel through their Airtree Explorer initiative for Angels across ANZ. Having just relocated to Australia from Southeast Asia last year, as a part of this initiative, not only do I intend to pick up the nuances of angel investing in Australia but more importantly I am so looking forward to meeting the like-minded individuals, investors, and founders building the next generation of tech companies out of Australia. If you're a founder based in Australia, working on a game-changing idea, please do feel free to reach out for a chat. And, if you're a startup that is already getting good traction & therefore intends to scale within Australia and to larger markets like India, Southeast Asia, USA, I will be happy to share my experience and help with introductions within our network. Also open to helping Aussie founders with their tech & product development, marketing, revenue growth initiatives for the ventures across B2B Tech, AI, Cyber Security, Robotics & Automation, Sustainability, Decarbonisation & Energy Transition, Manufacturing, Carbon Accounting, etc, areas that may have synergies with any of our group companies. If you're building in Australia with a mindset of Global from Day 1, and would like to bounce of ideas, or request an introduction to the Airtree team or any of the fellow angels, I will be open to helping if it is something that aligns with the fund thesis at Airtree. Until then, let's keep the hustle on... 🚀

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Thinking Differently: Chris Joye - Watch Thinking Differently's Wayne Robert Fitzgibbon Fitzgibbon interview Coolabah Capital Investments's Christopher J. on Portfolio Construction Forum https://lnkd.in/gcKrMFSa #PortfolioForum #Markets #Investing #Finology #Philosophy #InterestRates #Bonds #FixedIncome #GlobalBonds #GlobalFixedIncome #SovereignBonds #CorporateBonds #PrivateCredit #HomeLoanDefaults #DebtDefaults #DebtDefaultCycle #RegimeChange

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"It's a process...an invitation to iterate your way to a successful process and continue to measure yourself." - Maxine Minter In the latest episode of the First Cheque podcast, co-hosts Cheryl Mack from Aussie Angels and Maxine Minter from Co Ventures deep dive into how investors assess startups and how they decide to invest. 🚀 The episode explores diverse strategies investors use to gain confidence in startup investments, focusing on evolving personal methods, assessing factors like founder qualities and market potential, and balancing intuition with structured risk assessment. 💡 This insightful discussion delves into the complexities of investment decision-making, including portfolio construction and the distinction between personal investing ethos and fund requirements. 🌱 Learn how some of the best investors make decisions and how to reflect on these decisions long-term. 🎯 Follow the First Cheque show whenever you listen to podcasts. 🎧 https://lnkd.in/gWEDF7hR #funding #startupfunding #vc #venturecapital #angelinvest #angelinvesting #angelinvestors #investor #startupinvestor #startupinvesting

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Not on LinkedIn…. 🛑 We recently ran a search using our Operator Network for an overseas PE Fund looking to hire a Chair. They were in a period of exclusivity and wanted the Chair lined up to head into DD. It’s something we see so many times - collaboration between the incoming NED/Chair during the DD process. Because exited Founders often have a very different perspective on a company than an accountancy firm will. Here’s the interesting bit….🤓 4 out of 5 of the selected members were, you guessed it…. Not on LinkedIn! It even surprised me. But that’s why investors choose to use the Operator Network and below are a few more reasons: 💥 Fixed annual license means no eye watering “per hire” recruiter fee. 💥 Access to 21,000 non-exec’s and chairs 💥 Exceptionally fast hire time (<7 days to submit full shortlist) 💥 Fully supported by experienced team 💥 Access to 5,000+ NEDs and Chairs who can invest 💥 Expert Network on hand A link to the Operator Network: https://lnkd.in/d3na7CEC Over 300 PE, VC and Family Offices have used the platform. DM me for more information or to meet for a coffee. ☕️ #Virtualnonexecs #OperatorNetwork #Nonexecutive

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Sydney Founders & Investors: Tired of the typical, stuffy networking events where connections feel forced and conversations go nowhere? Bars and pitch events are loud and forced, making networking feel shallow and transactional. Founders and investors deserve authentic connections. So we're trying something different... Join us for the first ever Founders Walks in Sydney on Thursday, 14 November at 12 pm! This isn’t your usual meetup – we’ll spend an hour strolling, exploring the urban landscape, networking as we walk, and then finish with coffee and a bite to eat. The Old Way 🍸 Loud bars and noisy venues 📢 Forced, uncomfortable conversations 💼 Shallow, transactional networking The New Way 🌳 Relaxed, open-air walks 💬 No pressure, natural conversations 🤝 Real, meaningful connections Are you in Sydney tomorrow and want to meet investors and fellow founders in a natural way that helps you get fit (but not overly sweaty)? When: Thu, 14 Nov, 12pm - 1:30pm AEDT Where: Starting at Circular Quay Note: We're limiting this to 10 spots only. Comment "WALK" for an invite, and let’s take networking outside! Feel free to tag any friends, colleagues, or associates that might want to join us. Btw, if you can't make it today but want to be notified of our next event, comment "WAITLIST", and I'll add you to the waitlist.

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It’s rare for the Tech Council of Australia to have an opportunity to show moral clarity and set a high standard for the industry it purports to represent. It has one right now. Numerous credible allegations have surfaced about WiseTech founder Richard White’s pattern of inappropriate behaviour. The allegations include expectations of sexual gratification in exchange for business investment, crude and suggestive messages sent to female entrepreneurs over LinkedIn, and sustained intimidation and bullying in the workplace. An investigation has also uncovered that White’s wife applied for and withdrew an apprehended violence order against White in 2021. Up till now, the Tech Council, which appointed Richard White to its board this year, has not rebuked White or censured his alleged misconduct. In an email to members on Thursday, it said it was assessing the situation and “following its governance process”. Late on Thursday, White submitted his resignation. The Tech Council’s passivity and lack of decisive action casts a long shadow. It sends a message that will reverberate around the tech industry. Similar to how erstwhile WiseTech board member Christine Holman was told to turn a blind eye to White’s bullying behaviour because “that’s how geniuses are”, the Tech Council’s present silence on White reinforces the narrative that we should continue to tolerate “brilliant jerks”. That “geniuses” should be given leeway to behave badly, because to reign in their “idiosyncratic” behaviour would be to hamstring their potential; to dull what makes them “special”. It’s a narrative that simultaneously sends chills down my spine and also makes my blood boil. We need to change the narrative. We need to stand up to bullies and lechers - no matter how brilliant they are and how much money they’ve made for investors. I have huge admiration for the journalists at the AFR, SMH, and The Age for breaking this story and for their dogged and courageous reporting. I must admit, I had a bit of a moment when I saw that my op-ed on this topic had received a front-page nod by The Australian Financial Review. I started Encour to embolden people to command the narrative. As part of the Grapevine crew, I believe that the tech industry is not stuck with these issues; it can be so much better. As a tech community, let’s not squander this opportunity to collectively change the narrative. Let's have the conversation - how do we make victims feel less alone? How do we equip leaders with the knowledge to do a better job? What can we do to be a steward of an equitable and just world? I would love your support in sharing this message - by commenting, reposting, or tagging someone who needs to see this. I'll start with Robyn Denholm.

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Only 8% of VC funding in the US is deployed into consumer businesses, and less so in Australia and New Zealand. The sentiment from investors and founders alike that consumer is really hard. What is rarely discussed is the advantages that consumer businesses have (yes, they do exist!). Here are a few that stand out to me: You are serving one customer: Conflicting priorities can arise when the purchaser is not the end user. In consumer, the customer and the user are the same person, allowing you to efficiently serve one set of needs. Shorter sales cycles: Compared to B2B, the decision-making process for consumers tends to be much quicker and less bureaucratic. Consumer tech requires less customisation: Mass market consumer products are often built once and sold millions of times. Whilst this can be true with B2B, more often than not, customisations and bespoke integrations are needed, adding overhead and complexity. Thousands of customers means lots of data: The volume of data that is available by having thousands of customers enables businesses to validate assumptions and iterate at a much faster pace. Instead of relying on anecdotal evidence or intuition, companies can use data to confirm or refute their assumptions, ensuring that product decisions are grounded in evidence. A/B testing is much easier for consumer businesses: And by testing different variations, companies can understand what resonates best with their audience, leading to more informed decisions about design, content, features, pricing, and more. No ‘noisy-few’ skewing decision making. Reduced risk through testing: A/B testing on large customer bases who don’t require customisation greatly reduces risk. Instead of rolling out a new feature or design to all users at once, companies can test it with a smaller subset of users first. This allows them to gauge user reactions and performance metrics before committing fully, reducing the risk of negative impacts on the overall user base. There is no doubt that consumer businesses face many complex challenges, but equally, unique opportunities also exist. On a personal level, there is nothing quite like knowing you are having a positive impact on individuals lives, and not just the ones they live at work.

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It’s a great time to be a Queensland startup founder. In case you missed the news, QIC has established the QVCDF with $130 million in commitments from the Queensland Government. So what does this mean for you as a founder? 💰💰 Investment capital: To date, QVCDF has invested in Antler, Five V Capital, Main Sequence, Mandalay Venture Partners, and Salus Ventures. These firms are obligated to deploy the capital to back Queensland startups. 🚀 📈 Accelerators and programs: EnergyLab, Farmers2Founders, Cohort Innovation Space, UQ Ventures, and 77 Partners will run programs supporting exclusively Queensland founders. Be sure to connect with these firms and programs; they want to hear from you. Nicola Wightman, Stefan Knight, Ed Bigazzi, Alezeia Brown, Mark Gustowski, Timothy Hui, Philippe Ceulen, Dan Bennett, Marten Peck, Megan Fisher, Dren Xërxa, Nimrod Klayman, Tyson Jennings, Brent Watts #founder #entrepreneur #startup #venturecapital #vc"

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Truth, right here. I am elated to have just hired See Me Please's first full-time employee. He just retired from a career as a professional athlete. I hired him because he has grit and works hard. He tells me, if given an opportunity, he will eat bricks for lunch. By choice, I'm bootstrapping See Me Please. At least for the first year. I'm of the view that proven demand and growth, based on the exceptional value we deliver to our early partners, is in the best interest of the business's long-term success. It provides choice, flexibility and negotiation leverage when (if) the time comes to explore potential investment partners. Time will tell if See Me Please will move at the velocity I'd like it to. But if it does, I care too much to give my business away. I have my eyes wide open, this approach means working VERY hard to get it out of the gates. There is absolutely nothing wrong with flexible work and work-life balance depending on your priorities. At the same time, there's immense value in hard work. Hard work can give a sense of purpose and direction, helping a team feel like they are contributing meaningfully to something larger than themselves. Richard Joffe you're singing to me. Thanks for sharing Claudia Levi Pat Jensen

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The news is out 🗞️We’ve officially closed our second Australian fund at $77M, exceeding our original target of $60M. See more from The Australian Financial Review 👉https://lnkd.in/gJ68eGBc We’ve also launched a new follow-on practice that guarantees we will participate in the next round following our initial investment if the founder can secure at least $300,000 from sophisticated investors in their first 12 months. Our data shows that companies that fail to raise capital within their first 12 months are unlikely to reach Series A, so this is our bit in maximising our portfolio companies’ chances of growth and success. We’re so proud of our team for this phenomenal outcome despite challenging market conditions, and we’re even more thrilled about the opportunities this is going to bring founders and early-stage startups in Australia. It also comes as we prepare to launch our residency in Brisbane for the first time - something we weren't expecting to do for at least another year. But after strong market interest and founder demand from the Queensland ecosystem, we have decided to move it forward to February 2025. So, if you or someone you know is ready to build the next tech unicorn, apply now to join our residency in February 🚀https://lnkd.in/gM7j-nSj Otherwise, if you want to learn more, come along to one of our upcoming AMAs where we delve into what you can expect from Antler’s residency and investment, and hear from founders who have recently done it 📆 https://lnkd.in/g73sBv4m

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Make Informed Decisions—Subscribe for Premium Stock Updates Talk with our Expert Account Managers Today (02) 9199 9639 [email protected] www.aceinvestors.com.au #asx #investment #stockmarket #australia #tradingaustralia #ausfinance #stockmarketnews #invest #australianinvestors #ausstocks #sharetrading #australia #barefootinvestor #tradestocks #sydneyinvestment #melbourneinvestment #investing #trading #stocktrading #investaustralia #sharemarket #ShareShareShare

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