Zachary King

This just keeps getting better and better 😍 ... As a recovering perfectionist, the scrappy early days of building something from 0 to 1 are highly uncomfortable for me. Add in the variable of about ~14 other people you need to work with to pull something off, and you've just taken that discomfort level from 10 to 100. But I'm learning to love it - this process of being OK with something evolving over time, learning and improving as you go and I'm growing a lot as a person as a result (if I can say so myself...!). I am SO proud and grateful for the amazing team of volunteer correspondents we've gathered to bring together Pulse Check (the new monthly newsletter from Overnight Success). They've been super patient and flexible as we've worked through the scrappy bits of pulling it together and now we're all seeing the rewards in the form of not only more subscribers (we'll crack 400 this month! 🤞 ), but also genuinely valuable, engaging content people are loving! 🎉 . If you haven't already, check out this month's edition and you'll find these gems... 💎 Kirstin Hunter & Preethi Mohan launching the first ever Investor Leaderboard for our 'Funding the Balance' initiative. Gav Parry offering a super insightful perspective on the role of tech innovation in the music industry. Lea Rausch's insights about Aussie startups going global, as gleaned from chats with Gecko.rent founder Ben Kennedy and Maxine Minter of Co Ventures. Berenice Chong putting a spotlight on the new Curtin University Venture Studio. Andrew Harding talking about Main Sequence's investment into the fascinating world of sustainable apparel dyeing via Xefco. Erin Howell answering the question - WTF is the Bitcoin halving...? Dickie Currer giving the 101 on how Australia's innovation ecosystem stacks up globally. Leila Oliveira with tips from Bae Juice founder Tim O'Sullivan on lessons from their recent fundraising round. Holly Clark explaining why agritech innovation is so challenging, feat insights from Olympia Yarger at the recent FutureAg Expo. AND Anna Mackenzie sharing her ever-insightful and perfectly articulated case for 'optimising for creativity' (and ideas on how to do it!). Phew..! It's a lot of amazing content all in one edition! 🤓 Check it out 👇 🚀

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I am very keen to meet businesses that sell their own high-quality consumer product and are considering their next step (growth, partial exit, full exit). The direct-to-consumer businesses that interest me fall into these categories: 1. $20m+ revenue, looking to accelerate growth and/or exit (full or partial). 2. $1-5m revenue, looking to take a big next step and accelerate growth. Category 2 needs to be founder-led. Category 1 not necessarily. I'm also interested in businesses that make their own product but currently sell wholesale, with an opportunity to sell directly to customers. Generational transition is a particularly appealing scenario here (although not a requirement). I'm not especially worried about profitability as I've got a strong track record on this front. And it doesn't have to be pure ecommerce, I have some familiarity with retail stores too. However, the products do need to be "owned" and I'm not really interested if most of the revenue comes from third-party retail (ie: selling some else's stuff). Please feel free to reach out for a confidential chat. Brokers and bankers too.

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Do you work with Startups or Scaleups? When our Founders, Startup / Scaleup Leaders, or Startup Employees join Aussie Founders Club's free membership on Frontcover, they then unlock exclusive offers for products and services. On the list, we currently have offers from companies like: Rapha: 6 months FREE on their recruitment system Heatseeker: A 30% disount on their subscription which gives you access to tools for generating value propositions, conducting live competitor audits, and running in-market experiments Mayfly Ventures: A free 45 minute Product Strategy Session HubSpot: Discounted access to Hubspot for Startups which opens you up to MANY MANY offers for startups BetaTrends: A 25% discount on their analytics subscription Granton: A free 30 minute consult to discuss eligible grants for your startup ScoreApp: 50% off your first month (I love Scoreapp) Informly: 10% off your Idea Validation report (I've used this - their reports are incredible) Also offers from my own businesses: Kairos: Offering exclusive AFC rates for your first hire placed through Kairos Mployd: Discounts on services for startup employees looking for work I've got many more in the works but if this sounds like something you and your business wants to get across, getting you in front of your target market and supporting them with an exclusive offer - you can! Fill out our EOI form and we will be in touch - link here: https://lnkd.in/gWqN32cb

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Only 4% of early-stage NZ SaaS businesses manage to cross the $3m ARR threshold each year*. Why? Many think they have Product-Market Fit (PMF), but they haven't. Often early-stage SaaS businesses struggle to align their products with market needs, leading to wasted potential and missed opportunities. This challenge is not just about business—it's about realising a vision and avoiding the common pitfalls that lead to unrealised potential. 'First Steps to Product-Market Fit' is a kiwiSaaS Masterclass presented by Ian Daniel, Lead Product Management Trainer at Brainmates. It will equip you with the tools to validate and refine your product with confidence. Working around your busy life, this series of interactive online sessions offers high value: • Workshop 1: Friday 10 May 2024, 9AM - 1PM (Market Opportunity assessment) • Workshop 2: Monday 20 May 2024, 1PM - 5PM (Business Opportunity assessment) • 1-hour personal Coaching Session: 21 - 30 May 2024 (times to be confirmed with participants) Designed precisely for early-stage SaaS businesses, this kiwiSaaS Masterclass is for you if:  • You have a product but haven’t validated market need and potential  • Have launched your product but struggle to attract customers  • Find converting trial users to paying customers challenging Hurry, places are limited! Find details and book at: https://bit.ly/3JetBSp *(Data collected by kiwiSaaS community based on 743 revenue-earning NZ SaaS companies in 2023. Average annual conversion rate to $3m+ ARR band during the period 2016-2023.) #kiwisaas #masterclass #productmarketfit #harnesspotential  Kathryn Shepherd-King Paul Wissam

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#Perth #Australia network - Soter Analytics founder and CEO Matthew Hart is hosting an exclusive lunch and learn event next Tuesday, May 21st to explain the nuances of #AI technology and how it can be practically applied to boost #workplacesafety and business performance. There's still a few spots available, but be quick! (Complimentary lunch) Further details are at the link below and please feel free to share with anyone you think might benefit -

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*AI adoption in the Mining Industry* AI is transforming the mining industry in profound ways, addressing challenges like operational inefficiency, safety concerns, and the growing demand for sustainable practices. Here are some of the latest AI-driven innovations in mining: - Predictive Maintenance and Automation: AI is being used to monitor mining equipment in real-time, predicting machinery failures before they occur, which helps to reduce downtime and maintenance costs. Autonomous vehicles and drones equipped with AI are increasingly used to perform complex, dangerous tasks like hauling, drilling, and site inspections, improving both efficiency and *worker safety*. - Ore Sorting and Resource Extraction: AI systems can now optimize the extraction process by analysing vast amounts of data to identify high-value ores more accurately. AI-powered sorting machines can also differentiate between valuable minerals and waste rock in real-time, improving the yield from mining operations. - Digital Twins: Digital twin technology, which creates virtual models of physical assets, is gaining traction in mining. By simulating mining operations, digital twins allow companies to test different scenarios, optimize planning, and predict outcomes, enhancing decision-making across the entire mining value chain. - Sustainability and Environmental Impact: AI technologies are also being deployed to reduce the environmental footprint of mining. AI can optimize resource use, such as reducing water and energy consumption, and monitor environmental risks, such as emissions and water quality, helping mining companies meet sustainability goals. - Enhanced Exploration: AI helps in finding new mineral deposits by analyzing historical data and identifying patterns that traditional methods may miss. This reduces exploration costs and speeds up the discovery of new resources. These advancements make AI a critical tool in driving efficiency, safety, and sustainability in the mining industry as it evolves toward a more technology-driven future. For a leading AI based application for *Worker Safety in Mining Operations*, contact www.rush.co.nz, www.rvision.ai #MiningIndustry #MiningInnovation #MiningSafety #AIinMining #FutureOfMining #TechForGood

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Great result by the Kiwi SaaS community In 2023 New Zealand’s Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) sector earned $3.6b in revenue. It has been growing revenue by a 15 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) since 2016, and at this rate it is on track to earn $9.7b by 2030.  By 2030 the report estimates that SaaS export-led added value will be growing faster and contributing more nominal GDP ($4.5b) than New Zealand’s top three primary sector industries (horticulture, dairy product manufacturing and meat product manufacturing).  Since 2016 SaaS exports have been growing at an inflation adjusted rate of 8.7 percent.  This is two and a half times higher than the inflation adjusted CAGR of 3.4 percent that New Zealand’s overall export economy has recorded in the past two decades.  Bruce Jarvis, Head of kiwiSaaS, says that the SaaS sector remains an ‘invisible giant.’  “How much the SaaS sector contributes to our economic wealth today, and could do in the future, is only just becoming visible,” says Jarvis. 

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Business Sales Update Excellent analysis below from Bizstats regarding the state of the business sales market. It also largely reflects the Tabak South Island experience. Consistent sales, solid buyer interest (particularly in recent months) and vendors starting to appreciate that it is now a great time to consider selling. Just did the maths on Tabak’s intangibles ratio for over 700 sales and the average over a long period is 66% and the median 65%. So if you are a business owner, on average the intangibles value of your business is 2/3 or more of its overall value. Want to learn more? Reach out and let’s chat…. #BusinessValue #BusinessSales

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I was invited behind the scenes of the most impressive live webinar event I’ve ever seen. When you think 'webinar,' you probably imagine a dry, repetitive Zoom session. Now picture that concept supercharged by one of the sharpest marketers around. Nathan Latka has invested $175 million across 415 software companies with Founderpath, gained 11 million podcast downloads, wrote a Wall Street Journal bestseller, and created a magazine with 10,000 readers—all in B2B software. He doesn’t do anything halfway. Even big names like Alex Hormozi use similar live-event studios, but Nathan’s setup is on another level. Here’s how he makes these events unforgettable and profitable: 1- Nathan creates a “backyard BBQ” feel, calling on attendees by name, encouraging them to unmute, and turning the event into an interactive, community-driven experience. 2- He insists that everyone keeps their camera on, even threatening to kick out those who don’t. 3- Nathan wears the same all-black outfit for every event. This allows him to film multiple clips across sessions without them looking like they were shot on different days. 4- The studio itself costs $3-4k per hour, but he presells the session deck to cover these costs—turning a major expense into profit before the event even begins. 5- Nathan doesn’t rely on a rigid script; he polls attendees on their revenue stages and tailors the content live, creating a personalized experience. 6- He uses SMS and email countdowns to drive urgency, making attendees feel like they need to act quickly to secure session materials. 7- With a simple edit to the event title, he triggers extra email notifications to attendees, reminding them to join and maximizing attendance. 8- For real-time monetization, Nathan gives select attendees a chance to pitch their business live, bringing in up to $10,000 in ad revenue in just one-minute slots. 9- Every attendee gets a free physical copy of Latka Magazine, shipped directly to their home. The link to claim it is live for only three minutes, and capturing home addresses means Nathan’s brand ends up on customer’s coffee tables. 10- To create social proof, Nathan pretends he can't see the Zoom count and guesses a lower number. Attendees then jump in to correct him with the real count which was close to 500 attendees. Which tactic will you use for your next live event? Can't wait to implement these at the next Creator Match 🧩 event 👀 *** 🔔 If you found this helpful, you would love my other content - be sure to follow me AJ Eckstein 🧩

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AmixTech Expands Strategic Acceleration Programme to New Zealand AmixTech Lab, the renowned technology business accelerator, is excited to announce the inclusion of New Zealand in its Strategic Acceleration Programme. This expansion aims to scale up founders, startups and companies in specialising sectors such as AgTech, WineTech, FinTech, FoodTech and ClimaTech. Spearheading this initiative is a multidisciplinary team led by Max Morales, with the support of London-based PR and business consultant Fran Bridgewater FCIM. The programme’s primary objective is to foster collaboration with New Zealand companies aiming to penetrate the Chilean and Texan markets by leveraging AmixTech’s extensive network. Another key goal is to expand AmixTech’s talent base in London, enabling the creation of bespoke strategies for business development. Strategic focuses include Dairy, High Tech, Agricultural Machinery and Wine, providing Chilean companies with access to cutting-edge innovative practices from New Zealand. AmixTech also plans to connect with New Zealand’s vibrant startup ecosystem by engaging with local incubators, accelerators and hubs to facilitate market entry into Chile and Texas. The origins of the collaboration between New Zealand and Chile can be traced back to a number of years ago when Isabel Estate participated in the Wine Salon at Colchagua Valley, organised by Max Morales, CEO of AndesWines.com. This event laid the foundations for a robust connection between the two countries. Why Chile and New Zealand? Eva Pemper, a third-generation winemaker from Croatia now leading the field in New Zealand, has received widespread acclaim for her wines in both the US and across Europe. She serves as a mentor to Max Morales and her expertise is instrumental in bridging the connections with local wine producers, fostering a new phase of technological exchange based on the climatic and soil similarities between the two countries. Max Morales, who has 23 years of experience in the re-establishment of old vineyards in Chile, recently concluded the ‘Wine Innova Tech 2024’ seminar series at the Palacio Rioja in Viña del Mar. Supported by the Regional Productive Development Committee of Valparaíso through the Viraliza CORFO program, this initiative aims to boost the creation of the WineTech Investment Fund. Read at Harpers Wine & Spirit Magazine: https://lnkd.in/ebWRTtgs In terms of context, Morales founded AmixTech Lab as a spin-off from Andes Wines in 2017, creating a platform to accelerate startups and their founders. This initiative led to the creation of the Hub Texas LatAm, partnering with professionals from Texas, Mexico and London to focus on innovative strategies in BioTech, AgTech, TravelTech, FinTech and PropTech sectors. Continue reading: https://lnkd.in/endwDFgP You can join the movement by reaching out at: [email protected].

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There's a glaring irony among NFPs in the Australian startup ecosystem... They preach "know your customer" but often fail to practice it. Want to see how? Let's break it down... 👇🏾 What NFPs preach: "Always talk to your customers." What NFPs practice: Making assumptions about customer needs. What NFPs preach: "Use data to drive decisions." What NFPs practice: Relying on gut feelings and outdated information. What NFPs preach: "Build for diversity and inclusion." What NFPs practice: Creating one-size-fits-all solutions. Remember... NFPs in the startup ecosystem give great advice to founders. But the real winners are those who don't just preach, but actually practice customer-centricity. Have you noticed this disconnect in the startup ecosystem? Share your observations in the comments. ---------------------------------------------- Found this useful? Repost for your NFP startup ecosystem to "know their customer". ♻️

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As an angel investor, I’ve made over 50 early-stage investments across the UK, US, and beyond. Now, as a Partner at Antler in Australia, I’ve experienced firsthand the shifts between angel and VC investing - and these findings have transformed my approach to supporting founders. I share 5 surprising lessons I learned that about angel vs. VC funding that I wish every founder knew in the article below. From the unexpected empathy VCs have (yes, we pitch too!) to why VCs reserve capital for follow-on funding and how market size can make or break a venture-backed business. Thinking about joining our February '25 residency and/or raising your first round? This is an inside look at the mindsets and strategies VCs use when investing, offering takeaways to help you get funded. 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g_jStAWS

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A clear, concise, and compelling #ValueProposition is non-negotiable. It is the compass guiding your marketing and sales efforts, ensuring alignment across messaging, channels, and target audiences. A well-defined value proposition doesn't just inform, it inspires action. While various frameworks exist to aid this process, getting it right is paramount. A misalignment here can lead to wasted resources, missed opportunities, and ultimately, failure to connect with your ideal customers. Invest the time and effort to truly understand your unique value, and communicate it effectively.

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The recently released ACCI Small Business Conditions Survey 2024 paints a stark picture for small businesses across Australia. With 45% of small businesses contemplating closure within the past year and 82% reporting significant impacts from regulatory red tape, the challenges are clear and pressing. For the hospitality industry, these findings are particularly concerning. Known for its dynamic and flexible workforce, our sector faces unique challenges in complying with increasing regulatory demands. The cost of compliance, both in time and money, is diverting essential resources away from growth and innovation. As we look to the future, it's imperative that we advocate for meaningful regulatory reform. Without it, the hospitality industry risks increased closures, reduced investment, and ongoing operational strain. Clipboard Hospitality #hospitality #cafe #hotels #restaurants

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The co-founder and CEO from one of Australia's leading VC firm told me last year "𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲." The CEO is Rohan W. and the VC is Skalata. Since then I've thought about the relationship between confidence and competence. Both are vital. And can't afford to lose either. How to increase both Confidence and Competence: 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝘆 Read biographies, history, philosophy, economics. Get a base level of how the world works. You'll never gain enough experience on your own. Books allow you to live a thousands lives in one. Learn from others. *Avoid books with the "F" word in the title and bright covers. 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝘆 Your first pitch will be lousy. Your first draft will be rubbish. Your first of anything will be well below your standard. Stumble your way through things. Review your learnings and refine your process. Get a little better each time. 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 Write yourself a weekly update. I have a folder with over 120 weekly updates that touch on all things sales, marketing, product, finances, operations, triumphs and tragedies. I share these with our investors and co-founder. When re-reading these you'll look back and realise how far you've come. 80/20 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲 Use the 80/20 principle when approaching new skills. All skills can be boiled down to fundamentals. What are the top 20% of the fundamentals you need to master to develop 80% off the skills. Focus on and nail those few things. 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 Keep things simple, the more complicated you make things the messier they will become. Nietzsche said: they muddy the water to make it seem deep. Focusing on the 80/20 principle helps with this. 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 Find someone who's been-there-done-that. Your "Plus" (from my post last week) who can walk you through the darkness. More importantly they can highlight what you're doing well and where you need to improve. This will solidify your confidence and increase your competence. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 Each new skill increases your competence. The feeling of knowing how to do something fuels confidence. These two stack upon each other. Keep the momentum. - If you found this helpful, give it a reshare and follow me for more startup, entrepreneurship, and founder advice.

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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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Startups drive change, and Attivare.com.au connects investors to that future. 🌟 A powerful platform blending expertise and opportunity—this is how we activate Australian innovation for generations ahead! 🚀 #AustralianInnovation #ESIC #WealthGrowth #BusinessInnovation #Attivare #TaxEffectiveInvestment #TaxEffectiveStrategy #TaxRebate

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UPDATE: For anybody who hasn't received the link: https://bit.ly/3yTnAc7 VCs are pouring money into bootstrapped startups. The conventional wisdom was that venture capital and bootstrapping are mutually exclusive. But increasingly, we're seeing VCs invest in startups that have avoided taking on external funding - at least in the early stages. Take Atlassian, the Australian software giant now valued at $46.84 billion. It funded its growth entirely through bootstrapping, never taking any primary capital investments. Only later did it raise $100 million in secondary funding. So, what's driving this VC mindset shift? **Proven Traction and Profitability** 📈 Bootstrapped startups have had to focus on building a sustainable business model from the start. This means they've achieved real traction and profitability - two metrics that VCs find increasingly attractive, especially in uncertain economic times. **Efficient Capital Use** 💸 Founders who have grown their companies without VC funding have demonstrated an ability to extract maximum value from limited resources. VCs see this as a competitive advantage, knowing their investment will be put to good use to accelerate growth, not just burn cash. **Founder Alignment** 🤝 Bootstrapped entrepreneurs have "skin in the game" in a way that founders who've taken on VC funding often don't. This closer alignment of incentives appeals to investors looking to back teams truly invested for the long haul. Founders who've built profitable, capital-efficient businesses through bootstrapping possess the entrepreneurial qualities and bottom lines worth backing. Wondering which bootstrapped startups will be the next big investments? If you’re hunting for deals, don't miss your chance - get the list of 99+ bootstrapped startups to watch 👇 Source: dealroom #VCfunding #startupfunding #bootstrapping PS 🔔 Follow me for strategies and resources for startups and VCs! Looking to raise capital? 💸https://fundingstack.com/ for VCs and investors 💸https://foundersuite.com/ for startups At only $250/month: Fundingstack gets you access to 227K+ global investors. Or you can send me a direct message with "FREETRIAL," and I'll give you a secret access link.

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Privacy in America is changing. Know the risks and remediation!

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