EP 186 Stuart Dullard, Partner, Ashurt

Open the Pod Bay Doors is back for 2025! To kick off the year, host Ian Gardiner sits down with Stuart Dullard, Partner at Ashurst, for a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities facing founders in today’s venture landscape. Ashurst is a global corporate law firm with over 30 offices worldwide. Stuart leads the High Growth and Venture Capital team in Australia and is the global co-head of the Tech M&A practice. Described by Ian as one of Australia’s most experienced startup lawyers, Stuart has built a career helping early-stage, high-growth tech companies navigate complex legal and funding challenges. This episode is a must-listen for founders looking to effectively manage their funding journey and achieve sustainable growth. Key takeaways: 🚀 Ashurst’s strategy for building long-term advisory relationships with high-growth startups 💰 Challenges and strategies for securing funding 🗺️ Navigating venture capital and private equity landscapes 💡 Understanding legal frameworks, investor relationships, and the funding process 📑 Structuring deals, negotiating terms, and setting up for successful fundraising rounds Quick Fire Round: 📚 Book recommendation – Fiction: The Goldfinch (“Read the book, don’t watch the movie!”) | Non-fiction: Time to Breathe by Bill Mitchell 🎧 Podcast recommendation – The Teacher’s Pet (The Australian), The Sure Thing (AFR), Liar Liar (The Age) 👨‍💼 Favourite CEO – The founders of Canva for their business success and people-first approach 🗞️ News source – Radio National every morning 🛠️ Productivity tool – Time to Breathe + morning exercise 📱 Favourite app – The New York Times Games App 📺 TV or movie recommendation – The West Wing 🎤 TED Talk topic – The highs and lows of the founder journey 🎙️ Tune in now for an insightful conversation on funding, legal strategy, and the startup journey!