TWISTA - This Week in Startups Australia
by Mark Pesce
TWISTA helps your startup thrive with interviews and advice from the leading founders, investors, and thinkers in Australia's tech startup community.
Episodes
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Series 2025 Episode 9 - Startup Muster
Since 2013, Australia's Startup Muster report has been an eagerly-awaited snapshot of the state of the national startup ecosystem. Murray Hurps - who oversees Startup Muster under one of the many hats he wears - joins TWISTA to talk through the insights in the report - which can be downloaded at...
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Series 2025 Episode 8 - Investor Special
In the three years since TWISTA's last investor special we've seen the end of the zero-interest rate environment, a severe inflationary shock - and much more besides. For at least two years raising investment as a startup was harder than it had been in nearly a generation. Is that tumult over?…
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Series 2025 Episode 7 - Burl Aerospace
The biggest change in Australia's tech ecosystem over the last decade has been the rise and rise of 'deep tech' - products and services from the frontiers of research. It's slow, expensive - and world-changing. Burl Aerospace co-founder and CEO Crighton Nichols reckons it's about time for a...
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Series 2025 Episode 6 - PollenOne - REDUX
Can a startup serve a community first and still thrive? Brian Lim's PollenOne offers free, searchable database of grants and tenders - first for Australia, and eventually for every country where Australian startups can do business with governments (including the USA, UK, Singapore, and several...
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Series 2025 Episode 5 - Rivir
TWISTA tiptoes back across the Tasman to talk to another startup at the 2025 Canterbury Tech Summit. Rivir manufactures a box that provides satellite data access to field-connected sensors of the sort often found in agriculture and mining. So far so good - but what happens when your satellite...
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Series 2025 Episode 4 - ZapMe
Sick of carrying a folder of SIMs as he traveled the world, Scott King reckoned he could do better - and did. ZapMe gives users a single number that's always available in any country - and always routes to their mobile. It's a great beginning - in a market filled with regulators and massive...
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Series 2025 Episode 3 - Keeyu
Jevon LeRoux's startup Keeyu uses 'agentic' AI to revolutionise how online businesses work with their customers. The outcome of deep domain knowledge, LeRoux wants Keeyu to be a platform for the whole business - well beyond the sales channel. Can he get there? And what does it take to succeed an...
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Series 2025 Episode 2 - Myovolt
TWISTA swims across the ditch to talk with Steve Leftly, founder of Kiwi startup Myovolt - (https://myovolt.com/). Straddling the line between medtech and consumer wearable, Myovolt offers both pain relief and faster rehabilitation for folks with muscle strains and injuries. But building a…
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Series 2025 Episode 1 - Spark Festival
After a bit of a pause, THIS WEEK IN STARTUPS AUSTRALIA returns with its annual preview of Spark Festival - sparkfestival.co - with Spark Festival board member and TWISTA 'guardian angel' Murray Hurps, and communications director Paul Wallbank. We go through the festival, then pivot to an...
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Series 10 Episode 20 - Pioneera
In TWISTA's Series 10 final, Playful Purpose MD Julie Trell joins us to highlight some of the most impressive WORLDCHANGING startups. Then, LAUNCH's Molly Wood tells us how she approaches the task of investing in WORLDCHANGING climatech businesses. Finally, we unveil the BIG theme for TWISTA…
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Series 10 Episode 19 - Pioneera
Pioneera's Danielle Owen Whitford and Tahnee Claeys wanted to find a way to alleviate workplace stress and burnout. Their solution, 'Indi', helps employees recognise stressful moments and situations - and offers guidance to them. TWISTA asks whether can managers integrate Pioneera to make...
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Series 10 Episode 18 - Aussie Angels
Cheryl Mack spent the long 2021 lockdown developing all of the infrastructure to allow any sophisticated Australian investor to create or join a syndicate. Aussie Angeles provides a new, radically open platform to connect investors to early-stage startups - revolutionising the investment…
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Series 10 Episode 17 - News Special and SPARK Festival
Has 2022 gone to plan? We ask Galileo Ventures co-founder James Alexander and Tech Central Executive Director Annie Parker for their reflections and insights. Then SPARK Festival director Maxine Sherrin shares the high points of an incredible program for anyone interested in startups. Huge thanks...
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Series 10 Episode 16 - Slurry Tub
TWISTA talks to Slurry Tub Chairman Angus Hudson. Angus dreamed up a solution to 'wet slurry' generated in nearly all construction work, methodically developed a solution, and now looks to scaling into global growth with his WORLDCHANGING innovation. Huge thanks to our TWISTA Series 10 Sponsors:...
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Series 10 Episode 15 - Like Family
TWISTA talks to Like Family co-founder Mat Bertrand about a WORLDCHANGING idea - we can use technology to help us coordinate the web of caring for those we love. Can Like Family scale caring into a profitable global enterprise? Huge thanks to our TWISTA Series 10 Sponsors: OurCrowd - Bringing you...
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Series 10 Episode 14 - Tide
TWISTA talks to Tide co-founder and CEO Michael Loewy about his startup's revolutionary new technology - one that could promise highly secure and tamper-resistant data stores - for businesses, for users - and for the world in search of good solutions to accelerating cyber-threats. Huge thanks to...
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Series 10 Episode 13 - Anduril Industries
Oculus founder Palmer Luckey created defense startup Anduril Industries as a fast, cheap and out-of-control response to the slow-moving and technologically backward defense 'primes'. Can Anduril really earn billions while saving taxpapers hundreds of millions? Huge thanks to our TWISTA Series 10...
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Series 10 Episode 12 - Tech Central Special
TWISTA learns about an exciting development in Australia's startup ecosystem - Sydney's Tech Central - from Executive Director Annie Parker. How can six square kilometers become a cradle for the next generation of Australia's WORLDCHANGING startups? Huge thanks to our TWISTA Series 10 Sponsors:...
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Series 10 Episode 11 - Post-Election News Special
TWISTA explores the potential of Australia's 47th Parliament with VCs Anne-Marie Elias (CEO, Beckon Capital) and Phil Morle (Partner, Main Sequence Ventures) - and the policy needs of a nation that demands an innovation mindset at every level. Plus: Inflationary pressures and more WORLDCHANGING...
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Series 10 Episode 10 - Block Earner
Block Earner has a WORLDCHANGING idea - use decentralised finance - 'DeFi' - to offer better yields than bank deposits: banking without a bank. Co-founder Jordan Momtazi joins TWISTA to explain how it all works, how they make money, and how Block Earner navigates customer requirements for high...
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Series 10 Episode 9 - Saber Astronautics
Saber Astronautics makes software-as-a-service to track all of the junk that’s in orbit. They make space exploration, commerce and travel far safer - which makes them an out of this-WORLDCHANGING business. Huge thanks to our TWISTA Series 10 Sponsors: OurCrowd - Bringing you companies with the...
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Series 10 Episode 8 - Rob Kinley FutureFeed
Rob Kinley discovered a common seaweed that eliminates methane emissions from livestock, and founded FutureFeed. Now Rob is mapping out how to scale his WORLDCHANGING innovation for a world that badly needs it. Huge thanks to our TWISTA Series 10 Sponsors: Zendesk - Build lasting customer...
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Series 10 Episode 7 - Nick Hazell v2Food
In 2019, food scientist Nick Hazell had a penny-drop moment when he realised the world needed far more meat than could be raised sustainably. That led him to found v2Food, creating a whole product line of plant-based meat substitutes. How does v2Food achieve scale (and change the world) in one of...
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Series 10 Episode 6 - Cameron Adams Gives His All
In the second half of TWISTA's interview with Canva co-founder and Chief Product Officer, Cameron Adams, we learn about the startup's plans to change the world - and Cam's efforts to create a more sustainable future for everyone. Plus: four key factors defining a WORLDCHANGING startup. Huge…
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Series 10 Episode 5 - Election News Special
With just 10 days until the Federal Election, TWISTA consults VCs Andrea Gardiner (CEO, Jelix Ventures) and Dean Dorrell (Partner, Carthona Capital) on the election sweeteners for startups - and the policy needs of a nation that fancies itself an innovation leader. Plus: Fast fails and Canva gets...
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Series 10 Episode 4 - Cam Adams Gets Cultural
Canva co-founder and Chief Product Officer Cameron Adams visited TWISTA all the way back in series 2. Seven years later, Canva is bigger - and better. How did that happen? What has Cam learned about growing well and building a culture that attracts talent? Cam shares Canva's story on this episode...
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Series 10 Episode 3 - Jason Calacanis Goes Remote
We invite 'Mister Angel' Jason Calacanis back for more of our recent wide-ranging interview. This time we focus on how the transition to remote work has radically changed the management of startups - and how it aids investors to increase their deal flow by 5x. Huge thanks to our new TWISTA Series...
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Series 10 Episode 2 - News Special with Cheryl Mack and Mike Nicholls
Has a cash splash in the pre-election Federal Budget changed the landscape for startups? Is the global talent shortage creating runway problems? Are female founders finally getting their due? These are just some of the issues angel investor extraorinaire Cheryl Mack and VC 'Rescue' Mike Nicholls...
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Series 10 Episode 1 - Jason Calacanis gets psychic
"Mister Angel", Jason Calacanis, joins TWISTA for our annual check-in. As we exit the pandemic, we review some of Jason's predictions about the changing nature of work, then turn our attentions to startups - which now have a unique advantage in the contest for global talent. Huge thanks to our…
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Series 9 Episode 20 - Success Factors with Murray Hurps Part Two
TWISTA's Series 9 review of what we've learned about success concludes with UTS Startups' Murray Hurps reflecting upon what we've learned about successful startup hires - and hacks. Plus, a big announcement about the future of this podcast. Huge thanks to all three of our TWISTA Series 9…
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Series 9 Episode 19 - Success Factors with Murray Hurps Part One
Every TWISTA series 9 guest shared insights on what makes a startup and a founder successful. UTS Startups' Murray Hurps joins us to review what we've learned about customer focus, self-knowledge, listening, communication - and resilience. Big thanks to our sponsors: UserTesting - Find out how…
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Series 9 Episode 18 - Ian Gardiner and Spark Festival
Ian Gardiner, one of the founders of Australia's startup ecosystem, tells TWISTA what he's learned about success, the hallmarks of success he looks for in startup founders - and in himself. Maxine Sherrin, director of Spark Festival, visits TWISTA with event hosts Adriana Belotti and Biliana...
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Series 9 Episode 17 - News Special
Startup ecosystem legends Petra Andren and Alan Jones join TWISTA to examine the Afterpay purchase (or is it a merger?) - and the largest philanthropic donation in Australian history. From a startup! All the news startups need on the last news special of series 9. Big thanks to our sponsors:...
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Series 9 Episode 16 - Teamgage's Noelle and Ben Smit
You can't improve what you don't measure. Co-founders (and partners) Noelle and Ben Smit built SaaS firm Teamgage to make it easy for organisations to measure themselves - and improve. Does it work? And have they used their own tool to improve their chances for success? Big thanks to our…
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Series 9 Episode 15 - Harvest B's Werner Fuggersberger, Kristi Riordan and Alfred Lo
Plant-based proteins could form as much as fifty-percent of our diets within the next thirty years, so there's enormous opportunities for 'foodtech' startups to redesign global agricultural supply chains around the changing diet of a warming planet. Harvest B's founders have a vision - and a...
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Series 9 Episode 14 - CryptoSpend's Andrew Grech and Richard Voice
Fintech has mostly meant doing what banks do - but better, faster and cheaper. Cryptocurrencies live outside our banking and payments system - until now. Cryptospend offers a VISA that allows users to BPAY with Bitcoin! Is this the future of payments? Big thanks to our sponsors: Odoo - The office...
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Series 9 Episode 13 - AirTasker's Tim Fung
Tim Fung has charted a course to success - from plucky startup entrepreneur to newly listing AirTasker on the ASX. Why did he take his firm public -- and how has it changed his startup? Along the way, what has Tim learned about success? Big thanks to our sponsors: UserTesting - Find out how your...
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Series 9 Episode 12 - News Special
How are startups adapting to the in-and-out-and-in-again of pandemic lockdowns? Is Go1, Australia's newest unicorn, on a growth path to be the next Canva? Microsoft for Startups' Annie Parker and Main Sequence Ventures' Phil Morle offer their insights - and their secrets for startup success. Big...
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Series 9 Episode 11 - Success in Lockdown
From inside a pandemic lockdown of uncertain duration, how do Sydney's startups operate - and thrive? We ask Tractor Ventures' Matt Allen for insights from Melbourne's 111-day lockdown, then check in with Inspace CEO Justin Liang - who pivoted his startup during the first lockdown. Timely tips…
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Series 9 Episode 10 - EOFY with Damian Smyth and Alex Chisholm
EOFY means startups need to do their sums - and file for their research and development tax credits, instant asset writeoffs, and much more. TWISTA speaks with Swanson Reed's Damian Smyth and Alex Chisholm about how clever startups can document their way into big tax refunds - no profits…
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Series 9 Episode 9 - Fingerprint for Success' Michelle Duval
Michelle Duval created Fingerprint for Success as a SaaS offering, leveraging what she'd learned as a career coach. Michelle shares her detailed studies of successful startup entrepreneurs - and tells us what we need to improve within ourselves to maximize our chances for success. Big thanks to…
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Series 9 Episode 8 - Coviu's Silvia Pfeiffer
A pandemic-driven transition to telehealth meant Silvia Pfeiffer's Coviu grew massively over the last year. How does she balance growth against the ever-changing rules of Australia's Medicare system? And what has Silvia learned about building a successful startup? Big thanks to our sponsors:...
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Series 9 Episode 7 - News Special
We've just seen a big-spending Federal budget. What do Jelix VC CEO Andrea Gardner and Carthona Capital partner Dean Dorrell reckon it all means for startups? Do we need a 'patent box' for deep tech? And what have both learned about why a startup succeeds? Big thanks to our sponsors: UserTesting…
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Series 9 Episode 6 - VOW's George Peppou
George Peppou knew nothing about biotech when he co-founded VOW; he's now well on his way to vat-growing meats that could feed billions around the world. Is biotech fundamentally different - and how has VOW used the best bits of tech startups to accelerate their growth? Big thanks to our…
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Series 9 Episode 5 - Tractor Venture's Matt Allen
Matt Allen found a gap in the startup funding model. Now he’s driving Tractor Ventures through it, providing unsecured loans to startups with accelerating revenues. Are loans a better deal than selling shares? This episode is a must for every startup raising capital. EXPLICIT CONTENT WARNING…
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Series 9 Episode 4 - Tide's Michael Loewy
The epidemic of data leaks proves businesses need to rethink how they collect, store and operate on our personal data. TIDE co-founder and CEO Mike Loewy tells us what it takes to bring the best of blockchain - invisibly, and securely - to nearly every digital product and service. Big thanks to…
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Series 9 Episode 3 - Oovvuu's Ricky Sutton
Ricky Sutton built Oovvuu into a successful media company by challenging the platform monopolies of Google and Facebook - offering an alternative, and beating them at their own game. He shares his secrets for success when going up against trillion-dollar companies? Big thanks to our sponsors…
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Series 9 Episode 2 - News Special
TWISTA welcomes back SheEO Country Lead Julie Trell and Main Sequence GP Mike Nicholls to explore the post-pandemic landscape for startups, emerging funding models - and what their experience has taught them are the key elements for a successful startup. Big thanks to our sponsors: Squarespace -...
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Series 9 Episode 1 - Jason Calacanis gets successful
TWISTA Patron Saint Jason Calacanis joins us to kick off series 9 with a deep dive into the post-pandemic startup world - and the virtuous cycle of successful startups. Big thanks to our sponsors: UserTesting - Find out how your users really use your products - https://usertesting.com/twista...
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Series 8 Episode 5 - FIX IT IN POST
Guests Annie Parker, Ian Gardiner, Murray Hurps and Julie Trell address challenges facing startups in a 'new normal' COVID-19 economy. Big thanks to our sponsor: UTS Startups - driving the next generation of entrepreneurs - more at https://startups.uts.edu.au
About this show
TWISTA helps your startup thrive with interviews and advice from the leading founders, investors, and thinkers in Australia's tech startup community.
Hosted by
Mark Pesce
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