Nick Benson

The latest tech funding highlights shaking up Australia and New Zealand's innovation landscape: 🔹 Balmain Invests $3.2M in Caruso 🔹 LambdaTest Secures $38M led by Avataar Venture Partners, with Qualcomm Ventures also participating. 🔹 Australian Distilling - Old Young's and Gingin Gin Raises $1.42M via https://buff.ly/3ZSNw2r 🔹 Fleet Space Technologies Valued at $800M after $150M Series D Read more about these game-changers and the robust tech ecosystem in the region: https://buff.ly/4iwcrAh #TechNews #Innovation #StartupFunding #Australia #FundingRoundup

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🇦🇺🦘 Tune in this week to "Unpacking the Digital Shelf" as we venture Down Under to explore the Australian e-commerce market. Our guest, Teresa Sperti (GAICD), founder of Arktic Fox, shares incredible insights on: 📈 The unique challenges and opportunities for brands in Australia's rapidly growing e-commerce landscape. 🤔 How the market's relative immaturity presents both hurdles and potential for those willing to adapt. 📱 The rise of Amazon and its impact on homegrown retail giants like Woolies and Officeworks. 🤖 Fascinating examples of Aussie brands leveraging AI and omnichannel strategies for an exceptional customer experience. Don't miss this deep dive into a market ripe with potential! 🎧 Join podcast hosts Lauren Livak Gilbert and Peter Crosby for more👇 #ecommerce #australia #digitalmarketing #retail #podcast #omnichannel #AI

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🚀 We've got a fantastic new review! 🚀 High End is a luxury resale marketplace based in Australia. Our team designed and built it over the last ten months, with a mobile app launched last December and a web app launched a few weeks ago. We're happy to see how actual users actively engage with the product we've built and how our clients are satisfied with the results. If you're in Australia, buy something through High End. Together with the founders, we tried to make the buying experience for used luxury items better, faster, and more predictable than anything you've tried before. #review #softwaredevelopment #marketplace #webapp #mobileapp #australia ____________________ Want us to build your software product? DM Valerian Valkin or request a call from our website

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🚀 Preparing to launch a business? Our FREE Business Startup Checklist is here to guide you through some of the most important steps! From the essentials to branding and web design we've got you covered. Download it now and start your journey to success! 📈✨ #BusinessChecklist #StartupSuccess #Entrepreneur #SmallBusiness #BusinessTips #Branding #WebDesign #BusinessLaunch #FreeDownload

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Planning your Black Friday campaigns? Popsta is here to help advertisers stand out and make a BIG impact this Black Friday!

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Meet Cheryl Kellond 💎, a 3X founder, having previously built Bia sport, the #1 rated fitness wearable on Amazon, and Apostrophe, which she scaled to $10M in ARR. Now she's building Play Money!, an investment platform enabling everyday angels to build a diversified startup portfolio without making angel investing a full-time job. Cheryl and I share a passion for unlocking angel dollars to get more capital to underrepresented founders, so I couldn't be more excited to highlight her and what she's building! In this episode we chat about: 💫 How and why she started investing with just $1.5-$2.5K checks 💫 The most common mistakes angel investors make 💫 Raising $20M during her career from investors like M13 💫 + so much more Check out our full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/gpNbjzSm #invest #venturecapital #startups #vc

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Does GYG buy back struggling franchise stores for $1? Franchisors, especially ones that list on the ASX, place importance on the value of their stores in the network. They publish average store setup or purchase prices and sell the dream of franchisees making a strong investment in the future. For years GYG have published information about the typical cost of a new restaurant. In 2020, it was between $700k and $1.1m to establish. But what happens when a franchisee runs into trouble with the business or wants out? Is the store still considered a million dollar franchise to the franchisor? According to a 2019 statutory liquidator report to creditors, GYG paid $1 to buy the Bakewell store back, which opened late in 2016. It was their first purpose built drive thru store in the Northern Territory. - See extract from report for further context. The liquidator also noted in the report issues around solvency shortly after the store began trading. We have also seen public records of other store buy backs at GYG for much less than the $700k to $1.1m establishment cost from 2020. Their annual report in June 2020 notes "On 13 August 2018, the consolidated entity acquired 12 Queensland franchised restaurants from various entities...for $3,021k" In our research, we have observed many franchisors buying or taking back struggling locations for $1 or a small fraction of the price incoming franchisees are paying. That same store is often back up for sale at full price or close to within weeks or months of the franchisor taking it back. The same failed location can be sold over and over again. When a franchisor does this, it is called churn. We have seen stores that have been churned 3 times to unsuspecting franchisees in a number of established franchise brands. * This post is not suggestion that GYG is churning. * Not financial or legal advice. #franchising #franchisee #GYG #asx #stocks #investing #fastfood #business #afr

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🚀 Why I Invested $60K in the startup https://bazaa.com.au/ 🚀 Investing in startups at the Seed stage is a privilege typically reserved for venture funds, and it often yields the highest returns in the investment world. However, rare opportunities like Bazaa occasionally emerge, offering retail investors the chance to get in early—and this one is too exciting to pass up. Here’s why I’m backing Bazaa and why you might want to, too: 1️⃣ Innovative Marketplace: Bazaa is redefining the vintage and antique furniture space, creating a seamless, curated platform for buyers and sellers to connect. 2️⃣ Experienced Leadership: Bazaa is led by entrepreneurs who know how to scale successfully. Thibault Henry, the mind behind Voly, and Aria Wigneswaran, formerly at Depop, are at the helm. 3️⃣ Sustainability at Its Core: Bazaa is more than a marketplace—it’s a movement toward a circular economy and tomorrow’s sustainable consumption. Encouraging the reuse of unique, quality items aligns perfectly with the values of today’s conscious consumers. 4️⃣ Rare Investment Opportunity: It’s rare for retail investors to gain access to Seed rounds like this. Venture funds often dominate these high-growth opportunities—but Bazaa is opening the door for those looking to invest in game-changing startups early. 5️⃣ Strong Community Potential: Bazaa isn't just a marketplace; it’s the foundation for a community of sustainability-minded consumers and creators who share a passion for unique craftsmanship and reducing waste. 6️⃣ Market Potential & Traction: With $650,000 already raised in pre-seed funding, early traction, and proven market demand for second-hand furniture, Bazaa is positioned for significant growth. If you’re looking for an investment opportunity that’s not only financially promising but also supports sustainability and innovation, Bazaa might be the perfect fit. 🌱

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YouTube: Where Reach, Engagement, and ROI Align 🚀 Today's media landscape is fragmented, but one platform consistently attracts audiences: YouTube. 📈 It reaches 97% of online Australian adults and 90% of Kiwi adults, driving 2.2x higher long-term brand impact than other platforms. From building brand awareness to driving sales, YouTube offers effective engagement and proven ROI, allowing you to effectively reach your audience across various screens and formats. Ready to leverage the power of YouTube for your business? Learn more about how you can maximise your impact. ➡️ https://goo.gle/3N0nTW4 #ThinkWithGoogle

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My latest Business Book review is on the HyperWeb Pty Ltd website. Innovation is important for competitive advantage, especially in uncertain times. In our latest blog, I review Adam Alter’s 𝘼𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝘽𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝. This book investigates the psychology behind groundbreaking ideas and how they can be fostered within an organisation. Key takeaways include embracing productive failure, fostering a culture of curiosity and diversity, and breaking free from mental rigidity. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to drive meaningful change and stay ahead in their field. Read more on our website ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/gQEVSYxG

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HighChloeCloud GUILD4AI AI ecosystem sharing news, usages, bringing together speakers, experts, market players. #highchloecloud #guild4ai Kristin de la Fuente Big announcement!🎉 Bringing the best GenAI x Design expertise to our Aussie Community! I’m very excited to announce an exclusive GenAI Lab event where I’ll be collaborating with the globally recognised Design x AI pioneer, Greg Aper 🧑🏻‍🚀 🚀 and the amazing Alex Zinoviev, GenAI Lab Founder We’re hosting a FREE 60-minute webinar that’s set to transform your approach to product design. Join us for a live demo of a next-gen AI workflow for creating dynamic UX and UI design concepts. 📣 An interactive workshop series will follow shortly for those who are keen to learn how to apply Next-Gen Ai Design Methods and Techniques to their own design process. Stay tuned. 🚀 I had 1:1 sessions with Greg 9 months ago and it’s transformed my design game and set me up for success in the era of AI. He's a real deal "expert" and cuts through the noise for all who are interested in getting started in the right way with GenAI. 📝 What’s happening? • Live Demo of Next-Gen AI Workflow: Witness a live demonstration of an advanced AI workflow for crafting dynamic UX and UI design concepts. • Interconnected AI Design Tools: Explore an integrated framework of AI design tools, including ChatGPT, Figma, Midjourney, Relume, and Runway. • Comprehensive Design Process: Learn how to progress through UX architectures, narrative wireframes, and low-fidelity wireframes, culminating in high-fidelity UI visual design concepts with context-enhanced imagery. 💡 What you’ll learn: • How to create powerful design workflows by constructing interconnections that maximise individual AI tool strengths. • How to use AI tools to build tangible connections between best-practice UX methods and engaging UI visual design concepts. • Advanced techniques with the latest AI tools that can be used in isolation or within a multiple method workflow. 💡 What you’ll take away: • Why design domain expertise and intuition are necessary for creating professional-grade design concepts with AI. • Why employing curiosity and imagination when using AI is critical to discovering your unrealised potential as a designer. • How AI tools empower designers to tell human stories in unprecedented ways. 📅 Event Details: 🗓️ Date: Wednesday, 23 October 2024 ⏰ Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM AEDT (This is open globally - all welcome) 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/gvVmGHgk 📣 Stay tuned for announcements on our upcoming workshops ✅ ✅ "It seems obvious to say that humanity is everything and that individually we are nothing. It is surely from this observation that GUILD4AI was born: intelligence is collective and nothing is more natural than bringing together an ecosystem of enthusiasts engaged in the evolution of artificial intelligence with ethics and responsibility. Christian Jumelet-Founder of #GUILD4AI 🚀 https://guild4ai.ai

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The Importance of Founder-Led Sales - Why Founder-Led Sales Are Crucial in the Early Stages Back in 1998, I had just returned from an overseas youth development trip to Patagonia (this picture is of our base camp), and while it was one of the best experiences of my life, I thought I could do it better / differently and started my first company GVI I was 24 years old, had no experience, money, or network, but I had a compelling vision and the will to hustle, which can open a LOT of doors. My first door was with a very well-respected charity that ran research centers throughout the rainforests of Central and South America. My pitch was to let me use their infrastructure for my environmental expeditions. It was a double win: low-cost operations while piggybacking off their brand. I panicked 20 minutes before my big meeting and had a serious dose of imposter syndrome. I was 24, and the average age of the trustees combined was older than the Royal Geographical Society. To quickly “age up”, I bought some reading glasses that were way too strong. Walking into the meeting, I ended up tripping over as my vision was so impaired. However, whether through sympathy or the pitch, we got the deal, and GVI was born. Vision and hustle! In the early stages of a company, every decision can be a game-changer. One of the most critical aspects is sales, and there's a strong case for why founders should be at the forefront of this effort. Here’s why: 1.   Vision and Passion: Founders carry the original vision and passion for the product. Their enthusiasm is contagious and can convince potential customers and partners more effectively than anyone else. 2.   Deep Product Knowledge: Founders know their product inside and out. They can answer any question, address any concern, and provide insights into the development and future roadmap that no one else can. 3.   Agility and Feedback: Early sales efforts are as much about learning as they are about selling. Founders are in the best position to gather and act on feedback, making necessary pivots and improvements quickly. 4.   Credibility and Trust: Customers and early adopters often want to know who is behind the product. Having direct interaction with the founders builds trust and establishes credibility, fostering stronger relationships. 5.   Building the Sales Playbook: The initial sales process is the foundation for future efforts. Founders can refine the pitch, identify key objections, and develop the strategies that will later be scaled by a dedicated sales team. In summary, founder-led sales are not just about closing deals; they are about building the right foundation for growth. Outsell Sales we make it easy for Founders to stay involved in the sales process while also planning their exit from it.  #Startups #Sales #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #StartupJourney #FounderLedSales

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Why is taking grant money from the Australian goverment detrimental to lean startups? #AskGPT #FatBureaucraticStartup #ObeseStartups #FakeEconomy #AustralianStartup #LeanStartup #DeathByForms #WasteOfTime #LeanStartup Taking grant money from the Australian government can be seen as detrimental to lean startups for several reasons: 1. **Loss of Agility**: Lean startups thrive on agility and the ability to pivot quickly based on market feedback. Grant funding often comes with specific conditions and reporting requirements, which can slow down decision-making and hinder flexibility. 2. **Dependency on Funding**: Relying on government grants can create a dependency that detracts from the startup’s motivation to achieve sustainable revenue. Startups may focus on meeting grant criteria instead of building a viable business model. 3. **Misalignment with Lean Principles**: Lean startups emphasize customer discovery and validation. Government grants may incentivize startups to focus on meeting funding milestones rather than directly addressing customer needs. 4. **Increased Bureaucracy**: Navigating the application process for grants can be time-consuming and bureaucratic, taking time away from core business activities. This can be especially challenging for startups with limited resources. 5. **Limited Market Signals**: Grants can distort market signals. If a startup is funded by a grant, it may not be compelled to seek market validation as aggressively as a self-funded startup, potentially leading to a misalignment with actual market demand. 6. **Expectations and Pressure**: Grant funding often comes with expectations from the government for job creation or technological advancement, which can pressure startups to scale prematurely or in directions that may not align with their strategic goals. While government grants can provide valuable support, it's essential for lean startups to carefully consider the implications and ensure that any funding aligns with their long-term business objectives and lean methodologies.

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A small number of incredible operators will beat a larger group of mediocre operators every. single. time. If you’re team isn’t good enough, don’t hesitate to cut low performers and clean house - the remaining A players will help you build back better. #startups #scaleups #management #team #culture #consultingconvos #startupsnippets

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Retail media startup Zitcha raises $15 million to accelerate US expansion Expanding into the US is a well-trodden path for Australian startups, but local retail media startup Zitcha now has $15 million in fresh capital to help it accelerate its growth Stateside. Founded by CEO Troy Townsend and chief operating officer Jack Byrne, Zitcha is already used by global consumer brands like Unilever, Microsoft and Lego, as well as leading retailers in seven regions, including Coles in Australia, The Warehouse Group in New Zealand and Ocado in the UK. It plans to open new offices in the US and hire sales and customer success teams there, with Townsend relocating to the US to lead the push. Zitcha aims to offer retailers and brands more sophisticated advertising solutions, driven by data. Its software platform allows retailers to essentially create their own retail media network (RMN) to sell advertising space to suppliers who want to reach the retailers’ customers. The platform automates these transactions across digital assets. such as websites, email and app, as well as in-store displays. The networks are unique to an individual retailer and tailored to its business model and customers, combining planning, delivery and insights in one place. The $15 million Series A round was led by US investment firm VMG Partners and represents the first investment in an Australian business by its venture arm, VMG Technology. Australian venture capital firm OIF Ventures also participated in the round, having previously invested in Zitcha in its $4.7 million seed round in 2022. Zitcha already has a presence in the US market, where the Boston Consulting Group forecasts retail media revenues will exceed US$100 billion in the next two or three years. The startup formed a strategic partnership with Axonet earlier this year to utilise store data and retail media touchpoints across tens of thousands of North American convenience stores. Now, it wants to realise what Townsend describes as “an enormous opportunity for Zitcha” in the US. “Our platform is uniquely positioned to help retailers and brands fully leverage the third wave of digital advertising and as US retail media networks mature, the demand for integrated, data-driven ad solutions has never been higher,” he said in a statement provided to SmartCompany. “With this investment from VMG Partners, along with their vast experience with consumer brands and retail technology, we are excited to tap into the immense prospects America offers.” But despite the lure of the “red hot retail media ecosystem” in the US, Bryne said Zitcha will continue to prioritise Australia, New Zealand and other key territories in Europe and Asia. #Business #Startup #US #USA #UK #Europe #World #economy #economic #invest #investment #investing #investor #News #BD #founding

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🌟 Unlock the Future of eCommerce with New Zealand Couriers' Merchant Insights Report 2025! 🌟 Dive into key trends, innovative strategies, and valuable insights for Kiwi eCommerce businesses. Discover how to enhance your delivery experience, adapt to changing consumer demands, and succeed in a competitive market.   📦 Key Highlights: Digital platforms to target for sales growth 📈 Rise of omnichannel shopping experiences🚀 Insights into merchant preferences & consumer behaviour ✅ Business growth strategies that work ✨ And more!   👉 Get the report now: https://lnkd.in/gR8anHPg #eCommerce #BusinessGrowth #NewZealandCouriers

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