‍I’ve long been fascinated by how ideas become businesses, and how businesses can grow to fundamentally change the way we live each day. So often these ideas change parts of our lives that we didn’t even know needed to be improved – and then they impact our lives in ways in which we couldn’t imagine a time without it.

Before entering venture capital, I had the perception that venture capital was about extensive financial and analytical skills. I’ve since learnt that while having these skills is helpful – venture capital is actually about listening, and showing up consistently as a partner. It’s about being reliable, having empathy and not being afraid to have hard conversations. It’s about sharing views, not imposing them, and more than anything, it’s about respect.

My first exposure to startups was establishing the first StartupLink society in 2014. As University students, everything we were exposed to focused on corporate pathways – there was really very little information about startups. We set up a StartupLink to provide students with access to opportunities, information and mentors. StartupLink grew to exist in 4 other universities, and still operates in fulfilling the original vision of opening up pathways for students to enter startups.

Joining EVP at a time of rapid change in Australia’s venture capital industry and tech ecosystem has been an extraordinary experience. Each day I get to meet and work with phenomenal people working to improve lives in unique ways. 

There is still a lot to be said for the unconscious bias that exists in investment processes across the entire venture community. As an investor, I’m deeply conscious of finding ways to increase diversity – not just in founders, but in boards, investors and the broader tech community.