Episode Summary: In this episode of First Cheque hosts Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter sit down with the distinguished investor Ash Fontana to explore the intricacies of early-stage investing and the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI). The conversation delves into Fontana's diverse experiences, ranging from his formative years building web-based marketplaces to his critical role in establishing the AI investment frontier. Fontana shares a captivating narrative of his investment phi...
Jun 10, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Episode Summary: In this episode of the First Cheque podcast, our co-hosts Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter welcome venture capital trailblazer Marvin Liao to discuss the multifaceted experience of early-stage investing, the evolution of global startup ecosystems, and the profound lessons learned from economic cycles in the tech industry. The conversation kicks off with stories from Marvin's background in Silicon Valley, including his first steps into the startup world, a decade at Yahoo, angel inv...
May 26, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 17
Episode Summary: In this thought-provoking episode of First Cheque experienced investors Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter delve into the meticulous world of follow-on investment strategies. The episode serves as a beacon for those who wish to refine their approaches in early-stage investing, especially as they grapple with the decision of whether to follow on or not in subsequent investment rounds. The conversation explores the intricate balance between optimizing returns and supporting growing com...
May 12, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Episode Summary: In the latest instalment of our podcast series, Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter delve into the intricate world of early-stage investing, shedding light on the varied approaches to gaining investment conviction. This episode serves as a guide for both novice and experienced investors who aim to refine their decision-making strategies when backing new ventures. As Cheryl and Maxine unravel the decision-making fabric of early-stage investing, listeners are taken on a journey through ...
Apr 28, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Episode Summary: In this insight-packed episode, Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter sit down with Michael Batko, the driving force behind Startmate, to explore the intricacies of early stage investing and the power of community in the startup realm. Batko shares his journey, starting from his first investment to steering one of the most active seed stage investing funds in the industry. This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Batko and his world-class team utilize a community-driven appro...
Apr 14, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Episode Summary: In this insightful conversation, co-hosts Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter unpack the often misunderstood world of 'fund of funds'—investment vehicles that pool capital to invest in a variety of venture funds rather than in startups directly. Tailored for early-stage investors and industry observers, this talk reveals the nuances of fund structures and investment strategies designed to mitigate risk and maximize returns. Diving into a no-nonsense explanation, Maxine elucidates the ...
Mar 31, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Episode Summary: In this insightful episode of First Cheque, hosts Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter have a raw conversation with Elicia McDonald, a venture capital expert renowned for her remarkable work at Airtree Ventures. Elicia's holistic approach to early-stage investing and her deep commitment to nurturing founder relationships are at the forefront of this discussion. Opening with an introduction that paints Elicia as a superhuman in her work-life balance, the episode delves into the intricac...
Mar 17, 2024•56 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Episode Summary: In the latest compelling episode, we delve into the investment philosophy and keen insights of Trang Nguyen, a trailblazing figure in venture capital. Nguyen shares her journey from placing an early bet on Tesla to her current efforts in redefining the startup ecosystem. She outlines her criteria for backing emerging fund managers and underscores the importance of founders who aim to build venture firms that transcend personal branding and leave a lasting impression. Nguyen advo...
Mar 03, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Episode Summary: In this enlightening episode of the podcast, co-hosts Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter engage with venture capital veteran Craig Blair to unpack the intricacies of successful early-stage investing. From sage wisdom to navigating the ever-evolving VC landscape, this conversation is a trove of insights for aspiring and seasoned investors alike. Craig discusses his journey starting from an entrepreneurial venture in the Czech Republic to establishing AirTree Ventures, which has shaped...
Feb 18, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Summa ry: In this insightful episode of the podcast, listeners are introduced to the world of venture capital through the lens of Sam Wong, a seasoned Partner at Blackbird Ventures. Delving into her journey from the early investments to scaling venture funds across markets, this conversation provides an intimate look at what it means to both contribute to and grow within a startup ecosystem. Sam shares her experiences in identifying alpha opportunities, scaling venture fund operations, and the u...
Feb 04, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Summary In this episode, Maxine Minter and Cheryl Mack discuss their journeys into angel investing and share valuable insights for aspiring investors. They highlight the importance of community and learning in the early stages of angel investing and provide guidance on different investment strategies. Maxine and Cheryl also emphasize the need for diversity in the investor landscape and discuss the changing dynamics of the startup ecosystem. They address common misconceptions about angel investin...
Jan 21, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Summary Anabel Lippincott Paksoy, partner at 43, discusses the importance of building communities and their role in early-stage investing. She shares her experience creating the council, a female-first investing group, and emphasises the need for a deep understanding of founders and their motivations. Anabel also highlights the value of professionalising angel investing and finding founders with a strong sense of purpose and followership. She concludes by discussing her investment preferences, f...
Jan 07, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Summary Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter reflect on the year 2023 and discuss the challenges and trends in the startup ecosystem. They talk about the tough environment for founders and investors, with many companies struggling to raise funds and facing down rounds. However, they also highlight the resilience and determination of founders who were able to survive and even thrive in the face of adversity. The hosts discuss the increase in funding for female founders, although there is still a long wa...
Dec 22, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Summary: Elaine Stead joins the podcast to discuss bravery and courage in the investing world, particularly as a woman in the Australian ecosystem. She shares her journey as an investor and highlights the importance of investing in education and building networks. Elaine also challenges the notion of being a contrarian investor and emphasizes the need for a high tolerance for risk. She discusses portfolio construction and the importance of managing risk and diversification. The conversation also...
Dec 17, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Summary Rayn Ong, an angel investor and founder of Archangel, shares his insights on early-stage investing in this episode of First Cheque. Rayn discusses his first investment in Blackbird Fund One and how he built his network in the Australian startup ecosystem. He emphasises the importance of compounding value in both networks and investments. Rayn also talks about his investment strategy, including his focus on breakout companies and his approach to evaluating opportunities. He shares his tho...
Dec 03, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Summary Judy Anderson-Firth, the Group CEO of Euphemia, shares insights into their investment strategy, including their focus on supporting diverse founders and making a positive impact on the Australian startup ecosystem. She emphasizes the importance of transparency and accessibility in the family office world and discusses the value of building a strong network and connecting founders within their portfolio. Judy also explores the concept of gracefully exiting failed startups and the potentia...
Nov 19, 2023•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 4
Summary Dan Gavel, founder of Black Sheep Capital Fund and the Flock Syndicate, shares his unique approach to investing and discusses the importance of understanding risk. He emphasizes the need for investors to have the capacity to accept risk and adapt their investment strategies to the changing market. Dan also talks about the benefits of running a fund, a syndicate, and making personal angel investments simultaneously. He explains how he decides which investments go to each channel and the i...
Nov 05, 2023•59 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Summary Jessy Wu discusses the importance of having the confidence to speak up and share your opinions. She shares that her confidence comes from being deeply loved and supported by her parents, which instilled in her a strong sense of self-worth. She also discusses the role of building a personal brand as a small fund and how being a lightning rod for certain conversations can align with a fund’s strategy. About The Guest(s) Jessy Wu is an investor at Afterwork Ventures. She is known for her bo...
Oct 22, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Summary Maxine and Cheryl kick off the First Cheque podcast, a show dedicated to helping early-stage investors become better at their craft. They aim to open source conversations and insights from experienced investors to provide valuable information and education for emerging investors. The podcast focuses on the Australian ecosystem but also explores international perspectives on investing. They discuss the importance of understanding risk, the distinction between betting and investing, and th...
Oct 02, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 1
