Founders and Funders Australia

Stephanie Leung ( @misssteph_eatdrinkplay ) has spent more than 25 years quietly building one of Melbourne's most recognisable personal brands. You'll know her from her TV work, her 71K-strong Instagram community at Eat Drink Play, and her hosting at some of the city's biggest launches. But she's also is at PR agency Shy Melbournean Media, a regular host for heritage brands like He...

In this episode of Founders and Funders , host Ray Yee sits down with Gabriel Bastien-Dietrich , Brand Manager at Nautica Australia . Gabriel shares his journey from the ski slopes north of Montreal to navigating the high-stakes world of international fashion licensing. They dive deep into the mechanics of brand rejuvenation. Ready to simplify your content workflow? Explore Riverside here: https:/...

In this episode of Founders and Funders , we sit down with Connor Luke Van Brown , a designer who transitioned from the high-octane world of professional cycling to the intricate craft of technical fashion. Connor shares the "aha moment" in a team van—watching a Givenchy show just minutes before a race—that led him to trade his bike for a career in design. We explore his journey through UTS School...

In this episode of Founders and Funders , Ray speaks with Valentin Zhmodikov , a Melbourne-based fashion and portrait photographer originally from St. Petersburg, Russia. Valentin shares how photography became both a creative outlet and a professional path, and what it really takes to move from hobbyist to working photographer. He talks openly about self-doubt, rejection, and the uncertainty that...

In this episode of Founders and Funders , Ray interviews Vick , a passionate photographer whose hobby turned into a profession. Vick shares his journey from growing up in a small town in Indonesia to becoming an international photographer, working with models and brands, and attending Paris Fashion Week. He discusses the challenges and rewards of his career, the importance of social media in build...

This week on Founders & Funders Australia, Ray sits down with filmmaker and multidisciplinary creative Dale Crawford , founder of Moon Room Films . Dale grew up in Melbourne surrounded by early computers, robotics, and animation thanks to two programmer parents. From childhood inventions to studying fine arts, screenwriting, and philosophy simultaneously, his early life set the foundation for...

This week on Founders and Funders Australia , Ray sits down with sculptor and model Chi , whose life has taken her from childhood in Vietnam to exhibiting at the NGV and building a new life in Australia. Chi shares how her parents, raised during the Vietnam War with almost no resources, fought to give their daughters an international education. She talks about teaching herself English through Disn...

When Jude moved from Singapore to Melbourne as a teenager, fashion wasn’t the obvious path. After studying fine arts, serving two years in Singapore’s military, and starting over, he found his creative calling — designing clothes that reflect personality, playfulness, and purpose. In this episode, Jude shares how he built Design by Jude from scratch — beginning with a single sewing machine, small...

In this episode of Founders and Funders Australia , Ray sits down with Louis — an actor, model, and photographer whose creative journey spans continents and industries. From moving to Australia as a child and navigating cultural shifts, to signing with one of the top acting agencies in the country and walking the runway at Melbourne Fashion Week, Louis shares a story of resilience, belonging, and...

In this episode of Founders and Funders , host Ray Yee speaks with Karen , founder of The Creative Warehouse . Based in Australia, Karen shares her journey of building a creative business from the ground up, offering insights into entrepreneurship, resilience, and how creativity can fuel business growth. What you'll learn in this episode: How Karen transformed her creative passion into a thriving...

In this episode of Founders and Funders Australia, host Ray Yee sits down with Mitch, the driving force behind The Essential, a supplement brand dedicated to transparency and quality. Mitch shares his journey from aspiring athlete to successful entrepreneur, discussing the challenges of navigating the supplement industry and the importance of integrity in product development. Tune in to learn abou...

In this episode, we explore the inspiring story of Justin Rooney, who left a successful career in investment banking to co-found Flame Security. Learn about the challenges and triumphs of developing cutting-edge fire safety solutions and the impact of their products on global markets. Show Notes: Introduction to Justin Rooney and Flame Security The transition from banking to fire safety innovation...

Episode 18 – Cashflow Without Chaos: The Fintech Transforming B2B Payments In this episode of Founders and Funders , I sit down with Ray Wang , co-founder and CEO of Luca Plus , to explore his journey from accountant at Nike to fintech founder reshaping B2B payments. We talk about how Luca Plus is giving small businesses access to flexible supplier credit, the inspiration behind its name, and Ray'...

Join us on Founders and Funders Australia as we explore the future of education with Dhruv, the innovative founder of Huddled . In this episode, Dhruv reveals how Huddled’s AI-driven platform—described as "Slack for educators and students"—is transforming the learning experience. By enhancing student engagement, empowering teachers, and fostering inclusive, secure spaces, Huddled is redefining edu...

In this episode of Founders and Funders Australia , host Ray explores the cutting-edge intersection of AI and law with Daniel and Jordan, the founders of LawMe , a platform that’s transforming legal work with AI-powered virtual workers. From their university days to launching a tool that automates drafting, compliance, and research, they share their inspiring startup journey, the pivot from legal...

What would make you walk away from a stable career? For Jaryd Krause, it was the realization that the life he had built as a plumber wasn’t the one he wanted. So, he left it all behind. No business experience. No roadmap. Just a desire to create financial freedom. Today, Jaryd runs one of the world’s largest communities for buying and growing online businesses, helping others escape the 9-to-5 gri...

In this episode of Founders and Funders , I chat with Jay Pottenger from EQ Minds . We explore his journey from a successful career in banking to building a thriving mental health and mindfulness business. Jay shares how EQ Minds grew from a deeply personal experience into a company helping thousands improve their mental health and performance worldwide. We cover: How Jay transitioned from banking...

In this episode of Founders and Funders Australia , I sit down with Helena Turpin, co-founder of GoFigr , an Australian career tech platform helping businesses retain and upskill talent. Helena shares her journey from working in HR at Adecco and Randstad to launching her own startup through the Antler accelerator program. We dive into the challenges of building a SaaS business, securing early cust...

James McClure is a Partner at Antler Australia, a global early-stage VC firm. With a background in tech leadership roles at Google, Airbnb, and other innovative companies, James brings a wealth of experience in scaling startups, building teams, and navigating the venture capital landscape. Key topics: Breaking barriers in venture capital to support founders globally. James’ Journey: From corporate...

In this episode, Ray sits down with Tick, CEO and founder of NUVC, to explore her inspiring entrepreneurial journey. Tick shares how her early ventures, a challenging property career, and personal setbacks shaped her resilience and determination. Discover how she pivoted into AI, building tools for investors and redefining deal-making in the venture capital world. Join us for insights on overcomin...

In this episode of  Founders and Funders , Ray sits down with Alina, the director of Coolibah Downs Private Estate, a premier wedding venue in the Gold Coast hinterland. Alina shares her inspiring journey from helping out in her family's business as a teenager to taking the reins of a struggling venue and transforming it into a thriving destination. Alina discusses the unique challenges of running...

In this exciting episode of Founders and Funders, Ray speaks with Dan Copsey, a seasoned entrepreneur, philanthropist, and early-stage startup investor. Dan’s journey spans from his roots in Melbourne’s suburbs to building multiple successful businesses and investing in the next generation of startups. Discover: How Dan turned a landscaping career into a springboard for entrepreneurship. The story...

Join us in this episode of Founders and Funders as we speak with Amanda Siqueira, co-founder and CEO of VAPAR, a trailblazing company transforming the way we manage infrastructure. Amanda shares her inspiring journey from civil engineering to entrepreneurship, creating a groundbreaking AI-powered platform that automates pipe condition assessments for municipalities worldwide. We explore: Amanda’s...

In this episode, the host welcomes Susan, also known as 'The Laundry Lady,' who shares her inspiring journey from a corporate career in international marketing and business development to founding and scaling her own business, The Laundry Lady. She discusses the challenges and tipping points that led her to start her laundry service, balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, and her experiences...

In this episode of Founders and Funders, Ray Yee sits down with Lisa, the founder of The Saucy Wench, to talk about her transition from a career in architecture to becoming a successful sauce maker. Lisa shares her inspiring story, from a stormy night where she made her first batch of chili oil to scaling her business and eventually landing her products in Woolworths. They discuss the challenges o...