In the third post of this series, I recall 20 years ago when conversations with various people massaged ‘an idea for a business’ into a business itself … Before the idea was born, there was context. Then – spookily – an unforgettable comedic event would herald the idea. Now, the idea needs testing. Could it...Read More

In the second post of this series, I recall 20 years ago when an evening with Dame Edna led to a memorable phone message, and a dotcom idea … Before the idea was born, there was context. A back story. A breeding ground for an idea, with a few push factors that made me look...Read More

'It was 20 years ago today' the Beatles famously sang on Sergeant Pepper in 1967. Well, more than half a century later I'm reminiscing and musing about 1999, 20 years ago...Read More

Watching the fall out from the 2016 Brexit vote has been met with increasing alarm and bewilderment. No matter what side of the debate you are on. The increasingly entrenched tribal views of each side of the Brexit question have added to the mess. No one is listening anymore. Hard, extreme core groups are facing...Read More

Valuing a tech startup is one of those ‘how long is a piece of string’ questions (which is no help at all), but it’s still an important factor in trying to raise money for your early stage venture… Naturally, both sides will look at valuation in opposite ways. The plucky founder will want to give...Read More

In the recent Business News corporate finance report for calendar year 2018, I added up over $9.58B worth of equity capital raisings for WA companies, across 548 deals. That’s $17M+ per deal. And this does not count another $41B+ in M&A (merger and acquisition) activity. How much of the capital raising money went to early...Read More

A few days ago I was trying to get me some car insurance, having bought a little run around Toyota for the eldest child, who is now learning to drive… So, there I was looking up the usual car insurance companies, and comparison sites, and seeing what kind of a deal I could get for...Read More

One hundred years ago today, at this time, the guns fell silent. The great war was over. We pause now to remember those that fell, that never came back, those that were scarred for life, families affected… the massive sacrifice. It was a bludgeoning war, a stalemate of forces stacked up against each other, smashing...Read More

Anyone running a business should understand, with laser like clarity, the customer problems their business solves. Not only will this mean the business will be focussing on the right activities, it will also be the single greatest determinant of the business owner’s wealth. There’s a coffee shop (restaurant really, that also does a nice coffee)...Read More

Now in its second year, UWA showcased its Launchpad graduates – which gives participants full six credits for any undergrad course at the university – at an annual pitch night… ‘They never had uni courses like this in my day‘ – is what almost every audience member over the age of 25 was probably thinking, as...Read More