Systems engineer George Vicino started a small advanced engineering consultancy some 30 years ago, with experience and training from his years in the Australian Air Force under his belt. But he always had big ideas for his little company, SYPAQ. Not only has SYPAQ grown to help major Federal Government departments and large corporates integrate complicated technology systems into  customer-friendly, seamless experiences, but the group now manufactures highly advanced engineering products for the Australian Defence Department. The latest is their Corvo fully autonomous aircraft, in the form of a smart drone. Or as George calls it, a clever flying box. But this is not just any ordinary drone, SYPAQ drones are made from cardboard, rubber bands and glue, and they’ve become a secret and much respected weapon in Ukraine’s fight against the Russian invasion.

Systems engineer George Vicino started a small advanced engineering consultancy some 30 years ago, with experience and training from his years in the Australian Air Force under his belt. But he always had big ideas for his little company, SYPAQ. Not only has SYPAQ grown to help major Federal Government departments and large corporates integrate complicated technology systems into  customer-friendly, seamless experiences, but the group now manufactures highly advanced engineering products for the Australian Defence Department. The latest is their Corvo fully autonomous aircraft, in the form of a smart drone. Or as George calls it, a clever flying box. But this is not just any ordinary drone, SYPAQ drones are made from cardboard, rubber bands and glue, and they’ve become a secret and much respected weapon in Ukraine’s fight against the Russian invasion.

Candid interviews with successful Self-starters. On Build It. They'll Come, you'll hear from some amazing Australian entrepreneurs who bet big to build great businesses. Journalist Helen Dalley interviews business innovators and visionaries on how they turned their lightbulb idea into a viable, sustainable enterprise. 

This podcast is about the human face behind taking a simple idea and turning it into a business or movement. It's the beating heart behind what it takes to build an empire, from concept to execution, and how they actually achieve it. Fuelled by blind faith and hard slog, how they transform their dream idea into concrete reality.

Journalist Helen Dalley interviews business innovators and visionaries on how they turned their lightbulb idea into a viable, sustainable enterprise.

Build It. They'll Come.

SYPAQ Group– George Vicino makes clever cardboard drones, a secret weapon helping Ukraine fight the Russian invasion. 1/2

How do you revolutionise medicine, helping develop an entire new field of medical science in this country? Well, back when he was a young doctor Professor Gab Kovacs did just that. By starting small and taking 1 step at a time he helped change the practice of reproductive medicine, by pioneering IVF in this country – “test tube” babies they used to be called - as an option for infertile couples to have children in the late 1970’s. Professor Kovacs worked with the greats, lead by Dr Carl Wood and Alan Trounson, those doctors and scientists who researched, tested, achieved breakthroughs and broke down barriers, to change the way infertility was treated and managed.

This team was so successful, after years of hard work they built a thriving business that has enabled thousands of Australian women, and many more around the world, to have babies when their bodies’ biological doors seemed closed forever.

How do you revolutionise medicine, helping develop an entire new field of medical science in this country? Well, back when he was a young doctor Professor Gab Kovacs did just that. By starting small and taking 1 step at a time he helped change the practice of reproductive medicine, by pioneering IVF in this country – “test tube” babies they used to be called - as an option for infertile couples to have children in the late 1970’s. Professor Kovacs worked with the greats, lead by Dr Carl Wood and Alan Trounson, those doctors and scientists who researched, tested, achieved breakthroughs and broke down barriers, to change the way infertility was treated and managed.
This team was so successful, after years of hard work they built a thriving business that has enabled thousands of Australian women, and many more around the world, to have babies when their bodies’ biological doors seemed closed forever.

Monash IVF – Professor Gab Kovacs helped pioneer IVF, revolutionising reproductive medicine, enabling thousands of women to have babies

In late 2023 we brought you an interview with serially successful entrepreneur Mark Woodland, who co-created and built the Kismet platform to provide digital tools to help NDIS participants easily link up with approved providers, reducing fraud and overcharging & improving compliance along the way. Kismet only began life as a business in August 2022, after Mark had kept the idea in his bottom drawer for 13 years. Then in early 2023 Mark raised a whopping $4 million from venture capital veterans AirTree Ventures, Daniel Petre AO and others, an enormous tick of approval for Mark Woodland, a former soldier and proud product of a single mum household. Now the latest news in September 2024, is Kismet completed a successful $32.5 million seed funding round from venture capital investors. Wow. Not bad for just over 2 years in business! Then again, Mark had already built successful childcare business, xplor, to streamline the admin process for parents and childcare operators alike, which he sold in 2020 to US private equity, reportedly making xplor worth $100 million, and putting Mark onto the Financial Review Young Rich List.  Mark’s is such a remarkable startup journey, we thought we’d share it with you again. Enjoy.

In late 2023 we brought you an interview with serially successful entrepreneur Mark Woodland, who co-created and built the Kismet platform to provide digital tools to help NDIS participants easily link up with approved providers, reducing fraud and overcharging &amp; improving compliance along the way. Kismet only began life as a business in August 2022, after Mark had kept the idea in his bottom drawer for 13 years. Then in early 2023 Mark raised a whopping $4 million from venture capital veterans AirTree Ventures, Daniel Petre AO and others, an enormous tick of approval for Mark Woodland, a former soldier and proud product of a single mum household. Now the latest news in September 2024, is Kismet completed a successful $32.5 million seed funding round from venture capital investors. Wow. Not bad for just over 2 years in business! Then again, Mark had already built successful childcare business, xplor, to streamline the admin process for parents and childcare operators alike, which he sold in 2020 to US private equity, reportedly making xplor worth $100 million, and putting Mark onto the Financial Review Young Rich List.  Mark’s is such a remarkable startup journey, we thought we’d share it with you again. Enjoy.

2024 – Kismet – how Mark Woodland’s healthtech startup, NDIS platform Kismet just got $32 million richer, thanks to a successful funding round from investors. (From the archives!)

Babak Moini came to Australia with his family as an 8 year old, from Iran. He studied hard, went to university and became an actuary, earned good money. So far a fairly typical immigrant story. But Babak’s journey diverged considerably when he discovered retailing, of all things – his first foray was a small souvenir shop in Cairns -  and he fell in love with the world of business, buying and selling. He dumped his actuarial career and with a co-founder friend, they ended up building a non-invasive beauty treatment empire, in Laser Clinics Australia, with some 80-plus clinics.  What a wild ride it has been. Hope you enjoy Babak Moini.

Babak Moini came to Australia with his family as an 8 year old, from Iran. He studied hard, went to university and became an actuary, earned good money. So far a fairly typical immigrant story. But Babak’s journey diverged considerably when he discovered retailing, of all things – his first foray was a small souvenir shop in Cairns -  and he fell in love with the world of business, buying and selling. He dumped his actuarial career and with a co-founder friend, they ended up building a non-invasive beauty treatment empire, in Laser Clinics Australia, with some 80-plus clinics.  What a wild ride it has been. Hope you enjoy Babak Moini.

SYPAQ Group– George Vicino makes clever cardboard drones, a secret weapon helping Ukraine fight the Russian invasion. 1/2

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