In Episode 111 of the No Limitations Podcast Rolling the Dice, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Matt Allen, Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Tractor Ventures, a non-bank lender focused on technology startups.

In a lively discussion, Matt shares with us the unique proposition of Tractor Ventures. Unfazed by the appeal of launching rockets, Matt and the team at Tractor Ventures focus on consistency, reliability and giving founders the optionality to scale. He touches on the excitement that comes with the unknown when it comes to investing in game-changing technologies as well as the evolving role of founders in the startup ecosystem. Finally, Matt and Greg discuss the challenges and opportunities for startups in the current environment and what can be done to help build Australia's standing in the global technology landscape.

Prior to founding Tractor Ventures in 2020, Matt was part of the venture capital and startup team at Amazon Web Services and previously held Chief Technology Officer roles. He is also Chairman of AI-driven experience platform Qsic, Co-Founder of Side Stage Ventures and a member of the investment committee of the Alice Anderson Fund, co-investment fund developed by the Victorian government to invest into women-lead startups.



Please note: this episode was recorded on 14 February 2023.

In Episode 111 of the No Limitations Podcast Rolling the Dice, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Matt Allen, Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Tractor Ventures, a non-bank lender focused on technology startups.
In a lively discussion, Matt shares with us the unique proposition of Tractor Ventures. Unfazed by the appeal of launching rockets, Matt and the team at Tractor Ventures focus on consistency, reliability and giving founders the optionality to scale. He touches on the excitement that comes with the unknown when it comes to investing in game-changing technologies as well as the evolving role of founders in the startup ecosystem. Finally, Matt and Greg discuss the challenges and opportunities for startups in the current environment and what can be done to help build Australia's standing in the global technology landscape.
Prior to founding Tractor Ventures in 2020, Matt was part of the venture capital and startup team at Amazon Web Services and previously held Chief Technology Officer roles. He is also Chairman of AI-driven experience platform Qsic, Co-Founder of Side Stage Ventures and a member of the investment committee of the Alice Anderson Fund, co-investment fund developed by the Victorian government to invest into women-lead startups.
 
Please note: this episode was recorded on 14 February 2023.

A series regarded amongst the most inspiring and honest conversations with elite world class performing men and women across a broad genre covering the issues, opportunities and challenges confronting them. 
Gregory Robinson, Managing Partner at Blenheim Partners Executive Search and Board Advisory firm discovers the influences that have shaped their destinies, unlocking crucial insights into each guests core character, their motivation, broader thinking, strategies and approach they have taken to succeed. 
In a thought provoking show that breaks with the status quo, the guests and "first among equals", reveal their secrets, triumphs and disappointments with rare personal insight and learnings that you may wish to adopt in today's rapidly changing and competitive global landscape.

Thought provoking conversations with global business leaders

No Limitations

Rolling the Dice | Matt Allen

In Episode 145 of the No Limitations podcast A Personal Perspective, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Christine McLoughlin AM, Chairman of Suncorp Group Ltd.



In a relaxed discussion, Christine provides an insightful perspective into the insurance and superannuation industries in Australia today but expresses frustration with the lack of equal gender representation on Boards and Executive Teams more broadly. Christine discusses her significant work in the sporting sector through the Minerva Network, alongside other high profile women such as current Governor-General Her Excellency The Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, and she emphasises the importance of sport as the “glue” that binds local communities together. Christine also laments the recent tendency for companies to take public positions on social or political issues as part of corporate branding and, in relation to the economy, she asserts the need to address housing affordability, inequality and access to necessary technology. Lastly, Christine presents her leadership philosophy centred around accountability, opportunity and strategy.



Christine has had an extensive Executive and Board career over the past two decades. Most recently, she was the Chancellor of the University of Wollongong, and she is currently the Chairman of Suncorp Group Ltd, a Director of Cochlear Ltd, and the Chairman and Co-Founder of the Minerva Network. Christine was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for services to business, the not-for-profit sector and women. She was also Telstra Businesswoman of the Year. Christine was the Private Sector Representative for Australia for the G20 Empowerment and Progression of Women’s Economic Representation.



Please note: this episode was recorded on 5 September 2024.

In Episode 145 of the No Limitations podcast A Personal Perspective, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Christine McLoughlin AM, Chairman of Suncorp Group Ltd.
 
In a relaxed discussion, Christine provides an insightful perspective into the insurance and superannuation industries in Australia today but expresses frustration with the lack of equal gender representation on Boards and Executive Teams more broadly. Christine discusses her significant work in the sporting sector through the Minerva Network, alongside other high profile women such as current Governor-General Her Excellency The Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, and she emphasises the importance of sport as the “glue” that binds local communities together. Christine also laments the recent tendency for companies to take public positions on social or political issues as part of corporate branding and, in relation to the economy, she asserts the need to address housing affordability, inequality and access to necessary technology. Lastly, Christine presents her leadership philosophy centred around accountability, opportunity and strategy.
 
Christine has had an extensive Executive and Board career over the past two decades. Most recently, she was the Chancellor of the University of Wollongong, and she is currently the Chairman of Suncorp Group Ltd, a Director of Cochlear Ltd, and the Chairman and Co-Founder of the Minerva Network. Christine was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for services to business, the not-for-profit sector and women. She was also Telstra Businesswoman of the Year. Christine was the Private Sector Representative for Australia for the G20 Empowerment and Progression of Women’s Economic Representation.
 
Please note: this episode was recorded on 5 September 2024.

A Personal Perspective | Christine McLoughlin AM

In Episode 144 of the No Limitations podcast, A Divided Nation Decides, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Stephen Loosley AM, a former Senator for New South Wales.



In a 2024 United States Presidential election special, Stephen evaluates whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris is best prepared to lead the free world for the next four years. He delivers a verdict on which candidate will claim the battleground states and asserts that the economy and reproductive rights will be the most important issues. Recognising that the world is at a critical juncture with rapidly escalating conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine as well as rising tensions in the South China Sea, Stephen believes that the decision made at the ballot box in early November will be as important as ever for America, the West, the democratic free world, and the international balance of power.



Stephen was elected as a Senator for New South Wales in the 1990 federal election where he served in the Hawke and Keating governments and chaired the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. Thereafter, he left parliamentary politics to pursue a career in the law, but he remained a leading commentator on Australian and United States politics in media outlets such as Sky News and The Australian. He is an Ambassador for the University of Technology, Sydney and previously served as a Visiting Fellow at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney and the Chair of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Canberra. He has also been a Board member of leading organisations such as Crescent Capital Partners, National Rugby League and The Salvation Army.



Please note that the views and opinions expressed by Stephen in this podcast are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organisations he is involved with.

Please note: this episode was recorded on 18 October 2024.

In Episode 144 of the No Limitations podcast, A Divided Nation Decides, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Stephen Loosley AM, a former Senator for New South Wales.
 
In a 2024 United States Presidential election special, Stephen evaluates whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris is best prepared to lead the free world for the next four years. He delivers a verdict on which candidate will claim the battleground states and asserts that the economy and reproductive rights will be the most important issues. Recognising that the world is at a critical juncture with rapidly escalating conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine as well as rising tensions in the South China Sea, Stephen believes that the decision made at the ballot box in early November will be as important as ever for America, the West, the democratic free world, and the international balance of power.
 
Stephen was elected as a Senator for New South Wales in the 1990 federal election where he served in the Hawke and Keating governments and chaired the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. Thereafter, he left parliamentary politics to pursue a career in the law, but he remained a leading commentator on Australian and United States politics in media outlets such as Sky News and The Australian. He is an Ambassador for the University of Technology, Sydney and previously served as a Visiting Fellow at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney and the Chair of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Canberra. He has also been a Board member of leading organisations such as Crescent Capital Partners, National Rugby League and The Salvation Army.
 
Please note that the views and opinions expressed by Stephen in this podcast are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organisations he is involved with.
Please note: this episode was recorded on 18 October 2024.

A Divided Nation Decides | Stephen Loosley AM

In Episode 143 of the No Limitations podcast The Valley of Death, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks with Dr Larry Marshall, Non-Executive Director of Fortescue Ltd and Nanosonics Ltd.



In a spirited discussion, Larry scrutinises Australia’s innovation dilemma, where despite the nation’s level of invention and scientific excellence, it is significantly behind in terms of commanding recognition on the global stage. He highlights the potential of capitalising on Australia’s resources to create a market vision to drive further economic growth. Larry also reflects on his time leading CSIRO, where he challenged the norm in the hundred-year-old organisation and delivered its first period of growth in three decades. He shares with us the essentials in catalysing success and the courage required as a leader in the face of failure. Finally, Larry reminds us of the importance of diversity, as different thoughts and perspectives will ultimately drive future innovation in Australia.



Larry Marshall is currently a Non-Executive Director of Fortescue Ltd and Nanosonics Ltd and also serves on the Board of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, the Council of the Australian National University and the Australian Government’s Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group. Larry is also Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia. He was Chief Executive Officer of CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency from 2015 to 2023. Prior to CSIRO, he spent a considerable amount of time in the United States, where he co-founded and led a number of technology and venture capital companies in biotechnology, telecommunications and semiconductors. He is also the author of “Invention to Innovation: How Scientists Can Drive our Economy,” which was published in 2023.



Please note: this episode was recorded on 27 August 2024.

In Episode 143 of the No Limitations podcast The Valley of Death, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks with Dr Larry Marshall, Non-Executive Director of Fortescue Ltd and Nanosonics Ltd.
 
In a spirited discussion, Larry scrutinises Australia’s innovation dilemma, where despite the nation’s level of invention and scientific excellence, it is significantly behind in terms of commanding recognition on the global stage. He highlights the potential of capitalising on Australia’s resources to create a market vision to drive further economic growth. Larry also reflects on his time leading CSIRO, where he challenged the norm in the hundred-year-old organisation and delivered its first period of growth in three decades. He shares with us the essentials in catalysing success and the courage required as a leader in the face of failure. Finally, Larry reminds us of the importance of diversity, as different thoughts and perspectives will ultimately drive future innovation in Australia.
 
Larry Marshall is currently a Non-Executive Director of Fortescue Ltd and Nanosonics Ltd and also serves on the Board of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, the Council of the Australian National University and the Australian Government’s Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group. Larry is also Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia. He was Chief Executive Officer of CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency from 2015 to 2023. Prior to CSIRO, he spent a considerable amount of time in the United States, where he co-founded and led a number of technology and venture capital companies in biotechnology, telecommunications and semiconductors. He is also the author of “Invention to Innovation: How Scientists Can Drive our Economy,” which was published in 2023.
 
Please note: this episode was recorded on 27 August 2024.

Rolling the Dice | Matt Allen

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