This episode features Mike Kleine, the U.S. Consul General to Melbourne. Mike has spent over 20 years of his career working in the Foreign Service; he's been posted across the globe including in Laos, Vietnam, South Korea, and Kosovo. Mike has a deep-seated interest in entrepreneurship, a fascination with innovation, and a passion for the U.S.-Australia relationship. These passions converged and led to the creation of his podcast series, 37 Degrees Latitude.
In his podcast, Mike meets the Australian founders and entrepreneurs who cut a path between 37˚ N & S (at 37˚S, you’ll find Melbourne, Australia; at 37˚N, you’ll find Silicon Valley!) and found capital, partners, markets and success in the United States. He interviews the likes of Didier Elzinga from Culture Amp, Nick Crocker from Blackbird and Kate Kendall from CloudPeeps. Season 2 of 37 Degrees Latitude will feature conversations with Aussie startup founders currently based in the U.S.
In this chat with Phaedon, Mike starts off talking a bit about what he does in his role as Consul General including promoting trade, investment, and the U.S.-Australia relationship and how he stumbled into the startup ecosystem. He then covers the common themes he's observed across his conversations on 37 Degrees Latitude, such as the importance of networks, key differences between U.S. and Australian culture, like tall poppy syndrome and self-deprecation, and increasing the odds of serendipity. Mike then shares his tips for Aussie founders looking to expand in the U.S. such as the importance of setting up a U.S. office and the value of the E3 visa.
Quickfire Round Recommendations
Book: Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
Podcast: The Daily, How I Built This, The Tim Ferriss Show
News Source: Herald Sun, The Age, AFR, SBS, NPR, New York Times, Washington Post
Best Holiday Destination: Tasmania
Favorite Founder/CEO: Brian Chesky, Airbnb
Productivity Tool: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Headspace
Ted Talk Topic: What Australia Taught Me About the Traditional Owners of My Land

<div>This episode features Mike Kleine, the U.S. Consul General to Melbourne. Mike has spent over 20 years of his career working in the Foreign Service; he's been posted across the globe including in Laos, Vietnam, South Korea, and Kosovo. Mike has a deep-seated interest in entrepreneurship, a fascination with innovation, and a passion for the U.S.-Australia relationship. These passions converged and led to the creation of his podcast series, <a href="https://au.usembassy.gov/business/37-degrees-latitude-podcast/" target="_blank">37 Degrees Latitude</a>.</div><div><br></div><div>In his podcast, Mike meets the Australian founders and entrepreneurs who cut a path between 37˚ N &amp; S (at 37˚S, you’ll find Melbourne, Australia; at 37˚N, you’ll find Silicon Valley!) and found capital, partners, markets and success in the United States. He interviews the likes of Didier Elzinga from Culture Amp, Nick Crocker from Blackbird and Kate Kendall from CloudPeeps. Season 2 of 37 Degrees Latitude will feature conversations with Aussie startup founders currently based in the U.S.</div><div><br></div><div>In this chat with Phaedon, Mike starts off talking a bit about what he does in his role as Consul General including promoting trade, investment, and the U.S.-Australia relationship and how he stumbled into the startup ecosystem. He then covers the common themes he's observed across his conversations on 37 Degrees Latitude, such as the importance of networks, key differences between U.S. and Australian culture, like tall poppy syndrome and self-deprecation, and increasing the odds of serendipity. Mike then shares his tips for Aussie founders looking to expand in the U.S. such as the importance of setting up a U.S. office and the value of the E3 visa.</div><div><br></div><div>Quickfire Round Recommendations</div><ul><li>Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Boys-Boat-Daniel-James-Brown/dp/1447210980/ref=asc_df_1447210980/?tag=googleshopdsk-22&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=341793089741&amp;hvpos=&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvrand=10013595275283735062&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvqmt=&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=9071800&amp;hvtargid=pla-453313431094&amp;psc=1" target="_blank">Boys in the Boat</a> by Daniel James Brown</li><li>Podcast: The Daily, How I Built This, The Tim Ferriss Show</li><li>News Source: Herald Sun, The Age, AFR, SBS, NPR, New York Times, Washington Post</li><li>Best Holiday Destination: Tasmania</li><li>Favorite Founder/CEO: Brian Chesky, Airbnb</li><li>Productivity Tool: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Headspace</li><li>Ted Talk Topic: What Australia Taught Me About the Traditional Owners of My Land</li></ul>

There is a lot of activity in the Australian startup ecosystem. Ideas, talent, and money are all flowing into this sector at an unprecedented rate. 

This weekly podcast brings in-depth interviews with the best people making the biggest difference.

It's brought to you by Ian Gardiner and Phaedon Stough, technology entrepreneurs helping to grow the startup sector in Australia and New Zealand. Ian and Phaedon co-founded Innovation Bay with a clear mission to help technology entrepreneurs succeed.

A weekly deep dive into Australia's tech and startup ecosystem. Brought to you by Innovation Bay

Open the Pod Bay Doors

The Australian and New Zealand startup ecosystem is burgeoning, exciting and filled with some of the most fascinating minds on the planet, all driven by a passion to make a positive and lasting impact. Open The Pod Bay Doors invites some of the brightest minds in the industry for deep conversations and awe-inspiring insights from their captivating journeys. Lend us your ears to gain some fresh knowledge and broaden your insights. Brought to you weekly by Innovation Bay. 

<p>The Australian and New Zealand startup ecosystem is burgeoning, exciting and filled with some of the most fascinating minds on the planet, all driven by a passion to make a positive and lasting impact. Open The Pod Bay Doors invites some of the brightest minds in the industry for deep conversations and awe-inspiring insights from their captivating journeys. Lend us your ears to gain some fresh knowledge and broaden your insights. Brought to you weekly by Innovation Bay. </p>

This episode features Mike Kleine, the U.S. Consul General to Melbourne. Mike has spent over 20 years of his career working in the...

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