Colette Grgic is no stranger to startups. She is the Head of Startup Ecosystem in Australia & New Zealand for Amazon Web Services. In this role, Colette is responsible for the growth of the startup ecosystem at AWS and leads an excellent team who support startups with commercial and technical advice. She also serves as a Director of Heads Over Heels. Prior to her role at AWS, Colette was Chief Innovation Officer at BlueChilli. Colette also founded her own travel tech startup, Arribaa, and managed Autogenie, an internal startup for ASX-listed Smartgroup.
In this chat with Ian, Colette shares...
What is was like growing up in South Africa and Canada
How she developed a passion for innovation and startups
The story of founding her startup Arribaa ("the Airbnb of experiences")
The highs and lows of her 6-year journey with BlueChilli
Her favourite parts of her role at AWS
Where the magic happens between corporates and startups
How the AWS Activate program can help startups scale
Quickfire RecommendationsBook: The AlchemistPodcast: Masters of ScaleNews source: AFRFavorite tech CEO: Silvia Pfeiffer of CoviuApp: PictureThis (plant identification app)Ted talk topic: How do you change people's minds about the environment?
If you're looking to scale your startup, apply to the AWS Activate program to receive AWS credits, AWS support plan credits and training to help grow your business: https://aws.amazon.com/activate/
__________________
Innovation Bay is holding AI and health tech-focused pitch events this May for Horizon, our community of experienced angel investors. If you are the founder of an AI or health tech startup looking to network with angels who can offer advice, connections and capital, apply to pitch here: https://bit.ly/PitchHorizonMay
Women-led startups in Victoria, apply to connect with Horizon: https://bit.ly/VictorianFemaleFounders

<div>Colette Grgic is no stranger to startups. She is the Head of Startup Ecosystem in Australia &amp; New Zealand for Amazon Web Services. In this role, Colette is responsible for the growth of the startup ecosystem at AWS and leads an excellent team who support startups with commercial and technical advice. She also serves as a Director of Heads Over Heels. Prior to her role at AWS, Colette was Chief Innovation Officer at BlueChilli. Colette also founded her own travel tech startup, Arribaa, and managed Autogenie, an internal startup for ASX-listed Smartgroup.</div><div><br></div><div>In this chat with Ian, Colette shares...</div><ul><li>What is was like growing up in South Africa and Canada</li><li>How she developed a passion for innovation and startups</li><li>The story of founding her startup Arribaa ("the Airbnb of experiences")</li><li>The highs and lows of her 6-year journey with BlueChilli</li><li>Her favourite parts of her role at AWS</li><li>Where the magic happens between corporates and startups</li><li>How the AWS Activate program can help startups scale</li></ul><div><br></div><div>Quickfire Recommendations</div><div>Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/ALCHEMIST-25TH-ANNIVERSARY-PAULO-COELHO/dp/0062315005/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&amp;keywords=the+alchemist&amp;qid=1613690917&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Alchemist</a></div><div>Podcast: <a href="https://mastersofscale.com/" target="_blank">Masters of Scale</a></div><div>News source: <a href="https://www.afr.com/" target="_blank">AFR</a></div><div>Favorite tech CEO: Silvia Pfeiffer of Coviu</div><div>App: PictureThis (plant identification app)</div><div>Ted talk topic: How do you change people's minds about the environment?</div><div><br></div><div>If you're looking to scale your startup, apply to the AWS Activate program to receive AWS credits, AWS support plan credits and training to help grow your business: <a href="https://aws.amazon.com/activate/" target="_blank">https://aws.amazon.com/activate/</a></div><div><br></div><div>__________________</div><div><br></div><div>Innovation Bay is holding AI and health tech-focused pitch events this May for Horizon, our community of experienced angel investors. If you are the founder of an AI or health tech startup looking to network with angels who can offer advice, connections and capital, apply to pitch here: <a href="https://bit.ly/PitchHorizonMay" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/PitchHorizonMay</a></div><div><br></div><div>Women-led startups in Victoria, apply to connect with Horizon: <a href="https://bit.ly/VictorianFemaleFounders" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/VictorianFemaleFounders</a></div>

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>

Colette Grgic is no stranger to startups. She is the Head of Startup Ecosystem in Australia & New Zealand for Amazon Web Services....

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