In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Taryn Pieterse, Partner at Rampersand VC. Rampersand is a pioneering Australian venture capital firm, known for being one of the first funds in Australia and its early investment in founders with abnormal potential. With a focus on being a founder-first investor, they stay closely aligned with their portfolio companies. Currently, they are deploying their fourth fund of $50 million. Taryn and Ian discuss Rampersand's background, investment focus, fund economics, and the importance of alignment with founders.

Highlights from their conversation include:
Rampersand's origins and investment strategy
Their fund economics
Rampersand’s interest in AI-driven startups
The future of AI in both business and daily life
How Rampersand fosters community and provides concierge services to founders
The current exit landscape and emerging opportunities
The differences between venture capital firms and family offices



Quickfire round. 
Book –  "The Psychology of Money"
Podcast – "Defining Gravity" by Helen Sunitz
News source – Overnight Success Newsletter
App – Apple watch
Productivity tool – Robo vacuum cleaner - I have a dog and this saves me spending hours vacuuming everyday 
Tech CEO – Mark Benioff of Salesforce - a great example of start up to scale up and beyond
TV show – "The Mole" on Netflix
If you were asked to do a TED talk, what topic would you speak about? The art of power napping - I love power naps!

In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Taryn Pieterse, Partner at Rampersand VC. Rampersand is a pioneering Australian venture capital firm, known for being one of the first funds in Australia and its early investment in founders with abnormal potential. With a focus on being a founder-first investor, they stay closely aligned with their portfolio companies. Currently, they are deploying their fourth fund of $50 million. Taryn and Ian discuss Rampersand's background, investment focus, fund economics, and the importance of alignment with founders.
Highlights from their conversation include:
<ul>
<li>Rampersand's origins and investment strategy</li>
<li>Their fund economics</li>
<li>Rampersand’s interest in AI-driven startups</li>
<li>The future of AI in both business and daily life</li>
<li>How Rampersand fosters community and provides concierge services to founders</li>
<li>The current exit landscape and emerging opportunities</li>
<li>The differences between venture capital firms and family offices</li>
</ul>
 
Quickfire round. 
<ul>
<li>Book –  "The Psychology of Money"</li>
<li>Podcast – "Defining Gravity" by Helen Sunitz</li>
<li>News source – Overnight Success Newsletter</li>
<li>App – Apple watch</li>
<li>Productivity tool – Robo vacuum cleaner - I have a dog and this saves me spending hours vacuuming everyday </li>
<li>Tech CEO – Mark Benioff of Salesforce - a great example of start up to scale up and beyond</li>
<li>TV show – "The Mole" on Netflix</li>
<li>If you were asked to do a TED talk, what topic would you speak about? The art of power napping - I love power naps!</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. 

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.

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