In this episode, Ian sits down with Evan Walden, CEO of Getro—a startup rethinking how VCs support their portfolio companies through meaningful connections and talent networks. From his early days at General Assembly to leading a platform used by top-tier VC firms, Evan shares candid insights on leadership, founder relationships, startup career pathways, and why authentic networking matters more than ever.

Whether you're a founder, investor, or ecosystem builder, this conversation is packed with practical ideas and fresh perspectives on value creation in venture capital.

🔑 Key Conversation Highlights:


From Philosophy to Tech:
Evan’s unconventional path from studying philosophy to building tech platforms that empower communities and ecosystems.


Lessons from General Assembly:
The founding journey, scaling a mission-driven business, and how career outcomes, not just education, shaped their growth.


The Power of “Network-Driven Outcomes”:
Why intros and warm connections still drive results, and how Getro helps VCs operationalise this at scale.


Rebuilding the VC Tech Stack:
What most venture firms get wrong about talent support—and why the future of VC is about network intelligence.


Getro’s Origin Story:
From internal project to standalone company, and what it’s like spinning out of a fund like OnDeck.


Tactical Advice for VCs:
How to actually help founders. Hint: it’s not just capital. Evan shares real strategies around intros, hiring, and network mapping.

 

Quick Fire Round:

📚 Book recommendation – The Great CEO Within - There's a PDF that's available for free, but to me this is like the Bible for any startup founder and I would just recommend anyone starting a company go get it like right now.
🎧 Podcast recommendation – This Jungian Life - not business related but a funny poscast to listen to
🗞️ News source – I've actually been using X a lot more recently. I realised once I curated who I follow it became the best place to learn about the nuances of what's getting built in AI and tech, stuff that never makes it into the news cycle.
👨‍💼 Favourite CEO –  Collison brothers (Founders of Stripe) for their ability to build a massive company while maintaining their value system and Brian Chesky (Founder of Airbnb).
🛠️ Productivity tool – Superhuman and chatGPT
📱 Favourite app – Whisper Flow - a speech to text app that's 99% accurate
📺 TV or movie recommendation – I'm half way through The Last of Us
🎤 TED Talk topic – Networking doesn't have to suck: building authentic relationships in a world of fakeness.

The Innovation Bay job board is powered by Getro. Looking for your dream role? We have you covered with over 450 open roles across almost 5000 companies: https://jobs.innovationbay.com/jobs

In this episode, Ian sits down with Evan Walden, CEO of Getro&mdash;a startup rethinking how VCs support their portfolio companies through meaningful connections and talent networks. From his early days at General Assembly to leading a platform used by top-tier VC firms, Evan shares candid insights on leadership, founder relationships, startup career pathways, and why authentic networking matters more than ever.
Whether you're a founder, investor, or ecosystem builder, this conversation is packed with practical ideas and fresh perspectives on value creation in venture capital.
🔑 Key Conversation Highlights:
<ul data-start="987" data-end="2526">
<li data-start="987" data-end="1141">
From Philosophy to Tech: Evan&rsquo;s unconventional path from studying philosophy to building tech platforms that empower communities and ecosystems.
</li>
<li data-start="1143" data-end="1304">
Lessons from General Assembly: The founding journey, scaling a mission-driven business, and how career outcomes, not just education, shaped their growth.
</li>
<li data-start="1306" data-end="1462">
The Power of &ldquo;Network-Driven Outcomes&rdquo;: Why intros and warm connections still drive results, and how Getro helps VCs operationalise this at scale.
</li>
<li data-start="1464" data-end="1616">
Rebuilding the VC Tech Stack: What most venture firms get wrong about talent support&mdash;and why the future of VC is about network intelligence.
</li>
<li data-start="1618" data-end="1749">
Getro&rsquo;s Origin Story: From internal project to standalone company, and what it&rsquo;s like spinning out of a fund like OnDeck.
</li>
<li data-start="1751" data-end="1916">
Tactical Advice for VCs: How to actually help founders. Hint: it&rsquo;s not just capital. Evan shares real strategies around intros, hiring, and network mapping.
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Quick Fire Round:
📚 Book recommendation &ndash; The Great CEO Within - There's a PDF that's available for free, but to me this is like the Bible for any startup founder and I would just recommend anyone starting a company go get it like right now. 🎧 Podcast recommendation &ndash; This Jungian Life - not business related but a funny poscast to listen to 🗞️ News source &ndash;&nbsp;I've actually been using X a lot more recently. I realised once I curated who I follow it became the best place to learn about the nuances of what's getting built in AI and tech, stuff that never makes it into the news cycle. 👨&zwj;💼 Favourite CEO &ndash;&nbsp; Collison brothers (Founders of Stripe) for their ability to build a massive company while maintaining their value system and Brian Chesky (Founder of Airbnb). 🛠️ Productivity tool &ndash; Superhuman and chatGPT 📱&nbsp;Favourite app &ndash; Whisper Flow - a speech to text app that's 99% accurate 📺&nbsp;TV or movie recommendation &ndash; I'm half way through The Last of Us 🎤 TED Talk topic &ndash; Networking doesn't have to suck: building authentic relationships in a world of fakeness.
The Innovation Bay job board is powered by Getro. Looking for your dream role? We have you covered with over 450 open roles across almost 5000 companies: https://jobs.innovationbay.com/jobs

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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