E158 - Adam Schwab, CEO and Co-Founder at Luxury Escapes



Adam Scwhab runs at a million miles an hour - literally, he runs barefoot marathons! The CEO and Co-Founder of Luxury Escapes, Adam Schwab is our guest this week. 



Outside of running one of the country’s most successful, bespoke travel sites, and running really far without shoes, Adam is also a contributing journalist and writer, podcast host, father of two young children, is on the investment committee of Save The Children, and is an angel investor. 



An ex-lawyer, Adam and Luxury Escapes co-founding partner Jeremy Same (an ex-banker), started their first business in 2004 - apartment accommodation for backpackers. Fast forward to 2023, Luxury Escape has 510 staff on its books across Australia, Sri Lanka, India, Brazil, Ukraine, and New Zealand and will turn over close to $1b this year. 



Ian and Adam discuss a heap including:
Taking asymmetric risks 
How COVID affected the business and helped them pivot their product offering 
That every great founder balances incredible self confidence with consistent paranoia 
His podcast From Zero 

And so much more. 



Quickfire Round 

Book: The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon

Podcast: Pivot, What The Flux 

News Source: AFR, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg 

App: BOM 

Tech CEO: Jeff Bezos 

Productivity Tool: WhatsApp 

TV Show/Movie: WeWork, Super Pumped, The Crown - fact based fiction 

Ted Talk Topic: n/a 


Luxury Escapes are always hiring and Adam’s DM’s are open. Hit him up on Twitter. 

E158 - Adam Schwab, CEO and Co-Founder at Luxury Escapes
 
Adam Scwhab runs at a million miles an hour - literally, he runs barefoot marathons! The CEO and Co-Founder of Luxury Escapes, Adam Schwab is our guest this week. 
 
Outside of running one of the country’s most successful, bespoke travel sites, and running really far without shoes, Adam is also a contributing journalist and writer, podcast host, father of two young children, is on the investment committee of Save The Children, and is an angel investor. 
 
An ex-lawyer, Adam and Luxury Escapes co-founding partner Jeremy Same (an ex-banker), started their first business in 2004 - apartment accommodation for backpackers. Fast forward to 2023, Luxury Escape has 510 staff on its books across Australia, Sri Lanka, India, Brazil, Ukraine, and New Zealand and will turn over close to $1b this year. 
 
Ian and Adam discuss a heap including:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Taking asymmetric risks </li>
<li aria-level="1">How COVID affected the business and helped them pivot their product offering </li>
<li aria-level="1">That every great founder balances incredible self confidence with consistent paranoia </li>
<li aria-level="1">His podcast From Zero </li>
</ul>
And so much more. 
 
Quickfire Round 
Book: The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon
Podcast: Pivot, What The Flux 
News Source: AFR, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg 
App: BOM 
Tech CEO: Jeff Bezos 
Productivity Tool: WhatsApp 
TV Show/Movie: WeWork, Super Pumped, The Crown - fact based fiction 
Ted Talk Topic: n/a 
 <a href="https://luxuryescapes.com/au">Luxury Escapes</a> are always hiring and Adam’s DM’s are open. Hit him up on <a href="https://twitter.com/lux_schwab">Twitter</a>.

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.

E158 - Adam Schwab, CEO and Co-Founder at Luxury Escapes

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>

E184 - Taryn Pieterse, Partner, Rampersand VC

Join our host Ian Gardiner as he chats to Nick Gainsley, Partner at One Ventures and Aurora Community Member, on episode 183 of Open the Pod Bay Doors.

Nick is Partner at OneVentures and leads the debt fund strategy, which was launched 5 years ago to address gaps in the Australian market. The fund offers non-dilutive alternative funding options through 3-4 year loans with interest and small equity options for growth stage companies post-Series A.

Nick explains the differences between debt and equity funding, market trends, and the fund's structure as GPLP. The conversation also delves into the use of debt funding to avoid down rounds or complement equity funding, as well as discussions on AI, productivity tools, and current events.

Highlights from Ian and Nick's conversation include


what a debt fund looks like and how it compares to a traditional GPLP Venture Fund


What do the mechanics of a debt fund deal look like
Why Nick prefers the term growth credit over venture debt
Nick's view on liquidity and exits in the next couple of years
The future of AI and how OneVenture apodt this in their day to day operations
potential downsides to a debt fund
Is poker simple gambling or is it a skill?



Quickfire round. 
Book – Just finished Outlive by Peter Atia
Podcast – All in with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg
News source – Australian Financial Review
App – Spotify (shout out to Spotify Audibooks)
Productivity tool – A bit boring but I use OneNote
Tech CEO – You've got to be impressed with Satya Nadella from Microsoft
TV show – Colin from Accounts
If you were asked to do a TED talk, what topic would you speak about? I know random small snippets from lots of different things..

Join our host Ian Gardiner as he chats to Nick Gainsley, Partner at One Ventures and Aurora Community Member, on episode 183 of Open the Pod Bay Doors.
Nick is Partner at OneVentures and leads the debt fund strategy, which was launched 5 years ago to address gaps in the Australian market. The fund offers non-dilutive alternative funding options through 3-4 year loans with interest and small equity options for growth stage companies post-Series A.
Nick explains the differences between debt and equity funding, market trends, and the fund's structure as GPLP. The conversation also delves into the use of debt funding to avoid down rounds or complement equity funding, as well as discussions on AI, productivity tools, and current events.
Highlights from Ian and Nick's conversation include
<ul>
<li>
what a debt fund looks like and how it compares to a traditional GPLP Venture Fund
</li>
<li>
What do the mechanics of a debt fund deal look like
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Why Nick prefers the term growth credit over venture debt</li>
<li>Nick's view on liquidity and exits in the next couple of years</li>
<li>The future of AI and how OneVenture apodt this in their day to day operations</li>
<li>potential downsides to a debt fund</li>
<li>Is poker simple gambling or is it a skill?</li>
</ul>
 
Quickfire round. 
<ul>
<li>Book – Just finished Outlive by Peter Atia</li>
<li>Podcast – All in with Chamath, Jason, Sacks &amp; Friedberg</li>
<li>News source – Australian Financial Review</li>
<li>App – Spotify (shout out to Spotify Audibooks)</li>
<li>Productivity tool – A bit boring but I use OneNote</li>
<li>Tech CEO – You've got to be impressed with Satya Nadella from Microsoft</li>
<li>TV show – Colin from Accounts</li>
<li>If you were asked to do a TED talk, what topic would you speak about? I know random small snippets from lots of different things..</li>
</ul>

E183 - Nick Gainsley, Partner, OneVentures

Earlier this year, Innovation Bay brought more than 250 of Australia’s leading tech founders and investors together at Inspire, held at Sydney’s Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) on May 22-23, 2024. 

Set under the overarching theme ‘The Future is…’, Inspire was a platform for the exchange of revolutionary thoughts and ideas about what the future holds for the startup ecosystem across the next 5-10 years.

Our co-founder and podcast host Ian Gardiner, set out with his roving mic to chat to get his geek on with some of the event’s incredible speakers as they made their way off the main stage. He continued the conversation with them on the podcast. 

During Part 2, you’ll hear from:
Craig Blair, Airtree – on the future of venture capital in Australia and what needs to happen over the next ten years to make VC a success. 
Elaine Stead, Main Sequence Ventures – on how she taps into her background in biochemistry to help in her investing, and the critical role the media plays in advancing the leading-edge legislation and policies that are vital to the future success of the startup sector. 
Chris Capon, Nominal Systems – on why he’s working to change the mindset around how people think about space, the incredible things that are going to be done in space in the not-too-distant future, and why Australia needs to be a part of it.

Listen now to get a front row seat into what Australia’s tech leading minds are passionate about and be INSPIRED. 

Missed Part 1? Listen now to hear from The Hon. Ed Husic MP, Minister for Science & Industry, Greg Miller Partner at Arena Mars (exited founder of Faethm), and Melanie Silva, Managing Director and VP, Google Australia & New Zealand.

Inspire was proudly supported by Innovation Bay’s official media partner Forbes Australia and event partners IAG Firemark Ventures, Google Cloud, the Field Jobs, and the Dylan Alcott Foundation.  

Earlier this year, Innovation Bay brought more than 250 of Australia’s leading tech founders and investors together at Inspire, held at Sydney’s Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) on May 22-23, 2024. 
Set under the overarching theme ‘The Future is…’, Inspire was a platform for the exchange of revolutionary thoughts and ideas about what the future holds for the startup ecosystem across the next 5-10 years.
Our co-founder and podcast host Ian Gardiner, set out with his roving mic to chat to get his geek on with some of the event’s incredible speakers as they made their way off the main stage. He continued the conversation with them on the podcast. 
During Part 2, you’ll hear from:
<ul>
<li>Craig Blair, Airtree – on the future of venture capital in Australia and what needs to happen over the next ten years to make VC a success. </li>
<li>Elaine Stead, Main Sequence Ventures – on how she taps into her background in biochemistry to help in her investing, and the critical role the media plays in advancing the leading-edge legislation and policies that are vital to the future success of the startup sector. </li>
<li>Chris Capon, Nominal Systems – on why he’s working to change the mindset around how people think about space, the incredible things that are going to be done in space in the not-too-distant future, and why Australia needs to be a part of it.</li>
</ul>
Listen now to get a front row seat into what Australia’s tech leading minds are passionate about and be INSPIRED. 
Missed Part 1? <a href="https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e181-inspire-24-part-1-ft-the-hon-ed-husic-mp-greg-miller-melanie-silva/">Listen now</a> to hear from The Hon. Ed Husic MP, Minister for Science &amp; Industry, Greg Miller Partner at Arena Mars (exited founder of Faethm), and Melanie Silva, Managing Director and VP, Google Australia &amp; New Zealand.
Inspire was proudly supported by Innovation Bay’s official media partner Forbes Australia and event partners IAG Firemark Ventures, Google Cloud, the Field Jobs, and the Dylan Alcott Foundation.

E158 - Adam Schwab, CEO and Co-Founder at Luxury Escapes

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