Nick Crocker is a general partner at Blackbird Venture Capital, former CEO of Startmate and founder or co-founder of numerous companies. 

From accelerators to the Giants program, Mark and Nick explore how Blackbird is shaping the startup landscape in 2023. Understand the challenges of finding the right founder and the realities of entrepreneurship.

They explore the Australian VC scene's potential, the relationship with the government, and superfunds in funding innovation. 

You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. 

Join the Facebook Group.

Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn& YouTube.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Crocker is a general partner at <a href="https://www.blackbird.vc/">Blackbird Venture Capital</a>, former CEO of Startmate and founder or co-founder of numerous companies. From accelerators to the Giants program, Mark and Nick explore how Blackbird is shaping the startup landscape in 2023. Understand the challenges of finding the right founder and the realities of entrepreneurship.They explore the Australian VC scene's potential, the relationship with the government, and superfunds in funding innovation. You can subscribe to the newsletter here: <a href="https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj" data-attribute-index="4">https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj</a>. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mentormarkbouris/">Join the Facebook Group.</a>Follow Mark Bouris on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mark_bouris/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/markbouris">LinkedIn</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPX01K1JgNS5pyzUtwtCtsQ">YouTube.</a> See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.<hr>

Mark Bouris speaks to business owners and entrepreneurs, finding out what makes them tick and their plans for growth. Some business owners are on the way up and enjoying new success, others are at a turning point. Mark digs into their stories and finds out why they set out to create their own path, their challenges and where they go from here. Based on his own personal experiences and learnings, he also passes on his own guidance on how to take their business to the next level.

Mark Bouris speaks to business owners and entrepreneurs, finding out what makes them tick and their plans for growth. Some business owners are on the way up and enjoying new success, others are at a turning point. Mark digs into their stories and finds out why they set out to create their own path, their challenges and where they go from here. Based on his own personal experiences and learnings, he also passes on his own guidance on how to take their business to the next level.

Mark Bouris speaks to business owners and entrepreneurs, finding out what makes them tick and their plans for growth.  Some business owners are on the way up and enjoying new success, others are at a turning point.  Mark digs into...

The Mentor with Mark Bouris

#403 Navigating the Aussie Startup Journey: Wisdom from Blackbird Ventures

Jonathan Pease is Australia's go-to pitch expert, working with executives from the biggest companies in the country.

Here's how AI is completely reshaping the way we present and pitch. In this episode, Jonathan breaks down how AI has commoditised content creation but amplified the need for authentic human connection.

We explore the critical difference between documents and presentations, why vulnerability is your secret weapon, and how to read the room in real time. Plus, Jonathan reveals his MeWe storytelling framework and explains why the future belongs to those who master taste and communication.

Check out more details on the Pitch retreat here: https://www.winningtheroom.co/the-pitch-retreat-2026

Join the Facebook Group.

Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube

Jonathan Pease is Australia's go-to pitch expert, working with executives from the biggest companies in the country.
Here's how AI is completely reshaping the way we present and pitch. In this episode, Jonathan breaks down how AI has commoditised content creation but amplified the need for authentic human connection.
We explore the critical difference between documents and presentations, why vulnerability is your secret weapon, and how to read the room in real time. Plus, Jonathan reveals his MeWe storytelling framework and explains why the future belongs to those who master taste and communication.
Check out more details on the Pitch retreat here: <a href="https://www.winningtheroom.co/the-pitch-retreat-2026">https://www.winningtheroom.co/the-pitch-retreat-2026</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mentormarkbouris/">Join the Facebook Group.</a>
Follow Mark Bouris on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mark_bouris/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/markbouris">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPX01K1JgNS5pyzUtwtCtsQ">YouTube</a>

Pitch Expert: The Art of Winning the Room (And Closing the Deal)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/f686102f-943f-4a45-be6b-b41f004258d9/transcript

Andrew Sjoquist is building a business at the intersection of two massive shifts: energy and AI infrastructure.

Australia wastes an estimated 7.2 terawatt hours of renewable energy every year due to grid constraints. At the same time, demand for data centres is exploding, driven by AI, cloud computing, and digital  .

WinDC is turning that inefficiency into opportunity.

Instead of building traditional, multi-year data centre projects in capital cities, they deploy modular, shipping container-sized data centres directly next to wind and solar farms. These units can be live in as little as 90 days, using stranded energy that would otherwise go to waste.

This isn’t just an energy play. It’s a structural shift in where and how digital infrastructure gets built.

Topics we cover:

• Why wasted renewable energy is becoming a commercial opportunity, not just a policy problem
• How modular data centres dramatically reduce build time, cost, and risk
• The growing demand for high-density compute (AI) and why traditional infrastructure can’t keep up
• Why waterless cooling unlocks deployment in remote and harsh environments
• Australia’s strategic position in the global race for AI infrastructure
• The fundamental shift: data centres moving to energy sources, not population centres

Join the Facebook Group.

Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube

Andrew Sjoquist is building a business at the intersection of two massive shifts: energy and AI infrastructure.
Australia wastes an estimated 7.2 terawatt hours of renewable energy every year due to grid constraints. At the same time, demand for data centres is exploding, driven by AI, cloud computing, and digital&nbsp; .
WinDC is turning that inefficiency into opportunity.
Instead of building traditional, multi-year data centre projects in capital cities, they deploy modular, shipping container-sized data centres directly next to wind and solar farms. These units can be live in as little as 90 days, using stranded energy that would otherwise go to waste.
This isn&rsquo;t just an energy play. It&rsquo;s a structural shift in where and how digital infrastructure gets built.
Topics we cover:
&bull; Why wasted renewable energy is becoming a commercial opportunity, not just a policy problem &bull; How modular data centres dramatically reduce build time, cost, and risk &bull; The growing demand for high-density compute (AI) and why traditional infrastructure can&rsquo;t keep up &bull; Why waterless cooling unlocks deployment in remote and harsh environments &bull; Australia&rsquo;s strategic position in the global race for AI infrastructure &bull; The fundamental shift: data centres moving to energy sources, not population centres
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mentormarkbouris/">Join the Facebook Group.</a>
Follow Mark Bouris on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mark_bouris/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/markbouris">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPX01K1JgNS5pyzUtwtCtsQ">YouTube</a>

516 Andrew Sjoquist: How the Future of Business Sits Between Energy and AI

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/63502d89-eeb0-42a9-8e1d-b416005a31f7/transcript

AI agents are changing how businesses operate.

Daniel Vassilev has raised $42 million to scale his company, Relevance AI, which is already helping some of the world’s largest private companies automate entire teams.

I sat down with Daniel to unpack what this shift actually means for businesses and for the workforce, and the practical advice on how people can use AI agents to grow their business.

In this conversation we discuss:

• How AI agents could eliminate up to 50% of go-to-market tasks by 2026

• Why businesses will soon recruit AI agents the same way they recruit employees

• The four levels of AI autonomy every business will experience

• Real examples of companies automating BDR and customer success teams

• Why software engineering is the first proof that AI will transform knowledge work

• How to identify which business processes to automate first

• The change management strategy that actually works

You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up

Join the Facebook Group.

Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube

Claim $500 Bitcoin with OKX SMSF. SMSF trustees: Successfully sign-up your SMSF and get
verified for an OKX SMSF trading account. Deposit $5 and receive $500 worth of Bitcoin. Eligibility
requirements and T&amp;Cs apply. Book a 1-1 call with the OKX SMSF team today for guidance. Offer ends 31 March 2026.

AI agents are changing how businesses operate.
Daniel Vassilev has raised $42 million to scale his company, Relevance AI, which is already helping some of the world&rsquo;s largest private companies automate entire teams.
I sat down with Daniel to unpack what this shift actually means for businesses and for the workforce, and the practical advice on how people can use AI agents to grow their business.
In this conversation we discuss:
&bull; How AI agents could eliminate up to 50% of go-to-market tasks by 2026
&bull; Why businesses will soon recruit AI agents the same way they recruit employees
&bull; The four levels of AI autonomy every business will experience
&bull; Real examples of companies automating BDR and customer success teams
&bull; Why software engineering is the first proof that AI will transform knowledge work
&bull; How to identify which business processes to automate first
&bull; The change management strategy that actually works
You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here:&nbsp;<a href="https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up">https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mentormarkbouris/">Join the Facebook Group.</a>
Follow Mark Bouris on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mark_bouris/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/markbouris">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPX01K1JgNS5pyzUtwtCtsQ">YouTube</a>
Claim $500 Bitcoin with OKX SMSF. SMSF trustees: Successfully sign-up your SMSF and get verified for an OKX SMSF trading account. Deposit $5 and receive $500 worth of Bitcoin. Eligibility requirements and T&amp;amp;Cs apply. Book a 1-1 call with the OKX SMSF team today for guidance. Offer&nbsp;ends 31 March 2026.

 How to Use AI Agents to Grow Your Business & Why AI Will Eliminate 50% of These Tasks by 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/4537135a-7db0-4345-90e2-b408006ee3a0/transcript

#403 Navigating the Aussie Startup Journey: Wisdom from Blackbird Ventures

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