Lucinda Barlow

Antler has been selected for not one but THREE sessions at SXSW Sydney which are open for public voting for one more day. 🎉 And I need your help to vote! 1��⃣ “Decoding Founder DNA: A Blueprint for Startup Success” Startup category: https://lnkd.in/g9spjYJZ This panel session will feature myself alongside Square Peg’s Casey Flint, Sprint Ventures’ Georgia Barkell and Polipo Ventures’ Richard Cooney. It will be an energetic and open discussion on what Founder DNA is, what makes it sought after by VCs like Antler, how Australia’s leading VCs navigate the complexities of identifying the next generation of changemakers, and how the Founder DNA concept evolves in tangent with the world. 2️⃣ “Day Zero Investing , WTF is that?” Startup category: https://lnkd.in/guDny9rw This meet-up style session will feature Antler’s scouting team, Rani Heraputeri and Nina Leong, and myself as we discuss early-stage investing, how it compares to other fundraising stages, and what local VCs in this space have to say about it to get you ahead. 3️⃣ “The next industrial revolution is coming!” Future of Work category: https://lnkd.in/gXVsawgJ This talk will be presented by Antler’s CCO, Bede Moore, and will explore how the convergence of two major global shifts - the steep rise in economic challenges faced by Millennials alongside the innovation of cloud computing - is creating the next industrial revolution that is set to transform our lives and how future generations work. We believe these conversations are crucial to understanding and navigating the complexities of the startup ecosystem in 2024 and beyond. Your vote can make a difference! 👉 Vote by signing up here https://lnkd.in/gRfmjDTc and searching for each session. Thanks in advance!

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One of the key takeaways from Leading the Product here in Australia over the past weeks has been how AI & product management intersect. We are at an inflection point and as architects of innovation, product managers are tasked with discerning how AI can be seamlessly woven into the fabric of their product development processes to not only keep pace with technological advancements but also to pioneer new standards of efficiency, functionality, and user experience. By leveraging AI, product managers can identify and capitalize on emerging trends, predict market shifts, and understand user behaviors at a granular level. AI-driven analytics provide deep insights that inform strategic decisions, enabling product managers to innovate proactively rather than reactively. Incorporating AI into the ideation phase allows for the generation of creative solutions through techniques like generative design and machine learning algorithms that can suggest novel features or improvements based on vast datasets. During the development phase, AI enhances efficiency through automated testing, product anslysis, bug detection, and optimization of code, significantly reducing time-to-market and optimises resource allocation. AI also plays a crucial role in enhancing user experience by enabling personalized interactions and recommendations, thus fostering a deeper connection between the product and its users. Real-time feedback and data analysis help product managers continuously iterate and refine products, ensuring they meet evolving user needs and expectations. Moreover, AI-driven innovation empowers product managers to set new industry standards. By integrating cutting-edge AI capabilities, they can develop products that offer unparalleled functionality, such as advanced predictive analytics, voice and image recognition, and autonomous operations. These innovations not only differentiate their products in a competitive market but also set benchmarks for future developments. In essence, product managers must adeptly harness the transformative power of AI to drive innovation, ensuring their products remain at the forefront of technological evolution and deliver exceptional value to users. Through strategic implementation of AI, they can lead their teams in creating groundbreaking products that define the future of their industries. (assisted by AI) #productmanagement #AI

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Decoding VC speak is often tough - many founders will hear a combo of “Come back to us when you have more revenue” or “Let me know once you have a lead investor” Much of this means “Tell me when it’s safe enough for me to make a decision because someone else has done the hard work” I talk about this and more in an article for our friends at Startup Daily https://lnkd.in/gnFvGFy8

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Here's a provocative claim. "Southeast Asia doesn't exist" Andrew McGlinchey explains why Southeast Asia is just a business construct created by big tech companies. https://lnkd.in/gDPifVqW Full episode link in comments section. #southeastasia #productmanagement #productplaybooks

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Learn from Quibi: A $1.8 billion venture that crashed and burned! Jeffery Katzenberg - DreamWorks Co-founder. Meg Whitman - Ex-CEO, HP. Despite this star-studded leadership and a whopping $1.8 billion in funding, Quibi still floundered. They pushed $1 billion into MVP development and ate through 2 years of runway without proper idea validation. 500k subscribers. A far cry from their 7 million target. In 6 months - lights out! The lesson here? Never skimp on idea validation. Don't just pour your initial runway into MVP. Dive deeper. Unravel potential risks in your product strategy. Could Quibi have spotted the crucial flaws in their value proposition much sooner? Absolutely. Julie Ng from Vase.ai taught us about the importance of identifying your target audience early on. Here are 6 critical dimensions to scrutinize during idea validation: 1. The Problem you're Solving 2. Your Target Audience 3. Value Proposition 4. Competitive Advantage 5. Growth Strategy 6. Business Model Don't repeat Quibi's costly mistake. Validate first, build later. What idea validation practices have saved you from potential business pitfalls? Share your insights below!

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At Airtree, we talk about thinking in decades, so in the latest Cut Through Ventures report, I shared my views on what we expect (and frankly need to see) over the next 10 years in ANZ startups. There are a lot of numbers in here; ~$7.5bn in venture returns from ~$100bn in enterprise value and >100k jobs created. After one of the most volatile market cycles we’ve all experienced, it may seem like a lot. But looking at historical trends and the pipeline of start-ups it’s all well within our reach. It’s also great to see the latest data suggesting a changing of the tide in sentiment and investment activity: • Q2 2024 was the strongest funding quarter since Q4 2022 • Investor sentiment improving, with 46% of investors describing the funding market as more favourable compared to last quarter • # of deals exceeding $100m in Q2 reaching levels not seen since Q1 2022 The outlook for H2 is encouraging and we have plenty of work still to do. You know where to find us! Check out the full report here: https://lnkd.in/geY6By2x

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Taste and health can go together…

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One of the most important resources to scale Manufacturing is consistent availability of a productive workforce. Smartstaff leverages its platform to help workers get the job they want, transparency that they need and the tools to grow. For manufacturers it offers a workforce that is driven, consistent, and more productive. Smartstaff ability to charge a premium in a sector which was plagued by lack of differentiation is a testament to the value add that their customers have experienced. Listen to Arpit Dave about how he is building a full stack solution to turbocharge Indian manufacturing. Video Link: https://lnkd.in/gHYrJnCv Arkam Ventures #Startups #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital

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In the latest episode of Future Squared podcast, I spoke with Australian and former Head of Product at UBER’s Developer Platform, Chris Saad. Chris noted that: 1) despite the larger pool of VC dry powder in Australia, capital is actually scarce and controlled by a few big players 2) Aussie investors are risk averse and typically looking for ‘derisked’ B2B opportunities, as they are often investing on behalf of large conservative super funds 3) Aussie investors are, for the most part, unsophisticated when it comes to investing in high-growth venture scale returns companies, something Canva’s Cliff Obrecht echoed when talking about the company’s prospective NASDAQ listing in 2026 We’ve no doubt come a long way since the noughties, when there wasn't much of a startup or VC landscape to speak of... but are we still, in Chris’ words, “about twenty years behind”? Is the gap between Australia and the US getting smaller or bigger? What do you think?

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VELOCITY 🚄 Awesome research (link in the comments) from Adam Shuaib, PhD confirming something in the data that, after spending time with 100s of founders, I felt to be so fundamentally true. No matter what the topic, what time of day it is or day of the week, the best founders seem to be able to respond at a speed which almost feels unnatural. Respond Like Lightning: Quick email turnarounds show investors you’re on the ball. Set Up for Speed: Use tech to manage your inbox efficiently. Show investors your team can handle the heat as you scale. Keep the Conversation Hot: Don’t wait! Proactive follow-ups can make a huge difference.

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🌟 Redefining Team Wellness With Conscious Connected Breathwork 🗣️ At Sustainable Times, fostering team spirit is a top priority. Last month, we ditched the usual team bonding activities involving alcohol for something truly transformative: breathwork. Breathwork has profoundly impacted my mental state and life, thanks to Dr Joe Dispenza’s teachings. We took our team to Plunge & Sauna in Shoreditch, where David Tran guided us through Conscious Connected Breathwork (holotropic breathwork). The experience was nothing short of unbelievable. Why Breathwork? 🧘‍♂️ 1. Oxygenation: Boosts blood oxygen levels, enhancing vitality. 2. Stress Reduction: Activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation. 3. Emotional Release: Helps release suppressed emotions, leading to clarity. 4. Mental Clarity: Quiets the mind, improving focus. Benefits: ✅ Enhanced mental and emotional well-being ✅ Improved physical health and energy ✅ Greater self-awareness ✅ Better stress management Our team felt incredible after the session, experiencing firsthand how conscious breathing can alter physical and mental states. The cold plunge and sauna amplified these benefits, leaving everyone rejuvenated. Given the impact, breathwork will now be a regular part of our wellness routine. I’m grateful for our team’s openness and to David Tran for guiding us. Here’s to making breathwork a staple in our wellness program! 🌿 How do you prioritize wellness in your team?

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The potential economic and societal impact of AI is limitless. That’s why, at Meta, we think it’s vital that products like Llama, our large language model, are open source so organisations around the world can use them to innovate and accelerate progress. Since their release, Llama 2 and Llama 3 have had over 180 million download requests. We want to support organisations that are using Llama AI to tackle some of the most pressing challenges. So, we’re launching the Meta Llama Impact Innovation Awards which will provide grants of up to $35K USD to organisations with the most compelling applications of Llama for societal benefit across three tracks: education, economic development, or trust and safety. Applications close 26 July. #Llama #ImpactInnovation #AI #LargeLanguageModel #LLM

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Many Aussie/Kiwi founders eventually face the decision of: what market should I go to next? Often, the answer they land on is the US. The key decision points then become: 1) when should I enter the US? 2) how should I break in? I spent the last 2 weeks with US VCs in San Francisco and New York, exploring those two questions and understanding what they've seen work and what they've seen fail. If you're in the early stages of building a venture scale business, I wrote the below as a simplified guide for thinking through those two decision points: https://lnkd.in/gY2JzByV

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🎊 Big News from Our Team at Titanium Ventures! 🎊 Today, we’re thrilled to share that we've evolved from Telstra Ventures to Titanium Ventures! Why Titanium? Because it captures the essence of who we are and aspires to be—a firm that supports exceptionally strong and resilient entrepreneurs, those who thrive under pressure. Titanium is not just a metal with the highest durability and strength-to-weight ratio; it represents the extraordinary capability and determination of the leaders we back—leaders who consistently punch way above their weight. Our commitment remains steadfast: to unearth and scale the most promising ventures in AI, digital, and software sectors. With 99 investments, including 12 IPOs, 17 unicorns and 42 liquidity events, we’re just getting started. Holding almost US$1B in funds under management and having returned US$678M to our investors, we are more driven than ever. This is more than a name change—it’s a reaffirmation of our promise to accelerate the extraordinary, fueling the growth of standout disruptors. We've been doing this for over a decade, and it's what our investors and founders expect us to do for many more to come. Here's to the next chapter in our journey with all of you! #VentureCapital #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #TitaniumVentures

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A little over five months ago, I wrote a post about the mission behind Electrifi Ventures (see link in comments), a Climate Tech-focused angel syndicate I’m running alongside GrowthStream, an advisory business in the energy transition space. By sharing my time and knowledge with both seasoned and aspiring investors, I aim to amplify our collective climate impact through angel investing. Fast forward to today, I am thrilled to share with you our incredible journey to being one of the largest independent Angel Syndicates, with over 250 Angel Investors / LP’s across ANZ! In less than a year since starting Electrifi Ventures, we are proud to have invested in seven industry-transforming climate startups, and we are backing these companies with conviction: Sicona Battery Technologies: a game changer for the uptake of Electric Vehicles, is a deep tech company creating advanced materials that improves the overall performance of lithium-ion batteries. Sicona believes it is able to increase charging speed by 40% and deliver 20% more range on EVs.  GOTERRA: an autonomous circular food waste management infrastructure that is integrated with existing systems to create enduring industry solutions.  Harvest B: a food technology business that develops and manufactures plant proteins with animal protein-like textures that are easier to consume and more affordable for everyone.  NRN - National Renewable Network: a connected network of solar and storage systems that radically changes the way renewable energy is delivered for energy retailers. Stealth DAC Innovator: an innovative technology that is removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, at scale, in a cost-effective way, via Direct Air Capture (DAC). Threadlet: an energy efficiency platform that aims to automatically identify SME energy usage and switch business energy accounts to the best energy rate provider for every venue, every month. 📣 Would love to invite anyone interested to learn more (or invest) in innovative solutions tackling the climate crisis to join the Electrifi Ventures angel syndicate (link in comments).

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I hear many people discussing how to boost productivity in NZ. Do we achieve this by being scrappy, using the number 8 wire Kiwi ingenuity mentality, or does it require more? Last year, I attended a high-school reunion in Germany. I spoke with a former classmate who has a PhD in Chemistry and now is a lead at a company that produces Quantum Sensors (https://lnkd.in/gs5xwbbB). These sensors utilise quantum mechanical principles to improve detection accuracy far beyond traditional sensing technology. The company uses technology developed during a €1 billion European Union research programme (https://lnkd.in/guhijdtM). My classmate mentioned that this was one of the benefits of forwarding thinking European research collaboration. The EU member states all contributed funds for this strategic initiative. The research programme then results in many spin-off companies with huge technology moats, all able to command premium prices for their specialist technology products. Employees at such companies are, of course, exceptionally productive in terms of GDP per employee. How can New Zealand compete against that? Hard work doesn't seem like it is going to get us there. The number 8 wire approach also doesn't seem up to the challenge of competing in a high-tech world. #productivity #newzealand #innovation #quantum #startups

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On note: Content provenance is a potent and emerging market.

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One of the real privileges of my role is seeing how New Zealand businesses take our tech and make it their own. Google's Gemini AI for Workspace is changing the way Kiwis work, collaborate and communicate, with the most secure, AI-integrated, productivity suite available today - Google Workspace for Enterprise. At Google I/O yesterday, our flagship annual developer conference, we announced a heap of new features in Gemini AI for Workspace. One of my favourites, is how AI is now understanding how we work. Many of us work on repetitive tasks and workflows in our day-to-day jobs, whether it’s submitting expense reports, reviewing and approving documents, or updating project management trackers. As we move between apps for these tasks, we often switch tabs and tools and copy/paste data as we go. The whole process can be a burden. Imagine you're a freelancer or small business owner and need to manage your business expenses. Your receipts are scattered throughout your Gmail inbox as PDF attachments with no real organizational method. Gemini for Workspace will help automatically recognize these types of attachments and offer a helpful prompt to “organize and track” these in Drive and Sheets. This not only saves you the burden of doing this manually as they come in, but you can automate this for any future emails. You can then leverage Gemini in Google Sheets with Data Q&A for detailed analysis to ask things like “How is my money being spent on business expenses?” or “Show me my expenses by month.” One of the less visible benefits of Google Workspace over other Office suites, is also how secure your data is. Google Workspace and the planet-scale infrastructure that enables it, is secure from compromise by cyber-criminals and nation-state adversaries, has a robust root of trust security infrastructure and your data is not used to uptrain AI models, or for personalisation or advertising purposes. Google Workspace is architected with the modern threat and regulatory landscape in mind: - 0 Google systems affected by software supply chain events. - 0 successful phishing attempts on Google Workspace accounts using advanced protection. - 0 Google Workspace Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) vs 51 active & exploited CVE's for Microsoft Office. - 0 ongoing breaches of Google by nation-states. #thenewwaytocloud #workspace #ai #nationstate #productivity #gemini #cve #secure #enterprise #newwaytowork

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"Editors note: Welcome to issue #2 of Transcriptions. Today, we’d like to present a conversation between Qasar Younis of Applied Intuition, and Bilal Zuberi of Lux Capital. We discovered Qasar recently, and find his focus and clarity of thinking to be admirable. What follows is a lightly edited transcript of their talk, first held at the Paklaunch forum." Link to transcipt: https://lnkd.in/gH4uBmPE

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