In today’s episode, we sit down with Xavier Collins, co-founder of Wonder Studios — the London-based AI film studio backed by Blackbird, LocalGlobe, and angels from OpenAI and DeepMind.Xavier shares Wonder’s mission to become the Pixar of the AI age, democratizing Hollywood-grade production and sparking a global wave of creativity. From supercharging storytelling and navigating venture capital, to blending software with traditional filmmaking and building a 21st-century studio culture, Xavier offers a rare inside look at the future of film.We dive into:How Wonder Studios is bridging Hollywood tradition with AI innovationThe bet on AI as a creative explosion, not a replacementConvincing VCs a studio can be venture-scaleUnlocking Hollywood-grade production for creators worldwideThe role of culture, talent, and new creative roles in building a modern studio00:00 Introduction to the AI Gold Rush00:19 Meet Xavier Collins of Wonder Studios00:42 The Future of Storytelling with AI01:02 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Film Studios01:34 Building a Unicorn: Culture and Vision01:51 Audience Engagement and Subscription Drive02:30 Deep Dive into Wonder Studios' Vision03:41 The AI Gold Rush Analogy06:33 Democratizing Hollywood-Grade Production08:36 VC Skepticism and Conviction12:11 The Agency Model and Beyond13:44 Notion Ad18:39 Lowering Barriers to Hollywood-Grade Animation21:20 Personal Journey and Creative Collaboration26:19 The AI Video Landscape29:40 Advice for Creatives in the Age of AI32:23 Leveraging Technology in Filmmaking34:36 Challenges and Opportunities in Scriptwriting36:32 Impact of AI on the Filmmaking Economy40:00 Building a 21st Century Studio42:42 Team Structure and Culture54:24 Future Goals and Vision

In today’s episode, we’re joined by five leading voices shaping the future of artificial intelligence: Dan Palmer, co-founder of Relevance AI; Michelle Gilmore, CEO and co-founder of Juno; Xharmagne Carandang, founding software engineer at Lorikeet; and Georgie Healy, head of Google’s AI accelerator and host of *In the Blink of AI*. Recorded live at the second-ever AI Roundtable Dinner, this conversation dives deep into the most urgent, surreal, and high-stakes issues in AI today. From billion-dollar bets and VC hype cycles, to AI’s impact on jobs, education, and global competition, the guests share candid insights from their own journeys building in one of the most intense moments in tech history. Listen in for a rare behind-the-scenes look at how these founders are navigating ethical dilemmas, rapid product development, market expansion, and staying grounded amid the noise.Check out their socials:Daniel Palmer’s: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-palmer/Michelle Gilmore’s: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellejoygilmore/Xharmagne Carandang’s: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xharmagne/Georgie Healy’s: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georginahealy/We dive into:- The reality of the current AI VC bubble and capital efficiency in hyper-competitive markets- Why founder expertise, adaptability, and team quality are critical moats in AI- How AI could become as ubiquitous as electricity—and what that means for pricing, value, and innovation- The skills and mindsets that will thrive (and those that might disappear) in an AI-first world- The global race for AI talent and why Sydney, SF, and emerging markets each play a role- Displacement vs. amplification: the societal impacts of automation and possible safety nets- The hype vs. product debate—how to cut through noise and build enduring companies- Storytelling, trust, and the future of marketing in a world where agents make buying decisions- The advice these founders would give their future selves about building in AI over the next decade00:00 Introduction02:37 Round Table Dinner: AI Founders and Leaders03:19 The Future of AI and Market Dynamics04:53 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Startups07:19 The Role of Talent and Capital in AI09:54 Global Perspectives on AI Development13:50 Notion Ad14:36 The Impact of AI on Industries and Society28:11 Geographical Dispersion and Talent Density37:35 Challenging Company Culture Norms38:14 Building Relationships in San Francisco39:38 Talent Density and Research in Australia41:24 AI's Impact on Skills and Employment43:07 The Future of Education and Creativity8:43 Job Displacement and Economic Shifts01:03:57 Ethical Concerns and AI Governance01:14:19 The Importance of Attention in Business01:14:46 Investor Expectations and Startup Metrics01:15:42 Challenges of Building a Sustainable Business01:16:32 Focus on Customers and Incremental Growth01:17:23 The Role of Hype and Distribution01:21:05 The New Generation of Founders01:26:56 The Future of AI and Human Value01:37:49 Reflections and Advice for the Future01:44:01 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-UpThanks to Notion for sponsoring this episode! Organise your team, projects, and ideas all in one place. Try Notion for free and get started with our special link: https://ntn.so/sachin&adam

In today’s episode, we’re joined by John and Jax, partners at AirTree, to talk about their massive new $650 million fund — a milestone backed by some of the world’s top institutional investors. They break down why global capital is finally paying attention to Australia, how this changes the game for local founders, and what traits they now look for in world-class startups. From the rise of AI-native companies to the evolving VC landscape, this is a must-listen for anyone building in tech.Check out their socials:Jonh Henderson:https://www.airtree.vc/team/john-hendersonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhenderson/Jackie Vullinghs:https://www.airtree.vc/team/jackie-vullinghshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jvullinghs/We dive into:Why AirTree raised a $650M fund — and what it unlocks for foundersHow global LPs are finally backing Australian venture capitalThe rise of AI-native startups and why they matter nowWhat AirTree looks for in early-stage founders todayThe shift toward faster, conviction-led investingWhy “speed and intensity” beat “balance” in the startup gameHow growth-stage VC is evolving in AustraliaWhy AirTree is investing in companies they once missedThe internal culture driving AirTree’s successPredictions for the future of VC and AI-driven business models00:00 Exciting Announcement: New $650 Million Fund00:17 The Importance of International Investors00:52 Meet the Partners: John and Jax01:13 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Venture Capital01:23 The Fast-Paced World of VC: Diligence and Conviction01:49 A Special Message to Our Viewers02:31 Deep Dive: The New Fund and Its Impact05:21 Why Australia? Convincing Global Investors06:28 The Growth of the Australian Tech Ecosystem09:28 Vanta Ad12:40 Fund Structure: Seed, Growth, and Co-Investment18:48 The Role of Growth Funds in the VC Landscape20:44 Global Trends in Venture Capital29:47 The Emotional Journey of Building a VC Firm31:21 Core Ingredients for Venture Scale Business32:11 Navigating the Nebulous World of AI33:10 Backing AI Native Entrepreneurs34:30 Valuation Challenges in the AI Era35:53 Importance of Founders in AI Startups43:22 Australian Founders on the Global Stage46:19 Air Tree's Growth Fund Strategy49:00 Building a World-Class Team at Air Tree50:49 Future Vision for Air Tree55:21 Adapting Investment Strategies58:36 Continuous Learning and Healthy Debate01:01:07 Conclusion and Future Outlook

Today we’re joined by John Kim, co-founder and CEO of Paraform—a startup reshaping how companies hire through a fast-growing recruiter marketplace. He shares Paraform’s journey from early struggles to raising a $20M Series A, and reflects on his growth as a leader, along with the company’s vision to expand across industries and deepen AI integration.This conversation matters because it reveals what it really takes to scale a marketplace, build trust with users, and win in one of tech’s most competitive battlegrounds: hiring.We dive into:Early startup experienceCustomer referrals drove investor interestRecruiter marketplace for top-tier hiringMatches companies with external headhuntersAI-powered recruiter performance and matching7-figure earnings possible for recruitersAI assists recruiters, not replaces themFounder goal: master the hiring craft“Scaling is hiring people who hire”Building tools for recruiter entrepreneurshipMarketplace designed for global scalability00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:26 Startup Growth and Office Expansion01:27 Series A Funding Announcement01:48 The Journey to Series A03:13 Customer Success Stories07:22 Elevator Pitch and Recruiting Edge09:55 Vanta Ad11:34 Building the Marketplace12:34 Personal Background and Experiences15:05 Rapid Company Growth15:41 Overcoming Early Challenges20:17 Go-to-Market Strategies24:02 Navigating a Hot Market24:29 The Talent War: Changes in Recruiting25:34 AI's Impact on Work and Salaries26:52 The Future Role of Recruiters28:25 Cultural Fit in Talent Acquisition30:44 In-House vs. External Recruiters33:34 Different Approaches to Recruiting36:37 Sustainability of Current Hiring Practices39:21 Personal Growth and Leadership44:29 Future Goals and VisionThe future of hiring with AI and trust-driven workflows is here. #AI #Startups #Paraform #TechFoundersAbout usWe are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping the future. The best way to support is subscribing, truly it makes all the difference for us 💙

Today we’re joined by Pasha and Pennie - second-time founders and the minds behind @a1base, a breakout @ycombinator startup giving AI agents real-world identities like phone numbers, emails, and Slack handles.This conversation matters because it tackles one of the most important missing pieces in AI: identity and trust. We’re moving beyond flashy demos - into a world where agents don’t just generate, they participate.We dive into:- Why agents need a phone number- Building Twilio for AI- Startup mistakes they’ll never repeat- Why “looking legit” slows you down- Speed, soul, and real execution- Trust, safety & agent messaging- What YC still gets right- SF ambition vs. cynicism- Winning in the agent era- Infra for agents, not apps00:00 Introduction to YC and Founders' Ambitions00:24 The Birth of A1 Base: From Idea to YC02:21 Personal Histories: Clues to Becoming Founders08:42 Lessons from Forage: Mistakes and Learnings10:46 Vanta Ad13:40 Building with Intentionality in the Age of AI24:41 AI Agents and Human Communication25:41 The Role of Y Combinator26:09 Cultural and Strategic Benefits of YC27:43 Silicon Valley's Unique Culture29:07 AI Agents in Real-World Applications35:03 Building Trust in AI Agents40:54 Challenges and Optimism in AI Development47:08 Future of AI Agents and Company Goals48:44 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-UpThis isn’t just about bots in group chats - it’s about reshaping how software works with people. The agent era has begun.#AI #Startups #YCombinator #a1base #AIagents #SachinandAdamShow #MessagingInfra #AIInfrastructure #TechFoundersAbout usWe are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping the future. The best way to support is subscribing, truly it makes all the difference for us 💙

Anna Podolsky turned a home-cooked meal for her dog into one of Australia’s fastest-growing startups. In this episode, she shares how Lyka scaled from her kitchen to a 400-person team and hundreds of millions in revenue. We dive into mission-driven leadership, operational complexity, and the mindset behind building a generational company. If you care about startups, pets, or building with purpose - this one’s for you.00:00 Introduction 02:02 Anna's Background and Early Influences03:24 Building and Leading a Team06:54 Operational Complexities and Growth09:23 Vanta Ad12:36 Navigating Supply and Demand16:30 Lessons from Consulting to Entrepreneurship23:04 Empowering Teams for Success24:04 Day-to-Day Life of a CEO25:21 Mission and Culture: Keys to Success27:05 The Importance of Brand and Marketing29:37 Personal Growth and Leadership32:27 Balancing Work and Personal Life36:20 The Drive Behind the Mission38:53 Working with a Partner42:56 Final Thoughts and Reflections--Thanks to Vanta for the episode sponsorship. Our audience gets a special $1,000 off Vanta through our promo: https://www.vanta.com/sachinandadamVanta automates compliance for global frameworks like ISO 27001 and SOC 2 and, the latest Australian frameworks like CPS 234 or Essential 8, saving you time and money.Over 8,000 global companies like Atlassian, Handle, FireAnt, and Tactiq.io use Vanta to manage risk and prove security in real time.--JOIN OUR COMMUNITYLinkedIn 🚀: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-sachin-and-adam-show🐦 X: https://x.com/Sachin_and_Adam📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sachinandadam/LISTEN TO THE SHOWSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3M29tMFbZ4mtzJbcRNY3N6?si=731f376e2ddf4d34iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-sachin-and-adam-show/id1462522364About usWe are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping the future. The best way to support is subscribing, truly it makes all the difference for us 💙

On today’s episode, we sit down with Charlie Gearside, co-founder of Eucalyptus - one of Australia’s fastest-growing healthtech companies, recently valued at $560 million. After 6 intense years building alongside three close friends, Charlie made the rare move: he walked away.We explore:- Why he left Eucalyptus at its peak- The personal toll of startup life and how therapy helped- Australia’s cost of living crisis and housing affordability- The rise of equity as a new wealth path for young Australians- How culture, media, and politics are shaping our economic future- Charlie’s vision for Australia — and why he’s turning to content to tell itThis episode is honest, vulnerable, and sharp. If you're a founder, creator, or someone wondering *what’s next for Australia*, this one’s for you.---Thanks to Vanta for the episode sponsorship. Our audience gets a special $1,000 off Vanta through our promo:(https://www.vanta.com/sachinandadam)Vanta automates compliance for global frameworks like ISO 27001 and SOC 2 and, the latest Australian frameworks like CPS 234 or Essential 8, saving you time and money.Over 8,000 global companies like Atlassian, Handle, FireAnt, and Tactiq.io use Vanta to manage risk and prove security in real time.00:00 Introduction00:29 Charlie's Exit from Eucalyptus01:03 Startup Insights and Equity01:25 Audience Engagement and Subscription Drive02:03 Charlie's New Journey and Reflections04:59 Challenges and Burnout12:05 Vanta Ad12:42 Therapy and Self-Discovery22:01 Australian Startup Ecosystem22:46 Vision for Australia's Future30:59 Media's Role in Startup Culture31:27 Optimism in Tech Journalism32:24 Challenges for Australian Startups34:39 Deep Tech and Investment in Australia36:17 The Brain Drain Dilemma38:47 Economic and Cultural Impacts43:20 Encouraging Entrepreneurship52:41 Balancing Personal Life and Entrepreneurship55:28 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs57:47 Future Visions and Political AspirationsJOIN OUR COMMUNITYLinkedIn 🚀: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-sachin-and-adam-show🐦 X: https://x.com/Sachin_and_Adam📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sachinandadam/LISTEN TO THE SHOWSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3M29tMFbZ4mtzJbcRNY3N6?si=731f376e2ddf4d34iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-sachin-and-adam-show/id1462522364About usWe are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping the future. The best way to support is subscribing, truly it makes all the difference for us 💙

We're trying something different. We’re testing a new format this week on the The Sachin and Adam Show - a deeper discussion on the forces driving the tech industry right now.It's been a bit challenging to serve our community best when every episode is only covering 1 person’s story. So we’re trying something new: open conversations on the trends that matter + a bit more personality and BTS. This week? Unpacking the rise of the "Design-Founder Era".Why? Because when everyone can build with AI, taste becomes your moat.With Jony Ive teaming up with OpenAI, and folks like Aaron Epstein (Y Combinator) and Brian Chesky calling for more design-led companies, this movement is heating up.We also;- introduce our Head of Media Tom Duffy, who's been working BTS all year to help us create the best tech media in Australia. - reveal more about our company in beta, which will be launched this year 👀 (we can't wait to share more).It's a new format for us and we really enjoyed creating it. It's our mission to best serve founders and operators in the tech ecosystem - so let us know what you think! What should we cover next? 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview01:40 Meet Tom: The Man Behind the Scenes03:00 Tom's Journey to Joining the Team05:53 The Startup Culture and Young Talent08:30 Zeller Ad12:04 The Importance of High Taste Designers13:57 OpenAI and the Future of AI Technology21:23 What Influences Sachin and Adam?24:15 Seeking Contextual Business Advice26:34 Risk Perception and Venture Capital31:32 KC Ventures Ad36:33 The Importance of Speed and Ambition41:29 Balancing Media and Product Development47:09 Exciting Goals and Future Plans—Thanks to our sponsors Zeller and KC Ventures.Zeller is building the financial stack to help startups scale, called Zeller for Startups. ⁠https://www.myzeller.com/startups⁠. Every founder unlocks exclusive rewards and offers when you use Zeller for Startups — including a high-interest savings account, 12-month free access to Zeller Corporate Cards and expense management, and discounts on amazing partner solutions from Employment Hero, Xero, and Pop Business.KC Ventures helps Australian startups scale by providing strategic financial advice. You can find KC Ventures at http://kcventures.com.au/ or message their founder Luke Rix on Linkedin to get in contact directly.—

Cuttable founders Jack and Sam are the unlikely duo behind one of Australia’s most exciting AI startups - one is a former agency creative, the other sold A Cloud Guru to Pluralsight for $2B in 2021. Together, they’re using AI to bring creative craftsmanship back to advertising.Why this conversation is important? Jack and Sam are rethinking how ads get made in an AI-saturated world. With one foot in old-school storytelling and the other in frontier tech, they offer a blueprint for what creative work looks like in the future.What Jack and Sam reveal in this episode:- How Sam’s $2B exit and Jack’s Mad Men-like childhood made them an unlikely but compatible duo- The emotional advice Jack’s dad gave him that still drives him today- How Sam’s volatile childhood made him risk-averse- Why most AI-generated ads look like catalog junk (and how Cuttable was born)- Their competitive edge over startups like @Icon- Why creative humans will remain the highest leverage---Thanks to our sponsors Zeller and KC Ventures.Zeller is building the financial stack to help startups scale, called Zeller for Startups. https://www.myzeller.com/startups. Every founder unlocks exclusive rewards and offers when you use Zeller for Startups — including a high-interest savings account, 12-month free access to Zeller Corporate Cards and expense management, and discounts on amazing partner solutions from Employment Hero, Xero, and Pop Business.KC Ventures helps Australian startups scale by providing strategic financial advice. You can find KC Ventures at http://kcventures.com.au/ or message their founder Luke Rix on Linkedin to get in contact directly.---Enjoyed this video? You may like our most recent documentary on Relevance AI - an Aussie startup in the global AI agent race https://youtu.be/oanG_oIYU7Q?si=8VKA2OzW-jV4SINWChapters00:00 Introduction01:54 The Unlikely Duo04:34 Sam's Journey from Tech Training to Advertising09:44 Zeller Ad11:13 Jack's Advertising Roots14:10 The Evolution of Advertising19:10 The Birth of Cuttable31:17 Redefining Customer Mindset31:53 Testing Theories with SMBs32:22 Merging Industries and Building Vision32:32 KC Ventures Ad33:24 Challenges in Advertising34:01 The Importance of Quality in Ads36:45 Balancing Quality and Quantity37:09 Philosophy and Product Development43:40 The Role of AI in Advertising49:54 Recruiting Talent for Innovation58:26 Staying Hungry and Passionate01:03:00 Conclusion and Call to ActionJOIN OUR COMMUNITYLinkedIn 🚀: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-sachin-and-adam-show🐦 X: https://x.com/Sachin_and_Adam📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sachinandadam/LISTEN TO THE SHOWSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3M29tMFbZ4mtzJbcRNY3N6?si=731f376e2ddf4d34iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-sachin-and-adam-show/id1462522364About usWe are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping the future. The best way to support is subscribing, truly it makes all the difference for us 💙

Mina Radhakrishnan was Uber’s first Head of Product in 2011 (employee #20), after working at both Google and Goldman Sachs, and was also the co-founder of Different - a VC-backed startup that raised millions and scaled fast before shutting down. Now, she’s building solo with AI as her co-founder.In this episode, she shares an unfiltered look into the highs and lows of building at the edge of tech:- What it was really like working with Travis Kalanick at Uber- The hard lessons from shutting down Different - and how she bounced back- Why AI is changing how we build companies - and who should build them- Her hot takes on junior engineers, bootcamps, and the future of coding- How Uber shaped her mindset on speed, intensity, and product culture- Building a solo startup today - with AI as her full team- The mistakes founders make when acting like big companies- Why Australian startups need more pay-it-forward cultureOne of our most candid and insightful episodes yet - a must-watch for anyone building in tech.Like this video? You might also enjoy our interview with 21-year old CEO, Liam Millward, of $100M startup, Instant. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5WgEElgBuyz3I1fvDXPAwA?si=6cb7c19e875548cfChapters00:00 Introduction01:12 Help us get to 15k subscribers!!01:46 Vibe-coding & Back to Building03:12 The Future of Software Engineering05:40 Mina Career Journey07:57 Zeller Ad15:03 Reflections on the Tech Industry19:58 Lessons from Uber and Working with Travis Kalanick23:00 Working with Intensity: The Travis Effect25:13 Uber's Legacy and Personal Growth27:20 Advice for Aspiring Founders30:11 The Role of AI in Modern Startups31:03 Emotional Challenges of Founding a Startup32:38 KC Ventures Ad33:46 The Importance of Curiosity and Learning35:33 Building a Company in the Age of AI41:27 Improving Australian Startup Culture45:15 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts-Thanks to our sponsors Zeller and KC Ventures. Zeller is building the financial stack to help startups scale, called Zeller for Startups. Every founder unlocks exclusive rewards and offers when you use Zeller for Startups - including a high-interest savings account, 12-month free access to Zeller Corporate Cards and expense management, and discounts on amazing partner solutions from Employment Hero, Xero, and Pop Business. https://www.myzeller.com/startupsKC Ventures helps Australian startups scale by providing strategic financial advice. You can find KC Ventures at http://kcventures.com.au/ or message their founder Luke Rix on Linkedin to get in contact directly.-JOIN OUR COMMUNITYLinkedIn 🚀: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-sachin-and-adam-show🐦 X: https://x.com/Sachin_and_Adam📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sachinandadam/LISTEN TO THE SHOWSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3M29tMFbZ4mtzJbcRNY3N6?si=731f376e2ddf4d34iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-sachin-and-adam-show/id1462522364About usWe are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping the future. The best way to support is subscribing, truly it makes all the difference for us 💙