Presented on 8 December 2020

Our expert panellists shared their knowledge, as we continued the conversation around supporting access to early seed capital for startups. We uncovered what they have observed over the last couple of months, their insights and predictions going forward, and explored the investment thesis of their alternative funds.

Expert panellists 

Jon Prentice - Investment Team Director, Lighter Capital

Jon Prentice is the Investment Team Director at Seattle-based Lighter Capital, a leading early-stage technology lender providing revenue-based financing, term loans, and working capital facilities. He has primarily worked with companies in the San Francisco Bay Area and has executed over 100 plus transactions but is currently responsible for Lighter Capital's international expansion into Australia as well as Canada. Jon previously worked for Siemens in its corporate venture group, where he focused on both the strategic partnership and the investment side, with an emphasis on energy and cleantech.

Jill Storey - CEO, ReadyFundGo

Jill is the CEO of ReadyFundGo and a director of the Crowdfunding Institute of Australia. She has previously been a partner at Deloitte, KPMG and Andersen. By way of background, Jill is a Chartered Accountant, holds an MBA and a Master’s in environmental science.

She has been involved in crowdfunding since 2012 when she created her first platform and has experience with product-based, equity-based and donation-based crowdfunding. She is particularly interested in projects that focus on sustainability, reducing carbon emissions and the use of single-use plastics. The ReadyFundGo platform brings together innovators with those Australians who are passionate about making a difference. It focusses on campaigns assisting Australian companies pre-sell their products to fund production and help Australian innovators get their ideas for a better tomorrow off the ground.

Leigh Jasper - Chair, LaunchVic and SecondQuarter Ventures

Leigh is currently the Chair of LaunchVic and SecondQuarter Ventures, Chief Executive Officer of Saniel Ventures, and a non-executive director of SEEK Ltd, Salta Properties, Buildxact and the Burnet Institute. He was the co-founder and CEO of Aconex between May 2000 and August 2019. Aconex is the world's largest provider of online collaboration solutions to the construction and engineering industries. As Aconex CEO, Mr Jasper led global growth for Aconex, expanding the business into Asia, North America, South America, the Middle East and Europe. In September 2008, Aconex secured a A$109.5 million funding deal and one of the largest private capital raisings by an Australian technology company. In 2014 the company listed on the ASX. In 2018 Oracle acquired Aconex for $1.6 billion in Australia's largest technology M&A transaction. Leigh joined the LaunchVic Board on 1 July 2020.

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LaunchVic is Victoria's startup agency

LaunchVic is leading the development of a globally-connected startup ecosystem. 

With the help of startup founders, entrepreneurs and investors, corporates and universities, we aim to build a startup ecosystem that can strengthen the economy, encourage more people to work with and for startups, and represent all Victorians.

Our focus lies in the areas of funding, community building and global recognition for the Victorian startup ecosystem. 

Check out the LaunchVic website and learn more about us. 

*DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this webinar should not be interpreted as professional advice. We recommend you seek independent legal, financial, taxation or other advice before engaging in any investment to ensure that it takes into account your unique circumstances.