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Dickie Currer , Head of Partnerships and New Markets at The Startup Network , aspires to make Australia's tech and innovation ecosystem more competitive on the world stage.

The DIF team had the pleasure of sitting down with Dickie before he wraps up his time with The Startup Network with last hurrah at the inaugural Future Horizons Festival .

Dickie's insights remind us that the journey of entrepreneurship is as much about the adventure as it is about the destination. He shares his thoughts on Victoria's vibrant startup scene, exciting future trends and valuable advice for aspiring founders.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

I'm originally from the North of England, though moved to Australia in 2015 and have called Melbourne home for most of that time. Travel has always been my north star, so I feel that I was always destined to be an expat. This hunger for adventure, which has taken me to 64 countries thus far, has also been an ever present in my career. Spending time working as an Immigration Lawyer and British Army Officer before finally falling into Partnerships and now the Startup world!

During your two years at The Startup Network, what excited you most about Victoria's startup scene?

The sense that we're on the verge of something huge! We've always been a country of innovators, though our startup ecosystem is still quite nascent and quite a way behind leading nations like the US, Israel and the UK. In spite of this, this some of our Founders are already solving global problems and building internationally scalable businesses'. This is forcing the ecosystem to start building the infrastructure so that it can catch up and keep supporting this growth. It's exciting for me to think that we're breaking new ground every day and there's still so much more to do.

What gives you the greatest optimism regarding startups and entrepreneurs in Victoria?

The people that I meet daily! Be that the Founders that show an incredible resilience and appetite for risk or the operators supporting them which are often just as passionate. I'm particularly enthused when I meet students or other young people that are just starting to explore entrepreneurship as an option. Inspiring the next generation of Founders and supporters is so integral to keeping our Victorian ecosystem growing!

For aspiring startup founders, what advice and key considerations do you suggest as they grow into their role?

I would say just to take stock and acknowledge the journey that you are about to undertake. Being a Founder isn't a job, it's a lifestyle and if you're not careful one that can lead to burnout, be really challenging on your mental and physical health and impact your relationships with those you care about most. It's an incredible undertaking and you should enjoy the highs and the lows, though make sure to do it safely. And make sure to build a strong support community around you!

Can you share any emerging trends or areas of innovation that you believe will shape the future of startups in Victoria?

I think less about technological advancements like AI and Quantum and more about the problems that need solving in our society. Be that the impending climate crisis, food and wealth inequality, the increase in cost of living and access to affordable housing, a lack of diversity in C-suite positions. These problems need innovators and Startups to solve them and will be front of mind for the generations to come.

What role do you think collaboration and networking play in the growth and success of startups, especially in a region like Victoria?

For me, it's one of the most important factors in a startup's success. As the old idiom goes, "it takes a village to build a Startup". Surrounding yourself with that supportive community both inside and outside of your business is so critical. We've got an active networking scene in the Victorian ecosystem, with a friendly and inclusive cast of people running it. I'd recommend anyone interested in any role within this world, to take the leap, show up and start becoming a part of the community.

What has been your experience being part of the Digital Innovation Futures program over the last few years?

I've had the pleasure of organising and hosting two showcase events as part of DIF and have been an attendee at plenty of other satellite events during the festival. I've loved working with the team and the energy that is in Victoria throughout the DIF programming. Events that bring together all the stakeholders of our ecosystem are so important for inspiring entrepreneurship and building community and I'm so grateful for the role that DIF has played in this.

Dickie is also a founding member of The Growth Cartel , a community-driven podcast from which explores the many facets the entrepreneurial journey; successes, failures, insights and strategies. Tune in for more pearls of wisdom from Dickie and his team. You can also follow him on LinkedIn and subscribe to his newsletter ‘ Startup Vagabond ’.

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Advice for aspiring founders and future horizons: In Conversation with Dickie Currer, The Startup Network

People who make the DIF: Kaushalya Gunatilaka, Boab AI

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