The Sachin and Adam Show

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 💙

Dive into the fascinating world of AI agents as the founders of A1base discuss giving these agents real identities like phone numbers and emails. They emphasize the importance of trust and communication in AI technology. Discover the lessons learned from previous startup experiences, the unique culture of Silicon Valley, and how Y Combinator shapes ambitious founders. The conversation furthers into the crucial need for agility in building AI infrastructures while pondering the balance between innovation and accountability in the rapidly evolving landscape.

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 💙

Charlie Gearside, co-founder of Eucalyptus, shares his transformative journey after stepping away from a $560 million healthtech startup. He candidly discusses the personal toll of startup life, burnout, and how therapy helped him rediscover his identity. Charlie dives into Australia’s cost of living crisis, the importance of equity for young Aussies, and how media shapes economic futures. With a vision for innovation and empowerment, he reveals why he’s turned to content creation to bring his ideas to life.

Tom Duffy, Head of Media, shares insights on the emerging 'Design-Founder Era' where taste is becoming a competitive edge in tech. He discusses the growing need for high-quality designers in startups as lowering creation costs intensify brand competition. The podcast highlights the evolution of startup culture, the significance of integrated financial solutions, and the mental hurdles of entrepreneurship. Duffy also sheds light on the recruitment of young talent and the innovative dynamics of working with AI, painting a picture of an exciting future for tech founders.

Jack White, Co-founder of Cuttable with a rich creative background in advertising, teams up with Sam Krindenberg, who sold A Cloud Guru for $2B. They discuss how their contrasting experiences shape their approach to AI-driven advertising. Jack shares poignant advice from his father, while Sam’s journey from risk-averse beginnings to tech success unfolds. The duo explores why most AI ads fall flat and their mission to elevate creativity, believing human artistry remains crucial even in an AI-saturated market.

Mina Radhakrishnan, Uber's first Head of Product and co-founder of Different, shares insights from her tech journey. She discusses the intensity of working with Travis Kalanick and the lessons learned from her startup's collapse. Mina offers her take on how AI is reshaping entrepreneurship and coding, emphasizing the need for a collaborative environment. She also highlights the challenges faced by startups and the importance of resilience, urging Australian startups to cultivate a pay-it-forward culture.

Liam Millward, the 21-year-old co-founder and CEO of Instant, shares his incredible journey from dodging rent to building a $100M startup. He discusses raising $18 million in just 10 days and emphasizes the importance of momentum in overcoming challenges. Liam reveals his unique hiring strategy, leadership style, and obsession with driving revenue. He also talks about expanding into the US market and leveraging AI to transform retail, all while proving doubters wrong and keeping his eyes on future goals.

Today we’re joined by Max Marchione — a close friend and ambitious founder disrupting healthcare through AI, data aggregation, and radical prevention to make personalised medicine accessible to everyone.This conversation is important because it explores one of the few industries left untouched by true innovation — healthcare. Despite its scale, it’s still waiting for its defining startup moment.We dive into:- Why healthcare is still waiting for its defining startup- How Superpower raised $30M to make prevention mainstream- The vision: AI doctors, not human ones- Building for the world vs. building for VCs- The danger of consensus thinking and advice- Making $50K concierge care available for $500- Sacrifice, fear, and living below the office- What sets elite investors and teams apart- Underpriced talent, content, and 10x growth bets- Why dreaming bigger is the only optionThis isn’t just about building a startup — it’s about reinventing a system that impacts everyone.00:00 Intro02:05 Podcast Introduction and Catching Up02:25 Reflecting on the Journey and Future Plans03:04 Insights on Fundraising and Investor Relations04:18 Challenges and Strategies in Building a Startup05:41 The Role of AI in Transforming Healthcare08:33 Zeller Ad10:06 Proving and Discarding Beliefs in Healthcare11:55 Constructing Superpower's Funding Round15:00 Setting Ambitious Goals for the Future16:34 Product Vision and Consumer Impact18:53 Balancing Focus and Expansion20:56 Superpower's Branding24:16 Operational Challenges and Growth Strategies27:01 Betting on the Right Growth Levers28:18 Top-Down and Bottom-Up Growth Strategies29:13 KC Ventures Ad30:05 The Importance of Risk in Business31:16 How does Max Balance Ambition and Happiness?33:01 Tips For Hiring and Identifying Talent36:16 Personal Sacrifices and Priorities37:09 Discarding Old Beliefs38:48 How Max Learnt to Overcome Fear and Take Action40:11 Changing Self-Talk and Personal Narratives43:00 New Learning and Growth Methods47:28 The Future of AI and Human Relationships53:06 Final Thoughts and Accountability-Thanks to our sponsors Zeller and KC Ventures. Zeller is building the financial stack to help startups scale, called Zeller for Startups. Join the waitlist at https://www.myzeller.com/startups to be eligible for a $100 cash bonus. 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.Check out more of Max's work including learnings on the journey of building a $100B company, hobbies, life hacks and more at maxmarchione.com