Episode Summary:
In this crossover episode of First Cheque and In The Blink of AI, Cheryl Mack (Aussie Angels) and Maxine Minter (Co Ventures) team up with host Georgie Healy to unpack how investors are thinking about AI, beyond the hype. From pitch decks to product demos, they reveal the frameworks and gut checks they use to spot real value in AI startups, even when they’re not technical experts themselves.
You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how Cheryl and Maxine are integrating AI into their own workflows, not just as investors, but as operators. From using ChatGPT to summarise founder meetings, to leveraging Prompt Cowboy and NotebookLM for due diligence and research prep, they walk through real examples of how AI is saving them time, sharpening decision-making, and helping them stay ahead in deal flow. And yes, we finally answer the question: what is an agent… and does anyone actually have one?
Episode Sponsors:
Chapters:
02:15 – Are Cheryl and Maxine AI skeptics or advocates?
06:00 – What's actually fueling the AI hype?
10:45 – Are we in a bubble—or just early in the cycle?
16:20 – Valuations, FOMO, and how investors are pricing AI
21:00 – What angel investors should look for in AI startups
27:30 – AI’s biggest red flag: When it all just sounds like magic
31:00 – Are agents real or is everyone faking it?
36:40 – AI in venture workflows: What Maxine actually automates
41:30 – The real power of personal brand in VC
44:50 – How Cheryl preps for founder calls with Google NotebookLM
49:00 – Weekly AI hacks: From flat lays to voice-mode strategy sessions
52:10 – Founder FOMO: Prompt Cowboy, Juno, and other hot startups
54:00 – The case for non-technical founders in AI
58:00 – Are one-person billion-dollar startups real?
Resources:
😇 Angel Academy: The most comprehensive angel investing course for Australia & NZ – www.venture.academy
🦘 Aussie Angels: Cheryl’s platform for angel investing – https://www.aussieangels.com/
💰 Co Ventures: Maxine’s venture capital firm – https://www.coventures.vc/
