Episode Summary:
Join Cheryl Mack and Maxine Minter on First Cheque as they chat with Tim from Turo, one of Australia's pioneering operator angels. Tim shares his journey from working at Uber to his current role at Turo, detailing the insights and risks involved in being an early-stage investor. The conversation covers Tim's first investment, his transition from medicine to business, and the challenges of balancing operator and investor roles. They discuss the Australian tech ecosystem, liquidity issues, and policy needs, along with the significance of strong talent and multicultural acceptance. Tim also shares a personal story about leading a national campaign against antisemitism in Australia. This episode is rich with practical advice for budding angel investors and insights into the growth of Australia's tech landscape.
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to First Check Podcast
00:21 Introducing Tim Rossanis
01:15 Discussion on Operator Angels
01:55 Tim's Background and Early Investments
04:15 The Importance of Investing in Yourself
06:37 Tim's Journey into Angel Investing
10:05 Nullabor Ventures and Investments
12:10 Evaluating Talent in Early Stage Investments
16:01 The Role of Angels in Supporting Startups
19:51 The Importance of Founders Asking for Help
24:32 The Impact of the Australian Ecosystem
31:30 The Founding Story of Turo
34:10 Turo's Launch in Australia
36:52 The Role of Marketing in Turo's Success
42:00 Tim's Big Kahunas Moment
45:29 Closing Remarks