Episode Summary:
Trevor Folsom is Co-Founder and Chairman at Investible, an early-stage investment group that aims to connect ground-breaking companies with the capital, expertise and networks they need to realise their potential on a global scale. Trevor is also Entrepreneur In Residence at UNSW, and formerly was Chairman of Car Next Door, an Australian peer-to-peer vehicle rental platform, which was sold to Uber in 2022. In his conversation with guest host Will Tjo, Trevor discusses the challenge Australian startups face in securing talented employees, as well as his perspective on how the Australian startup ecosystem has evolved over the last few decades.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Day One Podcast
00:28 Guest Host Introduction: Will Tjo
00:32 Introduction of Trevor Folsom
00:45 Trevor's Background and Current Work
01:11 Early Entrepreneurial Journey
02:03 Meeting Co-founder Creel Price
02:55 Starting Blueprint Management Group
03:09 The State of the Ecosystem in 1996
03:51 Reliance on Friends and Mentors
04:50 Post-Dotcom Bust Experiences
05:55 Evolution of the Australian Startup Ecosystem
07:21 Support Structures and Programs Available
08:11 Improvement Opportunities in the Ecosystem
10:38 Reflections on Two Decades of Growth
12:43 Challenges Faced in Talent Acquisition
14:23 Unpopular Opinions on Corporate Involvement
15:41 Importance of Long-term Corporate Partnerships
16:39 Advice for Future Entrepreneurs
18:15 Mentorship and Key Influences
20:04 Closing Remarks by Adam Spencer
