The Startup Retro with Will Richards & Gemma Clancy Turo partners with Uber, AirTrunk's $23B sale & agtech spotlight
With Cheryl Mack
About David Burt
David Burt is Director of Entrepreneurship at UNSW Sydney, where he leads UNSW Founders, the university's free, philanthropically funded program that helps students, staff, researchers and alumni turn ideas into startups.
Before UNSW he led a science commercialisation team at CSIRO, where he set up a national technology accelerator that has produced 73 companies. He has served as a non-executive director of Cicada Innovations, the Sydney deep tech incubator, and advises startups including Phyllome, which uses robotics and genetics to build more sustainable food systems.
On Day One's History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem interview series, he explained why startups are essential to Australia's standard of living, and he also features in the companion documentary.
- Talks about
- Startup Lessons, Venture Capital
In conversation.
3 episodes
Start hereDavid Burt explains why startups are essential to our standard of livingHis full interview on why startups matter to living standards and how UNSW Founders supports them.
The Startup Retro with Will Richards & Gemma Clancy 
Documentary: The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem - Part 4
With Simon Thomsen, Tim Boyle, Rachel Yang, Sarah Pearson, Bruce Tulloch, Cheryl Mack, Lucinda Hartley, Joshua Flannery, Megan Sebben, Alex Scandurra, Phil Ireland, Julie Trell, Peter Devine, Dean McEvoy, Craig Swann, Colette Grgic, Pete Horsley, Aaron Birkby, Annie Parker, Paul Bassat, Maxine Sherrin, Malcolm Turnbull, James Alexander, Melissa Widner, Hamish Hawthorn, Lauren Capelin
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem - Interview Series David Burt explains why startups are essential to our standard of living
Go straight to the good bits.
Key moments from Turo partners with Uber, AirTrunk's $23B sale & agtech spotlight.
In their own words.
“Silicon Valley is the dividend of a trillion dollars of U.S. Department of Defense spending.”
The path so far.
- Now
Director of Entrepreneurship · UNSW Founders
- Earlier
Led science commercialisation team · CSIRO
Sources: forbes.com.au
UNSW Founders on Day One
UNSW Founders is the University of New South Wales' entrepreneurship program, run from the university's Michael Crouch Innovation Centre in Sydney, which opened in 2015.
1 person · 3 episodes
Across the network.
In the room with
Will RichardsHost, The Startup Retro 
Gemma ClancyHost, The Startup Retro 
Cheryl MackCo-Founder & CEO, Ventari 
Adam SpencerHost, Documentary: The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem 
Simon ThomsenEditor, Startup Daily 
Tim BoyleCEO, LifeSciences Australia 
Rachel YangPartner, Giant Leap 
Sarah PearsonInvestment Committee Member, Main Sequence Spot something wrong? Suggest a correctionUpdated 29 October 2026
Be part of
the conversation.
Put your brand alongside the voices founders, investors and operators come to hear.
Explore sponsorshipProduced by W2D1 Media
Want a show of your own?
W2D1 Media — the team behind the Day One Network, which helped build Blackbird Ventures' Wild Hearts — builds and produces podcasts for funds, founders and operators. If you want a show built around your brand, let's talk.
