SheStarts

MYOB is committed to helping everyone succeed. Part of this mission is to help overcome the obstacles to success – which is why we support SheStarts to encourage female leadership in innovation.

SheStarts Showcase Special Edition Trailer

A special edition trailer from the SheStarts Showcase. Here is a sneak-peek of the SheStarts documentary series – showcasing the stories, ideas and talents of the women who had just been through the rapid validation bootcamp, in preparation for their final pitch.

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Episode 1 - Bootcamp

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Episode 2 - The Pitch

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Episode 3 - Decisions

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Episode 4 - New Priorities

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Episode 5 - A New Normal

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Episode 6 - The Power of Passion

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Episode 7 - Finding Your Story

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Episode 8 - Ahead of Their Time

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Episode 9 - To Lead is to Listen

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Episode 10 - Divide & Conquer

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Episode 11 - Courage to Fail

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Episode 12 - Start Local

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Episode 13 - The Truth About Sales

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Episode 14 - Sleep Like a Baby

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Episode 15 - It Takes a Village

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Episode 16 - Little Bit By Little Bit

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Episode 17 - Break It Down, Build It Up

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Episode 18 - The Last Minute

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Episode 19 - The Last Minute: Part II

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Episode 20 - Ready or Not: Demo Day Part I

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Episode 21 - The Next Step: Demo Day Part II

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Episode 22 - Strike a Balance

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Episode 23 - Waiting for Death

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Episode 24 - Be in the Moment

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Episode 25 - Imposter Syndrome

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Episode 26 - Game on: Silicon Valley Part I

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Episode 27 - True North: Silicon Valley Part II

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Episode 28 - Back to your Roots: Silicon Valley Part III

For more information or to see what we've been up to lately, join the conversation below.

        

Episode 1 - Bootcamp

What does it take to start a global tech company?

How do you know if the world actually wants the product you’re creating?

SheStarts Episode 1 takes us behind the scenes of startup bootcamp, where 20 female-led startups have been selected from hundreds of applicants to take part in a rapid validation process and pitch for a spot in the SheStarts accelerator, with $100,000 each in investment up for grabs. For some of the founders, it is the first time they stepped into this new world of startups - leaving behind their day jobs to find out if their idea is big and game-changing enough to make it on the global tech landscape.

From 20 founders, only ten will be selected.

This is where it all begins.

Episode 2 - The Pitch

What do you say when you’ve got just 30 seconds to get someone’s attention? How do you take a complicated business idea and translate it into a concise and compelling pitch?

Episode 2 takes us into the room as the startup founders get ready to pitch for $100,000 and the chance to make their dreams a reality. Nerves are building, tensions are running high, and the judges are waiting to see who will grab their attention and convince them their startup is worth investing in.

Will Emma be able to get her message across? Will Lisa overcome the nerves? Can Lauren prove she’s ready to launch a global tech company? There’s only one way to find out.

Episode 3 - Decisions

The bootcamp is over, the pitches are complete - but who will be selected to join the SheStarts program and receive $100k in pre-seed capital to get started?

This week’s episode takes us inside the deliberation room, where the panel of expert judges are faced with the difficult decision of which startups to invest in and whose lives to change.

There is a great sense of anticipation as the founders wait to hear the final outcome at the big Showcase event.

Episode 4 - New Priorities

It's week one of the SheStarts accelerator and new priorities are being set. As the founders learn about lean experiments and customer validation, and hear from seasoned entrepreneurs about what to expect, for some the reality is setting in that they may need to rebalance their lives.

Family, friends, starting a global tech company - how will it all come together?

And for two women who missed out on the program, a surprise is in store...

Episode 5 - A New Normal

How important is gender in shaping the identity of female entrepreneurs? Should being a mum form part of your story as a CEO? How important is it to be your ‘authentic’ self?

As the SheStarts founders get deeper into the program and the development of their startups, questions are starting to arise about how they see themselves and present themselves to the outside world.

Will issues such as unconscious bias affect their ability to succeed, or can they embrace the power of their gender to elevate their success?

Episode 6 - The Power of Passion

How do you turn a big vision into a plan for action?

As the founders hit week three of the accelerator program, the pressure is on to articulate a clear direction for their business.

They all share great passion for their ideas, but the founders now need to put in place a strategy to achieve their goals, and create successful, scalable tech companies. While some are grappling with the plan of attack, for others, overcoming self-doubt could be their greatest hurdle.

Episode 7 - Finding Your Story

The art of storytelling

How do you talk about something as complicated as blockchain or as sensitive as death? Can you turn a sales pitch into a story people want to hear?

As the founders work to refine their pitches - and some even prepare to take them public - two are faced with the extra challenge of translating complex problems and awkward topics into something anyone can relate to.

Episode 8 - Ahead of Their Time

Imagine if you could see the world through someone else’s eyes…

In this episode, Refni founder, Xiao Han must take her incredible vision for cracking the online ‘filter bubble’ and turn it into a product people want to use today.

But how do you design a solution for a problem many people don't even know exists?

Join the rollercoaster ride of customer discovery, as Xiao Han goes back to the future to bring her idea to life.

Episode 9 - To Lead is to Listen

The clock is ticking with only two months to go until customer demo day.

As the founders go deeper into the detail with their product managers, strong leaders like Anna are challenged to let go of the reigns and tap into the expertise of others.

But how do you filter through a mountain of feedback and advice to decide on the right product to build?

And what does it mean to be a leader when you’re stepping into the new world of tech?

Episode 10 - Divide & Conquer

“Going into a business venture with your best friend is really dangerous…”

In startup land, things can get pretty lonely if you’re building a company on your own. But how do you set up a co-founder relationship to succeed? And should you ever go into business with your best friend?

This week’s episode is a deep dive into the co-founder conundrum, as the co-founders of Otlet and Neighbourlytics navigate the obstacle course of starting a business together.

And for solo-founder Sally, the question is how long is too long to go it alone.

Episode 11 - Courage to Fail

The most common reason startups fail is people are too scared to go out and get rejected.”

The startup journey is full of rejection - rejection from customers, from investors, even from strangers on the web.

But in every ‘no’ there is an opportunity to find out what it would take to become a ‘yes.

In this week’s episode, Claire from Vetchat must confront her critics and overcome a fear of rejection to ensure her startup succeeds.

Episode 12 - Start Local

“You’ve got to start with the end in mind.”

Great startup ideas are often borne out of personal experience - someone who has lived a problem and has the passion and drive to solve it for others.

But how do you take a local solution and turn it into a global company? What are the sacrifices required to build and launch an international tech business?

In this week’s episode, we travel to the heart of country Australia, where founder Naomi is discovering what it takes to translate her vision for country Australia into a scalable, global company.

Episode 13 - The Truth About Sales

Partners, Advisors, Customers…

There are a lot of players involved in getting a startup off the ground. And as a founder you have to always be selling, to get the people you need on board.

But when is the right time to start engaging potential partners? And how do you sell something when the product doesn’t yet exist?

In this week’s episode, we follow three different founders as they build new relationships, and discover how the right partner can light the fire their startup needs to thrive.

Episode 14 - Sleep Like a Baby

The startup life is no easy road.

Managing limited budgets to build a scalable, global company, all the while having to juggle endless competing demands and maintain a clear sense of direction and purpose.

So what is the secret ingredient to building stamina and achieving startup success?

In this week’s episode we look at the importance of resilience, and take a deep dive into the life of shark-scientist-turned-entrepreneur, Madi Green.

Episode 15 - It Takes a Village

In startups, the aim of the game is speed.

If you spend too long developing the perfect technology before you release, you’ll miss the chance to get vital customer feedback and continuously iterate on a live product.

So what are the ‘showstopper’ bugs you need to fix before a product goes live? And how does a perfectionist deal with the fact that their MVP (minimum viable product) will not be perfect?

In this episode, we follow BanjoMaps Founder, Anna Wright as she learns what it takes to translate her vision to help the visually impaired navigate the inside world, into a tech reality.

Episode 16: Little Bit By Little Bit

Building something for the first time is never easy - especially when you know that others have already tried and failed.

But when you’re striving to create a groundbreaking tech solution that will change the lives of the visually impaired, you can’t give up if things don’t work on the first go.

This week’s episode follows last week’s cliff hanger, with BanjoMaps founder Anna Wright working side-by-side with her development team at BlueChilli to put an early prototype into the hands of key customers, to get vital user feedback that will help make the app the best it can be.

Episode 17 - Break It Down, Build It Up

“It's not running to a normal course. But there is no normal course.”

Startups are all about disruption. Experimenting with new ways of doing things, trying creative approaches to solving big problems.

But how do you know when your startup experiment is working, and what happens when it's not? How do you find out what your users really want when you haven't got a complete product to share?

In this week’s episode, with demo day fast approaching, VetChat’s Claire Jenkins is forced to go outside her comfort zone, to turn her existing product upside down and work with the development team on a totally new approach… and there’s no guarantee of success.

Episode 18 - The Last Minute

“The thing that will kill you is if you don’t make the decisions.”

 In startups, there are lots of tough calls to make, and there’s no rule book to tell you what’s right and what’s wrong.

 But when time is against you, how to you figure what you need to do, and what you don’t, so you can keep the ball rolling?

 In this episode, with just one week to go until customer demo day, the founders are under the pump, and for Jess from Neighbourlytics, the road to success is still looking pretty unclear.

Episode 19 - The Last Minute: Part II

It's often said that one of the most important qualities in a startup founder is 'coachability'. Put simply, it all comes down to whether a founder can take on feedback, especially when it challenges their own ideas.

But when everyone around you has an opinion, how do you make those tough decisions to steer your business in the right direction? And what if some of the feedback you receive is at odds with your original vision?

With pressure mounting in the final lead up to demo day, two of the SheStarts founders - Emma and Xiao Han - are confronting the same question, but from very different points of view.

Episode 20 - Ready Or Not: Demo Day Part I

Demo Day. It's a golden opportunity for startup founders to showcase their products, meet with key decision makers, and forge a path to gain insights, pilots, and partnerships.

But when 100 people pour into the room, will the founders be ready? And how can any founder ensure they stand out from the crowd?

In Part 1 of the big event, we follow Longevity Co-Founder and CEO, Carla Harris through the demo day rollercoaster ride, as she rushes to prepare before the doors open.

Episode 21 - The Next Step: Demo Day Part II

“It’s not just a program, it’s not just money on the table. It’s relationships!”

With a room full of interested partners pouring in for Demo Day, the founders are on fire. The pitches are engaging, business cards are flying across the room and the feedback from all the guests is incredible.

But what do you do with a stack of positive feedback and a mailing list of interested customers? How do you turn those inspiring conversations into real opportunities to grow your startup?

In Demo Day Part 2, we join the founders as they reflect on the success of the event and start to wonder what comes next to turn all that positive energy into success.

Episode 22 - Strike a Balance

Building a high impact, global tech company is really, really hard work. When you’re putting it all on the line for your vision, compromises have to be made. But as the months go by, and the pressure remains high, how do you maintain that level of dedication? And is it even possible to strike a balance to ensure you don’t lose sight of what matters to you most?

Episode 23 - Waiting for Death

The first year of building a startup often involves a lot of smoke and mirrors. But how do you find out if people will use and love your product when what you're testing is still so incomplete? In this week's episode Founder of Airloom, Sally, is finding out how far she can test her unfinished product before potential customers insist on getting more.

Episode 24 - Be in the moment

"If you can find that sweet spot and there's trust, the world is your oyster"

The one thing every startup needs - even more than capital - is customers. People who are going to use their product, and ideally, pay for it.

But how do you build a big customer base when you're still a tiny company? And how do you build awareness about your product without a massive marketing budget? The answer for most startups is partners.

But finding the right partners and building a strong relationship doesn't happen overnight.

In this week's episode, we follow Longevity CEO and co-founder, Carla, as she takes the next step in exploring a relationship that could hold the key to reaching a massive audience ready and willing to use her product.

Episode 25 - Imposter Syndrome

"I do feel like an imposter; I do feel like the underdog all the time. But that doesn't have to be the end of our story." - Lauren Meyer, Otlet Co-founder

As the founders are gearing up for their massive trip to Silicon Valley, feelings of uncertainty and self-doubt start to resurface.

How do you prepare for meetings with tech giants like Google and Facebook and business-savvy investors who have heard a thousand pitches before? Is it possible to project the confidence that you’re the right person to build your company when you actually feel like an imposter?

In this week's episode, Otlet Co-Founders Lauren and Madi share their fears and frustrations and we discover the ways these shark scientists-turned entrepreneurs are working to overcome them.

The message from all the founders is clear - you don't have to do it alone.

Episode 26 - Game on: Silicon Valley Part I

“It doesn’t matter how big the US is, if there’s a market for what you’re doing, and no one else is doing that, somebody else will claim that space if you don’t.” - Deb Noller, Founder & CEO Switch Automation

The time is here… The SheStarts founders are off to Silicon Valley!

In Part 1 of the three-part SheStarts Grand Finale, the founders are frantically striving to prepare for a week-long trip to the US, jam-packed with visits to the tech giants, meetings with experienced entrepreneurs, and a chance to pitch to seasoned investors.

For some of the founders it’s their first time in the global heart of tech and innovation. For others, it’s a return to a place that holds special memories which form part of their own startup journey.

But for all of the women, the big question is - how will the “Mecca of Tech” respond to their early stage business ideas.

Episode 27 - True North: Silicon Valley Part II

“How do you go from being a group of people to something that is essentially the size of a village in just a couple of decades?” - Lucinda, co-founder of Neighbourlytics

During their massive week in San Francisco, the SheStarts founders have the incredible opportunity to visit the headquarters of some of the world’s tech giants. The size and scale of these companies is overwhelming; it’s hard to believe none of it existed just twenty years ago.

So how can you take the learnings of a global company and apply them to your fledgling startup? And when it comes time to grow, how do you create and maintain a company culture as you take your business from one or two people to potentially thousands of employees?

For Neighbourlytics co-founders Jessica and Lucinda visiting the leaders of tech also raises a new set of questions for their business. With the tech boom rapidly changing the design and make up of the San Francisco area, they wonder; is Silicon Valley perhaps the place they need to be to have the biggest impact?

Episode 28 - Back to your Roots: Silicon Valley Part III

It’s finally here… the SheStarts Series Finale.

Over the past six months, you’ve joined us on an amazing journey, as we’ve followed the founders in the SheStarts program on the road to building global tech companies.

You’ve seen the highs; you’ve seen the lows - when their worlds have been turned upside down.

But during their final days on the other side of the globe, the founders are preparing for the ultimate test - as they pitch their startups to some of the world’s savviest investors in San Francisco.

Will the months of hard work pay off? Can they prove they have what it takes to build a global business? And if they can… what’s next?