Startup essentials: A crash course for founders

Desmond John is a community and ecosystem builder in the Australian startup economy, running events and tours under Vibe Guide Ventures.

With a background of industry engagement at the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with capital raising and running accelerator programs, Desmond now runs startup events, ecosystem tours/delegations and community building for clients such as Smart Company, The Startup Network, Wade Institute, Monash Generator, The Commons and Cremorne Digital Hub. 

Frances Goh is the co-founder and CEO of One Roof, a national membership community supporting women entrepreneurs to start, grow and scale their businesses through connection, curated support and practical resources.

An innovation specialist and serial entrepreneur, Frances is passionate about closing the gender gap in entrepreneurship and building ecosystems where women can lead boldly.

She is a 2024 AusMumpreneur Community Award winner, a 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian Australian, a 2025 Governor of Victoria Startup Awards finalist, and was named among the Top 50 Young Entrepreneurs in Victoria and Top 250 in Australia.

Through her work, she continues to advocate for a fairer, better funded future for women led businesses.

Dave McManus is a forward-thinking entrepreneur who loves using technology and business to make the world better.

He is the founder of Lightning Ventures (an innovative software studio that builds with Bubble.io), the cofounder of Pawshareclub.com.au and Oceangreens.com.au (a seaweed farm and ecommerce brand in Australia), and the host of Podcast Unconventional Founders (featuring many amazing Bubble.io founders).

He started an innovative digital healthcare company in Silicon Valley and worked with over 100 fast-growing businesses there. This experience gave him important skills in technology, sustainability and entrepreneurship.

Dave is also one of just 12 highly respected Bubble.io developers and coaches in the world. He is dedicated to helping other founders create products that can bring real change.

Nazieh Fazli is a Senior Investment Director at Breakthrough Victoria, the Victorian Government's innovation and commercialisation fund.

Her work focuses on helping early-stage companies navigate funding pathways, from grants and co-investment to venture capital and strategic partnerships.

She also teaches Venture Capital and the Startup Ecosystem at Monash University, where she explores how startups raise capital and how the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem operates.

With over 15 years of experience across venture, corporate strategy, and entrepreneurship across Australia, the UK, the US, and Mexico, Nazieh brings a practical, founder-centric perspective on what funders look for and how businesses can position themselves for growth.