BoWTalks

Inside Venture Capital: The Million-Dollar Question of What It Takes to Get Funded

This week on BoWTalks, we explore what venture capital actually looks like beyond the headlines. Joined by Thea Ngo - investor at Archangel Ventures and host of Founders in Motion - we unpack how early-stage investing really works and what investors are looking for from day one.Drawing on her experience across consulting, operating, and VC, Thea shares how she evaluates opportunities, what makes a startup stand out at the pre-seed and seed stage, and the realities of working closely with founders as they build. The conversation also touches on her career journey and how she navigated the transition into venture.We also break down some of the biggest misconceptions around VC, alongside practical insights for anyone interested in startups, investing, or exploring less traditional career paths.If you’re curious about how capital gets deployed and what it takes to build something investors will back, this is one to listen to.Show your support for BoWTalks by leaving us a review and following us on Spotify.Looking to collaborate on a BoWTalks episode? Say hi at podcast.director@bankingonwomen.org.au

Exploring Careers in Commerce: So... What Can You Actually Do?

This week on BoWTalks, we explore the many directions a commerce degree can lead and the uncertainty that often comes with navigating those choices during university. The conversation features Cori and Penelope, two recent graduates, who join the hosts to reflect on their experiences across consulting, public policy, investment banking, marketing, and economic research, and how their interests and career paths gradually took shape.Through their own experiences, our panel debunks the misconception that you should enter university knowing what you want to do, sharing the moments that helped them gain clarity, from internships, university subjects and extracurricular activities that offered a more practical understanding of different industries.The episode also reflects on the gap between studying commerce and working in the field, as well as the lessons and advice our panel wish they had understood earlier. For students (especially if you study a non-commerce degree!) trying to make sense of the many pathways within commerce, this is a conversation worth listening to.Links and resources mentioned throughout the episode have been included in the description.Looking to collaborate on a BoWTalks episode? Say hi at podcast.director@bankingonwomen.org.auGuest's LinkedIns:Penelope: https://www.linkedin.com/in/penelope-lukes-607335285/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/penelope-lukes-607335285/]Cori: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cori-rushdi/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cori-rushdi/]Resources:https://www.coursera.org/learn/wharton-accounting [https://www.coursera.org/learn/wharton-accounting]https://www.coursera.org/specializations/finance-quantitative-modeling-analysts [https://www.coursera.org/specializations/finance-quantitative-modeling-analysts]https://www.coursera.org/learn/wharton-financial-accounting [https://l.messenger.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.coursera.org%2Flearn%2Fwharton-financial-accounting&h=AT5u9t9haCCU9XMcXakfF_kiyct9_uGa_Bb_UFs9Zmz-qkDm6r0KGsgSc8waT6bWFXU4iHg02Eu2J9525H48ZulI-7sOzAQu5b32N-4IHHHMWwj1yRn6gHAghsn6Y3Cz7rL0_A]

Careers in Sustainable Finance and Innovation

Join Melissa Zhang as she dives deep into one of the most rapidly changing areas of finance - sustainable investing and private equity. In this episode of BoWTalks, we are joined by Melissa Zhang, a Principal at Azimuth Capital Management, a private equity investment firm and project developer specialising in energy and AI supply chains. Previously a portfolio manager at BlackRock, cofounder of carbon mineralisation startup, RockFix, and strategist at Google X, Melissa brings a wealth of unique insight into investing in the age of climate, AI, and intersecting careers in finance with sustainability.  In this episode, we explore: 1.   Forging careers in investments and private equity, and beginning a sustainable career  2.   Key trends and challenges in the investment and sustainability space  3.   How Azimuth Capital Management balances sustainable investing with financial gain 4.   The impact of geopolitics and energy on investing Whether you're curious about investing, understanding how to incorporate climate and sustainability into your career, or curious to hear how a leading investor thinks about energy, geopolitics and other key trends, this episode is for you.

All About Careers in Startups with Cara Davies, Head of Product at Slice

This week on BoWTalks, we’re delighted to welcome Cara Davies, Head of Product at Slice and former co-founder of Steppen. In this episode, Cara shares her journey from university student to startup founder, from raising capital, scaling a business, to successfully exiting her first venture. She offers practical insights for students and early-career professionals interested in startups, from raising venture capital as a student to securing internships and beginning as a founder with no prior experience. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in a career in startups.

All About Exchange!

This new epidose is all about exchange application and experience. Our host Joelle has recently returned from University of California - Berkeley and is interviewing Khushi who will be going to University of Manchester for their business school. Join Joelle and Khushi as they explore the ups and downs of exchange as well as their motivations and experiences!