Welcome to the first episode of Random VC, where we discuss random topics connected to venture capital, innovation, technology, entrepreneurs, community, and investors. Each episode features five random questions to surprise our guests.

In this episode, Maria Halasz sits down with Tony Surtees, a distinguished digital entrepreneur, to explore his incredible journey from Silicon Valley to shaping Australia's startup ecosystem.

Tony shares his unique experiences, starting with his early influences from his Hungarian parents, both Holocaust survivors, to his innovative approach to job applications that led to multiple offers. He talks about his impactful tenure at Yahoo, managing Yahoo Auctions and Yahoo Finance, and the significant transitions he witnessed there.

Returning to Australia, Tony observed the nascent startup ecosystem and emphasised the need for better commercialisation of Australia's scientific research. He discusses the transformative potential of AI, the importance of taking risks, and his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Tony also reflects on his role in co-founding Zeetings, a cloud-based interactive presentation platform acquired by Canva, and how this technology has powered over 1 billion presentations globally.

Timestamps:
00:24 - Welcome and Tony Surtees' introduction
01:16 - Tony's early life and influences
02:52 - Growing up with entrepreneurial parents
03:35 - Developing entrepreneurial skills from a young age
05:01 - Unique approach to job applications
07:08 - Studying at Stanford and moving to Silicon Valley
09:14 - Early career at Yahoo: managing Yahoo Auctions
12:12 - Challenges and successes at Yahoo Finance
15:10 - Yahoo's transition and impact on Tony's career
17:36 - Return to Australia and observations on the startup ecosystem
20:04 - Need for commercialisation of scientific research in Australia
22:13 - Views on innovation and AI's potential
25:13 - Importance of responsible regulation of internet platforms
28:04 - Advice for startups: follow curiosity, not passion
31:20 - Reflections on personal experiences and influential figures
33:48 - Predictions for future technological advancements
37:05 - The importance of global thinking for Australian startups
40:12 - Canva's early days and its global vision
42:15 - Zeetings' journey and acquisition by Canva
44:01 - Closing thoughts and future discussions

Stay tuned for more insightful conversations on Random VC.

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