AFC presents All In on VC? Ambition, Alignment, and What Comes Next
💸 All In on VC? Ambition, Alignment, and What Comes Next
Venture capital has been the launchpad for some of the most iconic, fast-growing startups across the globe - and in the right context, it can unlock the kind of scale, momentum, and market leadership that few other funding paths can match.
But going all-in on VC isn’t just about raising capital. It’s about committing to a high-growth journey - where speed, scale, and ambition become your new normal. It’s a powerful path, but one that works best when founders understand the landscape, are clear on their goals, and align with investors who share their vision.
This month’s Aussie Founders Club panel brings together experienced investors and ecosystem leaders for a candid conversation about what venture capital looks like from the inside - and how founders can make informed, intentional decisions about whether this path is right for them.
This isn’t a “how to raise” session. It’s a deeper look at why you might raise - and what it really means to say yes to VC.
🎙 Meet the Panel
Rob Phillpot - Founding Partner, Glitch Capital | Co-founder, Aconex
Rob co-founded Aconex and helped scale it into a global SaaS powerhouse, leading to one of Australia's largest tech exits with its $1.6B acquisition by Oracle. Now a founding partner at Glitch Capital, he invests in and advises a portfolio of high-growth startups. With deep operational and investment experience, Rob brings a unique perspective on what it takes to build enduring companies - and the role VC can (and can’t) play along the way.
Leila Oliveira - Scouting Manager, Antler
Leila brings a unique mix of crowdfunding and VC experience to her role at Antler, where she leads scouting for their founder residency program. The program helps founders validate their ideas, find co-founders, and build venture-scale startups from day zero. Leila works closely with early-stage teams to assess whether their businesses are truly VC-backable - and will share insights into what investors look for long before the first term sheet.
Richard Mulligan - Co-founder, FB Ventures
Richard blends founder insight with investor experience. At FB Ventures, he’s leading the launch of Australia’s first Venture Capital Fund of Funds, built for both wholesale and retail investors. His mission is to make startup investing more accessible - and he’ll bring sharp perspective on how founders can think strategically about investor alignment in today’s evolving VC landscape.
📅 The Details
Date: Thursday, 18th September
Time: 5:30pm - 8:00pm | Drinks afterwards at Morris House
Location: 2/39 Little Collins St, Melbourne — Hosted by Everest Engineering
Food & Drinks: Pizza (really good pizza 🍕) and drinks, thanks to Everest Engineering
👥 Who Should Attend
Founders, startup leaders, VCs, advisors, and anyone curious about the role venture capital plays in building high-growth startups. Whether you're considering your first raise or advising others on their path, this event will give you the frameworks and insight to navigate the decision with clarity.
🤝 Networking & Takeaways
After the panel, stick around for drinks, pizza, and real conversation with fellow founders, investors, and startup community legends. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of the VC landscape, what’s expected, and how to choose a funding path that matches your goals.
Big Thanks to Our Sponsors:
🛠 Our Venue & Catering Sponsor: EverestEngineering
We’re stoked to be hosted by EverestEngineering, a world-class product development partner that helps startups build, scale, and accelerate their software dreams. With a sharp focus on engineering excellence and collaboration, EverestEngineering takes the hassle out of product delivery - so founders can stay focused on what matters most.
🤝 In-Kind Event Sponsor: Kairos Recruitment
Another shout out to Kairos, my recruitment company that has continued to make these events possible. Through running AFC and working deeply with startup clients, we help companies scale their teams with the right people, at the right time. Whether you're hiring your first engineer or your next Head of Growth, we knows how to match startups with standout humans who thrive in the chaos.
Proudly Supported by LaunchVic
This event is proudly supported by LaunchVic, Victoria’s startup agency. Their role is to fuel the growth of Victoria’s startup ecosystem by building the confidence and capability of Victorians to create, scale, and invest in startups.
Established by the Victorian Government in 2016, LaunchVic is helping shape the future of the state’s innovation economy by:
Driving improvements in the startup investment landscape
Supporting programs that build founder, investor, and talent capabilities
Continuing to raise awareness and advocate for startups across Victoria
We’re grateful for their continued support in helping make events like this possible.
RSVP Now
Spots always fill fast - so lock in your place now and join us for an evening of raw insights, great conversations, and a community that truly gets the founder journey.
Let’s keep building brilliant startups, together 🇦🇺🚀