Projects

Things I’ve invested energy into at different times—for learning, meaning, or fun.

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New Literacies

Exploring how to help kids thrive in a world shaped by AI—starting with my own. Focused on skills, ideas, and experiences they won’t get in school. Mostly experiments at home, and sharing what works.

Music

I started learning piano in 2024, with a 5-year goal to become a decent amateur. It’s mostly late-night practice, once kids are in bed. It feels scary sharing any of this progress, but I’m doing it here to force myself to ship.

Angel Investing

I love supporting early-stage founders—especially outsiders with global ambition. I’ve backed 20+ companies so far. Slowed the pace after having our 3rd kid, and only invest when I can be unusually helpful. Aim for 2-3 new investments a year.

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Antipodes (2021-2023)

An investing syndicate I started with some impressive friends, to back foreign founders looking to crack the US. We invested in 6 companies, with checks ranging from $25K-$250K—alongside the best investors in ANZ. Currently on hold.

Sweat & Shiver (2022-2023)

A community project—sauna, ice bath, workouts with friends in my garage gym (a parallel project!). Mostly an excuse to invest more energy with people I enjoy and respect.

Belgian Waffle Ride (2022)

Trained for the Belgian Waffle Ride—a brutal, beautiful endurance event on gravel, dirt, and tarmac (+200km) in Southern California. Finished in 11hrs, after a few solid months of training.

Baum (2020)

A custom titanium bike, from Australia’s best builder (Darren Baum). The first version was a labour of love, designed to be the only bike I’ll ever need. Now on its second iteration after an accident in 2024—same frame, new colors (coming soon).

Founder Journey: RecruitLoop (2011-2017)

Started a company in my twenties. Raised a seed round, moved to SF, built to profitability, and exited modestly (read: small f-failure). Formative in every sense. It got me to California, connected me to some great people, taught me a lot about hard things. See: Moving to America, A Personal Transition.

Real Jim Courier (~2012)

A parody Twitter account I ran with a couple of mates, as a tribute to the greatest tennis commentator of all time. Somehow got traction with a few thousand followers, including a reply from the sitting Australian Prime Minister (also a redhead).

Australian NBN Project (2009)

Worked on the National Broadband Network implementation strategy, while at McKinsey. Learned a ton about telco economics and industry structure, and the challenges of implementing big infrastructure policies. Also the first time I realized most of the value lives at the application layer. Since then, I’ve invested my entire career in tech.

Honours Thesis (2007)

One of my early career forks. I turned down a grad offer at PwC ($30K package) in Brisbane to do an extra year at uni and bet on something bigger. Wrote my thesis on corporate environmental reporting, had two papers published, and landed a role at McKinsey in Sydney.

Henry Hiace (2005-2008)

A 1990 Toyota campervan I drove across Australia with my girlfriend (now wife). We lived on $25 a day, used paper maps, and saw some unforgettable parts of the country. Then sold it for a profit.