Alan Jones
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, M8 Ventures at M8 Ventures
Hosts Pick My Brain with Alan Jones
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In their own words
As the CEO and founder, not only are you very unlikely to succeed in each startup that you do, but you have maximum insecurity.
Differentiation is important in venture funds, just as important as it is in startups.
About
Alan Jones is a seasoned tech investor, founder coach, and radio host with over 25 years of experience in the tech industry. Currently, he serves as a Limited Partner at Co Ventures, Australia's first dedicated pre-seed venture fund, and as a General Partner at M8 Ventures, where he invests in early-stage tech startups from Australia and New Zealand. Alan is passionate about supporting entrepreneurship in diverse and underrepresented groups, including women, LGBTQI+, refugees, migrants, and young people.In addition to his investment activities, Alan co-hosts "The Advisory Board," a radio show and podcast on Disrupt Radio, offering advice to startup professionals. He is a frequent speaker at events and in the media, sharing insights on lean startup methodologies, product strategy, growth marketing, and capital raising.Alan's career includes roles as an angel investor, mentor, and advisor to numerous startups and organizations. He has a strong commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, making significant contributions to the startup ecosystem in Australia and beyond.
Career
- Now Co-Founder & Managing Partner · M8 Ventures
- Earlier Product Director, Asia Pacific/South Asia · Yahoo!
Sources: dayone.fm
Key moments
Jump straight to the part of Alan Jones of M8 Ventures - Distribution barriers and backing founders you want to be mates with you want.
- 0:00 Cold open
- 0:14 Alan’s path into tech: media journalism to Yahoo Asia Pacific
- 1:11 Transitioning from corporate leader to a decade of startup founding
- 2:00 Moving into angel investing to spread bets across a portfolio
- 4:19 Sourcing via early accelerators and the first framework (Bug Herd)
- 7:23 Cultivating "M8 Ventures" — backing founders you want to be mates with
- 8:27 Thesis expansion into renewables, mental health therapeutics, and deep tech
- 10:30 The structural freedom of an angel portfolio vs strict VC fund mandates
- 14:19 Splitting minimum check sizes down to A$5K through an angel syndicate
- 16:41 The 50/50 rule: product and team as non-negotiable checkboxes
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