Produced by W2D1 Media. Work with us →
Lauren Capelin

Lauren Capelin

VC Business Development Manager, AWS Startups at Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Startup Support

Lauren Capelin is a community strategist and disruptive innovation specialist with expertise in web3, fintech, the sharing economy, startups, and early-stage investing. She currently serves as VC BD at Amazon Web Services (AWS) Startups. Previously, she was Principal at Startmate, overseeing Founder Scouting, Investments, and Media. Lauren has also been a Partner of Platform at Reinventure Fund, contributing to the national fintech ecosystem and advocating for gender representation in the industry. She co-founded Collaborative Lab, promoting collaborative consumption globally, and has been involved with the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers community. Lauren holds a Graduate Certificate of Business in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies from QUT and is a certified organizational coach and yoga teacher.

Watch the latest episode Jump to key moments LinkedIn ↗

In their own words

From Lauren Capelin and the importance of nurturing diversity · The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem - Interview Series
It's a really lonely place to be at that early stage and you need as many believers around you as possible.
▶ Lauren Capelin and the importance of nurturing diversity

Career

  1. Now VC Business Development Manager, AWS Startups · Amazon Web Services (AWS)
  2. Earlier Principal · Startmate
  3. Earlier Partner / Head of Venture Community · Reinventure Fund
  4. Earlier · Startup Co-founder (with Rachel Botsman) · Collaborative Lab

Sources: aicd.com.au

Key moments

Jump straight to the part of Lauren Capelin and the importance of nurturing diversity you want.

  1. 0:22 Meet Lauren Capelin
  2. 0:29 Overview of Startmate
  3. 0:58 Core Value of Startmate: Founders Helping Founders
  4. 2:10 Community Importance in Startmate
  5. 2:50 Lauren's Background Before Startmate
  6. 3:10 Early Days of the Startup Ecosystem in Australia
  7. 4:49 Support Infrastructure in 2010
  8. 5:30 Transition from Collaborative Consumption to Fintech
  9. 8:22 Comparing Global Ecosystems to Australia
  10. 11:53 Unique Competitive Advantages of the Australian Ecosystem

Heard on

▶
Documentary: The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem · 19 December 2022 The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem - Part 3 With Michael Batko, Wayne Gerard, Petr Adámek, Peter Devine, Rohit Bhargava, Terry Hilsberg, Peter Bradd, Zrinka Tokic, Rachael Neumann, Zoe Piper, Susan Oliver, Silvia Pfeiffer, Murray Hurps, Rachel Yang, Yolanda Redrup, Peta Ellis, Sarah Pearson, Niki Scevak, Colin Kinner, Mark Pesce, Colette Grgic, Ian Gardiner, Matt Barrie, Melissa Widner, Cameron Adams, Georgie Turner, Baden U'Ren, Evan Thornley, Alan Noble, Kate Jones, Kate Cornick, James Alexander, Dharmica Mistry, Emily Rich, Lars Rasmussen
▶
Documentary: The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem · 19 December 2022 The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem - Part 4 With Simon Thomsen, Tim Boyle, David Burt, Rachel Yang, Sarah Pearson, Bruce Tulloch, Cheryl Mack, Lucinda Hartley, Joshua Flannery, Megan Sebben, Alex Scandurra, Phil Ireland, Julie Trell, Peter Devine, Dean McEvoy, Craig Swann, Colette Grgic, Pete Horsley, Aaron Birkby, Annie Parker, Paul Bassat, Maxine Sherrin, Malcolm Turnbull, James Alexander, Melissa Widner, Hamish Hawthorn
▶
Documentary: The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem · 19 December 2022 The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem - Part 5 With Mark Pesce, Steve Grace, Eloise Hall, Isobel Marshall, Darryl Lyons, Megan Sebben, Phil Ireland, Wayne Gerard, Sam Jockel, Samantha Finnegan, Arthur Sinodinos, Peter Devine, Tim Fung, Peter Tippett, Trevor Folsom, Dean McEvoy, Moira Were, Kate Jones, Daniel Flynn, Mick Liubinskas, Peter Bradd, Rachael Neumann, Chad Renando, Annie Parker, Aaron Birkby, Rachel Yang, Melissa Widner, Sarah Pearson, Colin Kinner, Bruce Tulloch, Matt Barrie, Kate Cornick, Cheryl Mack, Andrea Gardiner, Niki Scevak
▶
Documentary: The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem · 19 December 2022 The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem - Part 6 With Leslie Delaforce, Darryl Lyons, Megan Sebben, Wayne Gerard, Nicole O'Brien, Alex Carpenter, Evan Thornley, Baden U'Ren, Tim Fung, Trevor Folsom, Peter Davison, Craig Swann, Moira Were, Colette Grgic, Allan O'Connor, Rachael Neumann, Chad Renando, Annie Parker, Brendan Hill, Aaron Birkby, Malcolm Turnbull, Jodie Fox, Susan Oliver, Silvia Pfeiffer, Yolanda Redrup, Andrew Nunn, Melissa Widner, Alfred Lo, Sarah Pearson, Phil Hayes-St Clair, Colin Kinner, Matt Barrie, Kate Cornick, Cheryl Mack, Andrea Gardiner, Niki Scevak
▶
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem - Interview Series · 30 January 2022 Lauren Capelin and the importance of nurturing diversity

Amazon Web Services (AWS) on Day One

Amazon Web Services (AWS) Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a comprehensive cloud computing platform provided by Amazon. It offers a wide range of services including computing power, storage options… 4 people · 9 episodes →

Connections

Spot something wrong? Suggest a correction Updated 25 September 2026

Produced by W2D1 Media

Want a show of your own?

W2D1 Media — the team behind the Day One Network, which helped build Blackbird Ventures' Wild Hearts — builds and produces podcasts for funds, founders and operators. If you want a show built around your brand, let's talk.

Start a show →
—