Starting a venture is hard.

This is me as a kid, without the right tools, without a clue about physics or wind. I was just determined I was going to learn to windsurf, just like my Dad.

Starting a new venture feels like this most of the time.

By 15 I had taught 12 other people how to windsurf, it only took them a few hours each. Having someone who has been there and done it before can make all the difference.

On your own as a startup or as a spin up from an existing business,

the odds are against you.

The challenge is fitting 10 years learning into a few years runway.

You have to engage customers, staff, suppliers, investors and many other stakeholders, keep them focused on the same thing your focused on.

Why a venture advisory?

I have seen so many promising ventures, not just money making ventures but life changing products and services, fail to be realised.

The leaders of these ventures were all capable, the ideas were great, the product worked but you can’t know everything, each one made a set of missteps and ran out of runway.

This drove me to use my own businesses, Redgum and APS, as a test bed.

What I can help you with?

  • Cloud business and revenue modelling

    The rules of the game change when your solution goes into the cloud.

    Choosing the right business model and revenue streams can accelerate or inhibit the growth of a new solution.

    I help you think through your cloud business model to get the most out of your investment.

  • Technology direction

    Once you understand the business model and how it will make money, the next step is to work through the technologies that will enable you to engage your audience and grow your solution.

    I help you work through technology selection and high level architecture ready for a technical team to flesh out and start building.

  • Scaling software team

    Are you struggling to establish and grow your team?

    I’ve been building my own team for over 25 years, with team members returning to work with us years later.

    I can help you define the processes that get the most out of your team.

How can I help you?

  • As an Advisor

    Are your just starting out on your platform journey and don’t know what you don’t know?

    I provide one off or as needed advice to unblock you when your stuck, to qualify your thinking, or to provide suitable contacts I have worked with.

    Book a session

  • As a Guide

    Are you starting to get into the detail of your venture and need a sounding board to test ideas and help you navigate the early stages?

    Depending on the pace you want to run at, I provide a cadence weekly to bi-monthly that suits you.

    Book a chat

  • Supporting your consulting

    Are you are a business consultant looking for a technical advisor to help your clients?

    I bring value to your consulting engagement providing technical reviews for existing systems and processes along with digital strategic planning and software development practices and process advice.

    Book a chat

Common Questions

  • What qualifies me?

    Over the past 25 years with Redgum I have led, architectured and sometimes built 500+ applications and supported over 100 startups and spinups building their technology product, platform or service.

    You can read more about my journey here.

  • Who do I help most?

    I help non-tech founders who are aiming to build a B2B digital platform or solution based on their knowledge, experience and existing assets.

  • What do I help you with?

    To start I help translate your ideas into a technology platform scope, this focuses on the business models and revenue streams suitable to addressing your intended market.

  • What added benefits do you get?

    I help you co-ordinate the architecture, design, build of the technology either with my team at Redgum or your own.

    I help bring in the business strategy, branding, marketing, messaging, sales, capital raising and the range of other skills required through Transform Studios.

Founders I have helped

  • Lez Yeoh

    Clevero

    I highly recommend Robin. Robin comes with a rare combination of experience, technical knowledge, business management and people management. Combine that with the ability to translate complex technical talk into layman terms makes him the perfect fit for any business.

    To top it off, he’s a top bloke. Sincere, genuine and easily approachable.

    Check out Lez’s Linked In and his platform Clevero

    See Clevero

  • Thea Doyle

    EAT BY DESIGN

    From the very beginning of my journey with EatByDesign, Robin has provided unwavering support both in terms of technical direction with the build of our platform right through to introductions with potential partners.

    Robin has a real gift for understanding what a business needs and how to effectively communicate and relay this information in a non ‘technical’ sense, so even those with no prior background in technology can understand! It’s been a pleasure to work with Robin and see my business EatByDesign come to life!

    See Eat by Design

  • Bjarne Vilken

    SCALEUP

    Very rarely do you come across a guy who is as knowledgeable, accomplished and likeable as Rob. When you speak with him he seems almost reserved and shy as the cogs in his head searches for the best words to give you.

    You can ask him any question, simple or complex, and he will not make you feel silly or stupid for raising it. Instead every person who speak with him that I know of say they like him to a puzzling and at times infuriating degree.

    See ScaleUp

  • Maurice Schill

    SCOTTY OS and SYMPHONY 7

    I have bounced ideas of for JuJu, S7, and other platform ideas over the years.

    I’m always amazed at how Robin is able to fit an idea into a commercial context, and really look at what the customer may want and need.

    See Symphony 7
  • Melissa Pepers

    Melissa Pepers

    Robin has a rare depth and breadth of knowledge at the intersection of technology and business. I appreciate his friendly manner backed up by a brilliant intellect! Robin balances finding the 'how' for glittering best case business solutions, with a multitude of pathways for navigating feasibility. If you're A CEO who wants big picture without sacrificing rigor when it comes to process and detail I cannot recommend his insights highly enough. Thank you ☺️

    Click Here
  • Lynn Wood

    Lynn Wood

    Robin's advice stimulated me to syndicate IdeaSpies. This is resulting in several large organisations being offered the opportunity to access feeds of IdeaSpies ideas and articles, which extends our reach throughout the world.

    Thanks Robin!

    See IdeaSpies