<p>In today’s episode, we’re joined by John and Jax, partners at AirTree, to talk about their massive new $650 million fund — a milestone backed by some of the world’s top institutional investors. They break down why global capital is finally paying attention to Australia, how this changes the game for local founders, and what traits they now look for in world-class startups. From the rise of AI-native companies to the evolving VC landscape, this is a must-listen for anyone building in tech.</p><p><br /></p><p>Check out their socials:</p><p>Jonh Henderson:</p><p><a href="https://www.airtree.vc/team/john-henderson" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.airtree.vc/team/john-henderson</a></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhenderson/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhenderson/</a></p><p>Jackie Vullinghs:</p><p><a href="https://www.airtree.vc/team/jackie-vullinghs" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.airtree.vc/team/jackie-vullinghs</a></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jvullinghs/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jvullinghs/</a></p><p><br /></p><p><strong>We dive into:</strong></p><ul><li>Why AirTree raised a $650M fund — and what it unlocks for founders</li><li>How global LPs are finally backing Australian venture capital</li><li>The rise of AI-native startups and why they matter now</li><li>What AirTree looks for in early-stage founders today</li><li>The shift toward faster, conviction-led investing</li><li>Why “speed and intensity” beat “balance” in the startup game</li><li>How growth-stage VC is evolving in Australia</li><li>Why AirTree is investing in companies they once missed</li><li>The internal culture driving AirTree’s success</li><li>Predictions for the future of VC and AI-driven business models</li></ul><p><br /></p><p>00:00 Exciting Announcement: New $650 Million Fund</p><p>00:17 The Importance of International Investors</p><p>00:52 Meet the Partners: John and Jax</p><p>01:13 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Venture Capital</p><p>01:23 The Fast-Paced World of VC: Diligence and Conviction</p><p>01:49 A Special Message to Our Viewers</p><p>02:31 Deep Dive: The New Fund and Its Impact</p><p>05:21 Why Australia? Convincing Global Investors</p><p>06:28 The Growth of the Australian Tech Ecosystem</p><p>09:28 Vanta Ad</p><p>12:40 Fund Structure: Seed, Growth, and Co-Investment</p><p>18:48 The Role of Growth Funds in the VC Landscape</p><p>20:44 Global Trends in Venture Capital</p><p>29:47 The Emotional Journey of Building a VC Firm</p><p>31:21 Core Ingredients for Venture Scale Business</p><p>32:11 Navigating the Nebulous World of AI</p><p>33:10 Backing AI Native Entrepreneurs</p><p>34:30 Valuation Challenges in the AI Era</p><p>35:53 Importance of Founders in AI Startups</p><p>43:22 Australian Founders on the Global Stage</p><p>46:19 Air Tree's Growth Fund Strategy</p><p>49:00 Building a World-Class Team at Air Tree</p><p>50:49 Future Vision for Air Tree</p><p>55:21 Adapting Investment Strategies</p><p>58:36 Continuous Learning and Healthy Debate</p><p>01:01:07 Conclusion and Future Outlook</p>