The Startups Drive
The Startups Drive is a podcast built on real, unscripted conversations with people from the startup and business world.
Hosted by Kieran Longhurst, every episode is an open, unfiltered discussion with founders, entrepreneurs, operators, and business leaders — no scripts, no agendas, just honest conversations about what it actually takes to build and grow in today's business landscape.
From early-stage startup founders to seasoned corporate professionals, we talk about the real experiences, challenges, and lessons that don't always make it into the highlight reel.
Topics we've explore so far:
- Startup founding and early-stage growth
- Business strategy and scaling
- Sales, leadership, and team building
- Entrepreneurship and career journeys
- Career transitions and entrepreneurship
- Leadership, accountability, and team building
- The Australian startup and business ecosystem and more.
In season 3 we are bringing you more founder stories, more business leaders conversations, more entrepreneurs and operators insights — the raw, unfiltered journeys of people building companies from the ground up.
If you're a founder, entrepreneur, or someone navigating the business world — pull up a seat.
(Formerly Depth Exchange)
The Startups Drive
Asia’s Startup Edge, Why Developers Matter, And Australia’s Next Steps
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In this episode of The Startups Drive, I sit down with Matt Ainsworth — a startup mentor with years of experience in Asia’s innovation scene. Having lived in Japan for nearly a decade, Matt brings unique insight into the country’s startup culture, its rapid pace of development, and what Australia can learn from one of the world’s most advanced ecosystems.
We explore Matt’s journey to Japan, the cutting-edge prototypes and ideas emerging from its startup community, and where Australia has opportunities to collaborate and grow. Matt also shares his work at Tekkon, a platform that connects founders with developers, and explains why technical talent is so critical to early-stage success. From understanding the developer’s role to exploring alternative tools for founders who can’t afford one early on, this conversation is full of practical advice and global perspective.
If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or just curious about how Asia is shaping the future of startups, this episode offers valuable lessons and fresh inspiration.
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