Think & Grow

Director Growth & Partnerships APJ

At Think & Grow, we are your global growth partners 🚀 We empower founders, leaders and executives across the globe to develop their businesses.

How we help founders of fast-growth tech companies: 

Workshops: Identify and close the gaps in your business to gain clarity on your leadership, team and strategy.

Growth: Have the support and expertise to scale sustainably and successfully locally and overseas.

Hire: Attract the change-leaders and advisors you need to accelerate your business.

Advisory: Create a scalable culture to empower your people to push boundaries and propel growth.

Head of Sales APAC

River City Labs

Startup Mentor

Startupbootcamp

SCALERR

As the Global Head of Consulting, I hold a dual role in driving the development and execution of global growth strategies for startups and scaleups, while also leading the consulting practice and strategic partnerships on a global scale. With a comprehensive understanding of sales, partnerships, business development, and strategic planning, I provide expert guidance and innovative solutions to startups worldwide, empowering them to navigate the complexities of scaling and achieve sustainable growth.


Key focusses of my role:

•	Drive Revenue Growth and Market Expansion: Identify new business opportunities and strategic partnerships globally, enhancing client revenue and market reach.
•	Expand Strategic Partnerships: Build and leverage a network of C-suite executives, venture capital funds, ecosystem builders, and government entities to drive growth.
•	Execute Go-to-Market Strategies: Orchestrate global go-to-market strategies for clients, to achieve significant revenue growth, market share expansion, and customer acquisition.
•	Develop and Lead Sale Functions: Built end-to-end sales functions for clients, providing strategic sales advice.
•	Implement Scalable Sales Playbooks: Create tailored sales playbooks, optimize resource allocation, increasing efficiency, and accelerating time-to-market.
•	Advise on Capital Raising: Guide clients on capital raising strategies, offering pitch coaching, deal guidance, and investor outreach strategies

Global Head of Consulting

Scale Facilitation® 

Access New York™ facilitates global revenue stage, small to medium size companies to access the US market. Our core mission is to commercialize and scale the latest technology and innovations into the market.

This means we provide a comprehensive ecosystem to our portfolio companies, far beyond just sourcing capital in exchange for equity. Our experienced team, located in Australia and the United States, provide targeted guidance and management across all aspects of commercialization and scaling.

Role Overview:
Conceptualized and Launched 'Access New York': Established a leading investment program for
tech businesses expanding to the US, with investment sizes of $1M-$10M USD.
• Pioneered Tailored Investment Strategies: Developed customized approaches that maximized
global entrepreneurial opportunities, resulting in a diverse, high-performing portfolio.
• Identified High-Potential Tech Companies: Conducted market assessments, competitor analysis,
financial analysis, and due diligence to evaluate companies for US market success.
• Led High-Performing Investment Team: Directed a team in strategic investment decisions and
provided guidance to the investment committee.
• Expanded Strategic Relationships: Cultivated new and existing relationships, driving revenue
growth and business expansion with government partners, enterprises, venture capital firms, and
community organizations.
• Developed Partner Strategy: Implemented strategies to identify new partners, generate revenue,
and align with business goals.
• Mentored Portfolio Companies: Advised on global go-to-market strategies with a focus on US
expansion, enhancing market entry and growth.
• Streamlined Investment Lifecycle Management: Built scalable workflows supporting internal
teams, founders, and stakeholders throughout the investment lifecycle.

Investment Fund Lead Australia & New Zealand - Access New York

RunwayHQ

Runway is a regional not-for-profit startup ecosystem aimed at supporting entrepreneurs in their entire startup journey. From coming up with a business idea through to launching and scaling their business.

OVERVIEW
•	Cultivated Key Relationships: Built strong working relationships with stakeholders, mentors, coaches, and partners within the Runway and Australian startup ecosystems.
•	Identified Partnership Opportunities: Strategically targeted prospective organizations and government departments to establish valuable partnerships.
•	Led Corporate Opportunity Discovery: Unearthed corporate opportunities and managed the tender process for relevant government-focused applications. Successfully winning a $300k government tender.
•	Drove Business Development: Identified and pursued new business development opportunities, leading initiatives that expanded market reach and increased revenue.
•	Managed Sales Pipeline: Oversaw the sales pipeline process, converting opportunities to ensure a robust and continuous revenue stream.
•	Acted as Brand Ambassador: Represented Runway at local and national levels, enhancing brand presence and engagement within the ecosystem.
•	Directed Marketing Strategy: Managed and executed marketing strategies in alignment with overall business goals, driving brand visibility and growth.
•	Senior Leadership: Managed team performance and behaviours to optimize their contributions towards achieving business objectives.
•	Advised and Mentored Startups: Acted as a strategic advisor and mentor, focusing on sales, business development, and go-to-market strategies for startups and businesses within the Runway ecosystem.

Head Of Sales & Partnerships

Trigger Group

Trigger Group are a go-to-market sales acquisition start up specialising in B2B SaaS. We're a start up representing scaleups in the technology SMB space! We represent some of the biggest global hospitality and logistics businesses: DoorDash, Wish.com, Lightspeed, and Hubster/Otter.

OVERVIEW
•	Managed International Sales Operations: Led and executed inbound and outbound sales strategies for SMB and enterprise SaaS clients in hospitality and logistics, including DoorDash, Wish.com, and Lightspeed Commerce.
•	Built Organizational Structure: Played a key role in scaling the business from 20 to 150+ employees, developing internal structures and processes for effective growth.
•	Scaled and Deployed Sales Teams: Aligned sales teams with business priorities and objectives, ensuring optimal deployment and performance.
•	Advised on Go-to-Market Strategies: Collaborated closely with clients to develop and implement successful go-to-market strategies for new markets.
•	Implemented Sales Planning and Performance Management: Directed planning, target setting, performance management, and execution of key sales activities.
•	Provided Senior Leadership: Led and coached a global workforce of 150+ staff, directly managing 4 Regional Sales Managers, a Learning & Development Manager, and 3 Sales Operations Executives.
•	Fostered High-Performance Culture: Cultivated a positive and high-performing workplace environment.
•	Managed Financials and KPIs: Oversaw P&L, KPIs, sales budgets, and forecasting, collaborating with internal stakeholders to drive profitable growth.
•	Nurtured Executive Relationships: Built and maintained executive-level relationships with clients, navigating pre-sales processes and conducting needs analysis.
•	Led Market Development and Negotiations: Identified new market opportunities and spearheaded commercial negotiations with prospective clients.

Imperium Tourism Holdings

Imperium Group are a private equity group that own a number of youth focused tourism brands. The umbrella company is Travel Freedom Group, which has over 50 retail locations in ANZ operating under the brands PeterPans, Backpackers World Travel, StudentUni Travel, Travel Freedom, and The Travel Project

The role included:

•	Design and implement effective customer-centric Sales, Product, and Business Development Strategies across five separate retail (55 retail locations), Contact Centre, and online businesses 
•	Plan, implement, and control the marketing strategy for key AU & NZ markets, in-line with sales, marketing, business plan objectives and targets for increased revenue and market-share position
•	Actively provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to Regional Sales Managers, eCommerce Manager, Contact Centre Manager, and Training & Development Manager on direct sales strategy, people management, marketing activity, and performance management
•	Create and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders
•	Recruit, coach, and develop high performing sales and customer service teams across the organization
•	Enhance team performance through incentives, rewards, and recognition
•	Use data to forecast sales and manage budgeting process and expenditure 
•	Report weekly on business performance to the Group General Manager, Managing Director, and Board, in line with company guidelines and expectations 
•	Lead and develop people and people strategy working in partnership with HR to ensure continuous improvement, talent development, and staff engagement initiatives are in place and actioned 
•	Monitor competitors’ products and sales strategy
•	Business Development - Manage key partner relationships, contract negotiations, sales, and logistics with current and prospective partners to collaborate on healthy growth initiatives to deliver strong commercials

Head Of Sales Australia & New Zealand

STA Travel

•	Oversee the operations and sales of every retail site within the Region
•	Provide leadership, guidance, and coaching to sales management team
•	Develop Regional and retail site business strategies to protect revenue and hold sales teams accountable to deliver expected results. 
•	Lead and influence sales team to conceptualize, plan, drive, and manage all Regional sales initiatives to achieve the targeted sales growth
•	Recruit, coach, and develop high performing sales and customer service teams across the Region
•	Build a strong sales and staff culture that creates winning mentality along with staff loyalty
•	Collaborate with, and influence the Product and Marketing teams to help support regional initiatives especially surrounding local market activities
•	Building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders 
•	Deliver weekly reports on Region results to Senior Leadership as well as deliver presentations at key product events

Regional Sales Manager - Victoria & South Australia

•	Provide leadership, guidance, and coaching to 6 sales consultants 
•	Managing all aspects of retail stores business environment and operations
•	Maintaining customer service quality and standards of the team 
•	Implementing and adhering to daily, weekly, and monthly activities
•	Develop and implement local marketing strategies 
•	Driving financial results and KPI’s and holding team accountable

Retail Store Manager

•	Mastered service and sales processes to maximise productivity and profitability 
•	Developed loyal clientele base due to in-depth knowledge and ability to match customers’ needs
•	Be an integral part of the team to help achieve store objectives
•	Customer service and sales to consistently achieve expected company KPI’s
•	Recognised top 10% performing sales consultant in United Kingdom

Senior Sales Consultant

Travel Consultant

Experienced Senior Sales Leader, Growth Strategist, Mentor, and Advisor

Extensive background in tech startups/Scaleups, B2B SaaS, travel, ecomm, and retail, spanning UK, APAC, and US markets.

I help some of the world's most innovative tech companies scale, both locally, and globally.

With a extensive career in sales, business development, and consulting, I have a proven track record of delivering remarkable go-to-market success and capital raising outcomes for startups and scaleups across various domains and regions. I leverage my deep expertise in global markets, sales, partnerships, and people-focused strategies to empower and inspire my clients and teams to achieve their full potential.

Paul Mitchinson

Vibe Guide Ventures

Helping Startup Support Orgs with Community, Events & Experiences. Also known as VaaS (Vibes as a Service).

Founder & Vibe Guide

Drinking History Tours

Director

Cremorne Digital Hub

Community Projects (Contract)

The Startup Network

Events (Contract) 

Membership Manager

The Community Collective

The Community Collective exists to serve community builders in the Australian and New
Zealand startup space. Our mission is to support community builders to build stronger
communities and create a space where they belong.

As an Ambassador, my role involves organising impactful community initiatives to support
The CC members and community builders across the startup space.

Community Ambassador

ZILIO

Pre-Seed Investor in a Melbourne based fashion-tech startup, changing the way we shop for online retail

Investor

Pause Fest & Awards

Social Media

Birchal

Key Responsibilities 
- Managed CSF campaigns from the initial call to successful capital raises. 
- Ran digital marketing for CSF campaigns. 
- Used automation and digital tools to improve efficiency.  
- Project managed the raise to ensure deadlines are met.

Campaign Manager

Hatch Quarter

Key Responsibilities
- Organise the Hatch Quarter Community and Partnerships (Ecosystem).
- Support in Leading and executing Hatch Quarter industry events.
- Contributed to organising inbound & outbound delegations to and from MENA.

Ecosystem Lead

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Key Responsibilities 
- Managed a portfolio of 3000+ members.
- Helped to 4x the member base during 2020.
- Helped to re-design the membership tiers & online portal.
- Trained the team as the manager’s 2IC.
- Engaged with prospects to justify a high ROI of memberships.

From Startups to Multinationals, I engaged with and assisted members with several aspects of their business while being the face of the Chamber's mission, to make Victoria the best place in Australia to do business, a Chamber tradition over 160 years strong.

Member Partner

Account Manager

Hi there 👋 thanks for visiting my LinkedIn Profile.  

A bit about me, I am a professional with experience in startup capital raising, a passion for community building, running accelerator programs with a collaborative and co-elevation mindset to bring people together and grow the startup ecosystem 🚀

My knack for public speaking combined with my account management skills, allow me to connect with anyone in the room and create long-lasting relationships. 

If you’ve made it this far, I would be delighted to connect with you.

Desmond John

WFH or the office? 🤔 For me, I’ll always advocate for the magic that happens when you’re working in-person in a great space.

Nearly four years ago, I started working out of The Commons Cremorne while working at Birchal, where I got to work in the same space with Paz, Dickie, Reuben, Remco and so many people I work with now. I loved seeing what a good workspace can actually do, not just in productivity but in career momentum and community.

Today, I am based out of The Commons QV, which has become the environment where Im in my peak flow state. It has been the backdrop where I've been able to work on some of my favourite projects.

Every Tuesday Shannon hosts breakfast club. Every October, we celebrate Halloween and the team runs weekly Socials on Friday. I’ve also run countless events for The Startup Network here, along with events with The Community Collective and so many more. I have seen people meet future co founders, future clients and future friends here in moments that look casual on the surface but end up becoming meaningful.

Tomorrow we’re opening up this space for Community Co-Working Day with an amazing group of co hosts Frances Goh, Anne-Catherine Laurent, Michelle Edhie Wahidin and orgs like The Community Collective, Forever Projects, One Roof,, Frontcover The Nudge Group Vibe Guide Ventures & FKS.

We’ve hosted a few Co-Working days at different spaces this year but this is so full circle hosting it at a space that has given me so much, with orgs I’ve collaborated with, especially with Anne-Catherine Laurent who welcome us into Cremorne all those years ago!

If you need a space to work from tomorrow, come through for Free or Pay-What-You-Feel (100% of donations support Forever Projects): https://luma.com/qazj6w38

Cheers to the good work that happens in the office! 🤩

Startup Community, Events & Tourism in Melbourne

Last week we ran something really meaningful, easily one of my favourite events of the year 🎉 

For months, Megan Luttrell and I would talk about the “The state of Melbourne’s startup ecosystem”, after some great articles in Startup Daily.

We thought, why don’t we run an event about it with some of the ecosystem’s biggest voices about how we can co-elevate the industry?  🤔 

After months of working on it, we ran “The Great Victorian Startup Debate” with Cremorne Digital Hub (CDH) & Aussie Founders Club (AFC), if you missed it, check out the recap video by AFC & Garrich, capturing the night. 

I loved Megan’s ambitions to make this more than an event, but to generate some real PR and online conversations. So massive shoutout to Marty McCarthy who filmed videos with the speakers, and helped us get this event in Linkedin News (link in the comments 👇 ),  and Marie Dowling for getting Megan’s article into Startup Daily. 

The goal wasn’t to decide who’s “right”. It wasn’t to tidy up the narrative or make Melbourne sound shinier than it is. It was simply to put a whole bunch of honest perspectives side-by-side.

I think the ecosystem isn’t broken. It isn’t perfect. It’s alive, messy, ambitious, and worth showing up for.

Huge thank you to our speakers: Jodie Imam, Andrew Rowse, Kate Cornick, Garry Williams, and Paul Naphtali, absolute ecosystem heros who brought depth, humour, and honesty to the conversation.

And big thanks to FB Ventures & Katie Troutman for backing something bold, LaunchVic for supporting AFC to make these events possible, Deepak Singh, Liz van Zyl, Felicia Coco for helping out and of course to Cremorne Digital Hub (Alan Tsen, Rochelle Kerr & Tristan Dwyer) for making it happen.

It was such a joy to organise, MC & deliver this with such great people. I’ve never been more optimistic about Melbourne’s Innovation Industry. 

And great to finish it off by catching the end of SmartCompany's Smart50 awards with Elizabeth Baldwin Eloise Keating Justine Goss Will Hayward Adam Bub Cassandra Leong Uyen Dam! Congrats team 🎉

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Paul Mitchinson

Desmond John

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