Making it in Melbourne: Conversations with Migrant Entrepreneurs Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/making-it-in-melbourne-conversations-with-migrant-entrepreneurs The Making it in Melbourne podcast series brings you conversations with Melbourne migrant entrepreneurs who are reshaping our city’s business landscape. In this series, five Melbourne (Australia) startup founders share how their cultural backgrounds have shaped their entrepreneurial journeys, offering insights, lessons, and tips for aspiring entrepreneurs. From creative and social innovations, artificial intelligence, mental health, and people changing careers, these are the stories of people who journeyed across borders to Melbourne, to build something extraordinary. This podcast series is brought to you by the City of Melbourne. Follow us at @cityofmelbourne across Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and X. We support migrant business founders to incubate ideas in our city through grants, specialised programs and connecting with the local community. Find out about upcoming opportunities at www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/startups-and-innovation City of Melbourne e6187910-f51e-5840-89d2-8f67dc1af7ad no Trailer: Making it in Mebourne en Thu, 24 Jul 2025 00:37:15 +1000 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 16:57:07 +1100 https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/startups-and-innovation https://img.transistor.fm/hTVF1l1ugiQsV56qECyoiqmIkLtQPfMcYZkn5nhYPbM/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lNzll/YTFjZWVlMjgxOWY1/YzBlOWFlOWVhMmJm/YzM5MS5wbmc.jpg Making it in Melbourne: Conversations with Migrant Entrepreneurs https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/startups-and-innovation serial City of Melbourne The Making it in Melbourne podcast series brings you conversations with Melbourne migrant entrepreneurs who are reshaping our city’s business landscape. In this series, five Melbourne (Australia) startup founders share how their cultural backgrounds have shaped their entrepreneurial journeys, offering insights, lessons, and tips for aspiring entrepreneurs. From creative and social innovations, artificial intelligence, mental health, and people changing careers, these are the stories of people who journeyed across borders to Melbourne, to build something extraordinary. This podcast series is brought to you by the City of Melbourne. Follow us at @cityofmelbourne across Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and X. We support migrant business founders to incubate ideas in our city through grants, specialised programs and connecting with the local community. Find out about upcoming opportunities at www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/startups-and-innovation The Making it in Melbourne podcast series brings you conversations with Melbourne migrant entrepreneurs who are reshaping our city’s business landscape. business, entrepreneurship, startups, migration, Australia, Melbourne City of Melbourne Megan.Cockroft@melbourne.vic.gov.au No No Trailer: Making it in Mebourne Trailer: Making it in Mebourne trailer c5aba006-0aab-4b94-9e8d-d5c6814a380f https://share.transistor.fm/s/6b185960 The Making it in Melbourne podcast series brings you conversations with Melbourne migrant entrepreneurs who are reshaping our city’s business landscape.  In this series, five Melbourne (Australia) startup founders share how their cultural backgrounds have shaped their entrepreneurial journeys, offering insights, lessons, and tips for aspiring entrepreneurs.


]]> The Making it in Melbourne podcast series brings you conversations with Melbourne migrant entrepreneurs who are reshaping our city’s business landscape.  In this series, five Melbourne (Australia) startup founders share how their cultural backgrounds have shaped their entrepreneurial journeys, offering insights, lessons, and tips for aspiring entrepreneurs.


]]> Fri, 14 Feb 2025 11:35:35 +1100 City of Melbourne City of Melbourne 145 The Making it in Melbourne podcast series brings you conversations with Melbourne migrant entrepreneurs who are reshaping our city’s business landscape.  In this series, five Melbourne (Australia) startup founders share how their cultural backgrounds have shaped their entrepreneurial journeys, offering insights, lessons, and tips for aspiring entrepreneurs.


]]> business, entrepreneurship, startups, migration, Australia, Melbourne No Asami Koike, Founder of Shapes & Sounds 1 1 Asami Koike, Founder of Shapes & Sounds full 9a1871f5-9df2-4216-bd5d-611ae4d5cee5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/68598fbe What does it take to change the conversation around mental health in Asian communities? In this episode, host Jeanette Cheah sits down with Asami Koike, founder of Shapes and Sounds, a social enterprise dedicated to destigmatising mental health for Asian Australians.


Born in Japan and living most of her life in Australia, Asami shares her journey from music therapist to accidental entrepreneur, the challenges of bridging cultural gaps in mental health care, and the perseverance it takes to build a mission-driven business. She also opens up about the pressures of entrepreneurship, navigating funding challenges, and the importance of stepping outside of her comfort zone—one coffee meeting at a time.

]]> What does it take to change the conversation around mental health in Asian communities? In this episode, host Jeanette Cheah sits down with Asami Koike, founder of Shapes and Sounds, a social enterprise dedicated to destigmatising mental health for Asian Australians.


Born in Japan and living most of her life in Australia, Asami shares her journey from music therapist to accidental entrepreneur, the challenges of bridging cultural gaps in mental health care, and the perseverance it takes to build a mission-driven business. She also opens up about the pressures of entrepreneurship, navigating funding challenges, and the importance of stepping outside of her comfort zone—one coffee meeting at a time.

]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2025 07:52:46 +1100 City of Melbourne City of Melbourne 1714 What does it take to change the conversation around mental health in Asian communities? In this episode, host Jeanette Cheah sits down with Asami Koike, founder of Shapes and Sounds, a social enterprise dedicated to destigmatising mental health for Asian Australians.


Born in Japan and living most of her life in Australia, Asami shares her journey from music therapist to accidental entrepreneur, the challenges of bridging cultural gaps in mental health care, and the perseverance it takes to build a mission-driven business. She also opens up about the pressures of entrepreneurship, navigating funding challenges, and the importance of stepping outside of her comfort zone—one coffee meeting at a time.

]]> business, entrepreneurship, startups, migration, Australia, Melbourne No Yifei Wang, Founder of AI Build 2 2 Yifei Wang, Founder of AI Build full 6dc79a7e-0cd1-4678-abc4-6ebfbacc6226 https://share.transistor.fm/s/99ccaccd What does it take to move from an international student to the CEO of an AI company? Yifei Wang, founder of AI Build, shares his journey from Shanghai to Melbourne, building a successful tech company and becoming a leader in the AI space.

Host Jeanette Cheah and Yifei explore the challenges and triumphs of building a network in a new country, the importance of hackathons and community, and how a side hustle as a cake delivery driver led to his first business opportunity. They also discuss AI Build's focus on research, development and deployment, the company's global ambitions, and the significance of the Distinguished Talent Visa. 

]]> What does it take to move from an international student to the CEO of an AI company? Yifei Wang, founder of AI Build, shares his journey from Shanghai to Melbourne, building a successful tech company and becoming a leader in the AI space.

Host Jeanette Cheah and Yifei explore the challenges and triumphs of building a network in a new country, the importance of hackathons and community, and how a side hustle as a cake delivery driver led to his first business opportunity. They also discuss AI Build's focus on research, development and deployment, the company's global ambitions, and the significance of the Distinguished Talent Visa. 

]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2025 07:54:49 +1100 City of Melbourne City of Melbourne 1565 What does it take to move from an international student to the CEO of an AI company? Yifei Wang, founder of AI Build, shares his journey from Shanghai to Melbourne, building a successful tech company and becoming a leader in the AI space.

Host Jeanette Cheah and Yifei explore the challenges and triumphs of building a network in a new country, the importance of hackathons and community, and how a side hustle as a cake delivery driver led to his first business opportunity. They also discuss AI Build's focus on research, development and deployment, the company's global ambitions, and the significance of the Distinguished Talent Visa. 

]]> business, entrepreneurship, startups, migration, Australia, Melbourne No Sangeeta Mulchandani, Founder of Jumpstart Studios 3 3 Sangeeta Mulchandani, Founder of Jumpstart Studios full 2fd3f4e1-deae-45eb-901d-abe6ebf35925 https://share.transistor.fm/s/54eb3880 What does it take to walk away from a comfortable corporate career to start your own business? Sangeeta Mulchandani, founder of Jumpstart Studios, shares her path from banking to entrepreneurship, helping others make the transition from employment to business ownership. 


Host Jeanette Cheah and Sangeeta explore the mindset shifts required for success, why startup and small business entrepreneurship are different, and how Melbourne’s diverse ecosystem fosters innovation. Sangeeta also explains how she leverages her Indian heritage and networks to help Australian business navigate the Indian market. They also discuss Press Play Ventures, an accelerator supporting women founders, and why India, UAE, and Africa are the next big markets for Australian startups.

]]> What does it take to walk away from a comfortable corporate career to start your own business? Sangeeta Mulchandani, founder of Jumpstart Studios, shares her path from banking to entrepreneurship, helping others make the transition from employment to business ownership. 


Host Jeanette Cheah and Sangeeta explore the mindset shifts required for success, why startup and small business entrepreneurship are different, and how Melbourne’s diverse ecosystem fosters innovation. Sangeeta also explains how she leverages her Indian heritage and networks to help Australian business navigate the Indian market. They also discuss Press Play Ventures, an accelerator supporting women founders, and why India, UAE, and Africa are the next big markets for Australian startups.

]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2025 07:57:04 +1100 City of Melbourne City of Melbourne 1592 What does it take to walk away from a comfortable corporate career to start your own business? Sangeeta Mulchandani, founder of Jumpstart Studios, shares her path from banking to entrepreneurship, helping others make the transition from employment to business ownership. 


Host Jeanette Cheah and Sangeeta explore the mindset shifts required for success, why startup and small business entrepreneurship are different, and how Melbourne’s diverse ecosystem fosters innovation. Sangeeta also explains how she leverages her Indian heritage and networks to help Australian business navigate the Indian market. They also discuss Press Play Ventures, an accelerator supporting women founders, and why India, UAE, and Africa are the next big markets for Australian startups.

]]> business, entrepreneurship, startups, migration, Australia, Melbourne No Hung Huynh, Founder of Intelligence 4 Start 4 4 Hung Huynh, Founder of Intelligence 4 Start full 99ca48c7-4736-4d6d-8833-10a82b840fa4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f3e25fc8 How do you build a business that thrives between two worlds? Hung Huynh, founder of Intelligence 4 Start, shares his journey from Vietnam to Switzerland, France, and finally Melbourne—where he’s helping businesses expand between Australia and Vietnam.

Host Jeanette Cheah dives into Hung’s experience of cultural adaptation, the power of speaking the culture (not just the language), and how he overcame his own introverted nature to grow an international business network. They also discuss the unique challenges faced by Vietnamese entrepreneurs entering the Australian market and how strategic connections can be a game-changer.

]]> How do you build a business that thrives between two worlds? Hung Huynh, founder of Intelligence 4 Start, shares his journey from Vietnam to Switzerland, France, and finally Melbourne—where he’s helping businesses expand between Australia and Vietnam.

Host Jeanette Cheah dives into Hung’s experience of cultural adaptation, the power of speaking the culture (not just the language), and how he overcame his own introverted nature to grow an international business network. They also discuss the unique challenges faced by Vietnamese entrepreneurs entering the Australian market and how strategic connections can be a game-changer.

]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2025 08:01:43 +1100 City of Melbourne City of Melbourne 1406 How do you build a business that thrives between two worlds? Hung Huynh, founder of Intelligence 4 Start, shares his journey from Vietnam to Switzerland, France, and finally Melbourne—where he’s helping businesses expand between Australia and Vietnam.

Host Jeanette Cheah dives into Hung’s experience of cultural adaptation, the power of speaking the culture (not just the language), and how he overcame his own introverted nature to grow an international business network. They also discuss the unique challenges faced by Vietnamese entrepreneurs entering the Australian market and how strategic connections can be a game-changer.

]]> business, entrepreneurship, startups, migration, Australia, Melbourne No Diletta Legowo, Founder of Small and Scale 5 5 Diletta Legowo, Founder of Small and Scale full e53ce124-6b59-4c21-9c10-7adbe533defe https://share.transistor.fm/s/7bc8101b What happens when traditional career paths don’t quite fit? Diletta Legowo, founder of Small and Scale, shares her journey from creative beginnings to building a social innovation consultancy that helps governments, NGOs, and think tanks design better solutions.


In this episode, host Jeanette Cheah and Diletta discuss the challenges of finding meaningful work after university, debunking the myth of hyper-confidence, and how reinvention is key to growth. From winning federal government contracts to shaping social impact initiatives, Diletta draws upon her Indonesian background and networks to help her win contracts, and proves that niching down and doing things your own way can lead to incredible opportunities.

]]> What happens when traditional career paths don’t quite fit? Diletta Legowo, founder of Small and Scale, shares her journey from creative beginnings to building a social innovation consultancy that helps governments, NGOs, and think tanks design better solutions.


In this episode, host Jeanette Cheah and Diletta discuss the challenges of finding meaningful work after university, debunking the myth of hyper-confidence, and how reinvention is key to growth. From winning federal government contracts to shaping social impact initiatives, Diletta draws upon her Indonesian background and networks to help her win contracts, and proves that niching down and doing things your own way can lead to incredible opportunities.

]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2025 08:02:48 +1100 City of Melbourne City of Melbourne 1545 What happens when traditional career paths don’t quite fit? Diletta Legowo, founder of Small and Scale, shares her journey from creative beginnings to building a social innovation consultancy that helps governments, NGOs, and think tanks design better solutions.


In this episode, host Jeanette Cheah and Diletta discuss the challenges of finding meaningful work after university, debunking the myth of hyper-confidence, and how reinvention is key to growth. From winning federal government contracts to shaping social impact initiatives, Diletta draws upon her Indonesian background and networks to help her win contracts, and proves that niching down and doing things your own way can lead to incredible opportunities.

]]> business, entrepreneurship, startups, migration, Australia, Melbourne No