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Keynote Speaking
AI strategy, startup velocity, what boards get wrong. For events that want a speaker who doesn't bore people.
Speaking topicsHelping build the next generation of Australian high-growth tech companies
I'm Dean McEvoy. I built and sold Spreets, Australia's first group buying site, to Yahoo7 in 2011 for $40M, eleven months after we launched.
Since then I've backed or advised more than 150 companies, including Canva, SafetyCulture and Culture Amp through Blackbird. Today I give keynotes on AI, work as a fractional executive, and run masterminds for founders who want to go further, faster.
Watch: 90 seconds with DeanWhat I Do
There are four ways to work with me:
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Fractional Executive
One or two days a week inside your business. Strategy, product, hiring, whatever's blocking you.
How it works03
Startup Mastermind
A small group of serious founders. Peer accountability, honest feedback, no cheerleading.
Apply04
Horizon Four
An AI mastermind for experienced founders building with AI. By application only.
Register interestSelected Portfolio & Advisory Work
Companies I've backed, advised or worked alongside, directly or through Blackbird Ventures.
Current advisory work — Darwinium, Cake Equity, Envato, Endeavour Aerospace, Perkie AI
Sold — Spreets to Yahoo7, $40M, 2011, eleven months after launch
Investor via Blackbird — Canva, SafetyCulture, Culture Amp
First investor: Darwinium — refined their sales process and closed their first customer. They've since raised over US$20M.
Early advisor: Cake Equity — rebuilt the leadership structure and go-to-market, voted #1 company in Startmate, introduced Jason Calacanis who led their seed round.
Founding investor and mentor at Startmate — equal #1 for picking the most valuable companies, including Startmate's highest-returning company to date.
Atlassian / NSW Government — pitched the Tech Central precinct to the Premier of NSW. Approved, and now under construction.
What Founders Say
“Dean was instrumental in us securing a spot in Startmate and then securing Jason Calacanis as lead investor in our seed round. For us and many first-time founders there is an extremely steep learning curve, and Dean's deep integration into the startup community gave us the confidence and ability to navigate the many challenges.”
“No BS advice that took us from concept to commercial traction.”
“Not only did Dean intro me to two of Australia's largest VC funds, he also coached me for those meetings. My business is complex and I asked Dean for help building a concise story. It was a rare pleasure to watch a truly skilled craftsman at work — he gave my company's story back to me in a way that was simple yet comprehensive, detailed yet engaging.”
“Dean is one of the best connectors in the Aussie tech space, constantly bringing together founders and tech CEOs to nurture real and relevant discussions. I've personally benefitted a lot from such forums at critical points in my journey.”
About Dean
I co-founded Spreets, Australia's first group buying site, and sold it to Yahoo7 in 2011. Since then I've backed or advised more than 150 companies, been a founding investor and mentor at Startmate, and invested through Blackbird Ventures. Today I split my time between keynote speaking, fractional executive work and running masterminds for founders who want to go further, faster.
Start Here
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