Presented in partnership with Melbourne Connect Co-working, this special satellite edition of Cremorne Connect takes you inside the world of venture capital.
Founders often hear phrases like “you’re too early” or “the total addressable market isn’t big enough” and are left wondering what investors actually mean. In this session, you’ll learn the language of venture capital and unpack the hidden messages behind common feedback.
Gain practical tools to interpret investor responses, recognise the difference between polite declines and genuine interest, and tailor your pitch to speak the same language as potential backers. Whether you’re just starting to raise or preparing for your next funding round, this event will help you cut through the jargon, refine your messaging, and approach investor conversations with confidence.
Following the session, head over to Patch Now, Pitch Later: Cyber Smarts for Startups at 5.30pm, followed by networking drinks. Enjoy a relaxed evening of food, drinks, and conversation with fellow founders, operators, and investors.
What is Cremorne Connect?
Cremorne Connect is a series of events designed for the wider tech ecosystem. They bring the local innovation community together to share insights, explore emerging challenges, and discuss practical strategies for the future.
Who Attends Cremorne Connect?
Cremorne Connect is for tech entrepreneurs, startup founders, investors and anyone keen to stay informed on the latest industry trends. The organisation's goal is to foster a community of innovators driving impactful change in tech and business.
What Happens at Cremorne Connect?
This evening gathering includes:
· Insightful panel discussions or fireside chats with industry experts.
· Practical takeaways based on current trends and case studies.
· Interactive Q&A sessions with the audience.
· Networking opportunities with peers in the tech and VC community.
· Refreshments provided.
Raaj Rayat — Investment Manager at Airtree
Raaj is an early-stage investor with a global outlook and a founder-first ethos. As Investment Manager at Airtree, Raaj backs ambitious Aussie and Kiwi founders from day zero.
Raaj’s path into VC was unconventional —he dropped out of law school to join Lendable, a fintech startup using data science to expand access to finance in emerging markets. Over nearly five years, he helped scale the company across five continents, working across investment, product, and risk. He is a board observer across multiple high-growth startups
Alan Tsen — General Manager at Cremorne Digital Hub.
Alan is a seasoned operator, ex-founder, and startup ecosystem leader. He’s held senior roles at Chipper Cash, IAG’s corporate accelerator, and was the founding GM of Stone & Chalk Melbourne. A former chair of Fintech Australia, Alan has also advised government and regulatory bodies on digital finance and fintech innovation. He now leads Cremorne Digital Hub, a government-backed initiative accelerating enterprise innovation by connecting startups, corporates, investors, and educators to solve real-world industry challenges and drive commercial outcomes
