‘Patriotism isn’t a dirty word’: Inside Build Australia’s coming out party
Eucalyptus co-founder Charlie Gearside has launched a “hearts and minds, vibes-based movement”. It may have struck an unlikely chord.
Midway through Blackbird’s annual startup festival Sunrise last week — where founders, VCs and other technophiles gathered for a day of unicorns and peptides and all things AI — hundreds of attendees flocked to an afternoon debate on a topic a little more unexpected: National pride.
In the ring were Co Ventures general partner Maxine Minter, podcaster Joe Walker and Eucalyptus co-founder turned YouTuber Charlie Gearside.
Under the dim glow of a prop phone booth and bus stop sign, each pitched two “bold ideas” for the country’s future, addressing the same question: How does Australia go from a country that digs things up to one that makes things that matter?
Minter pitched a national AI skills transition program and an investment scheme to fund it. Walker pitched a dedicated data centre zone and, a little more outlandishly, a brand-new Australian city to alleviate surging property prices.
