Podcast series: Making it in Melbourne

Making it in Melbourne: Conversations with migrant entrepreneurs podcast series

Did you know that one in three small businesses in Australia are owned by migrants? Or that migrants are twice as likely to become entrepreneurs? Their stories often go untold, and we want to change this.  

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 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.  

Listen to the series wherever you get your podcasts. Search 'Making it in Melbourne' on your podcast app. 

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Episode 1: Asami Koike, Founder of Shapes and Sounds 

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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. 

Episode 2:  Yifei Wang, Founder of AI Build 

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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.  

Episode 3: Sangeeta Mulchandani, Founder of Jumpstart Studio

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What does it take to walk away from a comfortable corporate career to start your own business? Sangeeta Mulchandani, founder of Jumpstart Studio, 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. 

Episode 4: Hung Huynh, Founder of Intelligence4start 

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How do you build a business that thrives between two worlds? Hung Huynh, founder of Intelligence4Start, 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. 

Episode 5: Diletta Legowo, Founder of Small and Scale 

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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. 
 

City of Melbourne supports and recognises migrant business founders to incubate ideas in our city through grants, specialised programs and connecting with the local community. 

To find out more about upcoming opportunities, visit Startups and Innovation.