Tractor Ventures

🎉 BIG NEWS ALERT 🎉 (Drumroll please… 🥁🥁) We have now FUNDED 200+ COMPANIES!! 🚜 🚀✨ This is more than a number to us - it’s: 200+ tractors fueled for the future, getting the funding they need to fuel their engines and drive their missions forward… 🚜 200+ businesses sowing the seeds to help spark innovation, create impact, and generate opportunities for growth and change in their industries… 🌱 200+ teams ploughing through milestones, empowered to turn their bold visions into reality, expanding their reach and making waves… 🌊 (𝘺𝘦𝘴, 𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴...) It’s been an incredible journey so far - and we’re just getting started.  And despite turbulent times recently (like we’re all facing), our team is more focused than ever to help more founders and Tractors fuel their engines! The best is yet to come! 💥 But most importantly, we would not have reached this milestone without our amazing team (past and present), partners, shareholders, and our amazing Tractors who’ve made this milestone possible. We couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you 🫶 Let’s keep pushing boundaries and achieving milestones together. Here’s to the next 200+! 🙌🚜

I am pretty excited about _SOUTHSTART this year! I have a feeling it will be the best one yet. So, I am bringing the whole Tractor Ventures team! 🚜 Matt Allen with be hosting a fireside chat with one of our favourite investors and absolute legend Rowan Simpson. I will be speaking alongside JD Sheard from Eastend Ventures, Callum Davidson from Cake, Taylor Fox-Smith from Airwallex and Julie Demsey. We're co-hosting the Ecosystem & Community Summit (at the stunning Pearl Aldinga)! We will be getting real, talking about all the ups and downs we go through on this scale up journey. There is even an opportunity for confessions! After two days of learning, connecting and creating. This will be like a breath out. It's going to be a refreshing, open-air experience for founders, funders, and innovators shaping Australia’s future. 🚜 Matt Allen, Karl Skewes, Dan Siepen, Andrew Fitzpatrick, Darragh McDonnell, 🚜 🏳️🌈 Olivia Doherty, Ian Kinsley (ACCA) and our newest team member to be announced very soon :) If you are yet to register, its not too late!!

Ever set goals at the start of the quarter, only to realise halfway through they’ve shifted so much that focus is lost? That was us at Tractor Ventures. We’d set big goals, but without a consistent system to track and anchor them, priorities would suddenly change, goals would shift, and what mattered most at the start of the quarter would get buried under new distractions. After introducing Level 10 Meetings (thanks to Rocket Fuel), we saw how structure could transform our meetings. But we still needed something to keep us focused between those meetings. That’s where the second tool from Rocket Fuel came in: 90-Day Scorecards. So, what’s a 90-Day Scorecard? Each team member tracks their 3-5 measurable goals for the quarter, all aligned with our two strategic themes in the case for Tractor: - Growing a high-quality loan book - Creating a strong, profitable company These aren’t just high-level goals - they cover everything from sales targets to Harvo’s reliability, ensuring that every part of the business is aligned. And why does this works for us: - Alignment: Individual goals are directly tied to company priorities, using the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). - Consistency: Progress is reviewed weekly in Level 10 Meetings, so shifting priorities don’t derail long-term focus. - Accountability: Each quarter, we reflect, refine, and reset—keeping our focus sharp and ensuring goals aren’t just “set and forget.” So, how can your business create effective 90-day scorecards? Here are some tips we’ve adopted at Tractor, with key learnings and framework ideas from Rocket Fuel. 👉 Tip #1 - Focus on the few, not the many: Limit each person’s goals to 3-5 priorities (Big Rocks).  Remember - when everything is ‘important’, nothing is important. Narrowing focus helps drive real results. 👉 Tip #2 - Break down big goals: It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by a 3-year target. The 90-day world lets you break long-term goals into manageable chunks, creating momentum without the overwhelm. 👉 Tip #3 - Review, reassess, refine: Working relationships and team dynamics shift every 90 days. That’s why quarterly check-ins are critical to realign, adjust priorities, and remove blockers. 👉 Tip #4 - Align goals with the company’s vision: Ensure every goal is connected to the company’s strategic themes. This keeps everyone rowing in the same direction, amplifying impact. 👉 Tip #5 - Keep it simple: No fancy tools needed. A simple Google Sheet can track progress. What matters is clarity, visibility, and regular check-ins. —-------------------- PS. For those interested, this visual is a similar structure to our 90-day scorecard (with made up goals). 🙂 P.P.S. Farm names are intentional 😉🚜👩🌾

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” – Albert Einstein Yet here we are - another year has passed, and the gender funding gap in Australia’s startup ecosystem has widened (yes actually, based on these stats below). As Noga Edelstein highlighted in the latest CutThrough Ventures report, the numbers speak for themselves: In 2024: - Only 2% of venture capital went to all-female founding teams—down from 3% in 2023. - 15% went to mixed-gender teams - also down from 18%. - Meanwhile, all-male teams captured 83% of total funding, up from 79%. It’s not just the funding share that’s concerning - it’s the long-term impact: - The median deal size for all-female teams was $1M, less than one-third of that for all-male teams ($3.2M). - Since 2019, there have been only three $50M+ funding rounds completed by all-women teams. Is it any wonder that women founders are struggling to scale? But here’s the thing - this isn’t just a “women’s issue.” (and what’s the real kicker in my honest opinion). If we funded women at the same rate as men, we could add between AUD $70 - $135 billion to the Australian economy. That’s not just equity. That’s economic growth. Late last year, we created the Beyond Barriers series - written and curated with the amazing Stephanie Palmer-Derrien, and Noga Edelstein. In this series, we: - Unpack the systemic barriers - structural, societal, and discriminatory—that hold women back. - Examine the role of venture capital - what can change, and what requires a shift beyond VC. - Explore the untapped economic potential Australia is leaving on the table by underfunding women-led startups. What’s become clear? This isn’t about “fixing” women founders. It’s about fixing the system that wasn’t designed with them in mind. And it’s about **collaboration** - governments, industry leaders, investors, and ecosystem insiders working together to create real, lasting change.  Enough talk. It’s time for action. Because when we invest in women, we invest in Australia’s future. Well done on your great words Noga 👏 PS. We’d love for you to dive deeper with the Beyond Barriers series - https://lnkd.in/gtgzzzYC 

Founders, my favourite thing to do is to riff on ways to help you think about using capital to drive near term growth. So a free offer … 👇🏻 If you’re doing $200K a month or more in revenue, you *know* you can drive that up quickly but your balance sheet is constraining you. Hit me up. My job at Tractor Ventures is to help find innovative ways to allow founders to unlock growth specific to their company. Email me, Matt @ you-know-where .com

In 2024, venture debt was doing exactly what it was designed to do - help growth-stage companies stay on track when the market slows down. Yes, the economic climate has been challenging. Decision-making is slower. Cash flow pressures are real. Equity raises are taking longer to land. BUT, here’s the good news: demand for debt has increased. Why? Because founders are realising that the right debt can be a powerful, flexible tool to keep growth moving, even when equity markets are cautious. At Tractor Ventures, we’ve embraced this shift. We focus on quality over quantity, partnering with companies that have clear strategies for growth. We’re not just providing capital - we’re helping founders navigate this new landscape with confidence. Venture debt isn’t a last resort; it’s a strategic advantage when used with purpose. If you’re scaling and want to explore how venture debt can work for your business in 2025, let’s talk. It’s not about fitting into a rigid box - it’s about finding the right funding fit for your growth. It was an awesome opportunity to share these thoughts in the latest CutThrough Ventures report - a great read if you’re looking to understand how the funding landscape is evolving. Thanks again to Chris Gillings and the teams at Cut Through Venture and Folklore Ventures for compiling this report.

We’re constantly exploring new ways to support the community - and right now, that means launching our first-ever public survey with the legends at SmartCompany and Unyoked. We’re aiming to lift the lid on 💰 business finance and debt - what’s working, what’s painful, and where founders need more support. And because we know you’re short on time, it takes just 5 minutes to fill out (promise!). ▶️ Here’s the link: https://lnkd.in/gkpffcqT As a little thank you, everyone who responds goes in the draw to win a two-night stay at an Unyoked cabin - the perfect place to slow down, switch off, or basically channel your inner zen. 📖 🫖 (Wish I could enter myself!) A big shout-out to Justine Goss and Cassandra Leong from SmartCompany, and Laura Haddock from Unyoked for making all of this happen. We’ll be sure to share the results once they’re in, so watch this space. The survey closes on Friday, February 28 2025, and the winner will be announced on Monday, March 3 2025. 🎁

🎉 Our first public survey (and we’d love your input!) 🎉 Exciting news! We’re partnering with SmartCompany and Unyoked on a survey to explore the ever-evolving world of business finance and debt. The SmartCompany x Tractor Ventures Survey 2025 will dive into real experiences, challenges, and insights from founders and business owners like you. 👉 Survey here: https://lnkd.in/gdAeabKq Why this matters: We want to better understand the financial hurdles you’re facing. Together with SmartCompany, we’ll shed light on the cultural, strategic, and tech trends shaping how we all view debt.(More to come on that soon!) So, what’s in it for you?: Share your perspective (it only takes 5 minutes!) and enter the draw to win a two-night stay in nature at an Unyoked cabin of your choice (subject to availability). 🌿 Whether you’re keen to slow down, switch off, or just reconnect, Unyoked offers a chance to recharge - only a short drive from a major city. A big thank you to the amazing Justine Goss and Cassandra Leong from SmartCompany, and Laura Haddock from the Unyoked team for making this happen! All responses are anonymous, and we’ll keep you in the loop by sharing the results once they’re ready. This survey (and your chance to win) ends on Friday, February 28, 2025, and the lucky winner will be drawn on Monday, March 3, 2025. Any questions, just ask in the comments or send me an email/DM 😊  

The 2024 State of Australian Startup Funding report from Cut Through Venture and Folklore Ventures is now live! It's 132 pages packed with very interesting and valuable statistics and opinions from across the entire ecosystem. It is a MUST READ! 5 key things to know about Venture Debt: 1. Debt gains momentum as a key funding option 2. Uncertain markets drive debt uptake 3. Equity funding gap paired with stricter lending 4. VCs continue to increase support for debt 5. Positive outlook for 2025 My two cents in relation to the state of Venture Debt, "In 2024, Australia’s venture debt market has been navigating a tough economic climate. Decision making has slowed, and scaling companies are facing cash flow pressures as customers take longer to pay. Equity raises are also taking more time to come together, reflecting a more cautious approach across the board. Demand for debt has increased but suitability has been lower. At Tractor Ventures we have held a clear focus on quality over quantity. Venture debt remains a crucial source of flexible funding, helping growth stage companies stay on track in what has been a slower, more deliberate market landscape". 2025 is already looking much stronger and I am excited to continue helping founders grow their businesses with a mix of capital. Fantastic insights from our partners in the Aussie Venture Debt Market. The opportunity for growth is huge. Let's keep growing this market together! Alex Mount, Nick Gainsley, Melissa Widner, Ethan Singer, Alex Simmons, David Marshall, Justine Carzino, CFA, Karthi Sepulohniam (Subramaniam), Jason Georgatos Thank you Chris Gillings!

Ever walked out of a meeting thinking, "Well, that could’ve been an email"? As startup founders and leaders, we’ve all been there. Sitting through endless discussions, circling the same issues, leaving with more questions than answers. No real decisions. No real progress. Just… wasted time. Interestingly, research shows that executives spend an average of 23 hours per week in meetings - yet 67% of them say meetings prevent them from getting actual work done. At Tractor, we can’t afford inefficiencies. Whilst we weren’t doing “an average of 23 hours per week in meetings”, it sure did feel like it sometimes. Too many recurring meetings. When you’re a fully remote team and a 4-day work week company, this can’t happen. We were having meetings with too much talk, not enough resolution. We were having meetings with a lack of clear structure, with priorities getting lost. We knew something had to change. Finding our Rocket Fuel Last year, inspired by the book Rocket Fuel, by Gino Wickman and Mark Winters, we restructured our team to lean into our natural strengths and build a more efficient way to work. We streamlined our org chart, creating a direct and dynamic structure for our 10 senior leaders. But structure alone wasn’t enough. We needed a meeting framework that kept us aligned, accountable, and moving forward. On day one of this year, I introduced Level 10 Meetings. A tool straight from Rocket Fuel, to make our leadership meetings radically more efficient. Here’s how it works: Every Monday, we meet for 90 minutes to: ✔️ Review wins & key numbers – This helps set the tone & track progress. ✔️ Identify blockers & solve issues – Using the "Identify, Discuss, Solve" (IDS) framework. ✔️ Rate the meeting’s effectiveness – Because if it’s not a 10/10, we change it. Why we’re incorporating this tool for performance: 👉 We want to ensure we follow a clear agenda: wins, scorecard review (I’ll share more on this next week), and issue-solving using the "Identify, Discuss, Solve" framework. 👉We want to help encourage open, honest discussions and track progress. 👉 End each meeting by rating its effectiveness to drive continuous improvement (because we don't like useless meetings - who does, right?) 4 weeks into 2025, how are we going so far? The team is loving it, because its a highly valuable use of their time. Everyone has full context on what’s happening each week. Everyone understands the key goals of each individual. Everyone understands the pathway of where we are heading. And most importantly - we’re having less meetings, leading to more efficiency. Next week, I will share our other tool we are using to keep track of our key goals. Comment below if you’re wanting this template, and I can send you a high-definition PDF version. Gino Wickman, Mark C. Winters