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A word with Birchal’s Co-Founder – Matt Vitale

6 September, 2022
A word with Birchal’s Co-Founder – Matt Vitale | News | Pause Awards
Nikita Lamba, writer contributor
Nikita Lamba
6 September, 2022
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We’re less than 3 months away from our Awards Night. The nominations are pouring in, the judges are getting ready to sift through them, and it won’t be too long before they’ve narrowed in on the crème de la crème of ecosystem champions for 2022.

In anticipation of that, we thought we’d bring you some words from another ace winner from last year – Birchal.

Having bagged the Hammer trophy for the third consecutive year at Pause Awards last year, Birchal has truly cemented themselves in the Australian startup ecosystem as the go-to equity crowdfunding platform. And while this form of capital raise is over 10 years old globally, it’s still relatively new in Australia – but that hasn’t stopped Birchal from hitting (and surpassing) targets. Stories like Kester Black, ZeroCo, and Thrive are testament to that.

Birchal strongly believes in giving everyone the opportunity to invest in brands they love. And to know what fires them up, we had an on-the-go chat with Co-Founder and Managing Director, Matt Vitale, who let us in on their story.

Check out excerpts from our conversation below:

You’ve made the news time and again for some extremely successful raises. But we’re keen to know if you think there was a specific moment in time when you realised that you were building a potentially game-changing business?

Yes definitely. For us, it was hosting ZeroCo’s $5M raise, which was invested in by over 3,000 of their customers alongside some of Australia’s largest professional investors and VCs. More than 2500 people pre-registered for the Birchal campaign during the expressions of interest phase which was phenomenal in itself. Seeing that sort of momentum is when we realised that was legitimate and potentially game-changing.

And what would you say was the one big factor that helped you grow your business?

There are several factors that helped us, but the major one has to be our focus on simplifying the historically complex and expensive process of raising capital. That definitely helped our success.

What would you say is Birchals’ North Star?

Our North Star is driving entrepreneurialism in Australia by making it easy for early stage businesses to raise capital. 

On a more personal level, what does success look like to you?

When investing in early stage businesses is as commonplace as investing in property and ASX-listed stocks, that would be success.

And what gets you excited to work on your business, day in and day out?

The most exciting aspect of doing this on the daily would be meeting and working with inspiring founders. We love to hear what drives them to do what they do, and how we can help them reach their goals.

How has the local/global ecosystem contributed to your growth and scaling? Anyone in particular?

Knowing that forward-thinking founders and investors believe in the potential of what we can do, that right there is a big one. For Birchal, in particular, Dom Pym (Director of Fintech Australia and the man behind Up, Euphemia, and Ferocia) was one of our earliest believers and supporters.

And finally, how do you think winning Pause Awards impacted you and your business?

Winning Pause Awards raised our profile tremendously. It helped augment how we connect with founders, and the sheer number of them we’ve met.

To learn more about Birchal, you check them out here.


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Category tracks



The Culture track seeks entries that exemplify the development of an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture, crucial for organisational success and growth. Submissions should illustrate transformative strategies implemented across core business functions, reflecting expertise, leadership, and a clear vision. These strategies should demonstrate a positive impact on the business, its employees, stakeholders, and customers, showcasing how a nurturing culture contributes to overall growth and innovation.

The Excellence track celebrates businesses that have demonstrated remarkable success and impact within their industry, regardless of their size. Entries for this category should illustrate how the business's strategic execution, guided by visionary leadership and exceptional expertise, has significantly influenced the industry. The focus will be on the tangible outcomes of these strategies, highlighting the company's ability to innovate, lead, and leave a lasting impression in its field.

The Good track is focused on recognising companies dedicated to their mission of creating a positive societal impact. Entries should highlight innovative solutions aimed at addressing global challenges such as environmental sustainability, social equity, and community well-being. Successful submissions will demonstrate how their initiatives contribute to significant changes, tackling issues like gender inequality, social imbalance, and injustice, thereby setting a precedent for responsible and impactful business practices.

Awarded to a single entry in a category, Grand Prix is the top accolade in that category. To win the Grand Prix, the entire Judging Board must unanimously agree that the entry deserves the accolade of being the best in that category.

The Growth track is about showcasing how businesses have enhanced productivity and execution to make a significant impact in their market. Entries should highlight innovative strategies that have optimised the customer journey, leading to increased engagement and commercial success. This track is for those who have effectively used their understanding of the market and customer needs to scale their business and achieve notable growth.

The Operators track seeks entries that showcase leadership in fostering innovation within their ecosystems. Ideal submissions will highlight how your initiatives have catalysed the creation of new products or services, bolstered by a culture that uplifts internal teams and the wider community. This track celebrates those who drive progress by empowering voices and forging transformative connections in their industry.


Categories


  • Always Evolving New

    Acknowledges a culture of continuous learning and improvement within a company, encourages employee development, and always looks for ways to optimise and innovate operations.


  • Big & Mighty Culture New

    Recognises companies (51-1000 employees) for their exceptional efforts in cultivating a culture that champions innovation.


  • Diverse Co.

    Celebrates workplaces dedicated to fostering innovation through a vibrant tapestry of diverse talents and perspectives.


  • Small & Mighty Culture New

    Applauds small teams of fewer than 50 employees for their remarkable ability to foster innovation and set new benchmarks in their domain.


  • Work Sweet Work

    Acknowledges companies that have achieved extraordinary employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention, creating an exemplary workplace culture.


  • Company of the Year

    Honours an outstanding company that not only showcases exemplary leadership and resilience but also demonstrates a clear, quantifiable impact over the past year.


  • Customer Obsessed New

    Applauds prioritisation, understanding and meeting the needs and expectations of their customers, including feedback, personalised services and ensuring high satisfaction.


  • Defiant Ones

    Recognises firms that lead technological innovation, setting new standards and defining the future of their industries.


  • Hammer

    Celebrates companies that have not only defined success on their own terms but have also concretely demonstrated their triumphs over the past year.


  • I Wish I'd Done That

    Applauds ingenious, simple solutions in niche markets that spark a universal sentiment of admiration.


  • On the Rise

    Celebrates early-stage startups, under 4 years, that have shown remarkable progress and success in their initial years.


  • Prodigy

    Recognises young visionaries under 30 with outstanding talents and achievements, setting them apart in their fields.


  • Singularity

    Highlights AI-driven companies that are pioneering new services or integrating AI to create innovative products.


  • Women in Business

    Celebrates female entrepreneurs and leaders who are forging paths for future generations by creating more equitable opportunities.


  • B-Good

    Recognises businesses that redefine commercial success by positively transforming our economic system for the benefit of all stakeholders.


  • Circular Pioneer

    Celebrates companies at the forefront of circular economy practices, making substantial and sustainable differences.


  • Ethical Leadership New

    Commends companies exemplifying leadership in environmental and social governance, setting standards in corporate responsibility and ethical practices.


  • Going Green

    Acknowledges companies leading large-scale sustainable initiatives, addressing critical areas like clean energy and environmental justice.


  • Collab New

    Honours strategic partnerships and alliances with other businesses to leverage complementary strengths, access new markets, and share resources for synergistic growth and innovation.


  • Design First

    Celebrates companies where design is the heartbeat of innovation, engaging the whole team in crafting groundbreaking products.


  • Going Global New

    Applauds companies that have expanded their reach globally, showcasing exceptional growth and international success.


  • Great Pivot

    Acknowledges companies that adeptly navigate change, leveraging insights to pivot towards delivering outstanding products.


  • Movement

    Recognises unforgettable event experiences that resonate emotionally, drive social change, or achieve viral status.


  • New Model

    Honours businesses revolutionising markets with elegant and disruptive business models.


  • Next Level New

    Applauds companies which had successful strategic acquisition and integration of another entity, staff or an asset that allowed them to further grow and scale their services.


  • Wildfire

    Celebrates companies that have rapidly and significantly impacted their marketplace, online and offline, setting new standards for success.


  • Angel

    Honours visionary angel investors who've significantly contributed to early-stage startups, guiding them toward success.


  • C-Suite

    Recognises exceptional leadership qualities in high-ranking executives, showcasing their management and interpersonal excellence.


  • Creative Maverick New

    Honours unconventional thinkers with exceptional abilities to execute typically unimaginable initiatives, expertly coordinate teams, secure funding or successfully launch multiple ventures.


  • Ecosystem Star

    Celebrates individuals who energise and nurture their communities, fostering engagement and advocacy.


  • Future Builder

    Recognises the determination and resilience of founders who've embarked on the challenging journey of starting their own ventures.


  • Quiet Achiever New

    Applauds the unsung heroes whose behind-the-scenes efforts have led to flawless project executions and exceeded expectations.


  • Splash Down Under New

    Acknowledges international companies making a noteworthy entrance into the Australian market, enriching the local business ecosystem.


  • TopCoder

    Recognises developers for their outstanding technical skills, clean code, and collaborative spirit.


  • Venture Cap

    Salutes venture capital firms with a track record of backing transformative businesses, contributing significantly to Australia's economic growth.


  • Visionary New

    Recognises effective leadership by setting a clear vision, motivating the team, and making strategic decisions that guide their business towards its goals.

Finalists are announced in:
00d : 00h : 00m : 00s
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