A series of tweets I didn't expect to write so soon.

Mid-COVID QUT announced the wind down of @QUTCEA. It was a shock to the team and to the wider startup ecosystem. This is what I'm grateful for:

10 point thread below

1. From my very first meeting with @_AnnaRooke and @indiana_june, I've always felt genuinely supported by CEA. Any time I spent with CEA was highly valuable and insightful as I co-built QUT’s first student pre-cellerator - @QUTStarters #StartupHatch

2. CEA knows how to throw a party. My first CEA event was #SWcreativetech 2016. I was drawn into the energy of the team, and the polish of the event. I loved how they engaged their community in every aspect of the event. Cocktails on the Friday night of a #StartupWeekend - what?!

3. I fell in love with CEA at the first Showcase I attended - Fashion Accelerator Showcase 2016. It was evident that this team loved what they did and proud of the companies they work with. Key insight- excellence in form of focus, know where you add value.

4. I tagged onto a friend’s startup, @Storyboardapps. It was incredible to see a glimpse into how CEA works with startups. Somehow found myself in Copenhagen with @mafesto. This is where he first seeded the idea of me joining CEA. Student me: “any salary is a good salary”

5. On my first day @Mafesto dropped @AdvanceQld Ignite Accelerator grant submission in front of me and said “we won this tender, go build an accelerator.” When it came to selecting an EiR, I was told “pick an EiR who you want to be your mentor.” This became #ColliderAccelerator.

6. I wanted VC experience and not only did I get insight to a top quartile performing fund, I was trusted to lead transactions, sit on boards, then worked with a small team to raise CEA's second fund which was 2 wks out from launch. Out of 38 investments, I was involved with 30.

7. Join somewhere for the people. I have such deep respect for everyone who’s been at CEA. I’ve always seen CEA as a place where talented people come and eventually move on from. I joined when we were 7 - we 3x to >20. Former team members are my closest friends and mentors.

8. Excellence through action. We were a team of movers and shakers who got sh*t done. Importantly, we’re scrappy yet took no shortcuts. We took pride in everything we did and delivered world-class events. We weren’t afraid to stretch boundaries.

9. We didn’t just throw around the phrase #FoundersFirst, we personified it through action. It wasn’t just startup jargon for ‘customer centric’ - it was a mentality and reminder that we’re here for the long haul. Be it through our networks, interactions or investment terms.

10. I could not have asked for any better place to start my professional career than at CEA. Thank you @_AnnaRooke and @mafesto for having me as part of the CEA team, taking the time to guide me, and trusting me with elements across the organisation.