What Founders & Investors Aren't Told - with Hummingbird & AdvanceVC
Date & Time
📅 Tue, Feb 10, 2026
🕐 7:00 AM
Ends: Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Location
📍 The Commons QV
3 Albert Coates Lane, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia, Melbourne, VIC, 3000
🏙️ Melbourne
About This Event
An honest fireside chat on startups, venture and investing, sharing lessons founders and investors usually learn the hard way.
Join The Startup Network for a special Founder Connect featuring a book launch and in-conversation session with Sohum, founder of Hummingbird Ventures and SR Developments alongside Max Kausman, founder of Advance VC.
This fireside will be marking the release of a new four-part book series on building technology startups and navigating venture capital. This event brings together founders, operators, investors, and aspiring entrepreneurs for an evening of insight, conversation, and connection.
Learn more about the books here: https://books.by/sohum
About the Event
After more than 15 years of writing on startup building and venture funding, Sohum is publishing his work into a series of four books focused on the realities of building, scaling, and funding technology companies.
This Founder Connect will double as an official book launch, paired with a fireside-style conversation exploring the key themes from the books, lessons learned across cycles of startups and capital, and practical insights founders can apply today.
Expect an open, honest discussion grounded in real experience, followed by networking with the TSN community.
Learn more about the books here: https://books.by/sohum
What You’ll Get
● Book Launch of Sohum’s four-part startup and venture capital series
● Founder conversation on building tech companies, funding, and long-term thinking
● Audience Q&A with practical, founder-focused discussion
● Networking with founders, operators, investors, and ecosystem builders
● Food and drinks provided
About the Speakers
Sohum, Founder, Hummingbird Ventures and SR Developments
Sohum has been a rockstar writing and doing gigs to millions of people, built apps that were the most popular in the country, had his work featured front page in most mainstream newspapers and every major magazine he can think of including Forbes, CBS, Reuters, Canal+, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald which led to the creation of Melbourne’s free tram zone used by 4 million people each week.
He's founded a tech startup that develops real estate (SR Developments), an investment firm (Hummingbird Ventures) and write a popular blog (Sohum.com). He angel invests in startups and as an LP in VC funds where he's backed over 100 startups and more than 10 unicorns. He has a degree in computer science and an MBA from RMIT. In 2015, he was regarded as one of the most influential young people under the age of 30 in Australia. https://www.hummingbirdventures.com/ https://www.srdevelopments.com.au/
Learn more about the books here: https://books.by/sohum
Max Kausman, Founder, Advance VC
Max is a VC investor, advisor, startup operator, and community builder. He’s been investing in VC since 2020, both at Tidal Ventures where he helped deploy over $20M, and as an angel. He is also a co-founder of the J Combinator tech community. He’s previously worked in a VC backed startup and in advisory roles at Bain & Company and Vesparum Capital. https://www.advancevc.com/
When & Where
Tuesday 10 February
6:00pm – 8:00pm
The Commons, QV, Melbourne
Who Should Attend
● Startup founders and co-founders
● Early-stage operators and builders
● Aspiring entrepreneurs and students
● Investors and ecosystem participants
● Anyone interested in building technology companies the right way
🎟️ Join Us! 🎟️
Dive into the world of emerging technologies and gain essential skills for your startup journey at our Founder Connect event. Secure your spot today for an experience filled with opportunities, inspiration, and potential collaborations that could shape your future in tech 👩💼👨💼.
While the event is open to all, becoming a member of The Startup Network gives you access to exclusive events, resources, and a supportive community. Join us today and make the most of your entrepreneurial journey!
We can’t wait to connect with you on February 10th 🗓️! Let’s envision the future together ✨.
The Startup Network needs more members like you! Join us by clicking here.
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🧾 Refund & Credit Policy – The Startup Network
We’re a not-for-profit committed to building a stronger, more connected startup community. We strive to make our events accessible, enjoyable, and financially sustainable, and we appreciate your understanding.
✅ Refund Eligibility
We offer full refunds for paid events if requested at least 7 days prior to the event start date.This helps us avoid hard costs like venue and catering commitments that are typically confirmed one week out.
🔁 Credits for Late Cancellations
If you cancel less than 7 days before the event, we’re unable to offer a refund —but we’ll happily issue a credit for a future TSN event of similar value.
To be eligible for a credit:
- Your request must be submitted in writing (via email to contact@thestartupnetwork.com.au)
- The credit must be used within 6 months
- Redemption may require a manual code or RSVP by email — we’re volunteer-led and appreciate your patience with this low-touch process
🚨 Mandatory Refunds (per Eventbrite’s Policy)
Regardless of our standard policy, refunds will be issued if:
- The event is cancelled, postponed (and not rescheduled within 90 days), or significantly changed
- You experience access issues due to our planning (e.g. over-capacity)
- There is a material discrepancy between what was advertised and what was delivered
⚖️ Your Rights Under Australian Consumer Law
Nothing in this policy limits your rights under the Australian Consumer Law, including your right to a refund if the event fails to meet basic consumer guarantees (e.g. not delivered as described or unsafe).
📬 How to Request a Refund or Credit
Please contact us via email at contact@thestartupnetwork.com.au with:
- Your full name
- The event name and date
- Whether you’re requesting a refund or credit
We’ll respond within 5 business days.
How do you want to get there?
The Commons QV
3 Albert Coates Lane, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia, Melbourne, VIC, 3000
Open in Google MapsTickets
AUD 12.93 - 17.66
Good to Know
Duration
2 hours 30 min
Refund Policy
Refunds up to 7 days before event
Organized by
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