Breaking into Venture: Lessons from the VC Catalyst AMA

Aspiring and emerging investors from across Australia tuned in to hear from guest speakers and alumni Hilary Watson (Angel Investor and Founder) and Davi La Ferla (Angel Investor, Director, La Ferla Ventures). In a relaxed, insightful conversation, they shared what it’s really like to begin your journey in venture investing – from first investments to lessons learned along the way.

Whether you were simply curious about funding startups or considering joining the upcoming VC Catalyst program, this event gave participants direct access to alumni and practical, real-world advice about breaking into the world of venture capital.

Below is a summary of some of the key discussion highlights from the session.

1) Why did you join the VC Catalyst program?

Davi: “It was natural after my last exit… The next venture is about backing other ventures, not just creating one myself.” He added, “I wanted to not just be part of, but shape the Australian startup ecosystem with others. VC Catalyst enabled me to elevate, extend and accelerate that investment journey. It was stratospherically different to where I would have been otherwise.”

Hilary also shared two main reasons for joining VC Catalyst.

Hilary: “the program translated into actually what job I did — it helped me pursue my interest in the venture space through my current role at a venture studio. This was a pivotal move for me.”

Second, she emphasised the value of skills and network building.

Hilary: “Building a network was one of the things that I think is so important in your career, no matter what you do. Learning alongside other really great participants, including people working in family offices and universities opened my eyes to different options for funding startups and venture-building. It’s the people. I’m very close friends with a lot of participants—not just in my cohort, but others.”

2) What were your biggest takeaways?

Davi: “I thought I would move to SV (Silicon Valley)… but now I want to work local. VC Catalyst delivered absolutely brilliant engagement with different participants. I’m regularly in touch with people, collaborating on deals and ideas. The confidence I’ve got in taking an opportunity is enormous.”

Hilary: “My network is huge now. I have all these people in my network to be a better investor. Beyond networking, I see the bigger picture of Australia and the critical role innovation plays in how the country can succeed in increased competition globally.

In this crazy world, where you see news articles every day about more challenges, you realise how important it is for Australia to position itself carefully. Innovation is one of those critical levers we have to pull.”

3) What did you enjoy most?

Hilary: “The people—participants, teachers, guest speakers. Everybody’s willingness to improve, innovate, do things better.”

She praised the program team who go the extra mile for participants. Hillary appreciated the collaborative spirit and energy throughout the experience, which made the learning engaging and meaningful.

Davi: “I had a blast with the people. The program itself was outstanding—exceptionally well designed.”

He shared a memorable insight from Pedram Mokrian, Stanford Adjunct Professor and one of VC Catalyst’s facilitators: “If you understand how venture works, you understand how innovation works.”

For Davi, the true value came from authentic connections with people across cohorts and continuing engagement beyond just the program. He emphasised, “It’s not just my cohort—I’m part of a group of all the alumni. I continue working, collaborating, and co-investing with many of the people I met during the program, and that has been really valuable.”

4) How have you applied your learnings?

Hilary: “The program directly influenced my career direction — it helped me pursue my interest in the venture space through working at a venture studio. I developed a clear focus, building and following a thesis in AgTech, which aligned with her passions.”

Hilary also noted how the program provided her with practical frameworks and a deeper understanding of the investment landscape, which helped sharpen her decision-making and strategic thinking. This gave her the confidence to engage more actively with startups and the broader ecosystem.

Davi: “I built and refined my investment thesis as expected, and it’s now really tight, guiding how I evaluate opportunities both here and offshore.”

He created La Furla Ventures as a dedicated vehicle to deploy capital. Since the program, Davi has made multiple investments, many involving fellow VC Catalyst alumni.

Davi: “Every deal I’ve done includes members from the program as co-investors. The Rapid Aim opportunity actually came from presenting my investment thesis to an audience that included a VC with portfolio companies.”

5) What advice do you have for newcomers?

Hilary: “Everyone brings different things to the table… Imposter syndrome is normal.”

She also advised, “You get out what you put in,” and admitted, “I wish I’d made even more time for it.” Taking the time and effort to engage fully can significantly enrich the experience and outcomes.

Davi:“Do it. Really lean fully into the program, clear your diary as much as possible and connect authentically.”

“If you understand how venture works, you understand how innovation works”

The session closed with a Q&A, where participants asked questions about getting started in venture. Many were curious whether the program was suitable for newcomers — especially those from non-investment backgrounds like technology transfer.

Both Hilary and Davi emphasised that a diverse range of experience levels is valued. They shared that most participants arrive with some level of imposter syndrome but leave with practical knowledge, confidence, and strong networks.

The takeaway? You don’t need deep pockets or a finance background to start investing in venture. With the right mindset, network, and support — like VC Catalyst — anyone can step into the ecosystem and help shape the future of innovation in Australia.