I’m the global citizen who turned a UTS scholarship into a 20+ year journey building Spaarks from a Sydney startup into a multi-continental software consultancy serving Deutsche Bank, Philips, and hundreds of thousands of corporate users across London, Glasgow, and Canberra - before selling it to back Australia’s next generation of AI builders.

Why talk to me

• Global perspective, local roots - I’ve lived and worked across Australia, UK, and Switzerland, giving me deep insight into both local innovation and global markets. I understand what it takes to scale from Sydney to the world because I’ve done it.
• Been in the founder trenches - 20+ years building enterprise software taught me every lesson the hard way. From first customer to exit, I know the brutal realities of scaling technology companies and the resilience required to survive and thrive.
• Performance obsessed - As a certified high performance coach, I don’t just invest money - I invest in people. I help founders and teams build the mental frameworks and cultural foundations that separate the companies that merely survive from those that dominate.
• Proven picker - My angel investments have delivered 10x returns because I don’t just spot trends; I identify the exceptional founders who turn possibilities into reality.

At Empress Capital, I have studied AI at Stanford whilst backing the audacious teams using artificial intelligence to solve humanity’s biggest challenges. We target the intersection of breakthrough technology and genuine impact - companies that don’t just automate the present, but create entirely new futures.

I live by three words: Love, Joy, Contribute. Whether it’s leading charity work with Room to Read or mentoring the next wave of founders, I believe great businesses are built on great values.

I’m the physics-kid-turned-founder who took a UNSW research project, called it Smart Sparrow, and rode it all the way to a Pearson acquisition. Now I put that same blend of AI brains, product design, and relentless hustle to work for the next wave of Australian builders.

Why talk to me

• Been there - raised multiple VC rounds, opened a San Fran office, hired (and fired), survived pivots, and sold the company. I’ve seen enough potholes to help you dodge a few.
• I shoot straight - radical candor, no BS. If problems don’t get named - they can’t get fixed.
• Detail tragic - I love nerding out. Whether it’s token-level architecture or the copy on your onboarding email, I’ll dive to pixel depth because God - and winning - is in the details.

At Empress Capital I lead our AI investment thesis: spotting teams that fuse code, design, and commercial grit, then backing them with capital plus hands-on product and storytelling help.

If you’re building something audacious and useful, let’s chat.

Darren is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and startup advisor with more than a decade of experience in the tech industry. Throughout his career, he has developed a keen interest in the rapidly-evolving fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), and their profound impact on society.

As an experienced entrepreneur, Darren has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by startups in this space. He has advised numerous early-stage companies on their product development and go-to-market strategies, and has invested in several promising AI and ML startups.

Darren’s expertise and passion for AI and ML make him a valuable resource for any startup looking to leverage these technologies to disrupt the healthcare industry and improve patient outcomes. His vision for a healthier, more connected world through AI is both inspiring and actionable, and he is committed to helping others achieve that vision as well.

Stuart is a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and an Australian Young CEO of The Year.
Stuart has invested in over 30 businesses, led capital raises, and has been an advisor, board member and mentor to numerous startups, charities and businesses.
 Founder TWIYO Capital & Advisory.

For the past 20 years, Tim has worked in financial markets, establishing and operating hedge funds, superannuation funds and managing risk within investment banking trading businesses in the UK, Asia and Australia. Tim manages Salus Ventures’ compliance and fund administration. He has a Bachelor of Commerce from Curtin University and additional qualifications from the University of Western Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

David Baxby has significant global leadership experience across investment banking, private equity, and corporate management. He began his career as a Partner at Goldman Sachs, co-heading the consumer and industrials investment banking division in Australia. David then spent over a decade with the Virgin Group, where he rose to Co-CEO in Geneva, overseeing branded investing activities worldwide and serving on the boards of Virgin Australia, Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, and Virgin Money.

He later became CEO of Global Blue in Switzerland and Managing Director of Wesfarmers Industrials Division, leading several of Australia’s largest industrial businesses. Today, David is Co-Founder of Coogee Capital, an investor and advisor to growth-stage companies, and serves as Chancellor of Bond University and Non-Executive Director at Washington H. Soul Pattinson. He also chairs WorkPac, one of Australia’s largest workforce providers, and has held multiple board and chair roles across technology, aviation, and financial services.

Prabhat Sethi is the Chairman of Archistar.ai, a leading Australian proptech company using AI and generative design to transform property planning and development. He is also the former Managing Director of Murdoch Media and Regional Head at a leading management consulting firm, bringing deep expertise in strategy, media, and large-scale business management.