Founder on Apple TV+ – Founder Films is set to release a four-part documentary series with exclusive access to the founders of some of Australia’s most successful tech companies.
Featuring Canva’s Melanie Perkins, SafetyCulture’s Luke Anear, Brighte’s Katherine McConnell and Fred Schebesta from Finder, this diverse group of entrepreneurs proves that there’s no one formula for success or a perfect template for a founder.
All sparked by one big idea, viewers will get behind-the-scenes access to the deep uncertainty, doubt, and struggle these founders face as they try to create something from nothing. Their eventual market dominance was not easily won, with immeasurable personal and financial sacrifice and a fair share of doubt along the way. The series dares to answer the question, when the default outcome of a startup is failure, what does it take to not only succeed but become world leaders in their field?
Executive Producer of the series, SafetyCulture’s CEO and Founder, Luke Anear, spearheaded the series with an aim to give insight into the unforgiving but ultimately rewarding world of startups and encourage those with a big idea to do the same.
“Founder is a pretty honest look at the determination and personal sacrifice it takes to start a company that has the potential to change the world. I hope it gives people some insight into what it takes to be a founder, and that it inspires the people who are sitting on incredible ideas to back themselves and give it a go. I’m a big believer that great ideas and incredible businesses can come from anywhere,” said Anear.
”I hope that by sharing more about my journey with SafetyCulture – along with Mel, Katherine and Fred’s stories – we can encourage more people to take a chance. I know that it’s a difficult time to launch a business, but if you can build a great business in these conditions, then the chances are you’ll build something that will really stand the test of time.”
Episode Synopses:
SafetyCulture – Luke Anear
An overnight success is what these companies look like from the outside, but Luke Anear had 18 different jobs or businesses before he started SafetyCulture. The family sacrifices and personal toll are heavy, and in this episode, Luke gives a raw reflection on the lonely, all-consuming journey of a tech founder and what it means to push yourself and everyone you love to the breaking point. This is the garage to global story, from a small garage in North Queensland, SafetyCulture has become the world’s most-used workplace operations platform.
Canva – Melanie Perkins
Melanie Perkins is the greatest female visionary in the world. Together with her boyfriend Cliff Obrecht, two kids from Perth tried to take on some of the biggest companies in the world. This episode shows the unlikely pairing of a perfectionist in Melanie and the boy next door style of Cliff coming together to create the world’s most used design platform. Now with 130 million users worldwide, Canva makes graphic design accessible to everyone, everywhere. But growth comes with a hefty price tag. In this episode, Mel and her co-founders open up about being knocked back by dozens of investors to being the darling of the tech world.
Finder – Fred Schebesta
From tearing apart gadgets as a child to building websites and fencing with Google, Finder co-founder, Fred Schebesta, is an absolute maverick. His radioactive approach to business has always danced the line between creative genius and daring recklessness. His willingness to blow things up makes him an incredible founder, but it hasn’t been without damaging consequences. Fred opens up about his challenges and the identity struggle that comes with being a leader. Can he work out his place in the company – and the world?
Brighte – Katherine McConnell
Would you quit your corporate job with a young family and risk your mortgage on a gut instinct? Katherine McConnell doesn’t fit the mould of your typical tech founder – but that’s exactly what makes her brilliant. At a time when renewable energy was still a niche market, she saw an untapped opportunity. Going head-to-head with the juggernaut that is the fossil-fuel industry, Katherine shares her story, proving it’s not too late in life to save the planet. This episode explores how she started Brighte, and her honest take on if following your gut instinct is actually worth the risk.
All episodes of Founder will be available to rent on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Google Play from early August.
Media Release – Apple TV+
Link to Apple TV+ HERE
TV Central Apple TV+ content HERE
