What does it really take to turn an idea into a successful startup — without burning cash, chasing hype, or falling in love with the wrong business model?In this episode of Unicorn Ventures, Sean sits down with Wenee Yap and Thomas Daricott, co-authors of Riding the Unicorn, to unpack what separates founders who build real, durable businesses from those who quietly disappear.And fair warning… this one is not just insightful — it’s a lot of fun.Wenee and Thomas bring sharp thinking, real stories, and plenty of laughs as they pull back the curtain on the startup world.In this conversation, we explore:- Why most founders validate their ideas the wrong way- The biggest myths around VC funding, grants, and “startup success”- How Australia & New Zealand quietly produce world-class founders with less capital- The difference between a startup, a scale-up, and a great small business- Why community beats product in the early stages- The concept of the “endless novice” — and why it matters- Common mistakes even smart founders keep repeating- When not raising money is actually the smartest moveWe also dive into real case studies from companies like Canva, Airtasker, Atlassian, Perla, Forage, GO1, and more — breaking down what worked, what didn’t, and what founders can learn from both.If you’re a founder, business owner, investor, or someone sitting on an idea wondering “is this worth pursuing?”, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a few well-earned laughs along the way.🎧 Plus:We wrap with an AI idea discussion that flips customer research on its head — and might just save you from building something nobody wants.About the GuestsWenee Yap and Thomas Daricott are deeply embedded in the Australian startup ecosystem, working with founders, accelerators, and innovators across every stage of the journey. Riding the Unicorn distils insights from some of the most successful (and honest) founders in the country into a practical, no-nonsense playbook — delivered with wit, warmth, and clarity.If this episode resonates:Like & subscribe for more founder-level conversationsShare it with someone who’s building (or thinking about building)Drop a comment with the idea you’ve been sitting on — we read them all