Masterclass | How to Fund Your Business
Description
Masterclass | How to Fund Your Business
Raising capital is one of the biggest challenges facing founders and entrepreneurs. Whether you're launching a start-up, growing a side hustle or scaling an established business, understanding your funding options can make all the difference.
Join Tristan Whitear (1999), Director of SEEK Investments, and Matthew Donazzan (2003), Partner at Straight Bat Private Equity, as they share practical insights into raising capital, attracting investors and navigating the funding landscape.
Event Details
Date: Monday 17 September 2026
Time: 12.30–1.30pm
Location: Online (click here!)
We welcome all alumni, parents, students and members of the Carey community to join this free online masterclass.
What you'll learn
The different funding options available at each stage of your business journey.
What investors look for when evaluating a business.
How to prepare your business for investment.
Common mistakes founders make when raising capital.
Understanding valuation, investment and growth strategies.
Practical tips for pitching to investors with confidence.
Q&A with Tristan and Matthew, with the opportunity to have your questions answered.
Whether you're seeking your first investment or planning for future growth, this session will provide practical knowledge and real-world insights to help you take the next step with confidence.
Explore the full Enterprise Festival program
Discover all upcoming events, workshops, masterclasses and networking opportunities and find the sessions that interest you most. View the full program here.
For more information, please contact the Alumni Team at communityengagement@carey.com.au or phone +61 3 9816 1357
Please note that photographs and footage may be taken at this event. These will be used by the school for marketing and publicity in our publications, on our website and in social media or in any third party publication. If you do not wish to be filmed, please let the photographer know.
Lineup
Tristan Whitear (1999), Director of SEEK Investments
Tristan Whitear is a Director at SEEK Investments, an Australian-based thematic investment manager that backs high-growth, technology-enabled businesses across the Work and Learning sectors. He leads investments and partners closely with founders on strategy, capital allocation and scaling, and has served on the boards of several portfolio companies, including Employment Hero, Vervoe, Expertlead and Workana. Before moving into investing, Tristan held corporate development and commercial analysis roles at SEEK, and earlier spent close to 10 years at PwC Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance from the University of Melbourne. A member of Carey's Class of 1999, Tristan brings a practical, investor's-eye view of what it takes to raise capital and build a business worth backing.
Matthew Donazzan (2003), Partner at Straight Bat Private Equity
Matt has more than 15 years of experience as a private equity investor, investment banker and business executive. He is a Senior Partner at Straight Bat Private Equity, and Managing Partner of offshoot fund The National Champions Fund. His experience in operating or investing businesses also includes: • Goldman Sachs Private Equity division • AirTree Ventures (venture capital fund) • M.H. Carnegie & Co (private equity fund) • TEG Ticketek (private equity owned ticketing company) • One Cent Flights (digital marketing and rewards platform) • Cold Drip Beverages (beverage contract manufacturer) His advisory experience, gained at Goldman Sachs, UBS and KPMG, includes transactions involving the following private equity firms: Affinity Equity Partners, Archer Capital, Bain Capital, Baring Private Equity, Carlyle, EQT, KKR, L Catterton, Mercury Capital, Pacific Equity Partners, PAG Asia, Permira, Quadrant, Silver Lake Partners and TPG. His most precious, and demanding, client is his 2 year old daughter Chiara. The most rewarding investment he has ever made is his marriage to his wife Chloe. Family is his purpose and reason.
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