Founders Unfiltered: In conversation with Karen Lawson

Karen Lawson has built some of the world’s most recognisable brands in Australia, and now backs the founders coming next.

As Managing Director, ANZ at Arcanys Ventures, Karen works at the heart of the startup ecosystem, partnering with angels, VCs and founder networks to source exceptional companies and support them to grow with capital efficiency. With over 30 companies already in the portfolio across Europe and Australia, her focus is on founders with genuine traction, a scalable business model, and the ambition to build something that matters.

Before investing, Karen spent years in the operator’s seat, holding executive roles in Peleton Australia, Spotify, Slingshot Corporate Accelerator, and CareerOne.

She is also the Founder and Fractional Growth Leader at Xcite; providing fractional leadership for boards, investors and founders to deliver commercial growth and digital transformation, and Co-Founder of CoVentured; a SaaS marketplace connecting corporates and startups.

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Founders Unfiltered is Stone & Chalk's fireside chat series - with founders, for founders. Growth stories without the gloss. Founders paying it forward and sharing what they've learned.We want to create moments that matter - learning, genuine connection, and the kind of conversations that help you and your business go further faster.