The Challenge: No in-market leadership to drive ANZ
GoCardless required on-the-ground leadership to drive the strategy and execution of new market entry into ANZ. With a smaller ecosystem presence in Australia, they also needed the local hiring benchmarks and GTM connections to build a base from.
Where Think & Grow Came In
- Hired a Country Manager: a 15+ year payments-industry veteran, with the remit to grow the P&L, drive day-to-day operations and strategic direction, and be the figurehead for GoCardless across ANZ.
- Founders roadshow across Sydney & Melbourne: introduced the CEO to local SaaS founders and leaders to build their network.
- Venture Capital luncheon: introduced the CEO to the VC community to enable a flow-through of business-development leads.
- PR: created and secured articles in leading Australian newspapers to coincide with the founder's arrival in Australia.
The Results
- Deeper targeting – competitor analysis completed and a deeper sales target list created.
- Local leadership – Country Manager hired, a 15+ year payments veteran.
- Pipeline – 20+ new customers secured from the client's target list.
I really enjoyed working with Think & Grow and would gladly recommend them to others in my network looking for support in scaling businesses. — Pranav Sood, Head of International, GoCardless
About GoCardless
A global fintech platform simplifying recurring bank payments through direct debit for businesses worldwide. With operations in 30+ countries, the company is scaling rapidly through regional expansion strategies. (Now Series G, US$2.1B.)
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In-Market Activation
Think & Grow builds your brand and demand in a market you're entering or growing in. We run the launch and the engine behind it, with founder-led roadshows and events, PR and media, thought leadership, localised content and campaigns, so the right buyers, partners and investors know who you are, and that awareness turns into pipeline. It's the execution that brings a GTM strategy to life.
Strategic Target Accounts
We turn your ideal customer profile into a living, prioritised list of the specific companies worth pursuing. Scored by fit, intent and winnability, not instinct or assumption. For each tier, you get the intelligence to approach them well: who the buyers are, what's changing in their world, where you fit, and which partner can open the door.
Executive Search
A retained, senior-hire service: we map the market, reach the leaders (even the ones who aren't looking), and run a structured evaluation to deliver a shortlist matched to what you need to progress your growth stage. From C-suite to country-GM level, locally or across borders.
Co-Founder of Think & Grow and co-creator of AWS's Global Passport Program (27 cities, 200+ firms). Has helped Stripe, Square, Peloton and Dropbox enter Australia and scaled Envato, Redbubble and Harrison.ai globally; LaunchVic Ecosystem Hero.
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Growth Partner and operator who helped build companies including Groupon from an early stage, now scaling tech companies through GTM, hiring and digital transformation.
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With 20+ years placing senior leaders into tech companies and raising the bar on hiring practice, Vicky is one of the longest-standing employees at Think & Grow.
