Brian Cooke - Angel Investing, AI and the Discipline of Diversification

Richard Triggs · 231 Brian Cooke – Angel Investing, AI and the Power of Diversification

In this episode of the Arete Podcast, Richard Triggs sits down with Brian Cooke, Co-Founder of MooCoo Ventures and a key figure in the Brisbane Angels community, to explore angel investing, AI, risk and the realities of backing early-stage companies.

Brian currently works with investors through a venture syndication platform connected closely with Brisbane Angels, helping people participate in early-stage startup investment without needing to be Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos.

The conversation explores Brian’s experience building and listing an online gaming company, only to see around 70 per cent of its market disappear almost overnight following US regulatory change. It was a defining lesson in how quickly regulation can reshape a business, especially in emerging or technology-led markets.

Richard and Brian also discuss AI, why Brian sees the current moment as similar to the internet-era inflection point, and why he believes the largest companies in the world in ten years will be AI companies. They also explore the difference between digital AI and physical AI, including driverless cars, intelligent devices and the next wave of technology-led disruption.

This is a practical and fascinating conversation about technology, investment, risk, community and how to think intelligently about the companies that may shape the future.

Key Timestamps

0:32 – Brian’s current work with MooCoo Ventures and Brisbane Angels

2:31 – Why angel investing does not require enormous personal wealth

4:54 – Brian’s early life in Ireland and move to Australia

8:21 – Moving into online gaming and digital commerce

12:02 – Losing 70 per cent of the market after US regulatory change

12:56 – Strategy consulting, PwC and the move into technology investing

15:18 – Why AI represents another major inflection point

21:43 – Digital AI versus physical AI

25:35 – Understanding risk, return and early-stage investment

30:09 – Why diversification is essential in angel investing

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