Rosie Tiernan has always followed her curiosity. A trained audiologist with a background in allied health, she’s worked across large corporate clinics and eventually opened her own practice. But over time, the once-exciting rhythm started to feel routine.
“I got to that point where I’d done the hard yards, filled the diary, hired others… and suddenly thought, where are my people? I felt small. I wanted to be part of something bigger again.”
That moment marked a turning point. She joined Startmate’s Career Bootcamp, which led her into the Women Fellowship and now our pre-accelerator, Launch Club. What started as a quiet pull toward something different became a full phase of discovery.
She’s in what she calls “the exploration stage,” working through early ideas, leaning into conversations, and challenging her assumptions about what comes next.
One idea currently on her mind is an Airbnb-style model for healthcare spaces, a platform to help independent practitioners find flexible clinic rooms. The concept came from her own frustration trying to relocate her clinic and experiencing how clunky and slow the process can be. Testing. Iterating. Talking to customers. That’s what is front of mind right now.
“I want to challenge what I think are good ideas. That’s the exciting bit. Stepping back, getting input, and reshaping things.”
During our conversation Rosie chatted through exploring startup ideas in audiology or even workplace wellbeing. The Fellowship for Rosie meant rediscovering the energy that comes from being surrounded by other builders. The common thread is clear: real problems she’s experienced firsthand, now paired with a startup lens.
“After some of those sessions, I was so inspired. I’d get off the call and feel completely re-energised. I loved [Launch Club] pitch night. People would never have guessed I liked public speaking, but when I’m passionate about something, I light up.”
For Rosie, this experience hasn’t just been about brainstorming new business ideas. You could feel it’s also about unlearning, letting go of what no longer fits, and making space for what’s next.
“The Fellowship helped solidify that change was necessary. I was holding onto something that had already shifted. You’ve got to be willing to say, yep, this chapter is done.”
Now Rosie has just completed our 8-week pre-accelerator Launch Club, not attached to one path but focused on learning, growth and staying open to a new idea. While she once launched solo, she’s now thinking differently about what comes next.
“I’ve learned where my strengths are and what I want in a future partnership. You need to be honest, values-aligned, and ready for the hard stuff. But when it clicks, it can be something really powerful.”
