Australian co-founders of a podcast analytics and community platform startup will compete in the Red Bull Basement international entrepreneurial competition next month, for a chance to win a trip to Silicon Valley and progress their idea.
Sophie Greiner, 22, and Bella Filacuridi, 25, are the co-founders of Dome, a platform that provides podcast hosts with AI-powered insights into their shows, and exclusive listener data drawn from user engagement with the app.
Dome also provides a space for listeners of podcasts to connect with one another through listener-driver discussion features.
Their shared startup idea was announced as the winner of the Red Bull Basement startup competition in Australia last week. Dome was chosen out of thousands of applications to represent Australia at the World Final competition in Tokyo in December.
The winner of the Red Bull Basement global competition will get the chance to travel to Silicon Valley in the US, known as the global epicentre of innovation.
With Dome, Greiner and Filacuridi are tapping into the lucrative podcast market, which is projected to hit $130 billion by 2030.
“Like many, we’ve become podcast-obsessed in recent years,” the co-founders told Women’s Agenda.
“While podcast production, revenue streams, and distribution have grown rapidly, platforms to support the audiences that empower them have lagged behind.”
Greiner and Filacuridi first met at an International Women’s Day event in Sydney for entrepreneurs and bonded over their shared love for the Australian podcast, Shameless.
“We believe a shared love of a podcast reflects mutual values and interests, offering a powerful way to connect with others,” the co-founders said.
“After speaking with countless hosts, we realised podcast success hinges on listener relationships—yet no platform exists to truly nurture and understand this connection… until now.”
For the last few months, Greiner and Filacuridi have met with several Australian podcasters to understand the challenges they face, as well as what they might need to reach their audiences in a better way.
With their idea backed up by the insights they gained from their research, Greiner and Filacuridi are now developing their MVP, seeking a technical co-founder and building relationships with angel investors to “help take Dome to the next level”.
Sophie Greiner studied law, communications, and Chinese at the University of Technology Sydney. She always believed the “correct path” for her was to dive straight from education into the workforce, but her first experience in the entrepreneurial game has changed all that.
“When I had my first startup idea a couple of years ago, I was introduced to a completely new world, new experiences, new purpose and to be blunt, became obsessed,” Greiner told Women’s Agenda.
“Getting as much experience as I can in the startup world – for Dome and for myself – is my priority now and I truly believe it has helped me evolve hugely, just not in the ways I had once expected for myself.”
Bella Filacuridi, who currently works as a product strategist at Accenture Song, has always wanted to “create something from the ground up”, but didn’t quite know where to start.
“I’ve explored countless ideas and opportunities, but something was always slightly off – whether it was timing, team, or the concept itself,” she told Women’s Agenda.
“Meeting Soph was my sliding doors moment. Together, we’ve shaped Dome into what it is today, and it’s become a perfect intersection of my passions: building communities, fostering meaningful conversations, and crafting purposeful product experiences.”
The co-founders of the game-changing podcast platform describe their working relationship as this: Greiner sees the forest, and Filacuridi sees the trees.
“We’ve nailed the balance between big-picture dreaming and figuring out the nitty-gritty steps to get there,” the co-founders said.
“Soph knows the ropes of app development and the intricacies of that process, while Bella’s background is in digital product strategy and customer experience design. This has really formed our unique dynamic, with a well-rounded skill set that blends strategic thinking with creative execution.
“What really makes it work, though, is how we have each other’s backs. If one of us is fighting hell and back, the other instinctively steps in—no questions asked, we just bounce off each other like that. There’s a deep respect and belief in what we’re building, and in each other.
“And really, startups are just about waking up every day and solving whatever chaos lands on your desk. You’ve got to be comfortable with solving problem after problem, you’ve got to love that stuff. Having the right people around you to do that, with a decent sense of humour intact, is where the real win is.”
Greiner and Filacuridi are heading to Tokyo in December to compete at the Red Bull Basement World Final entrepreneurial competition, competing against finalists from 40 other countries.