The recent First Nations House Summit, part of Perth's West Tech Fest, provided a platform for global leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors to exchange ideas and foster collaboration.

The event focuses on economic empowerment, innovation, and environmental conservation, with participants sharing strategies to drive positive change.

Bill Tai, a Silicon Valley-based venture capitalist with over 30 years of experience, brought his expertise to the summit, emphasising the intersection of technology, conservation, and entrepreneurship.

"I'm typically funding companies at the earliest of stages, primarily seed stage," he said.

"I concentrate a lot on the founder, what the founder's ability is to lead and to make good decisions."

Mr Tai highlighted the qualities he looks for in founders, including leadership, charisma, and sound judgment, as well as opportunities in markets undergoing structural change.

"I'm looking for a combination of leadership charisma, great judgment, and also a market that is going through structural change in front of a big opportunity," he said.

A strong advocate for sustainability, Mr Tai stressed the importance of building businesses that benefit the environment.

"The last 150 years or so has been very destructive to our environment, while companies have been building for profit," he said.

"That has to change."

He added that financial markets are beginning to recognise the value of preserving the environment and its species.

"The value of preserving our environment and its species is going up," he said.

As co-founder of ACTAI—a nonprofit supporting athletes, conservationists, technologists, artists, and innovators—Mr Tai explained the organisation's dual mission.

"We support two things: environmental conservation and economic empowerment through entrepreneurship," he said.

ACTAI also operates a venture fund, reflecting Mr Tai's commitment to integrating financial support with meaningful impact.

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Discussing the evolution of technology, Mr Tai described its transformative potential.

"Technology is a series of waves that builds upon itself," he said.

"Because technology over the last 25 years in particular has become pervasive to society, the opportunity sets are just getting bigger and bigger."

Artificial intelligence (AI) was a key focus of Mr Tai's remarks.

He described AI as a major wave of innovation that will shape technology and society for decades to come.

"To the extent that AI becomes pervasive in technology and society over the next 20, 30, 40 years, there are going to be a lot of things created that I think can be assisted, helped in the areas that we care about," he said.

Mr Tai also praised the summit's organiser, Paula Taylor, for creating a space where innovation and collaboration can thrive.

"Paula Taylor has done an incredible job putting together an inaugural event," he said.

The First Nations House Summit highlights the importance of leveraging technology and entrepreneurship to address global challenges.

Bill Tai's insights highlight the opportunities at the intersection of innovation, conservation, and empowerment, offering a vision for a more sustainable and inclusive future.