Ambition Project

Australia has a complicated relationship with ambition. Thanks to tall poppy syndrome, a lot of people learn to play it small. With Onwards, Stake had already made a stand for the opposite. The Ambition Project was the next step: instead of just talking about ambition, we funded it.

Together with Man of Many, we created a three-part documentary series about three Aussies at a turning point. Big wave surfer Laura Enever, chef Big Sam Young and Sydney punk band FANGZ all backed themselves when the path wasn’t clear. So Stake backed them too.

The series lived on a premium content hub, and the invitation was open to everyone: Aussies could share their own ambition on social and tag Stake for a shot at no-strings-attached funding.

The plan was to pick one winner. But when Stake founders Matt and Dan judged the final entries, two stories really impressed them. So they decided to personally double the stakes to back both. Meet Cat from Naluka wetsuits and George from Sandie furniture.

The Ambition Project went on to win Best Use of Video at the 2026 Mumbrella Publish Awards. You can watch all three episodes and read the stories on Man of Many.