Top 50 Climate Startup Investors in Australia in January 2026

Blackbird is a venture capital fund based in Australia and New Zealand. We invest in every type of technology from software to space, unified by the biggest of ambitions.

Uniseed was established in October 2000 as a $20 million joint venture between the University of Melbourne (UM) and the University of Queensland (UQ). This proof of concept fund (Fund-1) operated with significant input and support from the commercialization offices of the two universities (UniQuest and Melbourne Ventures Limited), with staff ofthese organizations making up the majority of the Investment Committee and leading due diligence and management of most investment opportunities. Over 20 investments, typically of $250,000 - $500,000 were made from this fund.A new $40 million venture fund (Fund-2) ran from 2005-15, with the addition of a third leading university, the University of New South Wales, and a major private institutional investor, the Westscheme superannuation fund. The founding universities (UQ & UM) also committed further funds. Australian Super took over Westscheme's essets and commitments in July 2011.With the start of Fund-2, an independent management team was established, consisting of the CEO and three Investment Managers; one at each university catchment. The Investment Committee was restructured, with dedicated committees established for biotechnology or other technologies. The nominal investment limit was increased to $2.5 million to allow participation in follow-on funding rounds so as to preserve Uniseed's equity position.On 1 November 2015, Uniseed started its third and largest fund (Fund-3) with the addition of the University of Sydney and the CSIRO to the Universities of Queensland, Melbourne and NSW. This followed three high profile exits in the preceding 14 months (Fibrotech; Spinifex & Hatchtech). Each of the five partners committed $10 million over 10 years to the new fund (total fund $50 million).Uniseed’s partner research organisations spent nearly $4 billion on research, making up over 40% of the total research spend at 67 research organisations in Australia. Together, these organisations accounted for nearly 500 invention disclosures (34% of total) and 500 new registered IP rights filed (45% of total) over the same period(2013 National Survey of Research Commercialisation). Unlike private venture capital funds, Uniseed is dedicated to the needs of its research partners, and committed to servicing them consistently over the long term, irrespective of the short term conditions in external capital markets. It works in very close partnership with the research partner commercialisation companies and staff, providing a valuable adjunct to the capabilities these companies and staff provide. They in turn provide a best-practice commercialisation service tailored to their respective organisations. These companies are able to leverage to great effect the scale of operation and expertise of the Uniseed network.The fund is run with commercial discipline, ensuring independence and financial rigor in its investment decision-making processes. Success is measured by a balance of return on investment (including the flow of funds for research to further the commercialisation of intellectual property generated within the research partner catchments), the establishment of viable start-up companies, the generation of research income for research partners and the improvement of partner commercialisation processes.

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation invests using a commercial approach to overcome market barriers and mobilize investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low emissions technologies. They seek to catalyze and leverage private sector funding for the commercialization and deployment of clean energy technologies necessary for thetransition to a carbon-constrained economy.

We work with inventors who are building something hard from their unique expertise in science. These inventors are building the industries that will thrive for the decades to come. We have a unique working model to accelerate a company's pathway to scale.

Artesian Capital Management is an alternative investments management company, which was spun out of ANZ Banking Group's capital markets business in 2004, with backing from ANZ Private Equity. Artesian's founding partners, purchased ANZ's stake in 2005. The company has subsequently been fully owned by partners and staff. Since 2004,Artesian has managed specialised funds focused on credit arbitrage and relative-value strategies across global financial markets. In 2008, while continuing to manage credit relative value investment strategies from its New York, London and Singapore offices, Artesian began to make principal investments in seed/early-stage ventures from its offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Shanghai. In 2011, Artesian launched the first of its early stage venture capital funds and now manages AUD +255m. Artesian's VC strategy is to partner with best of breed accelerators, incubators, angel groups and university programs. In 2017, Artesian launched its China VC Fund with a USD 50m cornerstone investment industry super fund Hostplus. Artesian will soon launch a Southeast Asia VC Fund.

Uniseed was established in October 2000 as a $20 million joint venture between the University of Melbourne (UM) and the University of Queensland (UQ). This proof of concept fund (Fund-1) operated with significant input and support from the commercialization offices of the two universities (UniQuest and Melbourne Ventures Limited), with staff ofthese organizations making up the majority of the Investment Committee and leading due diligence and management of most investment opportunities. Over 20 investments, typically of $250,000 - $500,000 were made from this fund.A new $40 million venture fund (Fund-2) ran from 2005-15, with the addition of a third leading university, the University of New South Wales, and a major private institutional investor, the Westscheme superannuation fund. The founding universities (UQ & UM) also committed further funds. Australian Super took over Westscheme's essets and commitments in July 2011.With the start of Fund-2, an independent management team was established, consisting of the CEO and three Investment Managers; one at each university catchment. The Investment Committee was restructured, with dedicated committees established for biotechnology or other technologies. The nominal investment limit was increased to $2.5 million to allow participation in follow-on funding rounds so as to preserve Uniseed's equity position.On 1 November 2015, Uniseed started its third and largest fund (Fund-3) with the addition of the University of Sydney and the CSIRO to the Universities of Queensland, Melbourne and NSW. This followed three high profile exits in the preceding 14 months (Fibrotech; Spinifex & Hatchtech). Each of the five partners committed $10 million over 10 years to the new fund (total fund $50 million).Uniseed’s partner research organisations spent nearly $4 billion on research, making up over 40% of the total research spend at 67 research organisations in Australia. Together, these organisations accounted for nearly 500 invention disclosures (34% of total) and 500 new registered IP rights filed (45% of total) over the same period(2013 National Survey of Research Commercialisation). Unlike private venture capital funds, Uniseed is dedicated to the needs of its research partners, and committed to servicing them consistently over the long term, irrespective of the short term conditions in external capital markets. It works in very close partnership with the research partner commercialisation companies and staff, providing a valuable adjunct to the capabilities these companies and staff provide. They in turn provide a best-practice commercialisation service tailored to their respective organisations. These companies are able to leverage to great effect the scale of operation and expertise of the Uniseed network.The fund is run with commercial discipline, ensuring independence and financial rigor in its investment decision-making processes. Success is measured by a balance of return on investment (including the flow of funds for research to further the commercialisation of intellectual property generated within the research partner catchments), the establishment of viable start-up companies, the generation of research income for research partners and the improvement of partner commercialisation processes.

Paspalis is a leading venture capital investor in Northern Australia. We invest in innovative companies, both locally and globally, looking to do business in the Northern Territory.

Investible is an early-stage venture capital firm backing the visionaries advancing humanity through technology in Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and globally.

Sydney Angels is a not-for-profit angel investment membership organisation. Since our establishment in 2008, they have stayed true to our mission of supporting the early-stage ecosystem by running processes and events that connect our investing members with promising early-stage companiesThey believe that encouraging smart investment in startupcompanies will benefit both our members’ portfolios and Australia’s emergent innovation economy.They see this as the ultimate win-win situation. Sydney Angels is led by an elected committee of ten volunteers who meet weekly. It is supported by an operations manager and alliance partners.

Melbourne Angels was formed in Melbourne, Australia in early 2007. Melbourne Angels is the leading group of private investors in Victoria who actively invest in early stage and growth technology companies.The group has a strong and experienced core of members that generate deal flow, are experienced in evaluation of business propositions and actas mentors for the other members and the entrepreneurs. The members vary in age, gender, ethnicity, profession and type of experience. All members have experience of success at being entrepreneurial.This award winning group is consistently one of the most active startup investors in the country.

Tenacious Ventures - Australia's first and only dedicated agrifood tech VC firm.

The Breakthrough Victoria Fund is a $2 billion investment by the Victorian Government to drive investment in research and innovation.

Backing a better tomorrow

Jelix is an early-stage venture capital firm backing daring founders in Australia and New Zealand.

Ip Group Australia build and support outstanding intellectual property-based companies.

We provide venture capital, expertise and advice to advanced manufacturing-focused Australian startups with global ambitions.

Significant Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund backing transformative technologies and the ambitious founders behind them.Founded by the Hindmarsh family, Significant Ventures invests in deep tech, applied science and research-driven innovation emerging from Australia’s leading universities and research institutions. The fundcombines capital with active, hands-on support—helping early-stage companies shape their strategy, attract talent, and access follow-on funding.With a network of expert operators, advisors and institutional partners, Significant Ventures focuses on turning high-potential ideas into globally scalable businesses. The team works closely with founders across sectors including life sciences, climate tech, AI, education and advanced manufacturing.Driven by a commitment to impact, collaboration and long-term value creation, Significant Ventures exists to build the next generation of high-growth companies that will lead Australia’s innovation economy

Formed in late 2006, the Brisbane Angels Pty Ltd is a large group of private investors who actively invest in early stage technology companies, usually in South East Queensland, Australia. The members are typically active or semi-retired former senior business executives, who apart from financial input can provide much needed value adding toinvestee companies through hands-on management experience and high level business networks.

Carthona Capital is a hands-on, proactive, and thematic venture capital investor based in Sydney, Australia that invests globally.

Right Click Capital - Australian Venture Capital Firm

Giant Leap is Australia's first venture capital fund to be 100% dedicated to investing in exceptional, rapidly scalable impact businesses.

Build your next company with Antler, a global day zero investor enabling exceptional founders to start great companies, from the very beginning. Apply now!

Transforming defence innovation through strategic partnership between the University of Adelaide (UoA), the University of NSW (UNSW) and industry partners, with support from the Australian Government Department of Education.

Artesian Clean Energy Seed Fund The Fund makes seed & follow-on investments in clean energy focused startups from approved accelerators, incubators, university programs & angel

Investment banker, founder, angel capitalist. FOcussed on industrial technology applications including renewable energy and recycling technology.

Australia's only truly global early stage VC, we believe in and back the most ambitious founders from the earliest stage.

Archangel is an early stage venture capital fund based in Australia. We work with great founders and investors to build game changing companies together.

AirTree is a venture capital firm investing in Australian and New Zealand technology founders from seed stage or earlier.

Southern Cross Venture Partners was launched in 2006 by veteran venture capitalists who have managed and operated companies themselves. Southern Cross Venture Partners assist early stage technology companies that demonstrate the potential for exceptional growth and market leadership build significant businesses. The founding principle of SouthernCross is partnership -- they are passionately committed to doing everything they can to help their portfolio companies succeed. Their team has a strong record of utilizing their start-up and management experience, industry knowledge, network of business/customer relationships, and recruiting skills to assist in building significant shareholder value.Southern Cross is currently investing in companies that fit their investment criteria. They prefer to act as lead or co-lead in the early stages where they have experience that can help build value rapidly. They do not have a minimum investment amount, however, a typical initial investment will be $2 million to $5 million with an ability to invest more money in later rounds.

We back ambitious ANZ tech founders from inception to seed, with proven support, no empty promises, and a track record of helping startups scale smarter.

Transmedia Capital is a top performing technology venture fund providing deep domain expertise, operating experience, and advisory relationships.

ACAC Innovation provides angel investment, mentoring and support to game-changing startups. We work with founders to turn their innovative ideas into successful businesses.

Rio Tinto is a mining and exploration finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs. Steel is made from iron ore. Aluminum with a low carbon footprint for electric vehicles and smartphones. Copper is used in wind turbines, electric cars, and water pipes in our homes. Borates, which aid crop growth, and titanium, which is used inpaint.

Stoic VC is an early-stage venture fund backing founders at the forefront of University Innovation. We partner with Uniseed to accelerate the commercialisation of university research across the ANZ.

Australian Business Growth Fund (ABGF) is a middle market private equity fund.

Uninhibited Venture Investing Southeast Asia & Australia-New Zealand

Sparking change, igniting impact: Electrifi Ventures is powering the future of climate tech by bringing together inspiring founders with impact investors.

ANU Connect Ventures manages two funds: The Discovery Translation Fund, which aims to support emerging businesses in undertaking crucial proof-of-concept work; and the $27 million Seed Investment fund for ANU-MTAA Super Venture Capital Partnership.Both funds have been established with the support of the ACT Government to invest in promisingcommercial opportunities arising out of the ANU research, other ACT-based research institutions and local R&D companies. More information regarding our investment funds and their criteria can be found in the Investment section.

We are a community-powered VC fund making pre-seed / seed stage investments in Australian and New Zealand startups. Our community is rallied around a shared goal: to invest in the next generation of Australia and New Zealand startups at the very earliest stage, and then support them on their long a

John Clifford

Investing in great people solving hard problems to create a better future.

Flying Fox Ventures is an early stage investment firm that invests across industry and across the micro-stages of pre-seed and seed.

Taronga Ventures is an investment firm that invests in emerging innovation, technology, and business. Taronga Ventures is headquartered in Australia.

We back pioneers who share our vision for a better tomorrow.

Giving Australian founders access to the education, capital and networks needed to build significant, sustainable, global businesses of the future.

Virescent Ventures invests in founders, technologies, and businesses that can help achieve zero emissions and beyond.

Common Sense Ventures is an Australian family office backing early-stage, fast-growing businesses. We partner with ambitious managers looking to solve problems that will help the world.

We back trailblazing entrepreneurs who transform the world with industrial 3D printing.

Acorn Capital Specialist Emerging & Microcap Investment Management. We research and invest in the most attractive Australian based emerging or microcap companies.

Queensland Investment Corporation is an investment company.