Top 50 Manufacturing Startup Investors in Australia

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

Connecting innovation to the market.

Right Click Capital - Australian Venture Capital Firm

Anzu Partners is an investment firm that focuses on industrial and life science technology companies with the potential to transform their industry. Anzu's portfolio support platform is dedicated to drive results beyond our initial investment and establish long-term relationships. We team with entrepreneurs to develop and commercializetechnological innovations by providing capital and deep expertise in business development, market positioning, global connectivity, and operations. .Co-founders Whitney Haring-Smith, David Michael, and David Seldin launched the firm in 2014 in Washington, District of Columbia.

Independent company in Australia managing a $2 billion investment fund set up by the Victorian Government to make the state an innovation leader.

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

Qualgro is a venture capital (VC) fund based in Singapore that provides funding to tech startups across Southeast Asia, in areas like Data, Software, and AI.

Working on something fresh. Also, Partner @Acceleprise & columnist @TheNextWeb.

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

Early Stage Venture Capital (VC) Firm

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

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.

Michael brings over 20 years experience in strategy, business development and general management of technology startups and other high growth companies. Michael founded BuildingIQ in 2009 and served as its CEO until 2013. Prior to founding the company, Michael was a General Partner at Technology Venture Partners (TVP), a leading Australian venturecapital firm. Prior to TVP, he was an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Altos Ventures, and a senior executive at iOwn Holdings, a leading Internet mortgage company (sold to Citigroup in 2001). Previously, Michael worked with Bain & Company and Goldman Sachs. He holds a BA with Honors from Amherst College and an MBA from Stanford Business School.

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.

OIF is a venture capital firm focusing on partnering with entrepreneurs building businesses.

The Global Health Investment Fund (GHIF) is a $108 million social impact investment fund designed to provide financing to advance the development of drugs, vaccines, diagnostics and other interventions against diseases that disproportionately burden low- and middle-income countries. GHIF supports late-stage innovations for public health challengessuch as malaria, pre-eclampsia, cholera, HIV and river blindness, with an emphasis on infectious diseases and maternal/infant health issues that cause significant morbidity and mortality in resource-limited settings. GHIF may also make investments that improve or expand access to existing products—such as developing pediatric formulations of approved therapeutics or improving the stability of widely-used global health vaccines.As an investment fund with a limited time-horizon, GHIF seeks opportunities that have a high probability of successful commercialization within two or three years. Products with “dual market” potential are of greatest interest; i.e., those that will have a clear impact on public health in developing countries but also have value in high-income countries. High-volume / low-margin products, such as essential vaccines, are also of significant interest.GHIF employs a range of investment structures including mezzanine debt, convertible debt, preferred equity and project financing with an average investment target of approximately $10 million per project. Each GHIF project must advance the Fund’s social impact objectives and demonstrate the ability to achieve commercial success.

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

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

Agri-Vie is a private equity investment fund focused on food and agribusiness in Sub-Sahara Africa with a mission to generate an above average investment return, as well as demonstrable socio-economic development impacts through its equity investments in food and agribusinesses. As such, Agri-Vie is styled as an ‘impact investment fund’, harnessinginvestment disciplines to address development challenges.The fund was initiated by SP-aktif and Sanlam Private Equity with the cooperation of South African and international investors as well as the Makotulo Consortium. The fund’s vision is to be a catalyst for sustainable growth in Africa through investing in one of the foundational sectors of the continent.Agri-Vie seeks to realise this vision through deploying development capital and management know-how according to sound investment and business principles.

As a leading technology and innovation company, Lockheed Martin is committed to the next big idea.

Andrew Coppin - Advisor @ DisruptSports.com

Austin Group is an Australian, family-owned group of brands that aim to deliver high quality apparel. Explore GAZMAN, Blazer, Cable Melbourne and Perri Cutten .

Energy Impact Partners (EIP) is a collaborative strategic investment firm that invests in companies optimizing energy consumption and improving sustainable energy generation. Through close collaboration with its strategic investor base, EIP seeks to bring the best companies, buying power and vision in the industry to bear on the emerging energy landscape.

Customer service is our #1 priority. Get a premium domain for your website today. Financing available.

Banter Capital is an investment firm.

Playground is an early-stage investment firm that helps old and new investors and entrepreneurs working at the intersection of bits, atoms, and AI. It focuses on investment, innovation, connected hardware, artificial intelligence, and robotics.

Edison International, is a holding company of Southern California Edison Company (SCE). SCE is a public utility primarily engaged in the business of supplying electricity to an approximately 50,000 square-mile area of southern California. The SCE service territory contains a population of nearly 14 million people and SCE serves the populationthrough approximately 5 million customer accounts. In August 2013, Edison International completed the acquisition of SoCore Energy, LLC.

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

Wollemi Capital is a global climate specialist investment firm. We fund and support businesses creating a net-zero future, securing the financial opportunity of our planet’s lifetime.

Ampol connects our proud history with everything our business is known for today, our trusted high-quality products, our commitment to customer service, local communities and the largest leading transport fuels network in Australia.

Impact investment

Bombora is a unique portfolio of actively managed high growth pre-IPO and listed equities. We have generated returns of c.25% per annum over the past 8 years

Queensland Investment Corporation is an investment company.

Ellerston Capital is a specialist investment manager with a distinctive approach to portfolio construction and investment selection.

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.

Saar Gillai is an Independent board director at Xilinx, Semtech, and Liquid Instruments as well as a CEO advisor to multiple companies. Saar is also an executive mentor at Merryck. Previously, Saar was the CEO of Teridion, a SaaS startup focused on cloud networking, where he grew recurring revenue 50% YoY, and expanded the product line to go afterthe SD-WAN market.Before Teridion, Saar was the Senior Vice President and General Manager of HPE’s Communications Solutions Business (CSB), a global billion-dollar division with over 4000 employees. In this role, Saar integrated multiple units and acquisitions into one cohesive division focused on the Telco space. He established HPE as a key player in the software-defined next-generation service provider market and grew network virtualization revenue by over 10x within two years.Before running CSB, Saar spent two years as the Senior Vice President and General Manager of HP Cloud where he played a vital role in aggressively driving and consolidating HP's disparate cloud efforts into a full business unit with the number one market position in private cloud while working closely with F50 enterprises on their cloud adoption and digital transformation journey.Prior to HPE, Saar was SVP of Products and Solutions at 3com, where he played a key role in rebuilding 3coms enterprise offerings, driving the collaboration with H3C, a Chinese subsidiary, and ultimate sale to HP for ~$3B, achieving a 350% valuation increase in 18 months. In addition, Saar has held C level positions at Tropos Networks and Enfora; two startups focused on Wireless Mesh and M2M / IoT, and spent seven years at Cisco Systems in a variety of leadership positions, including VP of Engineering for the Wireless Networking business undevelopment and operations with Enfora, Inc., a wireless machine-to-machine (M2M) company. In addition, Mr. Gillai served for seven years in a variety of leadership positions with Cisco Systems, Inc., including as Vice President of Engineering for Cisco’s Wireless Networking business unit.

A grant program offered by AusIndustry as part of the Australian Government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda

Bunge is a global agribusiness and food company operating in the farm-to-consumer food chain. The Company is engaged in oilseed processing, producing and supplying fertilizer to farmers in South America, and selling packaged vegetable oils worldwide. The Company conducts its operations in three divisions: agribusiness, fertilizer, and food andingredients. These divisions include four reportable business segments: agribusiness, fertilizer, edible oil products and milling products. Its agribusiness division is an integrated business principally involved in the purchase, storage, transport, processing, and sale of agricultural commodities and commodity products. Its fertilizer division is involved in every stage of the fertilizer business, from mining of phosphate-based raw materials to the sale of retail fertilizer products. Its food and ingredients division consists of two reportable business segments: edible oil products and milling products.

Grand Challenges Canada is dedicated to supporting Bold Ideas with Big Impact® in global health. They are funded by the Government of Canada and they fund innovators in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and Canada. The bold ideas they support integrate science and technology, social and business innovation – they call this IntegratedInnovation®. They focus on bringing successful innovation to scale, catalyzing sustainability and impact. They have a determined focus on results, and on saving and improving lives.Grand Challenges Canada works closely with Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Global Affairs Canada to catalyze scale, sustainability and impact. Grand Challenges Canada takes an evidence-based approach to development innovation to save and improve lives in LMICs. They are a platform for development innovation in Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) through their Saving Lives at Birth, Saving Brains and MNCH Stars in Global Health programs. They are also focused on helping the poorest and most vulnerable populations, for example those who suffer from mental illness.Since their launch in 2010, Grand Challenges Canada has supported a pipeline of over 700 projects in more than 80 countries. Their investments are producing results: Thousands of lives have been saved and over two hundred and eighty thousand lives have been improved, thus far. By 2030, these innovations have the potential to save hundreds of thousands of lives and improve millions of lives.

Celesta Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in entrepreneurs and disruptive technology companies. Their management team and investment professionals leverage over 400 years of accumulated investment and operational experience and bring to their portfolio companies a deep and unmatched network of value-added strategic relationships.Celesta Capital invests globally and has offices in California, Israel, India, and China