Top 50 Manufacturing Startup Investors in Australia in September 2025

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Right Click Capital - Australian Venture Capital Firm

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Early Stage Venture Capital (VC) Firm

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

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

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

Equals is a fintech company that specializes in sales management and reconciliation with credit cards, debit cards, tickets, and other means of online payments. The company enables total control and visibility on the cash flow and receivables, which brings a considerable increase in productivity and a great reduction of losses.The company wasfounded in 2011 and is based in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Foundamental is the first partner to exceptional founders re-creating the real world globally

Technology investments for tomorrow's world

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.

DHL is a division of the German logistics company Deutsche Post DHL that provides international express mail services. Deutsche Post is a large-scale logistics company operating around the world. DHL provides world market services both in sea and air mail.DHL was primarily interested in offshore and inter-continental deliveries, but the successof FedEx prompted its own intra-U.S. expansion starting in 1983. DHL aggressively expanded to countries that could not be served by any other delivery service, including the Soviet Union, Eastern Bloc, Iraq, Iran, China, Vietnam, and North Korea.Deutsche Post then effectively absorbed DHL into its Express division, while expanding the use of the DHL brand to other Deutsche Post divisions, business units and subsidiaries.Originally founded in 1969 to deliver documents between San Francisco and Honolulu, the company expanded its service throughout the world by the late 1970s. DHL was founded in 1969 and is based in Bonn.

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

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

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Medical Angels is the premier medical and health-specific angel investment syndicate, comprised of over 1,000 clinicians from across Australia.

Join our leading Australian superannuation fund, committed to putting our members first, with a low admin fee and strong returns. Become a member today!

powerHouse is a New Zealand intellectual property commercialisation company investing to develop new spin-out ventures

AgTech Venture Capital Fund - GRDC & Artesian delivering innovation for the Australian grians industry

South Australian Venture Capital Fund - helping build dynamic and innovative South Australian startups / scaleups and accelerate their growth to a national and global scale.

Banter Capital is an investment firm.

Founder of a diverse group of businesses including globally-distributed consumer brands (Lyre's Spirits Co) as well as growth-award winning companies specialising in the supply of marketing services and products to the FMCG\ CPG industry. These businesses include an integrated creative agency, a digital printing and personalisation platform,a branded merchandise and speciality packaging supplier as well as a specialty promotional logistics and fulfilment provider.Mark has worked closely with over 50 major FMCG organisations in the grocery, pharma, liquor and health and beauty space and has grown a portfolio of businesses servicing their go to market requirements over the last seven years.Passionate about technology, Mark has invested across all business units ensuring a competitive edge is maintained with best in class platforms to delivery quality creative, product production and fulfilment services to some of the world's most recognisable businesses and brands.

Leigh Oliver (Sydney) joined KKR in 2013 and is focused on investment opportunities in Australia and New Zealand. He is actively involved in KKR's investments in Bis Industries and Sundrop Farms and currently serves on the board of directors of both companies. Prior to joining KKR, Mr. Oliver spent six years in the private equity team at TheCarlyle Group in Sydney. Prior to Carlyle, he worked in the investment banking division of J.P.Morgan in Sydney, and prior to that at Ernst & Young. Mr. Oliver is a CFA Charterholder, a Chartered Accountant and holds a B.A. of Commerce from the University of Queensland.