AURORA

Uniting VCs across Australia and New Zealand

Aurora is a community for venture capital general partners. Aurora exists to shape and enable the future of the industry via more collaboration, deeper connections, and collective learning. 

Bringing together the venture community as it grows

Building on our experience hosting our annual venture capital “unconference” Venture Downunder, and utilising our key strengths of community building and event curation, we created Aurora to unite VCs across Australia and New Zealand. 

We don’t focus on deal flow, we focus on building relationships.

A united, strong, and vibrant venture community leads to better outcomes and more opportunities for startups and the wider ecosystem.

What we offer

Rich conversations and community

We provide an intimate and relaxed environment for leaders from VC firms to have thoughtful and authentic conversations, and dynamic peer-driven discussions.

Exclusive retreats

A 1-day, 1-night special off-site gathering hosted in a regional location, providing an opportunity for the community to come together, unwind, and network. 

Venture Downunder

A 3-day, 3-night “unconference” style retreat, featuring local startups and experts, unexpected activities, engaging talks, and peer-led breakout sessions.  

Virtual events

Hour-long quarterly virtual catchups with the community featuring an expert guest speaker, followed by breakout sessions. 

Venture Downunder Noosa June 2022

“Great people and lots of opportunity for those conversations we don’t get to have at other events”

– Rick Baker | Blackbird

Aurora Advisory Board

The collective expertise and innovative spirit of the Aurora Advisory Board plays a pivotal role in guiding Innovation Bay’s VC community.
As advisors, they provide strategic insights, offer feedback on community initiatives, and shape the future trajectory of Innovation Bay.

Co-Founder, Blackbird

Rick Baker

Portfolio Manager, Perennial Private Investments

Karen Chan

Partner & Co-Founder, Airtree

Craig Blair

Head of Ventures, Helia

Milly Goucher

Partner, OneVentures

Nick Gainsley

Partner, Sprint Ventures

Georgia Barkell

Partner, Aera VC

Derek Handley

Partner, Square Peg

Dan Krasnostein

We’re here to grow the venture ecosystem in Australian and New Zealand 

We’re passionate about bringing our VC community together to collaborate, network, and share valuable insights.  If you’re a general or managing partner at an established VC firm or up-and-coming fund, we would love to have you join the ride. 

Apply Now