From little things, big things grow
August 5 – 8, 2025
Perth, WA
Venture Downunder is proudly presented by
Venture Downunder Major Event Sponsors
Innovation Bay National Partners
Aurora Community Partners
Interested in sponsoring? Get in touch with our Partnerships Manager, Alex Vallieres
What is VDU?
Innovation Bay is Australia’s leading membership community for tech founders and investors. Venture Downunder (VDU) is our hallmark event for the VC community. An unparalleled gathering of the sharpest minds in venture.
VDU is more than an event; it’s a unique opportunity to intentionally disconnect from the day to day, broaden and deepen key relationships, delve deeply into topics and quality conversation, and bond over shared experiences away from the hustle and bustle. Over three days, 80+ VC partners from across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond will come together to share knowledge, challenge perspectives, and strengthen the bonds that drive our ecosystem forward. It’s going to be epic time spent together.
This is the must-attend event for the ANZ tech and venture community. A space where collective wisdom shapes the future. We’d love for you to be part of it.
Why attend VDU?
Immerse yourself in the collective wisdom of Australia’s most innovative and inspiring people.
Meet investors who are doing, or have done, what you’re doing.
There’s infinite potential to discover new ideas and initiatives to deploy in your business, investment opportunities, cross-business collaboration opportunities, and solutions to key problems.
Forge deeper, more meaningful relationships faster.
There’s only so much you can talk about at networking drinks.
At VDU, you’ll be sharing unique experiences designed to strengthen bonds and build rich connections to propel you forward, professionally and personally.
Solve your biggest challenges with a departure from your day-to-day.
Ignite your mind with a powerful change of scenery and an injection of fresh perspective.
We use neuroscience and our 20+ years of experience in events to craft moments that will unlock your ability to think through some of your most pressing problems.
Experience Western Australia like never before.
We’re crafting an unforgettable experience that will immerse you in the region’s rich cultural heritage, ignite your sense of adventure, and offer a fresh perspective shaped by one of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth.
What’s on at VDU
DAY 1: EXCITE
Come excited for another amazing edition of VDU
DAY 2: EMBRACE
Embrace new connections and experiences
DAY 3: EXPAND
Be ready to expand your perspective and rethink your approach
DAY 4: ENERGISED
Leave energised to take on the world
Who’s attending?
Find your people! You’re in good company!
We’ll keep updating this section as registrations roll in 👀
| Aaron Tan, Principal, Principal, KKR |
| Amit Verma, Senior Manager, Listings, ASX |
| Andrew Sypkes, CEO, Sypkes Family Office |
| Andrew McCowan, Investment Director, Invest NZ |
| Cheryl Mack, CEO, Aussie Angels |
| Dan Krasnostein, Partner, Square Peg |
| Darcy Naunton, Partner, Black Nova |
| Derek Gerrard, Managing Partner, Purpose Ventures |
| Ed Hooper, CEO & Co-founder, GXE & Cardinia Ventures |
| Edwin Mak, Principal, Burda Principal Investments |
| Elli Hanson, Principal Investor, Side Stage Ventures |
| Finn Templeton, Investment Director, Altered Capital |
| Gary Xu, Investment Director, Touch Ventures |
| Georgia Barkell, Managing Partner, Sprint Ventures |
| Ian Beatly, Managing Partner, SecondQuarter |
| Jason Cheong, Managing Director, ICM AU |
| Jon Lay, Director, Macquarie VC |
| Justin Lipman, Partner, EVP |
| Karen Chan, Portfolio Manager, Perennial |
| Kate Eriksson, Partner, CoAct Capital |
| Keaton Swanepoel, Investment Manager, Invest NZ |
| Kylie Gerrard, General Partner, Purpose Ventures |
| Kylie Little, Head of Ecosystem, Lighter Capital |
| Lisa Fedorenko, Head of Impact Investing, Save the Children Global Ventures |
| Marcus Tan, Operating Partner, Purpose Ventures |
| Martin Duursma, Partner, Main Sequence |
| Melissa Bergin, Head of Portfolio Strategy, BHP Ventures |
| Melissa Widner, CEO, Lighter Capital |
| Michael Kron, Associate Partner, Antler |
| Michael Chen, CEO/GP, SpringCapital Investment Pty Ltd |
| Michael Zimmerman, Partner, Main Sequence |
| Mike Abbott, GP, Antler |
| Nick Gainsley, Partner, One Ventures |
| Olivia Wensley, CEO, Remarkable Ventures |
| Peter Kennedy, Senior adviser, Burda Principal Investments |
| Rebecca Schot-Guppy, Partner, Firemark Ventured |
| Richard Du, Investment Director, MA Growth Ventures |
| Ricki Friede, Chief Investment Officer, Sypkes Family Office |
| Ryan Holsheimer, CEO, Admiralty Capital Group |
Registration
VDU is exclusively for Innovation Bay members.
Not a member? We have a limited number of openings for prospective members who are exploring becoming joining Innovation Bay. Apply to attend and we’ll be in touch.
Want to get a sense of the
VDU experience?
Watch the videos below to discover more about the adventures and connections you can expect to experience at VDU.
What people say about our events
“The Innovation Bay team structured one of the most relevant events for business leaders I’ve experienced with room full of positive ego professionals invested in success beyond 2024.”
Steve Lewis | Vigilum, Nabu
“Innovation Bay is really unique. It’s an open forum for discussion. We come and connect and share deals and talk about what we’re struggling with or what we’re aiming for. It’s such a great space to be able to get everyone together and all the different ideas in an open forum.”
Georgia Barkell | Sprint Ventures
“The magic happens when you can put lots of people in a room together who have the right values and intentions. What I’m finding is that everyone wants to help each other. We’ve built some really great relationships.”
Yash Varma | Empress Capital
Registration
VDU is exclusively for Innovation Bay members.
Not a member? We have a limited number of openings for prospective members who are exploring becoming joining Innovation Bay. Apply to attend and we’ll be in touch ASAP.