Venture Downunder 2025 - Innovation Bay

From little things, big things grow

August 5 – 8, 2025
Perth, WA

What is VDU?

PLEASE NOTE: VDU 2025 is sold out. Please join the waitlist and you will be notified as soon as possible if there is a space available for you.

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, 120+ 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

12:00pm – Arrival 🤗

2:30pm – Unofficial Welcome and introduction to theme of VDU 2025: Collective Wisdom
2:45pm – Welcome activity – Putt Putt golf ⛳️
4:20pm – Welcome to Country
4:30 – Official welcome to VDU
4:45pm – Keynote speaker
5:30pm – Formalities end
6:15pm – Welcome party 🎉
9:00pm – Day 1 concludes 😴

DAY 2: EMBRACE
Embrace new connections and experiences

6:30am – Wellness Activity – Your choice: Run club, walk club, yoga club 🧘‍♀️
6:30am – 8:00am – Breakfast
8:10am – Ready for bus departure
8:30am – Group activity
3:15pm – Free time & refresh for afternoon activities
4:15pm – Ready for bus departure
4:30pm – Arrive at Nikola Estate for breakout sessions
6:00pm – Networking Drinks and Canapes
6:45pm – Dinner with fireside chat keynote
8:30pm – Dinner ends & bus returns to accommodation
9:15pm – Day two concludes 😴

DAY 3: EXPAND
Be ready to expand your perspective and rethink your approach

6:30am – Wellness Activity – Your choice: Run club, walk club, yoga club 🏃‍♂️💨
6:30am – 8:00am – Breakfast
8:30am – Group activities
2:00pm – Afternoon tea
2:30pm – Free time & refresh for afternoon + final party
3:20pm – Bus departure to Sandalford Winery
3:45pm – Wine tasting at Sandalford Winery
5:15pm – Buses Depart to Old Youngs for final night party 🥳
9:30pm – Rolling bus departure back to accommodation
10pm – Final night concludes 😴

DAY 4: ENERGISED
Leave energised to take on the world

6:30am – 8:00am – Breakfast
8:30am – Group meet up and activity
9:45am – VDU official closing
10am – check out and bus departure to the airport

Speakers

Ariella Vildan Young
Director of Ecosystem Allocator One

Ariella Vildan Young is Director of Ecosystem at Allocator One, a global fund-of-funds investing in the next generation of venture capital managers. Based in London, Ariella plays a central role in helping first- and second-time fund managers access capital, infrastructure, and strategic support—at a time when fundraising has never been more demanding.
Her own path into venture is just as dynamic. A former M&A lawyer in Hong Kong turned investor and operator, Ariella brings legal, financial, and entrepreneurial experience to the table. She’s worked at HSBC Innovation Banking and Silicon Valley Bank, helped lead an M&A advisory fund, and successfully built and exited a startup. Along the way, she’s backed early-stage companies and venture funds as both an angel and LP.
At Allocator One, she helps anchor emerging managers across geographies and sectors—from frontier climate tech to new funds in India, the UK, and Eastern Europe. And in the process, she’s helping reshape how capital finds conviction—especially when track records are short, but the signal is strong.
She holds an LLB (Hons) from Birkbeck, University of London, and an MBA from Stanford. Ariella also serves as a Venture Partner at Visionary Future and sits on multiple UK-based boards and accelerators.

Brad Banducci
CEO, TEG
Ex-CEO, Woolworths

Brad Banducci was the Chief Executive Officer of Woolworths Group from February 2015 until his retirement in September 2024. Prior to this, he served as Managing Director of Woolworths Liquor (Endeavour Group) from 2012 to 2015.

Brad joined Woolworths in 2011 following its acquisition of the Cellarmasters Group, a direct-to-consumer wine retail and production company. He had been CEO of Cellarmasters since its 2007 leveraged buyout by Archer Capital, leading the business through a period of growth and transformation until its sale to Woolworths.

Earlier in his career, Brad was Chief Financial Officer—and later a Non-Executive Director—of fintech start-up Tyro Payments (2004–2006). He also spent 15 years with The Boston Consulting Group in Australia and the United States, where he was a Vice President and Director, and a core member of BCG’s global retail and corporate development practices.

Brad holds a Master of Business Administration from the Australian Graduate School of Management and Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce degrees from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Originally from South Africa, Brad moved to Australia in 1989. His early years working in his parents’ retail businesses sparked a lifelong passion for entrepreneurship. Today, he manages the Cinderella Investment Fund, supporting a diverse portfolio of emerging ventures.

Brendan Rynne
Partner and Chief Economist
KPMG

Brendan is Chief Economist for KPMG Australia and is the Regional Chief Economist for KPMG Asia Pacific. He has been at KPMG for nearly 30 years, and a partner for more than 21 of those years. He is an Adjunct Professor at Queen Mary University of London in the School of Economics and Finance and is a Visitor at National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) in Westminster, London. For most of his career at KPMG Brendan has advised private and public sector clients on a range of issues and activities, including econometric analysis, economy-wide modelling, infrastructure regulation and pricing, cost benefit analysis, impact assessments, efficiency improvements, and legislative/regulatory reform. Major roles include providing macroeconomic policy advice to the Commonwealth Treasury for both the Henry Tax Review and the Tax White Paper, he advised the Murray Darling Basin Commission on water pricing and analysed the economic impact of the proposed Brown coal to hydrogen project in the La Trobe Valley for the Kawaski consortium. Brendan holds a Bachelor and Masters’ degree in economics, a Masters in Applied Finance and a Ph.D. from the University of Adelaide.

Chris McEvoy
Senior Vice President
ICONIQ

Chris brings over 20 years of industry experience as a capital allocator and fiduciary advisor to founders and family office executives, leveraging a global network of entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists and professional advisors. He joined ICONIQ Capital’s Singapore office in September 2020 to help scale the Investment Management Division’s team and operations in APAC, before relocating to Australia in 2024 to grow their local footprint. Prior to ICONIQ, Chris spent five years as a Senior Director with HSBC Private Banking (Singapore) across a mix of advisory and leadership roles servicing UHNW individuals and family offices in APAC and Europe. Chris commenced his career with UBS Wealth Management and ABN Amro in Sydney.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland and an MBA from HEC Paris.

David Sabow
Global Head of Innovation Banking
HSBC

David Sabow is the Global Head of Innovation Banking at HSBC. Dave has dedicated nearly two-decades of his career to supporting the financial and strategic needs of the innovation economy. As the Global Head of Innovation Banking, Dave is leading the development of propositions, products and services for HSBC Innovation Banking globally. In this capacity he is integrating the financial strength and global reach of HSBC with the unique client experience, product solutions, and strategic value required to support innovation at every stage.

Prior to joining HSBC in 2023, Dave spent ten years with Silicon Valley Bank in a variety of roles, most recently running the Technology & Healthcare Division for North America. In this capacity Dave managed the North American sales force, underwriting teams, investor coverage teams, and relationship advisory teams supporting the Technology & Healthcare portfolio across the US and Canada. Prior to joining Silicon Valley Bank, Dave spent approximately eight years as an investment banker with Canaccord Genuity in San Francisco, California, where he focused on both domestic and international transactions for innovation economy clients.

Dave obtained dual degrees in both Economics and French at Santa Clara University in 2001 where he graduated with honors. He subsequently completed an Executive Program focused on Leadership & Strategic Impact at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business.

Dave lives in Mill Valley, California with his wife and three children. He is an avid biker, runner, skier, surfer, and father to Aldo (his beloved Bernadoodle). Dave also serves on the Advisory Board for the Kelly Brush Foundation – an organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering people with spinal cord injuries to lead active and engaged lives.

Trent Blacket
Co-Founder
EMT Partners

Trent Blacket is an Australian-born lawyer and media/tech investor based between Melbourne and California. He is the Co-Founder of EMT Partners, a firm delivering legal, strategic, and investment support across the entertainment, media, sport, and technology sectors. EMT is chaired by Brett Chenoweth and led alongside Peter Davey (CEO).

Trent is also a founding shareholder in Chris Hemsworth’s Centr.com and FLG, in partnership with Quadrant Private Equity via Ward Blacket Investments LLC. He has been a long-term co-investor with Amalfi Capital, operating across San Francisco, Shanghai, and Melbourne.

Over the past two decades, Trent has worked at the intersection of law, media, and finance—advising, managing, and investing in cross-border ventures spanning Asia, Australia, and the United States. He draws on a foundation in commercial law and merchant banking, and his early career began with the TCA group of companies in Melbourne in 1996.

Trent is passionate about contributing to mission-driven organisations. He serves as a founding member of the US Development Board for the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and is a Board Member at Bus Stop Films, a social enterprise focused on inclusive storytelling and employment in the screen industry.

Previously, Trent was Chairman of Advance’s Los Angeles Chapter, a founding Advisory Board Member of Westpac’s Alpha (Entertainment & Sports) division, and an advisor to VidCon Australia. He also served as MD of ROAR Asia Pacific and was Of Counsel at Glaser Weil, a leading Los Angeles law firm, representing Australian clients in California.

Trent holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Jurisprudence from Monash University. EMT Law joined the Cornwalls Federation in July 2024.

Who’s attending?

Find your people! You’re in good company!
We’ll keep updating this section as registrations roll in 👀

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.

MEMBERS ONLY →JOIN WAITLIST Apply to attend

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.

MEMBERS ONLY → JOIN WAITLIST Apply to attend