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

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.



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.

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.

Venture Downunder is proudly presented by

Venture Downunder Major Event Sponsors

Innovation Bay National Partners

Venture Downunder Gold Event Sponsors

Aurora Community Partners

Venture Downunder Event Sponsors

Interested in sponsoring? Get in touch with our Partnerships Manager, Alex Vallieres