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
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
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.
Cherelle Murphy
EY Chief Economist
Cherelle Murphy is EY Oceania’s Chief Economist, helping clients make sense of the economic landscape and navigate the complexities of the business cycle. Drawing on deep commercial insight, public sector experience, and strong analytical capability, Cherelle cuts through the noise to deliver timely, practical advice—highlighting both risks and opportunities.
A regular economic commentator and published author, Cherelle is a trusted advisor to a wide range of domestic and international stakeholders on economic and policy matters.
Before joining EY, Cherelle was Chief Economist at Austrade, shaping Australian Government policy across trade, foreign investment, and tourism. She previously spent 15 years at ANZ Bank and began her career as an economic research analyst at the Reserve Bank of Australia. She has also worked as a journalist for The Australian Financial Review.
Cherelle holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from Curtin University and a Master of Population Studies from the Australian National University. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of Chief Executive Women.
Who’s attending?
Find your people! You’re in good company!
We’ll keep updating this section as registrations roll in 👀
| Aaron Tan, Principal, KKR |
| Adam Milgrom, Partner, Giant Leap |
| Alex Guyer, Partner, Firemark Ventures |
| Alister Coleman, Managing Partner, Folklore Ventures |
| Amanda Price, Head of High Growth Ventures, KPMG |
| Amit Verma, Senior Manager, Listings, ASX |
| Andrew Sypkes, CEO, Sypkes Family Office |
| Andrew McCowan, Investment Director, Invest NZ |
| Bevin Shields, Partner, OneVentures |
| Britt Mazerolle, Investor, SecondQuarter Ventures |
| Charlie Ill, CEO, Investible |
| Cheryl Mack, CEO, Aussie Angels |
| Chris Quirk, Investor, Deeptech VC |
| Christopher Breidahl, Partner, Verona Capital |
| Dan Krasnostein, Partner, Square Peg |
| Darcy Naunton, Partner, Black Nova |
| Deborah Johns, Partner, Gilbert + Tobin |
| Derek Gerrard, Managing Partner, Purpose Ventures |
| Ed Hooper, CEO & Co-founder, GXE & Cardinia Ventures |
| Edoardo Bigazzi, Investor, Five V Capital |
| 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 |
| Glenn Bartlett, Head of Ventures, Alberts |
| Ian Beatly, Managing Partner, SecondQuarter |
| James Edwards, CEO, BetterLabs |
| James Douglas, Partner, CoAct Capital |
| 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 |
| Kate Galpin, Listings, ASX |
| Keaton Swanepoel, Investment Manager, Invest NZ |
| Kirsten Bernhardt, Principal, Artesian |
| Kylie Gerrard, General Partner, Purpose Ventures |
| Kylie Little, Head of Ecosystem, Lighter Capital |
| Lisa Fedorenko, Head of Impact Investing, Save the Children Global Ventures |
| Matthew Parbhu, Partner, Shearwater Capital |
| Marcus Tan, Operating Partner, Purpose Ventures |
| Martin Duursma, Partner, Main Sequence |
| Max Francis, Portfolio Manager, KPMG |
| Melissa Bergin, Head of Portfolio Strategy, BHP Ventures |
| Melissa Widner, CEO, Lighter Capital |
| Michael Chandler, Portfolio Manager, KPMG High Growth Ventures |
| Michael Chen, CEO/GP, SpringCapital Investment Pty Ltd |
| Michael Kron, Associate Partner, Antler |
| Michael Lamont, Principal, Scaleup Mediafund |
| Michael Zimmerman, Partner, Main Sequence |
| Mike Abbott, GP, Antler |
| Natasha Domiro, Investment Manager, Verona Capital |
| Nick Gainsley, Partner, One Ventures |
| Olivia Wensley, CEO, Remarkable Ventures |
| Peter Kennedy, Senior adviser, Burda Principal Investments |
| Priya Saiprasad, General Partner & Co-Founder, Touring Capital |
| Rebecca Schot-Guppy, Partner, Firemark Ventured |
| Regan Lei, Investment Manager, Arcanys Ventures |
| Richard Du, Investment Director, MA Growth Ventures |
| Ricki Friede, Chief Investment Officer, Sypkes Family Office |
| Ryan Holsheimer, CEO, Admiralty Capital Group |
| Sam Forman, Managing Director, Canaccord Genuity |
| Silk Kadala, Senior Associate, Blackbird Ventures |
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.