Meet Our Venture Building Team
We're the people who turn ambitious ideas into thriving businesses. Our diverse backgrounds in finance, strategy, and operations create the perfect foundation for building tomorrow's market leaders.
Kieran Blackwood
Managing Partner & Venture Architect
After spending twelve years building financial models for ASX-listed companies, Kieran discovered his real passion lay in the messy, exciting world of early-stage ventures. He's the type of person who gets genuinely excited about cash flow projections at 2 AM.
What sets him apart? He's actually been through the startup grind himself – his previous fintech venture taught him that even the best spreadsheets can't predict everything. That experience shapes how we approach every new partnership.
Where Our Expertise Really Shines
Financial Architecture
We build funding strategies that actually work in Australia's market. From understanding ASIC requirements to navigating R&D tax incentives, we know the local landscape inside out.
Operational Excellence
Systems and processes that scale without breaking. We've seen too many promising ventures collapse under their own growth – our frameworks prevent that.
Market Intelligence
Deep research that goes beyond surface trends. We analyze competitive landscapes, regulatory shifts, and emerging opportunities across APAC markets.
Strategic Partnerships
Our network includes everyone from government innovation hubs to private equity partners. Real relationships that open doors when you need them most.
How We Actually Work Together
Forget the typical consulting approach. We embed ourselves in your venture because that's the only way to truly understand what you're building. Our team becomes your team until you're ready to fly solo.
Every Wednesday morning, we gather around coffee to discuss the challenges our portfolio companies are facing. Sometimes it's a regulatory hurdle, sometimes it's finding the right CTO. The solutions often come from unexpected places.
- Honest feedback, even when it's uncomfortable
- Long-term thinking over quick wins
- Sharing knowledge across our entire network
- Celebrating failures that lead to better decisions
Our Extended Network
Beyond our core team, we work closely with specialists who bring decades of industry experience. They're not just advisors on paper – they actively contribute to strategic decisions and mentor our portfolio companies.
Dr. Priya Chennault
Former Innovation Director, Commonwealth Bank
Priya spent eight years leading digital transformation initiatives at CBA before transitioning to the venture world. She has an uncanny ability to spot regulatory risks months before they become problems. Her background in both traditional finance and emerging technologies makes her invaluable when we're evaluating fintech opportunities.