Building Ventures That Matter
We've spent the last seven years learning what really works when it comes to building sustainable businesses. Every partnership teaches us something new about what entrepreneurs actually need.
What We Actually Do
Most venture builders talk about big dreams and rapid scaling. We focus on the messy reality of building something worthwhile. It starts with understanding your market better than anyone else, then building systems that can handle growth without falling apart.
- Market research that goes beyond surface-level trends
- Financial modeling based on realistic growth patterns
- Team building strategies that work for Australian markets
- Technology decisions that solve real problems
- Partnership development with established industry players
How Partnerships Typically Develop
Market Validation Phase
We spend the first quarter really digging into whether your idea has legs. This means talking to potential customers, analyzing competitor strategies, and stress-testing your assumptions. About 30% of projects pivot significantly during this phase.
Foundation Building
Once we know the market opportunity is real, we focus on building the right team and establishing core processes. This is where most ventures either gain momentum or stall out. We've learned that getting the fundamentals right here saves months of problems later.
Growth and Refinement
With solid foundations in place, we can focus on sustainable growth strategies. This often involves expanding into new market segments, developing strategic partnerships, or refining product offerings based on real customer feedback.
Independence and Scale
The goal is always for ventures to operate independently. By this stage, successful partnerships have developed their own momentum and clear paths forward. We transition to advisory roles and focus on strategic opportunities for expansion.
Kieran Blackthorne
Principal Partner
Sage Winterbourne
Strategic Development Lead
Our Approach to Partnership
We don't believe in the typical consultant model where someone comes in, delivers a report, and disappears. Real venture building means rolling up our sleeves and working alongside founders through the inevitable challenges that come with building something new.
Over the years, we've learned that the best partnerships happen when everyone involved has skin in the game. We structure our arrangements so that our success is directly tied to the venture's long-term viability, not just short-term milestones.
"The most valuable partnerships are the ones where you can pick up the phone at 9 PM because something unexpected happened, and you know the other person genuinely cares about finding a solution."
Questions We Get Asked
What makes venture building different from consulting?
Consultants usually work on specific projects with defined endpoints. We become working partners in building something that needs to exist in the market. This means we're involved in day-to-day decisions and long-term strategy.
Talk about your projectHow do you decide which ventures to work with?
We look for founders who understand their market deeply and have realistic expectations about what building a business actually involves. Technical expertise matters, but we're more interested in people who can adapt when things don't go according to plan.
Meet our teamWhat does the financial arrangement typically look like?
Every partnership is structured differently based on the venture's stage and needs. We might provide initial funding, expertise in exchange for equity, or structured advisory arrangements. The key is aligning everyone's incentives for long-term success.
Discuss arrangementsHow long do partnerships usually last?
Most intensive partnerships run 12-24 months, depending on the venture's complexity and market conditions. After that, successful ventures often continue with ongoing advisory relationships, but the goal is always independence and self-sufficiency.
Read case studiesDo you work with international markets?
Our primary focus is the Australian market because that's where we have the deepest relationships and market understanding. However, many of our ventures have international components or expansion plans that we help navigate.
Explore possibilities