Side Stage Ventures: Company Profile

Background

Overview

Side Stage Ventures is a founder-led venture capital firm based in Sydney, Australia, established in 2022. The firm focuses on early-stage investments, particularly pre-seed and seed rounds, aiming to support the top 1% of founders in Australia. Their mission is to provide the first cheque into promising early-stage companies and offer active, collaborative support to help founders build and scale their businesses. Their vision is to be the most valued early-stage partner for exceptional founders in Australia.

Industry Significance

As a relatively new entrant in the Australian venture capital landscape, Side Stage Ventures seeks to fill a gap in early-stage funding by offering flexible valuation and ownership terms, emphasizing founder-friendly approaches. Their sector-agnostic investment strategy allows them to back a diverse range of startups, contributing to the growth and diversification of Australia's startup ecosystem.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

Side Stage Ventures aims to identify and support outlier founders with compelling global visions, providing them with the necessary resources and guidance to build billion-dollar businesses. They focus on being the most valued early-stage partner for exceptional founders in Australia.

Areas of Specialization

The firm is sector-agnostic, investing across various industries and business models. They specialize in early-stage investments, particularly pre-seed and seed rounds, and are comfortable backing companies very early, often pre-revenue.

Key Technologies Utilized

While Side Stage Ventures does not specify particular technologies they utilize, their portfolio includes companies in diverse sectors, indicating a broad interest in various technological domains.

Primary Markets Targeted

The firm's primary focus is on the Australian market, aiming to support the top 1% of founders in the country. Their global network and experience also position them to support companies with international aspirations.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

Side Stage Ventures has raised a total of $15 million in funding. Their most recent funding round was a $15 million seed round, which closed in August 2023.

Notable Investors

The firm has received backing from prominent Australian entrepreneurs and investors, including the founders of Linktree, Go1, and Airtasker. These investors bring a wealth of experience and a strong network to Side Stage Ventures.

Utilization of Capital

The capital raised is intended to support the firm's investment activities, including backing early-stage companies, providing operational support to portfolio companies, and expanding their team and network to enhance their value proposition to founders.

Pipeline Development

Key Pipeline Candidates

Side Stage Ventures has invested in several notable companies, including:

MagicBrief: An AI-powered creative intelligence platform for marketing teams.

Elita Genetics: A company focused on genetic research and applications.

ARCA: A firm specializing in climate technologies.

Leonardo.ai: A company developing AI solutions for creative industries.

Stages of Development

The portfolio companies are at various stages of development, from pre-revenue to generating revenue, indicating Side Stage Ventures' willingness to invest at different stages of a company's growth.

Target Conditions

The firm targets companies with differentiated products solving real and meaningful problems, led by outlier founders with a compelling global vision.

Anticipated Milestones

While specific timelines for anticipated milestones are not publicly disclosed, the firm's active involvement and support suggest a focus on achieving product-market fit, scaling operations, and preparing for subsequent funding rounds.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

Side Stage Ventures does not publicly disclose proprietary technologies.

Significant Scientific Methods

The firm emphasizes a founder-first approach, providing active and collaborative support focused on the earliest stages of building a business, such as hiring, fundraising, and achieving product-market fit.

Leadership Team

Executive Profiles

Markus Kahlbetzer: Co-Founder & General Partner. With over 18 years of experience in investing across various asset classes, Markus has backed Australian unicorns like Go1 and Airtasker. He was also a Co-Founder of Tank Stream Ventures and various startups.

Ben Grabiner: Co-Founder & General Partner. Previously, Ben co-founded Platoon, a platform for creative talent that was acquired by Apple in 2018. He also served as an investor at UK-based venture fund, LocalGlobe.

Elli Hanson: Principal Investor. Formerly the Global Director of Design Strategy at Ogilvy Worldwide and Co-Founder of Flaus, Elli focuses on human-centered design in the age of AI, with a specialty in product design, consumer, brand, and marketing technologies.

Harrison Wright: Investor. Harrison manages operations and investments at Side Stage Ventures. Before joining, he worked as an Investment Analyst at BridgeLane Capital.

Leadership Changes

As of the latest available information, there have been no significant changes or appointments within the company's leadership.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The Australian venture capital market is growing, with increasing interest in early-stage investments. Firms like Side Stage Ventures are contributing to this growth by providing essential support to founders at critical stages of their companies' development.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the Australian early-stage venture capital space include:

Blackbird Ventures: A prominent Australian venture capital firm investing in early-stage technology companies.

AirTree Ventures: Focuses on early-stage investments in technology companies across Australia and New Zealand.

Main Sequence Ventures: Specializes in deep tech investments, particularly in sectors like space, energy, and agriculture.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Side Stage Ventures collaborates with other investors both in Australia and globally, indicating a collaborative approach to investing.

Operational Insights

Side Stage Ventures differentiates itself through its founder-first approach, offering flexible valuation and ownership terms, and providing active support in areas like hiring, fundraising, and achieving product-market fit.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

The firm aims to expand its portfolio by identifying and supporting exceptional founders across various sectors, leveraging its global network and founder-centric approach to add value to portfolio companies.