About us
The OneVentures Difference:
- Our team have founded, built and exited high growth businesses
- Our team has skills to give investee companies the support they require
- We have experience in commercialising Australian R&D
- We have relationships to support the off-shore operations of our investee companies
- We are focused on realising strong returns for our investors and investee companies
- Our goal is to be a leading Australian early stage venture capital company
OneVentures Pty Ltd was founded in October 2006 by Dr Michelle Deaker following the successful exit of her high growth technology company E Com Industries to UK PLC, Retail Decisions. Michelle believed there was a great opportunity to fill a gap in experience amongst Australian venture fund managers and to repeat what has been a successful model for a select band of current Tier 1 US VCs, such as Kleiner Perkin and Sequoia Capital. Her strategy was to build a firm of former successful entrepreneurs and business builders, a strategy backed by research showing that an experienced successful entrepreneur is much more likely to lead another business to a successful outcome.
From late 2006 to 2008, OneVentures raised and placed over $14m into early stage companies taking on management and advisory roles with three portfolio companies. In early 2008, OneVentures applied for a Commonwealth Government Round Three Tranche Two Innovation Investment Fund $20 million Licence.
In January 2008 Anne-Marie Birkill commenced a relationship with OneVentures which was formalised in March 2010 when the OneVentures Innovation Fund was launched. Previously CEO of i.lab Incubator Pty Ltd, Anne-Marie has 25 years experience as a senior executive and equity partner in a series of plant biotechnology companies, then mentor coach and advisor to hundreds of emerging technology companies.
In June 2008, Dr Paul Kelly, of Boston, joined the OneVentures team. Although originally from Australia, Paul, amongst many notable roles, had founded, built and managed a NASDAQ listed Gemini Genomics plc, and led the restructuring of another listed US company, Orchid Cellmark (Nasdaq: ORCH), generating substantial returns and exits for investors. Paul also founded two other US based technology companies, and has advised and managed a number of other early stage technology based companies.
In September 2008, the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Hon. Senator Kim Carr, announced the award of a $20 million IIF license to the OneVentures team. The General Partner team subsequently raised matching funding from high net worth wholesale investors and in February 2009 became one of only four Funds to receive conditional registration for tax exemption on both capital and income accounts under the Venture Capital Act 2002.
The General Partners are building a sustainable venture firm, training and bringing through successful entrepreneurs and recycling their experience into the firm’s up-and-coming portfolio companies.
Every member of the OneVentures team is dedicated to working as hard as you do to make your business succeed. Our drive comes from our passion for building great companies and seeing them thrive. We know it isn’t always going to be smooth sailing. In fact we are committed to the long haul and welcome the everyday challenges that come with growing a business.
OneVentures is focused on investments in the TIME (Telecommunications, Information Technology, New Media), Cleantech and Life Sciences sectors with a genuine desire to support the commercialisation of Australian R&D. We are looking for innovative and evolutionary companies in these sectors backed by great teams, a winning culture and a desire to leverage our international networks.
If you think you have the right team, a great idea or a promising business model and are ready to get your wings contact us.