12 investors are actively backing New South Wales startups in 2026. NSW raised $1.7B across 160 deals in 2025, leading Australia by deal count. Sydney accounts for ~45% of all Australian VC investment.
New South Wales is Australia's largest startup market. Sydney-based funds have closed record amounts of fresh capital heading into 2026.
Don't approach growth-stage funds like Square Peg if you're pre-revenue. They back companies with clear traction, not just ideas.
Set up an Ellty data room before approaching any NSW investor. Australian VCs expect your cap table, financials, and deck ready on first contact.
| Type | Check size | Sector focus | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackbird Ventures | Early-stage VC | $500K to $5M | AI, SaaS, deep tech, AU/NZ | blackbird.vc |
| AirTree Ventures | Seed to growth VC | $250K to $10M | AI, fintech, SaaS, consumer | airtree.vc |
| Carthona Capital | Early-stage VC | Pre-seed to Series A | SaaS, fintech, proptech | carthonacapital.com |
| Tidal Ventures | Seed VC | Seed ($500K to $3M) | Enterprise SaaS, cybersecurity | tidalvc.com |
| OIF Ventures | Seed and early VC | $500K to $5M | Purpose-driven tech, AU | oifventures.com.au |
| Folklore Ventures | Early-stage VC | Seed to Series A | Software, advanced tech | folklore.vc |
| AfterWork Ventures | Pre-seed/seed VC | Pre-seed to seed | AU/NZ tech startups | afterwork.vc |
| Main Sequence Ventures | Deep tech VC (CSIRO) | $500K to $5M | Deep tech, AI, robotics | mseq.vc |
| Investible | Pre-seed to Series A VC | Pre-seed to Series A | Fintech, climate, healthtech | investible.com |
| Antler Australia | Pre-seed VC/accelerator | $100K to $250K | All sectors, founder-first | antler.co |
| Square Peg Capital | Multi-stage VC | $5M to $50M+ | Internet economy, growth | squarepeg.vc |
| Artesian Ventures | Most-active early-stage VC | Pre-seed to Series A | Cleantech, agrifood, AI, health | artesianinvest.com |
Track who opens your NSW startup pitch
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Start free 14-day trialWhat is a NSW investor?
New South Wales investors back tech startups from pre-seed through growth stage. They focus on AI, fintech, SaaS, and deep tech with global ambition expected from day one.
Most NSW deals involve co-investment across multiple funds. Tidal and OIF co-invested in OneMRI's $2.5M seed in 2026 alongside six other funds.
NSW funds are sitting on record reserves in 2026. AirTree closed a $650M Fund V in August 2025. Square Peg completed a $650M first close across Fund 6 and Opportunities Fund 3.
Read how South East England investors compare - a different market but similar co-investment patterns.
NSW leads Australia in venture capital deal count. Sydney-based funds have closed record capital in the past 12 months, with AirTree, Blackbird, and Square Peg all raising new vintages and deploying with discipline into AI, fintech, and deep tech.
12 New South Wales investors
1. Blackbird Ventures
Blackbird invested in 29 companies in 2025 and 6 more by April 2026. Kimia's seed round in early 2026 included Blackbird co-investing with AirTree and Skip Capital. Blackbird has 7B+ AUM and 143 portfolio companies. Their portfolio includes Canva, SafetyCulture, and Culture Amp.
Use Ellty to share your pitch with Blackbird. Their team reads a high volume of decks - trackable links show you who engaged and when.
- Recent Deals: Kimia seed 2026; NextWork seed March 2026; 29 investments in 2025; Eucalyptus $1.6B exit Feb 2026
- LinkedIn: Blackbird LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: AI, SaaS, deep tech, consumer, AU/NZ
- Stage Focus: Pre-seed to IPO ($500K to $5M initial check)
- Location: Sydney, AU
- Website: blackbird.vc
2. AirTree Ventures
AirTree closed Fund V at $650M in August 2025 - split between a $250M seed fund and a $400M growth fund. Eucalyptus was acquired by Hims in February 2026 for $1.6B, delivering major returns. AirTree has 125+ portfolio companies including Canva, Linktree, and Employment Hero.
- Recent Deals: Eucalyptus $1.6B exit Feb 2026; Cuttable follow-on 2026; Fund V $650M closed Aug 2025
- LinkedIn: AirTree LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: AI, fintech, SaaS, consumer, AU/NZ
- Stage Focus: Seed to growth ($250K to $10M+)
- Location: Sydney, AU
- Website: airtree.vc
3. Carthona Capital
Carthona is deploying Fund III with ~$360M in AUM. Their latest investment was in Driva in March 2026, a fintech marketplace. Portfolio includes Life360, Airtasker, and Credible. They prefer to lead at pre-seed or seed and follow through to Series A.
- Recent Deals: Driva March 2026; 66 portfolio companies; Fund III active deployment 2025-2026
- LinkedIn: Carthona LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: SaaS, fintech, proptech
- Stage Focus: Pre-seed to Series A
- Location: Sydney, AU
- Website: carthonacapital.com
4. Tidal Ventures
Tidal backed Operata's $11M Series A in February 2026 and TMRW in March 2026. They have 32 portfolio companies and 3 new investments in the past 12 months. Tidal focuses on product-led founders in enterprise SaaS and cybersecurity targeting international scale.
- Recent Deals: Operata $11M Series A Feb 2026; TMRW March 2026; 32 portfolio companies
- LinkedIn: Tidal Ventures LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: Enterprise SaaS, cybersecurity, AI
- Stage Focus: Seed ($500K to $3M)
- Location: Sydney, AU
- Website: tidalvc.com
5. OIF Ventures
OIF backed Starboard Maritime Intelligence and Josef in 2025 - 6 investments that year. They co-invested in OneMRI's $2.5M seed in 2026 alongside TEN13, Antler, and AfterWork. OIF looks for purpose-driven founders with material impact on their markets.
Set up an Ellty data room before contacting OIF. They move fast on deals that fit - materials ready shortens their process.
- Recent Deals: OneMRI $2.5M seed 2026; Starboard Maritime Intelligence 2025; Josef follow-on 2025
- LinkedIn: OIF Ventures LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: Purpose-driven tech, SaaS, AU
- Stage Focus: Seed to early growth ($500K to $5M)
- Location: Sydney, AU
- Website: oifventures.com.au
Share your pitch with trackable links
Use Ellty to see which NSW investors spend time on your financials.
Start free 14-day trial6. Folklore Ventures
Folklore oversees two ESVCLPs - Fund 2 and Fund 3 - focused on early-stage software and advanced technology. Their latest first-time investment was in Hullbot, with a follow-on into HealthMatch in 2025. Folklore has 30 portfolio companies and writes first checks into AU founders at seed.
- Recent Deals: Hullbot seed 2025; HealthMatch follow-on 2025; 30 portfolio companies; Fund 3 active
- LinkedIn: Folklore Ventures LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: Software, advanced technology, AU early-stage
- Stage Focus: Seed to Series A
- Location: Redfern, Sydney, AU
- Website: folklore.vc
7. AfterWork Ventures
AfterWork is a community-powered pre-seed and seed fund with 53 portfolio companies. They co-invested in OneMRI's $2.5M seed in 2026 alongside OIF, TEN13, and Antler. AfterWork runs a community of 1,000+ operators who surface deal flow and support founders post-investment.
- Recent Deals: OneMRI $2.5M seed 2026; 53 portfolio companies; community of 1,000+ operators
- LinkedIn: AfterWork Ventures LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: AU/NZ tech, all sectors
- Stage Focus: Pre-seed to seed
- Location: Sydney, AU
- Website: afterwork.vc
8. Main Sequence Ventures
Main Sequence is CSIRO's venture fund with $1B+ AUM across three funds. Cauldron secured a $19M Series A2 led by Main Sequence in 2026 - a NSW biomanufacturing company. Fund 4 raise is expected towards end of 2026. Main Sequence targets deep tech founders commercialising CSIRO research.
Read the due diligence checklist for investors before approaching Main Sequence. They run detailed technical due diligence before any term sheet.
- Recent Deals: Cauldron $19M Series A2 lead 2026; Swoop Aero exit Mar 2025; Fund 3 16 investments active
- LinkedIn: Main Sequence LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: Deep tech, AI, robotics, biomanufacturing
- Stage Focus: Seed to Series B ($500K to $5M)
- Location: Sydney and Canberra, AU
- Website: mseq.vc
9. Investible
Investible closed its $51.6M Early-Stage Fund 2 above target. Latest investment was Apate.ai with a follow-on into Factory in 2025. They have 52 AU investments. Investible targets pre-seed to Series A across fintech, climate, martech, and healthtech.
Use Ellty to share funding materials with Investible. Their team reviews AU founders at volume - analytics help you follow up at the right time.
- Recent Deals: Apate.ai 2026; Factory follow-on 2025; 7 investments in 2025; Fund 2 closed above target
- LinkedIn: Investible LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: Fintech, climate tech, healthtech, martech, SaaS
- Stage Focus: Pre-seed to Series A ($250K to $3M)
- Location: Sydney, AU
- Website: investible.com
10. Antler Australia
Antler runs 10-week residencies twice a year in Sydney and Melbourne. Residency 14 launched in 2026 with 70 founders from 2,000+ applicants. They back founders at pre-company stage with $100K to $250K checks. Antler co-invested in OneMRI's $2.5M seed in 2026.
- Recent Deals: OneMRI $2.5M seed 2026; Residency 14 with 70 founders 2026; AU-wide mandate active
- LinkedIn: Antler LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: All sectors, AI, healthcare, education, finance
- Stage Focus: Pre-company to pre-seed ($100K to $250K)
- Location: Sydney, Melbourne, AU
- Website: antler.co
11. Square Peg Capital
Square Peg manages $3.6B USD AUM with teams in Sydney, Melbourne, Tel Aviv, and Singapore. Fund 6 completed a $650M first close in 2026. Latest investment was Aidoc in April 2026, a medical AI company. Square Peg writes growth-stage checks from $5M to $50M+.
- Recent Deals: Aidoc April 2026; Fund 6 $650M first close 2026; 194 investments total; $3.6B AUM
- LinkedIn: Square Peg LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: Internet economy, AI, SaaS, healthtech, growth stage
- Stage Focus: Series A to growth ($5M to $50M+)
- Location: Sydney, AU
- Website: squarepeg.vc
12. Artesian Ventures
Artesian is Australia's most-active early-stage VC with 600+ investments and $255M+ AUM. Investments in 2026 include CLIQ and Plasmaleap, plus a Ferronova follow-on. Artesian launched Australia's first dedicated funds for clean energy, agrifood, and medical devices. Neighbourlytics was acquired by REA Group in November 2025.
- Recent Deals: CLIQ 2026; Plasmaleap 2026; Ferronova follow-on 2025; Neighbourlytics exit Nov 2025
- LinkedIn: Artesian LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: Cleantech, agrifood, AI, medical devices, female founders
- Stage Focus: Pre-seed to Series A
- Location: Sydney, AU
- Website: artesianinvest.com
How NSW investors assess your raise readiness
Don't cold-email Blackbird or AirTree without a warm intro or significant traction. Both funds receive hundreds of unsolicited applications monthly. Referrals from portfolio founders are far more effective.
Check AirTree's open-source investor list before outreach. It shows stage preferences and notes for most AU investors. It's the fastest way to filter mismatched funds before you waste their time.
Use Ellty to create a trackable link. Send to 5 investors first and watch engagement before a wider send. You'll know who's interested before your first call.
What NSW investors want to see in 2026
AI, fintech, and deep tech took 61% of Australian VC capital in 2025. NSW investors expect a clear story about how AI is embedded in your product - not bolted on.
Most funds want international market potential at seed. NSW investors back companies that scale to Singapore, the US, or the UK without a complete rebuild.
Ellty lets you share different data room versions with different investors. Show full technical detail to deep tech investors, commercial traction to growth-stage funds.
How to get a warm intro to NSW investors
Antler's Sydney residency is the fastest route to a pre-seed check without a network. Applications open twice a year and select 70 founders from 2,000+ applicants.
Attend Tech Central Sydney or UNSW Founders Demo Day. Most NSW seed investors attend these events. Meet them in person before you send a cold email.
How to pitch a NSW investor
Four steps that match how Sydney VCs evaluate early-stage founders.
- 1.Check AirTree's open-source investor list firstStage fit filters save you from mismatched outreach.
- 2.Get a warm intro from a portfolio founder or alumniCold emails rarely work at Blackbird or AirTree.
- 3.Apply to Antler Sydney if you're pre-seed stage70 founders selected from 2,000+ applicants, twice yearly.
- 4.Send trackable deck via Ellty before your first callKnow which pages investors read before the meeting.
How Ellty helps you land a NSW investor
You know the investors. Now get your materials ready before first contact.
- 1.Build your data room before you send any outreachUpload your deck and financials to one secure place.
- 2.Set email-gated access before sharing with investorsControl who views your cap table and financials.
- 3.Get real-time alerts when a NSW VC opens your deckFollow up same day with investors who engaged deeply.
Questions NSW founders ask us
- Some do. Antler and AfterWork write pre-seed checks into pre-revenue founders.
- Check their portfolio page for investments in the past 6 months before reaching out.
- Both lead seed rounds. Blackbird skews earlier; AirTree has a dedicated $250M seed fund.
- Before your first investor email. NSW VCs request materials within 24 hours of interest.
- No. But you need clear AU market strategy or existing AU traction to get a meeting.
- Start with 5-8 well-matched funds. Track engagement via Ellty before broadening the list.
