Side Stage Ventures Raises $20M to Empower Australia’s Next Generation of Unicorns

Side Stage Ventures is thrilled to announce that we have successfully raised $20 million to further empower the next generation of Australia's top early-stage founders. As a founder-led venture capital fund, we have a proven track record of identifying and backing the top 1% of founders at their most critical stage—the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey. Our investment philosophy is simple yet impactful: we write small cheques into the most promising early stage companies and then lean in to help founders build and scale their ventures. This significant funding round marks a pivotal moment for us as we continue our mission to help innovators transform their bold ideas into industry-leading companies. Our team, comprised of seasoned founders who have built and backed two Australian unicorns, has an exceptional background in the startup ecosystem. We have raised over $200M from some of the best VCs in the world, experienced successful exits through acquisitions by global tech giants like Apple, and even bootstrapped ventures to achieve revenues exceeding $20M. We also pioneered Australia’s first dedicated revenue-based startup investment fund. Now, with this fresh capital injection, we are excited to expand the support we offer to our portfolio companies. The funds will be strategically deployed to help us not only identify and invest in breakthrough ideas but also to provide our founders with the extensive network, hands-on mentorship, and scalable resources they need to thrive. Ultimately, this round is about building the seed fund we always wished we had when we were starting out, ensuring that Australia’s most exceptional startup founders have the robust backing necessary to realize their entrepreneurial dreams.