Our Innovation Fund
UnclaimedAt a Glance
- Check Size
- $200K – $3M
- Stage
- Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
- Sectors
- SaaS, Fintech, Consumer +2
- Founded
- 2016
- HQ
- Sydney, Australia
About Our Innovation Fund
Our Innovation Fund (OIF) was established in 2016 as an Australian venture capital firm dedicated to supporting early-stage technology companies across Australia and New Zealand. Based in Sydney, the firm has built its reputation on leveraging a strong community of investors and operators to provide comprehensive support to portfolio companies beyond traditional capital investment.
OIF focuses on pre-seed through Series A investments, targeting technology startups with strong founding teams and clear paths to scalable, repeatable growth. The firm invests across diverse sectors including SaaS, fintech, consumer technology, artificial intelligence, and digital health. Their investment thesis emphasizes the importance of exceptional founding teams and validated business models that can achieve sustainable growth in the ANZ market and beyond.
What sets Our Innovation Fund apart is their community-driven approach to venture capital. The firm has cultivated an extensive network of experienced investors and operators who provide ongoing support, mentorship, and strategic guidance to portfolio companies. This model recognizes that early-stage companies benefit significantly from operational expertise and industry connections, not just financial capital.
Investment Thesis
“Invests in early-stage Australian and New Zealand technology startups with strong founding teams and clear paths to scalable, repeatable growth.”
Leadership Team
Jerry Stesel established OIF Ventures in 2016 with Geoff Levy AO and David Shein. Shein built Com Tech Communications and sold it at an enterprise value above $1 billion, which he calls Australia's first technology unicorn, and published a book on the experience in 2021. Levy began in law as a partner at Freehills, later served as chief executive and chairman of Investec Bank Australia and principal of Wentworth Associates, and chairs Monash Private Capital.
Stesel spent more than ten years in investment banking on M&A and IPOs and built and exited two fintechs, NexPay and Earnd. Partner Laurence Schwartz came from commercial law and started InsideSherpa and Earnd. Kevin Wilson joined in January 2023 from Xero, where he was global head of corporate development, after leading technology investment banking for Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Australia. The investment team also includes Isabella Rich, Andrew Yeo, Oliver Darwin and Adam Goldschmidt.
Sector Focus
Investment Stage
Notable Portfolio Companies
Fund History
OIF Ventures has raised four vehicles since 2016. Fund 1 closed at $50 million in 2016 and has returned its capital several times over, helped by the sale of XM Cyber for US$700 million and NetApp's 2022 acquisition of Instaclustr, reported by the Australian Financial Review at more than $500 million. Fund 2 launched at $75 million in 2020 and was later extended to $100 million. Fund 3 closed oversubscribed at $140 million in September 2022 against a $100 million target.
In July 2023 the firm launched a separate Opportunity Fund, raising $55 million in its first week toward a $75 million target, to write larger growth-stage cheques at Series B and C into companies it already owned, rather than the seed and Series A rounds the first three funds concentrated on. Its first commitment from that fund was $4 million into Advanced Navigation's $108 million round led by KKR. Unusually for an Australian manager of its size, OIF takes no superannuation or institutional money; it raises from high-net-worth individuals and family offices, including technology operators such as Instaclustr's Peter Lilley, who joined the investment committee, Go1's Andrew Barnes and Kasada's Sam Crowther.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What stage does Our Innovation Fund invest at?
Our Innovation Fund primarily invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages. This means they focus on companies that are at the earliest idea or prototype phase.
Where is Our Innovation Fund located?
Our Innovation Fund is headquartered in Sydney, Australia. Many of their portfolio companies are also based in this region, though they invest across geographies.
What sectors does Our Innovation Fund focus on?
Our Innovation Fund focuses on investments in SaaS, Fintech, Consumer, AI, Digital Health. Their portfolio reflects deep expertise and networks within these sectors.
What is Our Innovation Fund's typical check size?
Our Innovation Fund's typical investment check size ranges from $200K to $3M. Actual amounts may vary based on the stage, sector, and specific opportunity.
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