TLDR:
Investors have poured more than $1.2 billion into Australian student-founded startups since 2012, with the launch of Australia’s first student-run venture capital fund, NextGen Ventures. The report highlights the rise of entrepreneurship among university students and the success of student founders. The analysis shows that University of New South Wales leads in producing the most venture-backed student founders, with a focus on climate tech and blockchain startups. However, there is a gender disparity in funding for student startups, with women-only teams receiving a smaller amount of funding compared to male-only teams. NextGen Ventures aims to raise its first fund in 2024 to better support student founders and address funding challenges, ultimately aiming to make Australia’s startup ecosystem more competitive globally.
University students are increasingly turning to entrepreneurship, with student-founded startups raising more than $1.2 billion since 2012.
NextGen Ventures, the first student-run venture capital fund in Australia, aims to escalate investment in student startups.
And now that investment is set to escalate dramatically with the launch of Australia’s first student-run venture capital fund. NextGen Ventures, which launches this week, has taken a deep dive into the data around VC and student founders, charting their success and the rise of entrepreneurialism in the tertiary sector.
