TLDR:
- Australian universities are producing successful startups founded by students, such as Atlassian and Immutable.
- Students are now delving into venture capitalism with Australia’s first student-run VC fund, NextGen Ventures.
Australian universities are fostering a culture of innovation, leading to the creation of successful startups founded by students, including tech giant Atlassian and gaming platform Immutable. Recognizing the potential for student involvement in the investment side of startups, Mitchell Hughes, a Monash University student, founded NextGen Ventures, Australia’s first student-run VC fund. The fund aims to bridge the gap between university startup ecosystems and the broader startup landscape by providing students with practical experience in venture capital over 12-24 months. With a team of student investors across multiple universities and support from industry mentors, NextGen Ventures is focused on empowering student founders and creating a diverse and inclusive student team that reflects the broader startup ecosystem.
NextGen Ventures has already released a report showing that student-founded Australian startups have raised over $1.2 billion since 2012, highlighting the increasing interest and success of student entrepreneurs. The fund is now actively fundraising and seeking investors who are not only interested in financial returns but also in nurturing the next generation of innovators at the grassroots level. With a unique approach and strong industry competence, NextGen Ventures aims to transform the Australian student-founder landscape and support talented students in taking their startups to the global stage.
