Established as one of the largest knowledge sharing and networking events for the leaders of Australia’s innovation ecosystem, the Council was proud to host it’s 2021 VC Industry Forum at Doltone House, Hyde Park, Sydney in May.

Over 160 attendees heard from a number of leading international and domestic thought leaders about the state of play for venture capital in Australia and abroad and the challenges and opportunities ahead for the sector.

Samir Kumar, Managing Director, M12 (Microsoft’s Venture Fund), delivered an insightful keynote address via live stream from San Francisco, sharing his views on the technological changes in relation to AI and Robotics and how they inform investment opportunities.

The line-up of speakers included Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Cathy Foley who joined Dr Michael Hush from Q-CTRL to deliver a highly insightful session on growing Australia’s billion-dollar Quantum Computing opportunity.

This highly informative and interactive day finished with networking drinks providing a platform for our members to make new connections and to re-connect with old friends and colleagues.

Since the program was launched in 2019, the Council has continued to provide a meaningful platform to connect, upskill and profile the private capital industry’s leaders of tomorrow.

In early November, emerging leaders from the private capital ecosystem heard valuable insights from two Australian Olympians − Jessica Morrison and Trent Oeltjen − on what it takes to become an elite athlete and ultimately, to represent their country at the highest level. Two of our own leaders, Bora Han and Max Tobin joined the Olympians for a fireside chat on building resilience, motivation and a team culture and how these important skills could be transferred to work life.

In March, the Council hosted a group of future leaders at Holey Moley in Sydney, providing an opportunity for new connections and networking in a social atmosphere.

The Foundations of Private Capital Course was launched in July 2021, with 23 participants currently completing the program.

During the year, the Council developed a new comprehensive Foundations of Private Capital course for early career investment professionals looking to accelerate their experience and knowledge through skills development, and deal simulations led by the some of the private capital industry’s most senior leaders.

Modelled on the highly successful British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association’s Foundations course, this program delivers a comprehensive base of knowledge and skills across private equity, venture and private credit, delivered by senior industry practitioners who share their hands-on experience and career learnings from their perspective as fund managers as well as institutional investors.

The program has been designed with three online sessions that enable attendees to accumulate knowledge on the industry. These sessions are consolidated during a two-day residential course which includes interactive discussions and Q&A as well as a unique peer group networking opportunity for all course participants.

A business case for the program, recommended by the Council’s Professional Development Board Working Group, was approved by the Board in late 2020. A Steering Committee was formed to oversee the development of the course and included three Board members, the Course Director of the British Venture Capital Association’s Foundations program and two other industry education experts.

The Foundations of Private Capital course builds on the Council’s popular VC101 and PE101 professional development programs which are run throughout the year.