SYDNEY: The Australian Investment Council has today announced the winners of the 2023 Investing for Growth Awards, at the 28th Australian Investment Conference.
The awards, judged by a panel of industry peers, were presented across 11 categories at the Council’s two-day annual Australian Investment Conference. They are for outstanding contribution by Australian private capital firms in growing and scaling companies, achieving excellent financial performance in their portfolio company investments, and accomplishing positive non-financial outcomes, including social impact in the broader community.
The Australian Investment Conference is the nation’s largest gathering of private capital professionals and was attended by a community of more than 500 investors, advisers and members of the industry.
Investing for Growth Award Winners
- Significant Contribution Award – Andrew Major (HESTA)
- Venture Capital Early-Stage Investment Award – Reinventure
- Corporate Venture Capital Investment Award – NAB Ventures
- Small Cap Investment Award – Mercury Capital and Allegro Funds
- Mid Cap Investment Award – Anchorage Capital Partners
- Upper-Mid Cap Investment Award – Mercury Capital
- Large Cap Investment Award – Pacific Equity Partners
- Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion Award – Australian Business Growth Fund
- Michael Hirshorn Award – Quadrant Private Equity
- Venture Capital Firm of the Year Award – Blackbird Ventures
- Firm of the Year Award – Allegro Funds
The winner of the inaugural Venture Capital Firm of the Year award, Blackbird Ventures, has proven its leadership with its collaborative approach and leading efforts to tackle the toughest industry issues. In the past year, Blackbird has been demonstrated leadership role in evolving valuation policy working with their VC peers and institutional investors.
Blackbird Ventures also secured the largest capital raise in 2022, raising one billion dollars and have led pioneering programs and events in a collaborative way for increasing engagement, education and diversity in the industry, including the Scale Investors Gender Allies and their annual Sunrise Festival.
Firm of the Year award winner, Allegro Funds, was recognised for distinguished leadership in industry development, particularly in the areas of supporting the educational and career development of emerging talent, governance, stakeholder engagement and community and philanthropic support.
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About the Australian Investment Council:
The Australian Investment Council is the peak body for private capital in Australia and has 200+ members who work to build strong businesses that support our communities, create new employment opportunities, and grow our nation’s economy. Members of the Council comprise the leading domestic and international private capital firms operating in Australia, and span private equity, venture capital, private credit, family offices, superannuation and sovereign wealth funds as well as leading financial, legal, and operational advisors. Our investment members directly or indirectly employ approximately 500,000 people across the economy, contribute almost three per cent to GDP, and support entrepreneurship and local capability by investing in Australian industries and businesses.