ACTivate Capital
Venture capitalCanberra · Pre-Seed–Series A · 22 people tracked
Investment thesis
ACTivate Capital focuses on investing in the Canberra region, backing local founders and commercialising ideas from Australia's leading research institutions including ANU, CSIRO, University of Canberra and UNSW. Backed by the ACT Government as an initial limited partner, the fund aims to keep regional skills, ideas and economic potential local while achieving global impact. It takes a founder-focussed approach, providing mentorship and guidance throughout the investment journey alongside capital, and works with local research providers and government agencies to maintain first sight of the best emerging ideas.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 22 people
from the firm's websiteAn entrepreneur with 25 years of experience building businesses across computer vision, mining, automotive and simulation technologies, focused on innovation, global partnerships and scaling companies.
A mechanical engineer and innovation leader, former Pro Vice-Chancellor of Innovation at ANU and former Chair of ANU Connect Ventures, with extensive experience in deep-tech commercialisation and board roles.
A mechanical engineer and innovation leader, Michael is a former Pro Vice-Chancellor of Innovation at ANU and former Chair of ANU Connect Ventures with deep expertise in technology transfer and deep-tech spinouts. He previously worked at GEC and Rolls-Royce Aero Engines.
An investment and industry leader across defence, space and clean energy who specialises in strategy, stakeholder engagement and research translation, and has raised significant funding.
Victor has led high-performing teams and large-scale industry initiatives across defence, space and clean energy, specialising in strategy, stakeholder engagement and research translation. He is a Eureka Prize and CRC Star Award winner.
Ken has 25 years of experience building businesses across computer vision, mining, automotive and simulation technologies, with expertise in innovation, global partnerships and scaling companies.
A board director, advisor and early-stage investor focused on innovation-led companies, with expertise in R&D funding, governance and commercialisation across biotech, defence, ICT and renewable energy.
Anne-Marie is a board director, advisor and early-stage investor with expertise in R&D funding, governance and commercialisation across biotech, defence, ICT and renewable energy. She is a qualified lawyer and former President of the ACT Division of the AICD.
A Nobel Prize-winning astrophysicist and former Vice-Chancellor of ANU who contributes to national science policy.
Brian is a Nobel Prize-winning astrophysicist and former Vice-Chancellor of ANU, recognised for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe, and contributes to national science policy.
A public policy and innovation strategist who shaped the ACT's innovation landscape and held senior roles across government, industry and academia.
Ian is a public policy and innovation strategist who led ACT business and innovation policy from 2007 to 2019, delivering initiatives such as the CBR Innovation Network, and later held a strategic advisory role at the University of Canberra.
A finance and governance expert, former CFO of Seeing Machines and archTIS and former EY partner, who provides contract CFO and advisory services to growing tech companies.
James is a finance and governance expert and contract CFO who previously served as CFO at Seeing Machines and archTIS, and was an EY partner and Managing Partner of its Canberra assurance practice.
A finance professional experienced in managing complex financial operations, strategic financial management, internal controls and regulatory compliance.
Jenny is a finance professional experienced in managing complex financial operations, strategic financial management, internal controls and regulatory compliance.
A commercialisation expert with a background in organic chemistry, with roles at ANU, the Cybersecurity CRC and Nomad Atomics bringing deep-tech and quantum technologies to market.
Kerrie is a commercialisation expert with a background in organic chemistry who has held roles at ANU and the Cybersecurity Cooperative Research Centre, and led business development at Nomad Atomics on quantum sensing technologies.
A serial entrepreneur and innovation leader, former National Innovation Adviser to the Australian Government and active angel investor who has backed over 20 Australian startups.
Murray is an entrepreneur and innovation leader with over three decades of experience, a former National Innovation Adviser to the Australian Government, and an active angel investor who has backed more than 20 Australian startups.
A venture investor with over 25 years of experience across software, hardware, agritech, climate and life sciences, with roles at Nanyang Ventures, ANU Connect Ventures and Tenacious Ventures.
Simon has over 25 years of venture experience investing across software, hardware, agritech, climate, industrial products and life sciences, with roles at St.George Bank, Nanyang Ventures, ANU Connect Ventures and Tenacious Ventures.
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does ACTivate Capital invest at?
- ACTivate Capital invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
- What sectors does ACTivate Capital focus on?
- ACTivate Capital focuses on Cleantech, Deep Tech, Defense Tech.
- Where is ACTivate Capital located?
- ACTivate Capital is headquartered in Canberra, AU.
Similar investors
Crosscut Ventures is an early-stage venture firm that has partnered with founders across industries and geographies since 2008.
DCVC (Data Collective) is a deep tech venture capital firm backing entrepreneurs using computational approaches to solve large real-world problems across many industries. It operates six flagship funds plus DCVC Bio, spanning 13 funds to date.
Hyderabad Angels is an angel investor network headquartered in Hyderabad, India, backing early-stage founders across India since 2010.
Moore Venture Partners invests in early-stage companies located in geographic markets across the United States that are typically underserved by venture capital, helping founders assemble investment syndicates with institutional and corporate partners.
Phoenix Venture Partners (PVP) is a venture capital firm focused on advanced materials and material science innovation, working closely with a consortium of corporate strategic partners and limited partners.