Dear AVCAL Colleague,

AVCAL's Year of Innovation kicked off with the very successful Melbourne International Venture Capital conference. Over 170 delegates attended to listen to local GPs, overseas GPs and a number of interesting case studies of VC backed companies.

In addition, Terry Cutler gave some valuable insights into the Government's Innovation Review, to which AVCAL will be making a submission. The outcome of this review could have a substantial impact on the environment for venture capital in particular. Areas they will be addressing include the Industry Innovation Funds (IIF) and R&D grants, which are often used to augment VC investments.

I had the great pleasure of being one of the judges at the Annual Dupont Innovation Awards this year. The calibre of entrants was excellent, boding well for future VC investment opportunities in Australia.

Lastly, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has released its 7th annual Venture Capital and Later Stage Private Equity survey, showing the growth of the industry above $15 billion in funds under management.



All the best,


Katherine Woodthorpe
Chief Executive





Market News

Sovereign funds cashed up and spending

Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) in the gulf region, are cashed up and impacting the financial marketplace like never before. The SWFs in the six gulf states of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, account for nearly half of the sector through their estimated control of US$1.7 trillion. MORE . . .


Australian Funds Remain Active

According to the new bi-annual figures released by Thomson Financial during 2007, Australia was the most active fundraising nation and had the third highest level of investment within the private equity sector for the Asia Pacific region. MORE . . .




Member News

New Australian VC in Silicon Valley
Large Venture Funds Forming





AVCAL Events

VIC Lunch 22 Feb Legal and taxation aspects of ESVCLP
QLD Lunch 13 Mar Legal and taxation aspect of ESVCLP
Advanced Training Course in PE 18/19 Mar course full
NSW Dinner European LBO Market 18 Mar register now
Foundation Course 26/27 Mar register now
NSW Dinner Defining & Delivering Sustainability 26 Mar
NSW Corporate Golf Day 1 May diarise
WA Networking Lunch 9 May diarise
AVCAL 2008 24-25 Sep diarise. Josh Lerner as keynote





Other Programs

AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Forum / Australia & New Zealand 2008



4th AustralAsian Cleantech Forum Investment Showcase - AVCAL member discount available

QUT research program - Business founders wanted for entrepreneurship research

Pathways to Manhood - A contemporary community based rite of passage for boys into manhood - following on from popular feedback from AVCAL 2007

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