Another very successful AVCAL conference is behind us. Our very first branded AVCAL alpha conference, although our 19th annual event, had a burst of renewed energy and enthusiasm around the events and sessions. Thank you for supporting us.
The Conference Working Group developed a new and exciting range of sessions to cover VC and early stage growth PE topics. These sessions took on a very forward-thinking tone about opportunities in three industry areas including healthcare, energy and retail and dealt with deal making and exits from a VC and growth fund perspective. There was great interest in these sessions, evidenced by a substantial attendance. The feedback we have received so far has been great.
We ran our first-ever alphathon event on Tuesday afternoon, a 5km run that attracted a keen field of 30 runners.
alphathon winners
1st - Jamie Palmer, Allen & Overy
2nd - Tom Highnam, Allens
3rd - Owen Maher, KKR Australia
The golf day was threatened with some rain in the morning, but as is usually the case, the weather cleared for a great afternoon on the course. Thanks to the Westpac team for their support of the event.
Golf day winning team
(with Greg Clark, Westpac)
Niro Ananda, Clayton Utz
David Stammers, Clayton Utz
Daniel Fah, CFO Strategic
Adam Papageorgiou, GE Capital
A highlight, as ever, was the AVCAL Awards ceremony, which saw the industry celebrate the success of Starfish Ventures, Equity Partners, Archer Growth, Archer Capital, CHAMP Ventures and Brandon Capital Partners. The inaugural Michael Hirshorn Award was given to BTF and Four Hats Capital. You will be seeing the portfolio awards showcased as events rolled out around Australia in the coming 12 months.
If you attended, some powerpoint slides are available by logging in on the AVCAL website and you can still give your feedback, which is so important to us by completing the survey. At the conclusion of the survey is a link to the conference photos. We are very keen to hear your thoughts and it’s with these that we can improve year on year.
I am writing this from the annual Global Venture Capital Congress, a forum of AVCAL's counterparts from around the world, this year held in Dublin. We discuss impacts and issues affecting the VC and PE industry globally, areas of joint research and policy, and regulatory issues and initiatives. It is very important for us to share what's happening in our regions and to learn from each other. I also had the opportunitiy to meet with the Irish Prime Minister, who also hosted us (pictured below with the delegation) as part of the proceedings. I'll say more about the meeting in our November communication.
I'd also like to remind all members that it is time to cast your ballots for the AVCAL Council elections. You will receive your papers at the end of this week. Please read the instructions carefully to make your vote count. The new Council will be announced at our AGM on 22 November 2012.
AVCAL GP members only
AVCAL, in partnership with Minter Ellison Lawyers and KPMG, has released a Management Equity Plan (MEP) template that can be used for lower- and mid-market PE portfolio Australian investments (growth fund investments). In recent times, MEPs have increasingly replaced the traditional Employee Share Option Plans (ESOP). The MEP package contains two documents – AVCAL MEP Explanatory Note (pdf format) and the MEP template (Word format).
Call for submissions - AVCAL Research Prizes 2012-13
AVCAL is pleased to again invite submissions for two research prizes in 2012. This programme aims to encourage the development of high-quality research on issues of importance and relevance to the PE and VC industry in Australia. Submissions are invited from academia and industry participants for these prizes. Entries close at 5pm (EST) on Friday 7th December 2012 and will be judged by a panel selected by AVCAL.
Research library
The AVCAL research library is a one-stop centre for accessing current international research and industry reports on PE and VC. A wide selection of items has recently been posted - look for the NEW symbol.
You can subscribe to email updates as news, research or policy related matters are posted to our website. Simply login to your account on our website and subscribe as required via the "update your details" field. If you don't know your login, just click "forgot your password?" and enter your name and email address. A link will then be emailed to you so you can reset it. You can do this as often as necessary.
AICD - Demystifying private equity for directors
Sydney, 27 Nov 2012
There are many questions surrounding private equity. Get answers and advice from a diverse panel including Dr Katherine Woodthorpe, CEO AVCAL; Tim Reed, CEO of MYOB; Leon Pasternak, Deputy Chairman of Southern Cross Media Group and Independent Director of GenesisCare; and Simon Moore, Managing Director, The Carlyle Group.
Events
Tech23
Sydney, 23 Oct 2012
Tech23 is an event that celebrates Australian innovation. It brings together 23 carefully selected young technology companies, spotlighting their technologies in front of panels of Industry Leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and 400+ engaged and informed attendees.
Univation
Perth, 7 Nov 2012
Univation is focused on building relationships between universities, industry and investors. Presenters will represent the best new technology based product and service opportunities from Australia’s public research sector.
Innovation Week
Perth, 6-9 Nov 2012
Events include the IP Valuation for Technology Transfer Professionals Workshop, Univation and the KCA Annual Conference.
Springboard: Australia 2013
Application deadline is 15 Dec 2012
Springboard is currently seeking investment-ready women-led companies to participate in Springboard: Australia 2013—the nation’s first accelerator program exclusively for women entrepreneurs.
HKVCA - 3rd Asia Private Equity Forum
Hong Kong, 16 Jan 2013
HKVCA member rate for AVCAL members
Leading investment professionals from firms active in China, India, Korea, Indonesia and elsewhere in Asia will address key issues relating to private equity.
