Sam Wong

Greatness from Within

Blackbird welcomes Michael Tolo, Tom Humphrey and Phoebe Harrop into its investment partnership, citing their craft, founder relationships and contribution to its New Zealand expansion.

One billion for the ambitious

Blackbird's team marks the firm's tenth birthday by unveiling a new A$1 billion fund to back ambitious Australian and New Zealand startups, sketching a 2032 vision of technology dominating the economy.

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Blackbird's latest $1B AUD fund signals maturation of Australian, New Zealand venture scene

Blackbird closed its fifth fund at over A$1 billion, backed by super funds, sovereign wealth funds and hundreds of individual investors — which the firm calls Australia's largest venture fund yet.

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Blackbird is hiring Three Investment Associates

Blackbird Ventures is recruiting three investment associates for its investment team, reporting to principals Michael Tolo, Tom Humphrey and partner Sam Wong. The post describes the role, benefits, culture and the firm's portfolio.

Learn More About Blackbird's First Aotearoa Community Lead Role

Blackbird answers common questions about its new Aotearoa Community Lead job, covering the New Zealand team's community events, programmes with partners, ethical investing approach, venture capital business model and application process.

Spotlight On: Nathan Taylor, Partly

Blackbird's profile interview with Partly co-founder and COO Nathan Taylor covers the auto parts platform's New Zealand origins, its Christchurch base, and recalls Blackbird's seed investment made the previous year.

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Year in Reflection: 2020

Blackbird's year-end review covers its fourth fund announcement, investments in companies including See-Mode, Morse Micro and SafetyCulture, Startmate's climate cohort intakes, Mike Cannon-Brookes joining its board, and numerous team hires.

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How Adelaide startup Good Thnx facilitated $1 million in charity donations, and built a Slack integration for speedy sales

Profile of Adelaide charity-donations startup Good Thnx after Startmate's demo day, covering its Slack integration, fast enterprise sales, mentor network, a $75,000 investment and $1 million in donations facilitated.

“Move the needle and change the world”: Meet Startmate’s new eclectic and international cohort

Startmate reveals the startups joining its latest Melbourne cohort and its first New Zealand group, while discussing remote operations and new leadership appointments.

Kate Kendall's Atto pre-accelerator bags $125,000 grant, for program helping women embrace entrepreneurship

Kate Kendall's women-only pre-accelerator Atto received a 125,000-dollar LaunchVic grant and is preparing a second cohort, with mentors from Startmate, M8 Ventures and Pick & Shovel supporting the program.

Blackbird Monthly, Edition 02, 2020

Blackbird's February newsletter reports new investments in Roborigger and Dovetail plus Process Street's Series A, alongside portfolio updates, a founder spotlight and hiring notices.

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