Blackbird
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 2012
- Employees
- 51-200
- Offices
- 3
About Blackbird
Blackbird is a venture capital firm backing technology founders in Australia and New Zealand. Founded in 2012 by Rick Baker and Niki Scevak, it invests from the earliest stages of company formation and supports businesses through subsequent growth. Its investment activity spans software, artificial intelligence, aerospace, robotics, healthcare, synthetic biology and other emerging technologies.
The firm operates across Australia and New Zealand, with investments also extending into the United States and Europe. Its approach combines capital with practical support for founders building and scaling technology companies. Blackbird frequently begins investing at the pre-seed or seed stage, then continues supporting portfolio businesses through follow-on investment vehicles.
Investment approach and portfolio
Blackbird invests across a broad range of technology markets rather than concentrating on one industry. These include software-as-a-service, developer tools, biotechnology, agricultural technology and hardware. Its portfolio encompasses both software platforms and companies developing physical systems, from autonomous mobility to livestock management and space technology.
The firm was an inaugural seed investor in Canva. Other notable investments include SafetyCulture, Culture Amp, Zoox, Dovetail and Halter. Its investment portfolio also includes quantum computing company PsiQuantum and rocket developer Gilmour Space Technologies. These relationships represent venture investments rather than products developed by Blackbird itself.
Support beyond investment
Alongside financing, Blackbird provides operational advisory support, founder coaching and access to talent acquisition networks. Its activities include founder retreats, mentorship and community programmes intended to help entrepreneurs develop their businesses and connect with other founders.
Blackbird also produces The Sunrise, a startup conference and community festival in Australia and New Zealand, and runs Giants, an international founder mentorship initiative. Together, these programmes extend its work beyond individual investment transactions into the wider startup ecosystem.
More about Blackbird
People and early history
- Bill Bartee joined shortly after the firm's founding; the report distinguishes his early involvement from Rick Baker and Niki Scevak's founding roles.
- Partner Samantha Wong leads Blackbird's New Zealand operations.
Investment structure
Blackbird uses multiple fund vintages and dedicated investment vehicles, including its 2012, 2015 and 2018 limited partnerships, Core Fund vehicles and follow-on funds.
Ecosystem connections
Niki Scevak also co-founded the separately operated accelerator Startmate. The affiliated Blackbird Foundation supports creativity in young founders through initiatives including Protostars grants and storytelling programmes.
Notable credits
10 creditsOffices
Where Blackbird is based
- Level 1, 111 Albion Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, AustraliaSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Sydney office
HeadquartersOverall company headquarters and registered principal office.
- 15 Dover Street / 15 Newton Street, Cremorne, VIC 3121, AustraliaMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Melbourne office
Operating regional office in Cremorne.
- Level 1, 309 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New ZealandAuckland, New Zealand
Auckland office
Opened 2019
Branch established in 2019 to lead Blackbird's New Zealand operations and funds.
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