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Starfish Ventures operates as a dedicated venture capital firm, specializing in identifying and cultivating high-growth technology businesses. The firm partners with talented entrepreneurs, providing both capital and strategic guidance to help navigate the complexities of scaling innovative companies. Its operational model emphasizes active support for portfolio companies through their critical development lifecycles, focusing on robust foundational growth.
Starfish Ventures was established in 2001 by co-founders John Dyson and Michael Panaccio. Their insight stemmed from recognizing a need for specialized venture capital support tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities within the burgeoning technology sector. Dyson and Panaccio leveraged their experience to create a platform aimed at fostering and accelerating local innovation within the Australian venture landscape.
The firm serves a clientele of ambitious entrepreneurs who are building the next generation of global technology companies. Starfish Ventures is dedicated to fostering successful partnerships that translate groundbreaking ideas into market-leading enterprises. Its long-term vision is to contribute significantly to the growth and overall success of the technology ecosystem by continually backing promising ventures and driving their expansion.
Key people at Starfish Ventures.
Starfish Ventures was founded in 2001 by John Dyson (Co-Founder & Investment Principal) and michael panaccio (Co-Founder & Investment Principal).
Starfish Ventures was founded in 2001 by John Dyson (Co-Founder & Investment Principal) and michael panaccio (Co-Founder & Investment Principal).
Starfish Ventures has 9 tracked investments across 7 companies. The latest tracked deal is $1.5M Seed in Marani in January 2024.
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2024 | Marani | $1.5M Seed | Kathleen A. Tune | Capita3, Southeast Minnesota Capital Fund |
| Aug 20, 2021 | H3D | $1.2M Grant / Other Equity | Fiona Hindmarsh, Starfish Ventures | Australian Government |
| Feb 1, 2021 | DesignCrowd | $7.6M Other Equity | — | Airtree Ventures, Alium Capital, CVC Capital Partners, Ellerston Capital, Perennial Value Management, Regal Funds Management |
| Jul 1, 2015 | Protagonist Therapeutics | $40.0M Series C | Canaan Partners | Canaan Partners, Adage Capital Management, Foresite Capital, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Lilly Ventures, Pharmstandard International, RA Capital Management |
| Jul 22, 2014 | ICIX | $25.0M Series C | — | Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Vertical Venture Partners, Wesfarmers |
| Oct 9, 2013 | Nitro | $3.1M Other Equity | Starfish Ventures | — |
| Apr 3, 2012 | Nitro | $3.5M Other Equity | Starfish Ventures | — |
| Mar 28, 2012 | StyleTread | $12.4M Series C | Starfish Ventures | Adinvest, Lakestar, Nine Entertainment Co |
| Oct 1, 2010 | ICIX | $6.0M Series B | Draper Fisher Jurvetson | OWL Capital |
Key people at Starfish Ventures.