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The Hugh Victor McKay Fund is a $2 million co-investment fund for Victorian AgTech startups run by LaunchVic with funding from Agriculture Victoria.
The Fund invests up to $200,000 alongside individual investors, angel groups and early-stage VC’s.
Up to $30,000 of the investment is provided as a grant to the startup, the remainder is taken as equity. This means founders hold more stake in their company at the early stages.
The Hugh Victor McKay Fund invests in Victorian AgTech startups, specifically at the pre-seed and seed stages.
To apply for co-investment, you need to have one of your investors submit the application.
This is because the fund works as a ‘sidecar’ fund that invests alongside other investors, like angels, family offices, or VCs. We rely on their due diligence and expertise instead of having startups apply directly.
Applications for co-investment are open to local and international investors with promising AgTech startups in their pipeline.
Prior to applying, please ensure you have reviewed the application guidelines below to fastrack your submission.
Founding Chairman, Scale Investors
Susan Oliver AM (Chair)
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CEO & Co-Founder, shilo.people | CEO & Founder, pivotnow
Ilona Charles
– Ms Ilona Charles is an experienced executive with an extensive career in human resources, transformation and change across a range of industries.
Ilona has held executive roles with the CSIRO, Aconex, Telstra, Medibank and NAB and is currently the CEO and co-founder of ShiloPeople (shilo.), providing world-class on-demand HR talent and consulting solutions across Australia.
She also founded pivotnow, providing strategic people advice to Founders, CEO’s and Boards of organisations going through significant transition or scaling up.
Special Responsibilities
– Chair of the People Sub-Committee
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ADVISOR, INVESTOR AND DIRECTOR, AULTMORE PTY LTD
Amanda Derham
Co-Founder, Tenacious Ventures and Partner, AgThentic
Matthew Pryor
