Just over a year ago, we announced Pacific Channel was establishing an Australian presence – supported by LaunchVic: Victoria's stratup agency as part of their commitment to strengthen Victoria’s deep-tech ecosystem. The goal was simple: bring two decades of investment experience and proven deep-tech capability to support Australian founders building globally significant companies.
Now, Pacific Channel Fund IV is ready to start investing.
That may sound like business as usual, but in venture capital, when a fund can start investing often makes all the difference.
The lag between intent and impact
For many new funds, the period between launching and actually being able to invest can stretch for months - sometimes longer. Capital commitments need to be secured, legal structures finalised, and compliance boxes ticked before any investment can be made. In the meantime, good investment opportunities keep moving.
For founders and management teams, that delay can be the difference between hiring or holding off, launching or losing momentum to scale. For investors, it can mean missing the window when capital and capability are most needed.
Why we can invest now
Because Pacific Channel already has over NZ$125m in assets under management and has an established team, processes, and investor base, we’re in a different position. Fund IV, our first Australian-based fund, can start investing immediately.
That’s important not just for us, but for the companies we’ll support. Deep-tech founders often face longer,more complex development cycles and need investors who understand both the science and the commercial journey. Having ready capital means we can support them now, not in six or twelve months.
Building on experience, not starting from scratch
Pacific Channel has been investing in Australian innovation for several years through Fund III, which has backed several Australian-based deep-tech companies alongside New Zealand ventures. That experience has given us first-hand insight into the strength of the local ecosystem - from world-class research institutions to globally ambitious founders - and it naturally led is to establish a permanent base in Australia.
Over the past two decades, Pacific Channel has developed a model that combines rigorous technical due diligence with founder alignment and long-term portfolio support.
Our 11 successful exits have not only validated that approach and generated high-value returns, but they’ve also given us perspective on timing - knowing when to back a company can be as critical as knowing which one to back.
Strengthening Australia’s deep-tech ecosystem
LaunchVic’s support has helped accelerate our establishment in Australia, ensuring we can play an active role in a growing ecosystem of deep-tech innovation. With Fund IV now active, Pacific Channel is focused on investing in Australian companies solving complex global challenges - deploying capital when it can make the greatest difference.
Because when capital and capability align at the right moment, innovation moves faster and the impact on our society is meaningful.
