We build impactful startups for NFPs that transform the world for everyone

How we do it

1. Incubate

Looking to make a new product or process? We help you assess the opportunities in front of you and co-design a new business model.

2. Spin out

We spin out a new Early Stage Innovation Company separate to NFP. This allows investors to make their initial investment ‘risk-free’.

3. Build

We build the first version of your product and take it to market. Our aim is to have a sustainable product or service within 12 months.

Benefits for Not-For-Profits

Managed risk

By creating a separate entity, NFPs are able to remove the risk to the current organisation by establishing a separate team and funding stream. This allows NFPs to tackle difficult problems and new ways of working that may not be proven yet.

More funders

With our unique investment model, investors are able to commit capital with managed risk for the first 12 months. This widens the pool of potential funders, who are invested in the success of the new venture.

Sustainable models

Developing a startup or social enterprise creates an opportunity for an ongoing revenue stream not tied to donations or philanthropy. A successful enterprise will be able to push profits back to the NFP as a sustainable funding stream.

Ventures we’ve built

Meet the Founders

James Hornitzky
Co-Founder

Rowan Tombs
Co-Founder

We’ve worked with

RSPCA Australia

•

Leukaemia Foundation

•

Cancer Council NSW

•

Cerebral Palsy Alliance

•

RSPCA Australia • Leukaemia Foundation • Cancer Council NSW • Cerebral Palsy Alliance •

Get started

Fill in this briefing form and we’ll be in touch within 1 business day to organise a time to chat through your venture. We’re always happy to answer questions and provide guidance wherever we can.

FAQs

    • Access to an innovation program that mitigates loss of capital on validating innovative ideas whilst incentivizing investors and new company owners alike

    • A solution (an initiative that aligns with the ‘Purpose Statement’ within the NFPs constitution) to a problem that may never have been built otherwise

    • A new stream of funding / income if the venture is successful

    • Exposure to additional funding networks to scale the impact ventures

    • A renewed ability, courage and enthusiasm for NFPs to grow through innovation activities

  • Subject to legal constraints, the aim is for the NFP to have an equity stake in the new social enterprise (20-60%) as well as representation at the board level.

  • The rise of investment globally in the Impact sector is a reflection of our collective response to solving Societal and Planetary problems. Unfortunately, traditional enterprise structures and a lack of capitalisation in Australia has strangled the progress on Social Impact. Leading publications: Uncharitable and Redundant Charities, outline the problems NFPs face. Furthermore, published cycles of Venture Studio models (various models) globally have shown the model outperforms against traditional Accelerators and Venture Capital Firms. We have a passionate, intelligent and experienced team that have developed a proven model that removes the biggest barriers for venture building founders, Investors and For Purpose entities. We will bring our collective experience, networks and drive to build a more resilient and effective NFP sector.

  • Upon extensive research, we have confirmed our unique combination of financial engineering, independent Venture Studio framework, domain experience, access to industry peak bodies and networks is unique.

    However, there are some similar examples that you can compare to. The first set are Incubators and Accelerators that operate alongside nonprofits. These are Funded or Sponsored by Corporates. Remarkable (by CPA), Hatch (by Taronga) as well as the various University Accelerator programs (e.g. Sydney University’s Genesis program) who have produced a small number of Social Impact Ventures, although they are not targeting this thematic.

    The second set are startups that have emerged from working with NFPs. Raisely was founded out of the digital agency Agency, whilst AI startup Dataro was initially funded by a grant from a NFP.

    There may be a scenario that we partner with an Enterprise like a Corporate Venture Studio model, operating exclusively in partnership under a framework that is dedicated to producing innovative technology for the Enterprise.

    • The Venture Studio takes ~30%

    • The NFP entity can take up to 60%

    • The remaining 10-40% of the cap table must also be made up of the first Investors in the early stage companies. There is a maximum restriction of 30% that can be allocated to this investor.