In today’s episode, we’re joined by John and Jax, partners at AirTree, to talk about their massive new $650 million fund — a milestone backed by some of the world’s top institutional investors. They break down why global capital is finally paying attention to Australia, how this changes the game for local founders, and what traits they now look for in world-class startups. From the rise of AI-native companies to the evolving VC landscape, this is a must-listen for anyone building in tech.
Check out their socials:
Jonh Henderson:
https://www.airtree.vc/team/john-henderson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhenderson/
Jackie Vullinghs:
https://www.airtree.vc/team/jackie-vullinghs
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jvullinghs/
We dive into:
- Why AirTree raised a $650M fund — and what it unlocks for founders
- How global LPs are finally backing Australian venture capital
- The rise of AI-native startups and why they matter now
- What AirTree looks for in early-stage founders today
- The shift toward faster, conviction-led investing
- Why “speed and intensity” beat “balance” in the startup game
- How growth-stage VC is evolving in Australia
- Why AirTree is investing in companies they once missed
- The internal culture driving AirTree’s success
- Predictions for the future of VC and AI-driven business models
00:00 Exciting Announcement: New $650 Million Fund
00:17 The Importance of International Investors
00:52 Meet the Partners: John and Jax
01:13 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Venture Capital
01:23 The Fast-Paced World of VC: Diligence and Conviction
01:49 A Special Message to Our Viewers
02:31 Deep Dive: The New Fund and Its Impact
05:21 Why Australia? Convincing Global Investors
06:28 The Growth of the Australian Tech Ecosystem
09:28 Vanta Ad
12:40 Fund Structure: Seed, Growth, and Co-Investment
18:48 The Role of Growth Funds in the VC Landscape
20:44 Global Trends in Venture Capital
29:47 The Emotional Journey of Building a VC Firm
31:21 Core Ingredients for Venture Scale Business
32:11 Navigating the Nebulous World of AI
33:10 Backing AI Native Entrepreneurs
34:30 Valuation Challenges in the AI Era
35:53 Importance of Founders in AI Startups
43:22 Australian Founders on the Global Stage
46:19 Air Tree's Growth Fund Strategy
49:00 Building a World-Class Team at Air Tree
50:49 Future Vision for Air Tree
55:21 Adapting Investment Strategies
58:36 Continuous Learning and Healthy Debate
01:01:07 Conclusion and Future Outlook
