Rampersand

Rampersand is a prominent Australian venture capital firm, co-founded by Paul Naphtali and Jim Cassidy, dedicated to investing in and nurturing early-stage technology companies within Australia. Since its inception, the firm has established itself as a key player in the local ecosystem, committed to identifying and supporting founders with the ambition to build global leaders from Australia. Their investment philosophy centers on providing not just capital, but also strategic guidance, operational expertise, and access to extensive global networks to accelerate growth.

The firm primarily focuses on Seed and Series A rounds, targeting innovative technology businesses across various sectors, including B2B SaaS, fintech, AI, and deep tech. Rampersand emphasizes a hands-on approach, working closely with its portfolio companies to navigate challenges, scale operations, and expand internationally. They look for strong founding teams with disruptive ideas and significant market potential, aiming to be a long-term partner throughout a company's growth trajectory.

Rampersand has progressively grown its capital base, demonstrating a sustained commitment to the Australian tech scene. The firm successfully raised its third fund, Fund III, closing at AUD $60 million in 2021, bringing their total capital under management across all funds to over AUD $90 million (approximately US$60.3 million). This capital enables them to typically deploy initial cheques ranging from AUD $500,000 to AUD $2 million, which translates to approximately US$335,000 to US$1.34 million, with the capacity for significant follow-on investments as companies achieve milestones. Their portfolio includes notable successes like Assembly Payments, Expert360, Skedulo, and Sendle, showcasing their ability to back companies that achieve substantial growth and successful exits.

Rampersand's strategic vision is to empower Australian technology companies to compete on a global stage. By combining substantial financial backing with deep industry knowledge and a founder-friendly approach, they play a crucial role in fostering innovation and driving the expansion of Australia's burgeoning tech sector. Their consistent fundraising and track record of supporting high-growth startups underscore their influence and dedication to the entrepreneurial landscape.