Get to know our team
We're obsessed with the magic of young ambition
We're obsessed with the magic of young ambition
Most people underestimate young founders. They see youth and think inexperience. They see inexperience and think risk. They see risk — and walk away.
But we see something different. We see people with fire in their eyes, a bias for action, and a stubborn belief that the world can — and should — be better. We see the ones who build before they’re told they can. The ones who don’t wait for permission.
Yes, youth comes with challenges. But it also comes with clarity, speed, and imagination — the kind that changes industries.
NextGen Ventures was born to back that magic. Because the future doesn’t belong to the experienced. It belongs to the bold.
Most people underestimate young founders. They see youth and think inexperience. They see inexperience and think risk. They see risk — and walk away.
But we see something different. We see people with fire in their eyes, a bias for action, and a stubborn belief that the world can — and should — be better. We see the ones who build before they’re told they can. The ones who don’t wait for permission.
Yes, youth comes with challenges. But it also comes with clarity, speed, and imagination — the kind that changes industries.
NextGen Ventures was born to back that magic. Because the future doesn’t belong to the experienced. It belongs to the bold.
Our Team
Monash University
University of Melbourne
University of Sydney
University of New South Whales
University of Queensland
University of Technology Sydney
Macquarie University
Monash University
University of Melbourne
Mitchell Hughes
Founding Partner
Monash University
Mitchell Hughes
Founding Partner
Monash University
Jerry X'Lingson
Founding Partner
University of Melbourne
Jerry X'Lingson
Founding Partner
University of Melbourne
Kayson Wang
Investment Associate
University of Melbourne
Kayson Wang
Investment Associate
University of Melbourne
Sara Romero Banfalvi
Investment Associate
University of Melbourne
Sara Romero Banfalvi
Investment Associate
University of Melbourne
Ren Imanaga
Investment Associate
University of Melbourne
Ren Imanaga
Investment Associate
University of Melbourne
Mary Abraham
Investment Principal
Monash University
Mary Abraham
Investment Principal
Monash University
Christian Moore
Investment Associate
Monash University
Christian Moore
Investment Associate
Monash University
Arnav Gupta
Investment Associate
Monash University
Arnav Gupta
Investment Associate
Monash University
Harry Phillips
Investment Associate
Monash University
Harry Phillips
Investment Associate
Monash University
Rodger Liang
Investment Associate
UTS
Rodger Liang
Investment Associate
UTS
Disha Jain
Investment Principal
University of Sydney
Disha Jain
Investment Principal
University of Sydney
Andris Dang
Investment Associate
University Of Sydney
Andris Dang
Investment Associate
University Of Sydney
Manasa Vinothkumar
Investment Associate
University of Sydney
Manasa Vinothkumar
Investment Associate
University of Sydney
David So
Investment Associate
UNSW
David So
Investment Associate
UNSW
Armin Catic
Investment Associate
UNSW
Armin Catic
Investment Associate
UNSW
Eric Kim
Investment Associate
UNSW
Eric Kim
Investment Associate
UNSW
Bhavesh Nain
Investment Associate
UNSW
Bhavesh Nain
Investment Associate
UNSW
Jack Ryan
Investment Associate
UQ
Jack Ryan
Investment Associate
UQ
Maryem Al-Ali
Investment Associate
UQ
Maryem Al-Ali
Investment Associate
UQ
Donald La
AI Resident
University of Melbourne
Donald La
AI Resident
University of Melbourne
Zahir Hassan
Designer
Monash University
Zahir Hassan
Designer
Monash University
Hansen Marudai
Designer
University of Sydney
Hansen Marudai
Designer
University of Sydney
Saachi Arora
Events Lead
University of Sydney
Saachi Arora
Events Lead
University of Sydney
Shubh Patel
Events Associate
Macquarie University
Shubh Patel
Events Associate
Macquarie University
Monash University
University of Melbourne
University of Sydney
University of New South Whales
University of Queensland
University of Technology Sydney
Macquarie University
Our Values
We believe in owning our futures and shaping the world we want to live in.
We take radical ownership
Radical ownership means taking action, not waiting for others to build the life we envision. It’s about dictating outcomes, rejecting conformity, and actively doing the work that defines our legacy. As Steve Jobs once said, everything around us was made by people no smarter than us — we have the power to change life, mould it, and leave our mark. We embrace this mindset and take full responsibility for the impact we create.
We take radical ownership
Radical ownership means taking action, not waiting for others to build the life we envision. It’s about dictating outcomes, rejecting conformity, and actively doing the work that defines our legacy. As Steve Jobs once said, everything around us was made by people no smarter than us — we have the power to change life, mould it, and leave our mark. We embrace this mindset and take full responsibility for the impact we create.
We take radical ownership
Radical ownership means taking action, not waiting for others to build the life we envision. It’s about dictating outcomes, rejecting conformity, and actively doing the work that defines our legacy. As Steve Jobs once said, everything around us was made by people no smarter than us — we have the power to change life, mould it, and leave our mark. We embrace this mindset and take full responsibility for the impact we create.
We are growing a garden of tall poppies
At NextGen, we believe it is time to change the narrative in Australia that silences ambition among our youth – tall poppy syndrome. We’re building a tribe where exceptional people thrive and achieve greatness together. We encourage innovation, and we pay it forward, sharing knowledge and wisdom with others. In our garden of tall poppies, we honour both success and failure, and turn the impossible into reality, believing that our successes are intertwined.
We are growing a garden of tall poppies
At NextGen, we believe it is time to change the narrative in Australia that silences ambition among our youth – tall poppy syndrome. We’re building a tribe where exceptional people thrive and achieve greatness together. We encourage innovation, and we pay it forward, sharing knowledge and wisdom with others. In our garden of tall poppies, we honour both success and failure, and turn the impossible into reality, believing that our successes are intertwined.
We are growing a garden of tall poppies
At NextGen, we believe it is time to change the narrative in Australia that silences ambition among our youth – tall poppy syndrome. We’re building a tribe where exceptional people thrive and achieve greatness together. We encourage innovation, and we pay it forward, sharing knowledge and wisdom with others. In our garden of tall poppies, we honour both success and failure, and turn the impossible into reality, believing that our successes are intertwined.
We Embrace Curiosity
Curiosity fuels our growth and pushes us to constantly evolve. We approach every challenge with an open mind, never letting ego get in the way of our learning. We accept that we don’t know everything and welcome the discomfort of uncertainty, because it drives us to find new solutions. We are lifelong learners.
We Embrace Curiosity
Curiosity fuels our growth and pushes us to constantly evolve. We approach every challenge with an open mind, never letting ego get in the way of our learning. We accept that we don’t know everything and welcome the discomfort of uncertainty, because it drives us to find new solutions. We are lifelong learners.
We Embrace Curiosity
Curiosity fuels our growth and pushes us to constantly evolve. We approach every challenge with an open mind, never letting ego get in the way of our learning. We accept that we don’t know everything and welcome the discomfort of uncertainty, because it drives us to find new solutions. We are lifelong learners.
We place humans first
At NextGen, we act and invest through recognition of the nuances that makes us human. Our approach is therefore rooted in transparency and authenticity, trusting human instincts over rigid frameworks. By celebrating the individuality that define us, we foster a culture where people can thrive on their own terms, grow naturally, and achieve success together. It’s about embracing what it means to be human.
We place humans first
At NextGen, we act and invest through recognition of the nuances that makes us human. Our approach is therefore rooted in transparency and authenticity, trusting human instincts over rigid frameworks. By celebrating the individuality that define us, we foster a culture where people can thrive on their own terms, grow naturally, and achieve success together. It’s about embracing what it means to be human.
We place humans first
At NextGen, we act and invest through recognition of the nuances that makes us human. Our approach is therefore rooted in transparency and authenticity, trusting human instincts over rigid frameworks. By celebrating the individuality that define us, we foster a culture where people can thrive on their own terms, grow naturally, and achieve success together. It’s about embracing what it means to be human.
University of Sydney
University of New South Whales
University of Queensland
University of Technology Sydney
Macquarie University
Get involved
"The next unicorn could be sitting in a university library right now – and NextGen will be the first to find them"
Craig Blair Airtree Co-founder and Partner
Looking for investment?
Our doors (or inboxes) are always open! If you're a young Aussie founder bursting with ambition, we want to hear from you. Even if it's just a kernel of an idea, please don't think it's too early to reach out.
Our doors are always open! If you're a young Aussie founder bursting with ambition, we want to hear from you. Even if it's just a kernel of an idea, please don't think it's too early.
Looking to invest?
NextGen sits at the forefront of the acceleration of our ecosystem at the grassroots level, creating a ripple effect that both financially benefits our LPs and transforms our ecosystem into a hub for ambitious young Aussies to thrive.
NextGen sits at the forefront of the acceleration of our ecosystem at the grassroots level, creating a ripple effect that both financially benefits our LPs and transforms our ecosystem into a hub for young Aussies to thrive.