Get to know our team

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.

Founding Partners

Mitch

Hughes

Founding Partner

Mitch

Hughes

Founding Partner

Jerry

X'Lingson

Founding Partner

Jerry

X'Lingson

Founding Partner

Advisors

Niki

Scevak

Advisor

Niki

Scevak

Advisor

Paul

Naphtali

Advisor

Paul

Naphtali

Advisor

Andrew J

Nash

Advisor

Andrew J

Nash

Advisor

Rebecca

Rozencwajg

Advisor

Rebecca

Rozencwajg

Advisor

Campus

Mitch

Hughes

Founding Partner

Mitch

Hughes

Founding Partner

Mary

Abraham

Investment Principal

Mary

Abraham

Investment Principal

Christian

Moore

Investment Associate

Christian

Moore

Investment Associate

Arnav

Gupta

Investment Associate

Arnav

Gupta

Investment Associate

Zahir

Hassan

Designer

Zahir

Hassan

Designer

Harry

Phillips

Investment Associate

Harry

Phillips

Investment Associate

Bhavesh

Nain

Investment Associate

Bhavesh

Nain

Investment Associate

Eric

Kim

Investment Associate

Eric

Kim

Investment Associate

Armin

Catic

Investment Associate

Armin

Catic

Investment Associate

David

So

Investment Associate

David

So

Investment Associate

Maryem

Al-Ali

Investment Associate

Maryem

Al-Ali

Investment Associate

Jack

Ryan

Investment Associate

Jack

Ryan

Investment Associate

Donald

La

Investment Principal

Donald

La

Investment Principal

Ren

Imanaga

Investment Associate

Ren

Imanaga

Investment Associate

Kayson

Wang

Investment Associate

Kayson

Wang

Investment Associate

Sara Romero

Banfalvi

Investment Associate

Sara Romero

Banfalvi

Investment Associate

Jerry

X'Lingson

Founding Partner

Jerry

X'Lingson

Founding Partner

Rodger

Liang

Investment Associate

Rodger

Liang

Investment Associate

Saachi

Arora

Events Lead

Saachi

Arora

Events Lead

Hansen

Marudai

Designer

Hansen

Marudai

Designer

Manasa

Vinothkumar

Investment Associate

Manasa

Vinothkumar

Investment Associate

Andris

Dang

Investment Associate

Andris

Dang

Investment Associate

Disha

Jain

Investment Principal

Disha

Jain

Investment Principal

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 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 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.

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.