Niki Scevak
Partner
“The best startups need no help, and the best startups will succeed anyway, and so you're inserting this artificial handicap onto the decision.” Hear the conversation
6 episodes All companies 
Blackbird Ventures
9 conversations across 3 shows.
Meet the people behind the company.
Latest conversation · First Cheque
Why Australia Has More AI PhDs Than Anywhere | First ChequeAbout Blackbird Ventures
Blackbird Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in Australian and New Zealand start-ups from their earliest stages and keeps backing them as they grow. Founded in Sydney in 2012 by Niki Scevak, Rick Baker and Bill Bartee, it has offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland. In August 2026 it announced $1.05 billion across its sixth early-stage and growth funds.
- Sector
- Venture capital (early stage)
- Business model
- Venture fund
- Founded
- 2012
- Founders
- Niki Scevak, Rick Baker, Bill Bartee
- Headquarters
- Sydney
- Offices
- Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland
- Markets
- Australia, New Zealand
Sources: blackbird.vc, blackbird.vc, en.wikipedia.org, smartcompany.com.au, blackbird.vc
The people on Day One.
Tom Humphrey
Partner, Blackbird Ventures
Sam Wong
Partner
“You can't just profit from the ecosystem, you have to take responsibility for building it too, and building it in a certain way.” Hear the conversation
1 episode
David Booth
Partner and Head of Ecosystem, Andreessen Horowitz
Hear from the team.
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine Minter Why Australia Has More AI PhDs Than Anywhere | First Cheque
With Tom Humphrey
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine Minter Why Australia’s AI Opportunity Is Bigger Than We Think
With Tom Humphrey
First Cheque with Cheryl Mack & Maxine Minter Sam Wong discusses building an ecosystem, leverage, and investing in New Zealand.
With Sam Wong
Documentary: The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem Launch Event Bonus Episode
With Niki Scevak
Documentary: The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem - Part 2
With Niki Scevak
Documentary: The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem - Part 3
With Niki Scevak
Documentary: The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem - Part 5
With Niki Scevak
Documentary: The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem - Part 6
With Niki Scevak
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem - Interview Series Niki Scevak is optimistic about Australia’s future
With Niki Scevak
Milestones.
- Founded in Sydneysmartcompany.com.au
- Closed Fund 6, over US$1B raisedblackbird.vc
In conversation.
Moments from other conversations on the network where Blackbird Ventures comes up.
“We were fortunate that we in our very first rounds had Blackbird Ventures join. And so with them, it was very much a global story, global problem that we were solving.”
“The latest data released from Blackbird Ventures showing how they're performing against their gender-based investment targets.”
“The round was led by Felicis Ventures and Blackbird Ventures, but also had contribution from their ex-employer Atlassian Ventures, which I think is a really nice sign”
“Blackbird Ventures and Airtree were kind of the next most important inflection point.”
Portfolio on Day One.
Companies Blackbird Ventures has backed whose teams have been on the network.
Alumni on Day One.
People who worked at Blackbird Ventures before, and what they're doing now.
Their show.
More companies on Day One.
Spot something wrong? Suggest a correctionUpdated 29 October 2026
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We're W2D1 Media — the team behind the Day One Network, and we helped build Blackbird Ventures' Wild Hearts. We turn podcasts into trust, authority and pipeline.
