Side Stage Ventures is an Australian venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology startups. Founded by a team of experienced entrepreneurs and investors, the firm focuses on supporting innovative companies with high growth potential. Side Stage Ventures provides not only capital but also strategic guidance and a robust network to help startups scale effectively.
The firm has a diverse portfolio across various sectors, including fintech, healthtech, and edtech. By partnering with ambitious founders, Side Stage Ventures aims to drive technological advancement and contribute to the growth of the startup ecosystem in Australia and beyond.
Team
Elli Hanson is the Principal Investor at Side Stage Ventures, a founder-led seed fund and community that supports top-tier founders in Australia and globally.
Before joining Side Stage Ventures, Elli co-founded Flaus, where she led the design and market launch of the world's first patented electric flosser. Under her leadership, Flaus was recognized in TIME Magazine's Inventions of the Year and named one of Fast Company's World Changing Ideas.
Prior to Flaus, Elli served as the Global Director of Design Strategy at Ogilvy Worldwide, leading global client engagements for Fortune 200 brands. Her work earned over 25 Cannes Lion Awards.
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Markus Kahlbetzer
Co-Founder & General Partner
Markus Kahlbetzer is a prominent figure in the venture capital and asset management sectors, based in Sydney, Australia. He is the Co-Founder and General Partner at Side Stage Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups with global potential. With over 18 years of experience, Markus has a proven track record in venture capital, agriculture, real estate, and equity markets. He has been instrumental in backing some of Australia's top venture capital investments, including Go1, Airtasker, and amaysim.In addition to his role at Side Stage Ventures, Markus is the Founder and CEO of the BridgeLane Group, a privately-owned asset management firm specializing in agriculture, real estate, and alternative sectors. The BridgeLane Group is recognized for its significant global presence in agriculture and its history in residential property development and commercial real estate.Markus holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics (Honours) from the University of Sydney and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance from Kaplan Australia. He is passionate about supporting innovation and entrepreneurship and is involved in various philanthropic activities through the BridgeLane Foundation. Markus is fluent in both English and Spanish.
