The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem - Interview Series Markus Kahlbetzer explores support opportunities for government and universities
Recorded as CEO and founder, BridgeLane
About Markus Kahlbetzer
Markus Kahlbetzer is co-founder and general partner of Side Stage Ventures, an Australian venture capital firm that backs founders at pre-seed and seed stage, typically investing up to $1.5 million in any sector.
He has invested for more than 18 years across venture capital, agriculture, real estate and equity markets, backing companies including Go1, Airtasker and amaysim, and co-founded Tank Stream Ventures. When he spoke to Day One in 2022 he was founder and chief executive of BridgeLane, a Sydney family office that invests across asset classes, including agriculture and real estate.
On The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem interview series he made the case for capital gains concessions to encourage experienced people to back startups, and for universities to connect better with the ecosystem.
- Talks about
- Startup Lessons, Venture Capital
In conversation.
1 episode
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem - Interview Series Go straight to the good bits.
Key moments from Markus Kahlbetzer explores support opportunities for government and universities.
- 0:32Meet Markus Kahlbetzer
- 0:44Markus' Background and Current Work
- 1:01The Startup Ecosystem in 2010
- 1:38Founding Tank Stream Labs
- 2:37Markus as an Entrepreneur
- 3:36Support Structures in the Early Ecosystem
- 4:38Current Funding Landscape
- 5:48Growth of the Ecosystem Over 10 Years
- 6:58Comparison to Other Geographies
- 8:12Government Support and Policy
In their own words.
“When you focus on trying to master something and be really good at it, then you have much greater chances of success.”
The path so far.
- Now
Co-Founder & General Partner · Side Stage Ventures
- Earlier
Founding Partner / Co-founder · Tank Stream Ventures / Tank Stream Labs
- Earlier · Startup
Founder · Sprout Stack
- From 2010 · Scale-up
Early investor · amaysim
Sources: impactboom.org, signal.nfx.com
Side Stage Ventures on Day One
Side Stage Ventures is a Sydney venture capital firm that invests $500,000 to $1.5 million in pre-seed and seed rounds, mainly backing Australian founders, with no fixed…
3 people · 4 episodes
Across the network.
Also at Side Stage Ventures
Spot something wrong? Suggest a correctionUpdated 29 October 2026
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