Black Nova Group
Black Nova Group is an Australian venture capital and venture builder firm that invests pre-Seed through Series A in B2B technology startups across Australia and New Zealand, providing capital, operator mentorship, and ecosystem access through a 30+ venture partner bench.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersArtarmon, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Black Nova Group does
Black Nova Group (operating as Black Nova VC and Black Nova Venture Capital) is an Australian venture capital and venture builder firm headquartered in Surry Hills, Sydney. Founded in 2012, the firm invests at pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A stages in B2B technology startups, with a thematic focus on B2B SaaS and adjacent enterprise software categories including cybersecurity, fintech, healthtech, AI, and space technology. The firm operates across Australia and New Zealand, having built a portfolio of more than 50 companies.
The firm offers standard venture fund economics: a $100,000 wholesale minimum investment, 2% per annum management fee, 20% carried interest above the hurdle, and a target IRR of 30%, with a stated 6-8 week decision timeline from first meeting to funding. It is led by Managing Partner Matthew Browne and General Partner Darcy Naunton, supported by a venture partner ecosystem of 30+ operators drawn from companies including Salesforce, Uber, Google, ServiceNow, Palo Alto Networks, Cyara, and multiple exited Australian founders. Black Nova operates as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR 1281854) of Boutique Capital Pty Ltd (AFSL 508011).
Portfolio traction includes Portainer (2 billion+ downloads, approximately 500,000 monthly active users, 50% year-on-year growth), Strawman (10,000+ users as of July 2020), and documented exits of Notiv (acquired by Dubber, September 2021), OfferFit (acquired by Braze, June 2025), and Factor (acquired by Gentrack, May 2026). The firm most recently participated as a co-investor in Gilmour Space Technologies' $217 million Series E round in January 2026. As a venture firm, Black Nova does not develop proprietary technology products; its competitive differentiation rests on founder empathy, operating support, and thematic domain depth rather than technology assets.
Black Nova Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Black Nova Group
- Legal name
- Black Nova Venture Capital Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://blacknova.vc
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Black Nova Group is an Australian venture capital and venture builder firm that invests pre-Seed through Series A in B2B technology startups across Australia and New Zealand, providing capital, operator mentorship, and ecosystem access through a 30+ venture partner bench.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Black Nova Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Venture Capital
- NAICS
- Miscellaneous Financial Investment Activities (523999)
- SIC
- Investors, Nec (6799)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Early-Stage Venture Capital (Series A/B) (FSANAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sector-Focused Venture Capital (Vertical Specialists) (FSANAAAD), Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)
Keywords
Where Black Nova Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Artarmon
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Black Nova Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Management fees and carried interest from fund returns: Black Nova VC generates returns through management fees (2% per annum on committed capital) and carried interest (20% of fund profits above the hurdle rate), aligned with typical venture fund economics. The fund has a minimum investment threshold of $100K and targets a 30% IRR.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Standard fund terms for wholesale investors |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Black Nova Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Black Nova Group is an Australian venture capital and venture builder firm that invests its own capital and limited partner capital into early-stage B2B technology startups at pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A stages. The firm provides founders with equity investment (minimum $100,000 investment terms for LPs), 2% annual management fees, 20% carried interest, hands-on operational support, mentorship, and introductions to its venture partner and advisor network. Its portfolio spans SaaS, AI/ML, cybersecurity, fintech, and cleantech, primarily within Australia and New Zealand.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Black Nova VC Investment Platform
- Black Nova Founder Support and Venture Builder Program
Quantifiable outcome
- Investment decisions from first meeting to funding in 6–8 weeks
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Black Nova Group
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Black Nova Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Black Nova Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Black Nova Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Startmate: Leading Australian accelerator and early-stage investor with a venture partner connection (Tom McLeod) to Black Nova. Comparable as an ANZ early-stage B2B tech backer with an operator-led accelerator model.
- Antler: Global early-stage VC and accelerator with strong APAC presence and founder scouting programs. Comparable as a hybrid investor-operator platform investing at pre-seed/seed in B2B tech across ANZ.
- Tidal Ventures: Australian B2B SaaS-focused seed and early-stage VC. Directly comparable in stage focus, B2B SaaS thematic specialism, and ANZ geography.
- Blackbird Ventures: One of Australia's largest B2B/tech-focused VCs, investing from pre-seed through growth. Closest comparable as another Australian early-to-growth B2B tech investor also referenced as a co-investor in the ANZ ecosystem.
- AirTree Ventures: Australian VC backing ambitious technology founders from seed to growth. Strong direct peer given overlapping stage range, ANZ geography, and B2B SaaS tilt.
- Square Peg Capital: Australian VC firm backing early and growth-stage technology companies. Directly comparable in stage, geography, and B2B/tech thematic focus.
- Equity Venture Partners: Australian VC investing in B2B technology companies from seed through Series A. Comparable as an ANZ early-stage B2B tech investor with operator involvement.
Regional players
- Five V Capital: Australian growth-stage investor with technology focus. Comparable as an ANZ tech investor but skewing later-stage than Black Nova.
- Movac: New Zealand-based early-stage technology investor. Comparable as a regional ANZ investor backing tech founders at seed/Series A; geographic neighbour but NZ-focused.
Broad incumbents
- Reinventure (Telstra Ventures): Australian corporate venture capital arm of Telstra investing in B2B tech and infrastructure. Comparable as an ANZ B2B tech investor but operating as a CVC with a broader portfolio mandate and larger scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Black Nova Group social profiles
Digital presenceBlack Nova Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Black Nova Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles32 records
Black Nova Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Black Nova Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments20 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Black Nova Group
What does Black Nova Group do?
Black Nova Group is an Australian venture capital and venture builder firm that invests its own capital and limited partner capital into early-stage B2B technology startups at pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A stages. The firm provides founders with equity investment (minimum $100,000 investment terms for LPs), 2% annual management fees, 20% carried interest, hands-on operational support, mentorship, and introductions to its venture partner and advisor network. Its portfolio spans SaaS, AI/ML, cybersecurity, fintech, and cleantech, primarily within Australia and New Zealand.
Is Black Nova Group a public or private company?
Black Nova Group is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Black Nova Group founded?
Black Nova Group was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Black Nova Group based?
Black Nova Group is headquartered in Artarmon, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Black Nova Group make money?
One revenue line is on record: management fees and carried interest from fund returns.
Who are Black Nova Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Startmate, Antler, Tidal Ventures, Blackbird Ventures, AirTree Ventures, Square Peg Capital and Equity Venture Partners. Regional players are Five V Capital and Movac. Reinventure (Telstra Ventures) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Black Nova Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Black Nova Group.
What industry is Black Nova Group in?
Black Nova Group's product category is Venture Capital. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAB, Early-Stage Venture Capital (Series A/B), with a secondary code of FSANAAAD, Sector-Focused Venture Capital (Vertical Specialists). Its NAICS code is 523999 and its SIC code is 6799.