AFG Venture Group
AFG Venture Group is a Sydney-headquartered boutique corporate advisory firm offering M&A, capital raising, education sector consulting, and real estate advisory across Australia, Southeast Asia, and India, with a senior-executive-led direct delivery model and AICA global network membership.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersSydney, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What AFG Venture Group does
AFG Venture Group is a privately held, Asia and Australia-based corporate advisory and consulting firm headquartered in Sydney at Level 32, 200 George Street. Formed in 2009 through the merger of Asean Focus Group (founded early 1990s by Peter Church, Michael Fay and Glen Robinson) and Venture Group (founded 1996 by Lindley Edwards), the firm operates with a team of 11-50 senior executives and consultants across offices in Sydney, Singapore and Washington DC, with claimed reach across 20 countries. The firm delivers three core service lines: Corporate and Financial Advisory (M&A, divestments, capital raisings, MBOs/MBIs, equity and debt restructurings); Education and Training Advisory (consulting for Australian and international education and training providers, including government organisations, with deep ASEAN and India expertise); and Real Estate Advisory (structured finance, acquisition, project management, and asset sales for offshore and local investors in Australian property).
The firm's business model is fee-based professional services, with engagement pricing determined by scope, complexity and nature of each mandate. Services are sold through a direct, senior-executive-led motion built on personal networks, long-tenured relationships and convening activities such as the ASEAN Australia Education Dialogue (AAED), which the firm has convened annually since 2018 and which drew 135+ delegates in its 2018 edition. The firm is a member of the Alliance of International Corporate Advisors (AICA), a global network of 40 mid-market advisory firms co-founded by Peter Church in 2009, providing cross-border deal sourcing capability. No proprietary technology platforms underpin service delivery; the firm relies on human expertise, publications, podcasts, webinars and event-based content marketing as its primary channels. Disclosed customers span education (University of Wollongong, Southern Cross University, Study NSW, TAFE Directors Australia), government (Northern Territory Government), healthcare (Ramsay Healthcare), mining/resources (Latrobe Magnesium), and nonprofit sectors (Australian Institute of Company Directors). The firm has no disclosed funding, no institutional investors, and does not publish financial information.
AFG Venture Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AFG Venture Group
- Legal name
- AFG Venture Group
- Website
- https://afgventuregroup.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AFG Venture Group is a Sydney-headquartered boutique corporate advisory firm offering M&A, capital raising, education sector consulting, and real estate advisory across Australia, Southeast Asia, and India, with a senior-executive-led direct delivery model and AICA global network membership.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AFG Venture Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Corporate Advisory Services
- NAICS
- All Other Financial Investment Activities (52399)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Capital Markets Advisory (IPO Readiness, SPAC, ECM/DCM Advisory) (BPAHAOAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Real Estate M&A / Joint Venture Advisory (Platform Deals, Partnerships) (BPAJANAF), Insolvency & Turnaround Advisory (SME/Mid-Market Debtor-Side) (FSAEAFAK)
Keywords
Where AFG Venture Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sydney
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices3 records
Markets served
AFG Venture Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Corporate and Financial Advisory: Professional advisory fees for strategic business growth, acquisitions, mergers, divestments, capital raisings, management buy-outs (MBOs), management buy-ins (MBIs), equity and debt restructurings. Work is focused on delivering innovative and practical results orientated solutions aligning business and financial strategies.
- Education and Training Advisory: Consulting services to Australian and international education and training providers including government organisations. Services include project advisory, scoping studies, strategic reviews, commercial due diligence, business planning, and facilitating acquisition and divestment of international education businesses.
- Real Estate Advisory: Property advisory services providing offshore and local investors with expertise and platform to transact in Australian property market. Services include structured finance, acquisition and project finance, equity advisory, project management, development management, asset sales, and portfolio divestments.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom engagement-based pricing for corporate advisory services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
AFG Venture Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AFG Venture Group is a corporate advisory and consulting firm providing Corporate and Financial Advisory (strategic growth, M&A, divestments, capital raisings, MBOs, MBIs, equity and debt restructurings), Education and Skills Training Advisory (project advisory, scoping, market entry, and M&A for education providers), and Real Estate Advisory (structured finance, acquisition, and project management for Australian property). The firm does not sell software or platforms; it sells bespoke advisory mandates delivered by senior partners to companies, government bodies, and investors across Australia, Southeast Asia, and India.
Product overview
AFG Venture Group is an Asia and Australia-based corporate advisory and consulting firm offering a unified suite of professional services centered on corporate and financial advisory, educational services, and real estate advisory. The core offering includes strategic consulting, M&A advisory, capital raising, and market entry services, supported by specialized modules for digital consulting, technology/IP licensing, transaction services, and real estate. The firm also provides supplementary educational content through publications, podcasts, and event platforms like the ASEAN Australia Education Dialogue. Services are delivered across Australia, Southeast Asia, and India with a focus on cross-border transactions and regional market expertise.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Corporate and Financial Advisory Strategic advisory services for Australian and international companies covering business growth strategy, mergers and acquisitions, divestments, capital raisings, management buy-outs (MBOs), management buy-ins (MBIs), equity and debt restructurings, and market entry across Asia and global markets. Target clients are mid-market private and public companies operating in or expanding into Australia, Southeast Asia, and India.
- Education and Skills Training Advisory Consulting services to Australian and international education and training providers, including government organisations, covering project advisory, scoping studies, strategic reviews, commercial due diligence, business planning, and facilitating acquisition and divestment of international education businesses. The practice has specific expertise in ASEAN, especially emerging markets of Indonesia and India.
- Real Estate Advisory Property advisory services through AFG Venture Group Property providing offshore and local investors with the expertise and platform to transact in the Australian property market. Services include structured finance, acquisition and project finance, equity advisory, project management, development management, asset sales, and portfolio divestments.
Companies that use AFG Venture Group
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AFG Venture Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AFG Venture Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and key.
- Alliance of International Corporate Advisors (AICA)coreAFG Venture Group is a member of AICA, an integrated global network of mid-market corporate advisory firms. AICA member firms provide full range of advisory services for cross-border business sales and divestments, mergers, acquisitions, capital raisings, joint ventures, and strategic transactions. The network has grown to 40 firms across Americas, Europe and Asia. AICA amplifies depth of knowledge and expertise of individual members and brings deep relationships with international corporates.
- Bangkok International AssociatesminorAffiliate relationship for Thailand business and legal advisory services. Bangkok International Associates prepared and published the Thailand Business and Legal Guide under the supervision of AFG Venture Group's co-founder and senior partner Ron Cristal.
- Peter ChurchcoreCo-founder of AICA in late 2009 together with Rachel Sergeant from Romania and Cordell Berge from the US. Peter Church served as inaugural Chairman of AICA for 2 years. Lindley Edwards subsequently chaired the AICA Membership Committee.
- ASEAN University Network (AUN)keyMichael Fay appointed as Special Advisor to AUN Executive Director Dr Choltis Dhirathiti in November 2023. Role involves aligning ASEAN and Australian peak bodies including NEAS and Universities Australia. AUN plays key role in ASEAN education connectivity.
- National ELT Accreditation Scheme (NEAS Australia)keyNEAS and AUN signed MOU in January 2023 to provide framework for cooperation on English language capacity building at AUN member universities. AFG Venture Group facilitates this relationship through Michael Fay's advisory roles.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AFG Venture Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Pilot Advisory Group: Australia-based mid-market corporate advisory firm offering M&A, capital raising, and strategic advisory services to private and public companies. Highly comparable in size, geographic focus (Australia + Asia), and mid-market positioning to AFG Venture Group.
- IMAP: Global network of mid-market M&A advisory firms operating across Americas, Europe, and Asia. Directly comparable to AICA as a structured international M&A network model - both are partnership-based platforms enabling cross-border deal execution across member firms.
- Clairfield International: International mid-market M&A advisory network with member firms across global markets. Similar to AICA in providing cross-border advisory coverage and deal-sourcing capability through a federated network of boutique advisory firms.
Broad incumbents
- Grant Thornton Australia: Australia-headquartered mid-market accounting and advisory firm with substantial corporate finance, transaction advisory, and capital raising practices. Overlaps with AFG in cross-border M&A and mid-market deal advisory, though operates as part of a broader accounting portfolio.
- BDO Australia: Australia-based advisory firm with significant corporate finance and M&A advisory capabilities serving mid-market clients. Comparable in mid-market Australia + ASEAN cross-border transaction focus though part of broader international BDO network.
- KPMG Australia: Big-4 firm with substantial deal advisory, M&A, and corporate finance practices serving Australian and cross-border clients. Competes with AFG for mid-market and larger ASEAN-Australia transactions, though operates as part of a global full-service professional services platform.
- PwC Australia: Big-4 firm with significant corporate finance, M&A advisory, and deal services practices in Australia and across Asia-Pacific. Overlaps with AFG's cross-border transaction and capital raising advisory though offers broader consulting, assurance, and tax services.
- Deloitte Australia: Big-4 firm offering corporate finance advisory, M&A services, and integration consulting across Australia and Asia-Pacific. Competes with AFG on cross-border transactions, particularly larger ASEAN-Australia deals, with deeper resourcing and broader service portfolio.
- Lazard: Global investment bank specializing in M&A advisory, asset management, and strategic counsel. Competes with AFG for premium cross-border advisory mandates, particularly on larger ASEAN-Australia and education sector transactions, but operates at significantly larger scale across global markets.
- Rothschild & Co: Global advisory firm with strong M&A and strategic advisory practices across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas. Competes with AFG on mid-to-large cross-border deals, particularly in education, resources, and infrastructure sectors where AFG has built expertise.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AFG Venture Group social profiles
Digital presenceAFG Venture Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AFG Venture Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
AFG Venture Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AFG Venture Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AFG Venture Group
What does AFG Venture Group do?
AFG Venture Group is a corporate advisory and consulting firm providing Corporate and Financial Advisory (strategic growth, M&A, divestments, capital raisings, MBOs, MBIs, equity and debt restructurings), Education and Skills Training Advisory (project advisory, scoping, market entry, and M&A for education providers), and Real Estate Advisory (structured finance, acquisition, and project management for Australian property). The firm does not sell software or platforms; it sells bespoke advisory mandates delivered by senior partners to companies, government bodies, and investors across Australia, Southeast Asia, and India.
Is AFG Venture Group a public or private company?
AFG Venture Group is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was AFG Venture Group founded?
AFG Venture Group was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AFG Venture Group based?
AFG Venture Group is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does AFG Venture Group make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Corporate and Financial Advisory is the primary driver. The others are education and Training Advisory and real Estate Advisory.
Who are AFG Venture Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Pilot Advisory Group, IMAP and Clairfield International. Broad incumbents are Grant Thornton Australia, BDO Australia, KPMG Australia, PwC Australia, Deloitte Australia, Lazard and Rothschild & Co.
Does AFG Venture Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for AFG Venture Group.
What industry is AFG Venture Group in?
AFG Venture Group's product category is Corporate Advisory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAOAL, Capital Markets Advisory (IPO Readiness, SPAC, ECM/DCM Advisory), with a secondary code of BPAJANAF, Real Estate M&A / Joint Venture Advisory (Platform Deals, Partnerships). Its NAICS code is 52399 and its SIC code is 8742.