About
Exhort Ventures exists for one reason.
To give investors access to institutional grade early stage deals alongside top tier VCs while giving you the flexibility to build your own portfolio, deal by deal, on your terms.
We handle sourcing, diligence and negotiations. You pick the companies that fit your mandate.
And while Exhort is young, the traction speaks for itself.
We launched in 2024. Since then, more than 540 investors have joined the syndicate. We’ve backed 12 technology companies across Australia and New Zealand and have already deployed almost $2 million into these ventures*.
If you want exposure to early-stage technology without wading through noise, this is built for you.
[*Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance. Specific risks may impact on the possibility of any forecasted or targeted outcome in the future.]
Our Thesis
We look for software that solves recurring problems, becomes part of a customer's workflow and has a credible path to a sustainable business.
Our focus includes:
- Applied AI and workflow software: products that make useful improvements to how people work, with value customers can measure.
- Vertical SaaS and fintech: software built around the needs of a particular industry, profession or financial workflow.
- Specialist industry software: businesses where the founders' domain knowledge, data or understanding of complex workflows can create an advantage.
We assess capital efficiency, the commercial model and the potential to serve markets beyond Australia and New Zealand. We generally avoid businesses whose economics depend on substantial investment in hardware or physical infrastructure.
How We Invest (Our Process)
1. Source through relationships. Our relationships with venture firms give us opportunities to join rounds they are leading. We also source through founder referrals and direct outreach.
2. Form our own view. We assess the founders, product, market, commercial model and funding needs as part of our diligence process.
3. Assess valuation and terms. We consider entry valuation, the cap table, round structure, lead investor and key risks. Once diligence and terms are agreed, we can move quickly into a round.
4. Present the opportunity. Members receive our investment memo, the relevant terms and risks, and founder Q&A materials. Federico Quaia invests personally in every deal Exhort syndicates. Each member makes their own investment decision and participates through Ventari.
5. Help through the network. Where useful, we connect founders with relevant investors and operators from the broader Exhort network.
Team
Federico ('Fed') Quaia | Investment Professional & Angel Investor
Most of my career has been in institutional investing, managing and advising on more than $10 billion across public markets and multi-asset portfolios. That background hard-wires a few things: respect for risk, obsession with process, and a low tolerance for lazy thinking.
Now, I lead Exhort Ventures, a syndicate born from that same discipline. Unlike many syndicate leads who come from operating roles, I bring the lens of an institutional investor. I know how funds think, what gets deals across the line, and how to help founders build companies that attract serious capital.
I’ve built deep relationships with VCs, operators, and investors, and I use that network to help early-stage founders raise smarter and grow faster. I also partner directly with leading Australian venture capitalists to co-invest in breakout companies, giving Exhort Ventures investors access to institutional-quality deals typically out of reach for most angels, and I invest my own capital in every deal Exhort syndicates.
Exhort Portfolio includes Tikpay, Fluency, Preve, Phantm, Infinity Studio, Keeyu, Avertro, Teacher's Buddy, SPEC Toolbox, Contented, Support Fusion and Aera.
Across Exhort and my wider angel portfolio, I’ve made close to 30 startup investments. Some of these companies have gone on to raise further capital from leading Australian and international venture capital firms.
I’m also a limited partner in several Australian venture capital funds. This deepens my relationships with venture investors and gives me ongoing access to opportunities through their networks.