
Grok Ventures
Description
Grok Ventures is the private investment company of Australian tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes and his wife Annie Cannon-Brookes, based in Sydney. Established with a clear mission, Grok Ventures is dedicated to investing in technology-enabled companies and infrastructure projects that address the global climate crisis and accelerate the energy transition. Their investment philosophy is deeply rooted in impact, seeking out innovative solutions that can drive significant environmental and societal change while also generating strong financial returns.
The firm adopts a flexible, stage-agnostic investment approach, deploying capital across the entire spectrum from early-stage seed rounds through to significant growth equity and infrastructure projects. Grok Ventures actively seeks opportunities globally, though with a strong focus on the Australian and Asia-Pacific markets, particularly in areas like renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, deep technology, and climate software. They are known for their willingness to be lead investors, providing not just capital but also strategic support and access to a vast network, leveraging Mike Cannon-Brookes' extensive experience in building and scaling technology companies.
Grok Ventures has built a notable portfolio reflecting its core mission. A prime example of their commitment to large-scale climate solutions is their significant involvement and eventual acquisition of Sun Cable, an ambitious project aiming to supply solar power from Australia to Singapore. Beyond mega-projects, Grok also backs promising startups; for instance, they led a $20 million Series A round for Neara, a company developing digital twin technology for critical infrastructure. Furthermore, they participated in a substantial $100 million Series B round for V2, a space technology company. Their typical first cheque sizes range from a few hundred thousand dollars for early-stage ventures to tens of millions of dollars for more mature or capital-intensive opportunities, demonstrating their capacity to support companies across various growth phases.
Through strategic investments and a long-term vision, Grok Ventures aims to be a catalyst for a sustainable future. Their unique position, combining substantial capital with a deep understanding of technology and a passionate commitment to climate action, makes them a distinctive and influential player in the global venture capital landscape, particularly within the climate tech sector.
Investor Profile
Grok Ventures has backed more than 32 startups, with 1 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 5 rounds, about 16% of its total and boasts 4 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series A, Seed, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in Australia, United States, Hong Kong.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Biotechnology, Machine Learning.
- Typical check size: $500K – $50M.
Stage Focus
- Series A (31%)
- Seed (28%)
- Series B (22%)
- Series D (6%)
- Series C (3%)
- Series F (3%)
- Series E (3%)
- Series Unknown (3%)
Country Focus
- Australia (56%)
- United States (28%)
- Hong Kong (6%)
- United Kingdom (3%)
- Israel (3%)
- Isle of Man (3%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Biotechnology
- Machine Learning
- Agriculture
- Renewable Energy
- Electric Vehicle
- Transportation
- Agtech
- Automotive
- Mining Technology
Frequently Asked Questions
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