AirTree Ventures is one of Australia’s most respected venture capital firms, and increasingly one of its most AI-aware. Founded in Sydney in 2014 by Craig Blair and John Henderson, AirTree manages over AU$700 million across multiple funds and has backed some of the country’s most recognisable technology companies.

Where AirTree differentiates itself is in its genuine commitment to the Australian startup ecosystem — not just as a source of deals, but as something worth investing in for its own sake. Their “Open Source VC” initiative publishes their term sheets, valuation methodology and fund documents publicly — a level of transparency almost unheard of in venture capital.

Who They Are

Craig Blair and John Henderson launched AirTree after careers in technology and investing respectively. Their thesis was straightforward: Australian and New Zealand founders were building genuinely world-class companies, and they deserved a locally-based VC partner that understood the market and could support them properly.

AirTree has since expanded its team and raised multiple funds, moving from early-stage cheques into growth-stage investments as their portfolio companies have scaled. They’re known for being founder-friendly, transparent and deeply embedded in the AU startup community.

What They Back

Stage: Seed through Series B/C
Cheque size: AU$500K to AU$20M+
Geography: Australia and New Zealand
Sectors: Software, AI, marketplaces, fintech — any sector with global potential

Their Australian AI Portfolio

AirTree’s portfolio is heavily weighted towards software companies that have embedded AI into their products:

Canva — AirTree was an early investor in what became the world’s most-used AI design platform
Employment Hero — Australia’s leading AI-powered HR platform for SMBs; AirTree backed from early stages
SafetyCulture — Workplace operations AI platform; AirTree investor
Linktree — Creator economy platform with AI features; AirTree led early rounds
Deputy — Workforce management AI; AirTree portfolio

The Open Source VC Initiative

One of AirTree’s most distinctive contributions to the Australian startup ecosystem is their Open Source VC program — a public repository of their term sheets, fund documents, valuation methodologies and investment frameworks.

This level of transparency is extraordinary in an industry that typically guards its documents jealously. For first-time founders navigating a term sheet for the first time, AirTree’s published materials are invaluable.

It’s also a smart strategy: by helping founders understand how VC works, AirTree builds trust and reputation that translates into better deal flow.

Notable Wins

Canva — AirTree’s early Canva investment is one of the defining wins of Australian venture capital
Employment Hero — now one of Australia’s most valuable private tech companies
Linktree — grew from a simple tool to a global creator economy platform valued in the hundreds of millions
SafetyCulture — US$2B+ valuation; global enterprise customer base

How to Get in Front of Them

AirTree is one of the more accessible major AU VCs for first-time founders. They publish their investment thesis, respond to cold inbound, and actively engage with the startup community through events and their Startmate relationship.

They look for founders who have genuine insight into a problem, are building for a global market, and have early evidence that their product works. AU/NZ focus means they understand the local market dynamics that global funds often miss.

Website: airtree.vc

Why They Matter for Australian AI

AirTree’s transparency initiative has had an outsized effect on the health of the Australian startup ecosystem. By demystifying venture capital for founders, they’ve helped level a playing field that previously favoured those with existing networks and connections.

Their AI portfolio reflects the broader shift in Australian software: companies that started as workflow tools are increasingly becoming AI-native platforms. AirTree’s willingness to back founders early — and stay with them through multiple rounds — has been central to several of Australia’s most significant AI success stories.

📄 Explore the full Australian AI ecosystem: Australian AI Companies: The Complete Guide by Industry (2026)

This profile is part of SmallBizAI.au’s guide to Australian AI companies by industry and our Australian AI Companies directory.

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