What does NextGen Ventures do?

NextGen Ventures is a venture capital fund based in Australia, launched in late 2024 by co-founders Mitchell Hughes and Jerry X'Lingson. It focuses on supporting young Australian student founders who are still in university, aiming to help them build global companies through early-stage investments and mentorship. As Australia's first student-focused VC fund, NextGen Ventures seeks to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs by providing capital and fostering a supportive ecosystem to retain talent in Australia. The fund plans to invest $3-4 million across approximately 50 limited partners, making $70,000 investments in 12 companies annually for three years. In its first year, NextGen has already made eight investments and is known for its commitment to speed and founder-first support. In addition to funding, the firm offers resources such as fundraising assistance, mentorship, and operational support. NextGen also publishes reports like the Student Startup Funding Report to highlight trends and challenges for student entrepreneurs, and it plans to host nationwide events and develop community-building initiatives.