About Us
We make a difference helping AI companies breakthrough to the next level of growth
The iconic Boab, also called the bottle tree or tree of life, is incredibly resilient, capable of living for over 1,000 years.
In inhospitable climates the Boab can also be a life saver for other species, with its trunk, or caudex, able to hold up to 1,000 litres of water.
Boab AI, is a scaleup investment program based in Melbourne, investing in Victorian and international AI companies ready to expand globally.
Our mission is to connect an ecosystem of entrepreneurs, government organisations, universities / research institutes, corporations / industry groups and investors working to grow AI opportunities in Victoria and around the world.
Boab is backed by Artesian Venture Partners, Australia's largest and most active early stage VC firm.
Boab offers an investment of $300,000 capital and best-in-class support services for company selected to participate in the scaleup program, with potential follow on investments of up to $5,000,000.
Join our community
Join us in helping to build the ecosystem together
Our Principles
Additive not subtractive. Add value at all times but get out of the way when necessary. Program items not adding value are cut.
Additive
Boab is focused on hiring the right talent as contractors to provide direct assistance into a business to achieve a set goal.
Direct assistance
Boab works alongside founders with their permission. Founders have control of the direction and pace of the program.
Collaborative
Boab's motto is to provide 'overwhelming value', fixing the gaps in companies to help breakthrough to the next stage of growth.
Overwhelming value
Our Team
Matthew Clunies-Ross
Director
Rohan Gray
AI Portfolio Manager
Roslyn Hames
Director
Kaushalya Gunatilaka
Head of Partnerships and Community
Dilshi Welaratne
Graduate Associate
Tim Heasley
Director
Andrew Lai
Managing Director
Dr Catriona Wallace
Executive Chair
