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Craig Blair is the Co-founder and Managing Partner at AirTree Ventures, currently based in Sydney, Australia. Since establishing the firm alongside Daniel Petre in 2014, he has helped scale its total assets under management to over $1 billion AUD, including a $700 million capital raise across three funds in 2022. Through AirTree, Blair has directed early-stage venture capital into prominent technology startups across the region, backing notable portfolio companies such as Canva and Pet Circle. Prior to his career in venture capital, he co-founded the technology investment firm Netus, which was later acquired by Fairfax Media, and launched the online travel platform Travel.com.au, leading it to a successful initial public offering. Equipped with an engineering degree from the University of Sydney, Blair currently focuses on supporting early-stage founders in the business-to-business software and consumer internet sectors.
Craig Blair stands as a pivotal figure in the Australian and New Zealand technology investment landscape, serving as a Managing Partner at Airtree Ventures. Airtree Ventures is renowned as one of the region's leading venture capital firms, dedicated to backing ambitious founders building globally significant technology companies from seed to Series B stages. Blair's role is instrumental in identifying, nurturing, and scaling these promising startups, leveraging his deep understanding of the entrepreneurial journey.
Blair's investment philosophy is deeply informed by his own remarkable career as a serial entrepreneur. Before co-founding Airtree Ventures, he built and successfully exited multiple high-growth businesses. He co-founded Travel.com.au, which was later acquired by Wotif, a testament to his vision in the online travel sector. Following this, he was a co-founder of RedBalloon, a pioneering experience gift retailer, and Spreets, a daily deals platform that quickly scaled before its acquisition by Groupon. This firsthand experience of founding, growing, and exiting companies provides him with unique empathy and insight, making him an invaluable mentor and partner to the founders Airtree supports.
At Airtree Ventures, Craig Blair's investment focus spans a broad spectrum of early-stage technology sectors. He is particularly keen on disruptive innovations in Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), digital marketplaces, financial technology (fintech), artificial intelligence (AI), and deep tech. His keen eye for market potential and product-market fit has contributed significantly to Airtree's impressive portfolio, which includes some of Australia's most successful tech companies. While specific individual investments are often a collaborative effort within Airtree, the firm's portfolio boasts industry leaders such as Canva, Linktree, Employment Hero, and Immutable, reflecting the caliber of companies Blair and his team champion.
Beyond capital, Blair is known for providing strategic guidance, operational insights, and access to an extensive network, helping founders navigate the complexities of scaling. His commitment extends to fostering a vibrant and supportive ecosystem for technology innovation in Australia and New Zealand, solidifying his reputation as a key architect of the region's digital future.
Craig Blair is a Managing Partner at Airtree Ventures, a leading venture capital firm in Australia. He is also a highly successful serial entrepreneur, having co-founded companies like Travel.com.au, RedBalloon, and Spreets before transitioning into venture capital.
Craig Blair primarily invests in early-stage technology companies across Australia and New Zealand. His focus areas include Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), digital marketplaces, financial technology (fintech), artificial intelligence (AI), and deep tech.
Craig Blair works as a Managing Partner at Airtree Ventures, one of the most prominent venture capital firms in Australia. Airtree Ventures is based in Sydney, Australia, and invests in companies across Australia and New Zealand.
