Salus Ventures

Investment decisions are led by founding partners Dan Bennett and Marten Peck. A six-person investment team supports sourcing and portfolio management, while a 10-member strategic advisory board of former defence, intelligence, and diplomatic leaders provides diligence and market-access support.

The firm operates as a venture capital manager investing primarily from a single seed-stage fund, according to its website. It does not publicly disclose the fund structure, investor base, or total committed capital.

Dual-use refers to commercial technologies with high-potential applications inside large, hard-to-access government markets. Salus focuses on startups that can sell to both enterprise customers and national-security agencies, leveraging the firm's strategic advisor network to navigate government procurement.

Salus is headquartered in Sydney and sources primarily within Australia, but it states a mandate to support the 'global ambitions' of founders. The firm's strategic advisor network includes leaders with US and broader international operational experience, suggesting cross-border market access for portfolio companies.

The firm names six areas of focus: aerospace and autonomy; AI, machine learning and data intelligence; automation and advanced manufacturing; cybersecurity and enterprise software; defence and national security; and supply chain and public wellness. It seeks seed-stage startups developing critical technologies within these verticals.