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YBF Ventures
YBF Ventures is the Australian home for AI-first founders. It runs a podcast, closed-door roundtables with senior buyers from ASX 300 companies, and a founder...
YBF Ventures
YBF Ventures is the Australian home for AI-first founders. It runs a podcast, closed-door roundtables with senior buyers from ASX 300 companies, and a founder community. YBF was the original Australian startup hub and is being rebuilt by four operators to bridge Australian startups and corporate Australia.
General information
Firm type
Venture Capital
Year founded
2011
Location
Region
Oceania
Country
Australia
City
Melbourne
Corporate office
520 Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Additional offices
155 Clarence Street, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Principals
Matt Browne
Operator
Steve Grace
Operator
David Kenney
Operator
Jeremy Cabral
Operator
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs YBF Ventures and makes investment decisions?
YBF Ventures is run by four operators: Matt Browne, Steve Grace, David Kenney and Jeremy Cabral. There is no centralized investment committee because YBF does not operate a discretionary fund. Capital allocation decisions — when founders are introduced to corporate buyers or individual angel investors — happen through the dinner series and founder circles, where Browne's venture fund, Black Nova VC, and Grace's Stride Equity network can participate on a deal-by-deal basis.
How does YBF source startups for its programs?
Sourcing is entirely operator-driven. The four partners use their personal networks — Browne from Donesafe and Black Nova, Cabral from Finder, Grace from The Nudge Group — to identify founders building enterprise software and AI tools for large corporate buyers. The firm does not run open applications. Deal flow is curated through direct relationships and referrals within the Australian startup ecosystem.
Why did YBF cease operating as a co-working hub?
The original York Butter Factory co-working hub in Melbourne closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Matt Browne and Steve Grace acquired the brand and relaunched it in early 2024 as an operator-led community with no physical co-working component, focusing instead on curated dinners, peer groups and media.
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