Giant Leap was launched in 2016 by The Impact Investment Group (IIG) as Australia’s first venture capital fund 100% dedicated to investing in impact startups.
Giant Leap was a collaboration between IIG, led by Will Richardson, and Small Giants, the family office of Danny Almagor OAM and Berry Liberman along with venture partners, Kylie Charlton representing Australian Impact Investments, Peter Cameron and Adam Milgrom who were also the Fund I’s cornerstone investors.
The inaugural advisors to Giant Leap were Danny Almagor, Bevan Clarke, Susan Wu, Mark Joiner and Alicia Darvall.
To date, Giant Leap has invested in over 25 companies that can deliver superior financial returns alongside real and measurable social and environmental benefits, and has consistently performed in the top quartile of funds of its vintage.
In 2021, Giant Leap spun out from IIG into a new independent entity solely focussed on Impact Venture Capital with IIG continuing to provide back-office support. It also started raising its second fund, Giant Leap Fund II.
Giant Leap is currently investing from Giant Leap Fund II and will continue its mission to back game-changing founders re-imagining industries and using business as a force for good.
Our Values
- Act with radical candour – Care personally and challenge directly. We value self-awareness and acknowledge we don’t know all the answers. We trust others to highlight opportunities and blind spots that we can’t see.
- Think with an abundance mindset – We seek to be generous and without expectation or ego when giving to others. We believe that a rising tide will lift all boats. We value collaboration and seek to grow the pie.
- Lead by example – We exist to demonstrate the power of startups to solve the world’s problems to guide us to a cleaner, healthier, happier future. We act with courage, integrity and kindness to challenge the status quo.
- Play the long game – We are strategic in our decision-making and think about the consequences of our actions and inactions. We respect the past, present and future.
- Be human – We value human connection and seek joy in life. We understand the importance of relationships and acknowledge we are only one piece of the puzzle. Without others, there is no self.
Giant Leap acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, work and play. We honour First Nations peoples' cultures and their ongoing connection to land, sea and community, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. This always was, and always will be, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land. You can read our Reconciliation Action Plan here.
Giant Leap has joined Pledge 1%, a global movement creating a new normal where companies of all sizes and stages have a positive social impact through their business. We are proud to announce our commitment to donate 1% of our revenue each year to charitable organisations that align with Giant Leap’s values and investment areas of Climate, Health, and Empowerment & Education.
One of the unique aspects of the Giant Leap Foundation is our commitment to involving our team in the process. We understand that each team member has their own passions and causes that they care deeply about. With this in mind, we've implemented a matching program, where donations made by our staff are matched by the Foundation. This means that the impact created by our employees’ contributions to causes they are passionate about are amplified by our Foundation.
The Giant Leap Foundation is registered with Australian Communities Foundation (ACF). ACF is a community of giving, powered by a courageous ambition: a fairer and more sustainable Australia. As a broker of change, they connect those who can give with the people and organisations leading the way.
Organisations Giant Leap has supported
- Common Ground - a First Nations not-for-profit working to shape a society that centres First Nations people by amplifying knowledge, cultures and stories.
- Human Rights Law Centre - uses strategic legal action, policy solutions and advocacy to support people and communities to eliminate inequality and injustice and build a fairer, more compassionate Australia.
- Trees for Life - revegetates and protects bushland, farmland and urban terrain. With local knowledge, they raise awareness about native plants and animals. And with experience they empower people to take action and connect with their landscape.
- Foodbank Victoria - Australia’s largest food relief organisation, operating on a scale that makes it crucial to the work of the front line charities who are feeding vulnerable Australians.
- World’s Greatest Shave - The Leukaemia Foundation offers expert support, funds leading-edge research and campaigns to make change for Australians facing blood cancer.
- Edgar’s Mission - a not-for-profit sanctuary for rescued farmed animals with a vision for a humane and just world for all.
- The Surfebruary Foundation - a fun annual event in February, where participants raise money for cancer research by catching a wave or getting in the water every day – rain, hail or shine.
- Australian Conservation Foundation - Australia's national environment organisation. Since 1965, they’ve protected the nature we all love – our unique wildlife and our beautiful beaches and bush.
- Food for Change - grows fresh nutritious fruit and vegetables on their farms, leads food rescue initiatives with IGA, food retailers and other partners and supports food relief agencies across the country by donating food to them.
- Room to Read - creating a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality, helping children in historically low-income communities develop literacy skills, and supporting girls as they build skills to succeed in school and negotiate key life decisions.
- Elizabeth Morgan House Aboriginal Womens Services - provide refuge accommodation, specialist family violence services, therapeutic support and work with women in the justice system to uphold and defend their rights to live a life free from violence.
- StreetSmart Australia - By raising funds and awareness to support smaller, grassroots organisations, they bring about change for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
- Our Watch - is a national leader in the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia. They work to embed gender equality and prevent violence where Australians live, learn, work and socialise.
- Forever Projects - help women in Tanzania break the cycle of poverty and create a self-sustaining future.
- Minus18 - aims to improve the health and wellbeing of, and provide a safe environment for, same-sex attracted and gender diverse young people in Australia.
- Groundswell - pools donations from members and makes strategic grants to effective climate action.
- FareShare - operates Australia's largest charity kitchens, where they transform rescued food into cooked, nutritious meals for people facing hardship.
