Australian venture capital funds support their portfolio startups after investment in many of the same ways VCs do globally, with some local flavours (e.g., strong links to regional accelerators, government grant pathways and APAC market access). Typical post‑investment support includes:

1. Governance and oversight

• Board or observer seats, regular board meetings and help set strategy, KPIs and governance practices.
• Assistance with financial reporting, budgeting and investor communications.

2. Strategic and operational guidance

• Hands‑on advice from partners and operating partners on product strategy, pricing, go‑to‑market and scaling.
• Help prioritising milestones, fundraising timing and resource allocation.

3. Fundraising and capital follow‑on

• Commitments or coordination for follow‑on rounds; introductions to other VCs, angels and later‑stage investors.
• Assistance preparing pitch materials, due diligence packs and valuation strategies.

4. Talent and hiring support

• Access to recruiting networks, recommended recruiters, help with hiring key roles (CTO, head of sales, head of growth).
• Support with structuring compensation (options/ESOPs) to attract and retain staff.

5. Commercial introductions and partnerships

• Warm introductions to potential customers, enterprise partners, channel partners and industry gatekeepers in Australia and the broader APAC region.
• Help negotiating pilot deals, contracts and commercial terms.

6. Market expansion and internationalisation

• Advice and networks for expansion into key markets (New Zealand, Asia, US, EU), including local partner introductions and market entry strategies.

7. Product, engineering and go‑to‑market support

• Access to engineers, product advisors or fractional executives through the fund’s operating team or advisor network.
• Help optimise growth channels (sales playbooks, marketing, distribution strategies).

8. Professional and operational services

• Referrals or discounted services for legal, tax, IP, payroll, accounting, compliance and corporate structuring.
• Guidance on government grants, R&D tax incentives and other Australian programs (many VCs help founders identify and apply for these).

9. Community, learning and talent development

• Peer groups, founder communities, regular workshops, office hours and masterclasses on topics such as fundraising, hiring, board management and scaling.
• Demo days, investor showcases and networking events.

10. PR, brand and investor relations

• Introductions to PR agencies, help craft narratives for media, analyst and investor audiences, and support for announcements (fundraises, hires, product launches).

11. M&A and exit preparation

• Strategic preparation for mergers, acquisitions and IPOs; introductions to potential acquirers, investment banks and legal advisers.
• Help prepare the company for due diligence and structuring an exit.

12. Practical structures and conditions

• Some funds use milestone‑tied tranches (funding released on achieving agreed targets).
• Many provide short‑term operational support through “operating partners” or interim execs if a portfolio company needs leadership help.

How founders can get the most value

• Be clear about the help you need and set expectations early with the lead partner and board.
• Use investor networks proactively—ask for specific intros and timelines.
• Agree measurable KPIs and reporting cadence so support is focused and actionable.
• Leverage the fund’s expertise for grant/tax incentives and international expansion where relevant.

Differences by stage and fund type

• Early‑stage funds/angels usually provide more hands‑on mentoring, hiring help and rapid operational support.
• Growth funds often focus on commercial scaling, international expansion and M&A readiness.
• Corporate VCs may prioritise commercial partnerships and pilot programs with the corporate parent.

If you’d like, I can summarise what a founder should ask a prospective Australian VC about post‑investment support (a short checklist) or tailor this to a specific stage (pre‑seed, Series A, growth). Which would you prefer?