Sydney – 04 February 2025 – Investment fund infrastructure provider FundBase Group is launching a platform that for the first time will give Australian retail investors access to private capital markets that have traditionally been the preserve of wholesale investors with assets of at least $2.5 million or income of at least $250,000.

The development of FundBase’s Retail Syndicates will allow retail investment in venture capital, private equity offerings and a wide range of private market funds starting with a minimum $5,000 investment, compared to the $100,000 plus traditional starting point for wholesale investors.

Having launched Retail Syndicates that will bring fund offerings to investors, FundBase will launch a pilot program early this year with select venture capital, private equity and alternative asset managers looking to raise funds. The incoming CEO of Hearts and Minds Investments and former Aberdeen Asset Management (“abrdn”) Australia CEO, Brett Jollie has joined the group as an independent non-executive director to contribute to the development and growth of FundBase Group including the successful rollout of Retail Syndicates.

FundBase Co-Founder Anna Nedbaylova said the initiative was all about democratising access to private markets, fostering wealth creation for the broader range of investors and providing fund managers with access to additional capital.

“Private markets are expanding at an accelerating pace, with global assets under management forecast to grow from $16.8trn in 2023 to over $30trn by 2030. In Australia, private market investments are gaining momentum with more than 30% of Australian investment portfolios now allocated to private markets.

“We are witnessing a growing level of sophistication among retail investors who are keen to participate in private capital investments However, 84% of Australians are currently excluded due to income and asset requirements for wholesale investors.

“Our vision is to create an inclusive space that every alternative and private market fund manager looking to raise funds can be a part of and where every retail investor looking to diversify into private markets can find a home.”

Fellow FundBase Co-Founder Richard Mulligan added: “It will open up a new funding option for venture capital managers, allowing them to broaden their pool of investors without having to significantly increase the number of investors they need to manage, as the FundBase Group Retail Syndicate becomes a professional investor into their fund. We do the hard work of managing the retail investors for them.

“We estimate that this initiative could potentially result in as much as $80 billion flowing into the private markets ecosystem over the next five years, significantly boosting Australian economic growth.

“While the aim of the Retail Syndicates is to lower barriers to entry and open access for retail investors, FundBase Group is committed to providing full disclosure about the potentially high risks associated with private market investments.

“FundBase Group will ensure that investors are well-informed to make the investment decisions and receive the appropriate retail investor protections. These investments may involve significant capital risk and could be locked up for as long as seven to ten years,” Mr Mulligan said.