Australian venture capital firm Southern Cross opens Silicon Valley office

The firm plans to work with US venture funds to help Australia and New Zealand-based start-ups access the US and other international markets.

In the Palo Alto office, Scull will be joined by Australian entrepreneur Dr Larry Marshall.

Scull said, 'We are excited to open our Palo Alto office to help connect the best early stage Australian and New Zealand start-ups with Silicon Valley's vibrant ecosystem.'

'In an increasingly global economy, venture capitalists are looking beyond their immediate regions to make investments. While China and India pose a booming opportunity, one cannot afford to ignore the vast pool of technological talent Down Under,' Southern Cross managing director Marshall. 'We at Southern Cross want to be considered the go-to firm for US venture capitalists and companies when they are considering an Australia or New Zealand technology start-up company for investment or partnership.'

Southern Cross has already invested in four Australia-originated companies: Xerocoat, a specialty coatings start-up; Mantara, which creates electronic trading systems for hedge funds; M&MD, with sophisticated high-temperature super-conducting filters for the global wireless market; and UIactive, a mobile social messaging company.

Southern Cross closed its $150m fund in mid-2007. The firm focuses on the areas of software and hardware, telecom, semiconductors, digital media and internet applications, advanced materials, nanotechnology and cleantech.

Scull co-founded the firm with Bob Christiansen in 2006. Previously, both worked at Australian venture capital firm Allen & Buckeridge.

Christiansen will be joined in the Sydney office by managing directors Bill Bartee and Gareth Dando. In addition, Tristen Langley has recently joined the firm as investment director. She will split her time between the Sydney and Silicon Valley offices.

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