Main Sequence adds Australian Ethical as strategic investor to tackle global challenges

Australian Ethical contributing to Main Sequence’s latest Fund to help create, fund and accelerate innovations

SYDNEY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2021 — Main Sequence, Australia’s deep tech investment fund founded by CSIRO, has today announced Australia’s ethical investment manager, Australian Ethical, as a strategic investor in its second fund. The partnership, built around using money as a force for good, will aim to help solve some of the greatest challenges in health, food, space, and industrial productivity through the creation, investment and acceleration of deep tech companies.

The COVID-19 pandemic has focused investors on the vulnerability and resilience of the financial system, as well as manufacturing and supply chains, and intensified the discussions around planetary sustainability. It has revealed the need for a greater focus on money for good. Australian Ethical’s mission is to invest for a better world and the investment in Main Sequence’s Fund 2 is the manifestation of this mission.

With the support of Australian Ethical, Australia’s fastest growing superannuation fund, Main Sequence can apply venture capital to continue to play an important role in solving some of the world’s biggest challenges.

Mike Zimmerman, Partner at Main Sequence welcomed Australian Ethical’s investment as reflecting a shared commitment to helping tackle climate change as well as many other global challenges.

“Australian Ethical is an ideal partner for us given our alignment in tackling global challenges and desire for a long term relationship. Australian Ethical is a leader in a broader trend emerging in both the institutional investor and corporate sector. Not only are we seeing a growing number of institutional investors focusing on sustainable and ethical investment opportunities, we’re also seeing them bring these principles to the boardrooms of mainstream corporations they invest in, helping drive operational targets, reporting and even executive remuneration tied to achievement of ESG goals.

“This month’s IPCC report has highlighted the urgency of the situation we face and the diminishing window of opportunity to do something. As such, it also highlighted the urgent mandate for both ethical investing and innovative technologies and solutions — making Australian Ethical and Main Sequence a potent pairing.”

Australian Ethical’s investments in startup companies like clean hydrogen power company Endua and animal-free dairy company Eden Brew (via Main Sequence) contribute to investment returns while supporting innovation to benefit the communities we all live and work in.

John Woods, Head of Asset Allocation at Australian Ethical, said: “For more than three decades, Australian Ethical has been using money as a force for good. We’re thrilled to partner with Main Sequence to unleash the potential of some of tomorrow’s most innovative initiatives and help create a better future for people, planet and animals.”

Dr Larry Marshall, Chief Executive of Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, welcomed the new partnership, which continues to grow the impact of the CSIRO Innovation Fund, managed by Main Sequence.

“We created the Fund to bridge the gap that separates great Australian science and traditional investors, so we can translate more great Australian science into real world solutions that make life better for everyone, and create new companies and jobs at the same time,” Dr Marshall said.

“This is a big challenge, and takes support from every part of the innovation system – industry, investors, research and government – to help Australia realise its potential and lead instead of just follow, on the world innovation stage.”

‍