Rick Baker
Rick Baker is a co-founder of Blackbird Ventures, one of Australia’s most prominent venture capital firms. With a background in engineering, business, and venture capital, Rick has an impressive track record of successful investments in the tech space.
Rick is a passionate advocate for the power of entrepreneurship and venture capital to drive innovation and create economic opportunities. He is a strong believer in the power of collaboration and has a genuine interest in helping entrepreneurs achieve their goals.
Rick's career began at the University of Melbourne, where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering. After graduating, Rick joined the Australian venture capital firm Blackbird Ventures as a partner.
At Blackbird, Rick has been responsible for investing in some of the most successful startups in Australia and abroad. Notable investments include Culture Amp, Canva, Prospa, SafetyCulture, and Deputy. He has also led several early-stage investments in companies that have gone on to become some of the biggest success stories in the industry, such as Atlassian, Aconex, Campaign Monitor, and Shoes of Prey.
Rick is also a regular speaker at conferences and events around the world, sharing his experience and knowledge with entrepreneurs and investors. He has given talks at the University of Melbourne, Google Developers Conference, and the Web Summit.
Rick also mentors many entrepreneurs and startups, offering guidance, advice, and support. He is a strong advocate for the importance of mentorship in startup success. He has been responsible for establishing the Blackbird Founders Program, a dedicated program designed to help startups with the early stages of development. Rick Baker is a highly respected figure in the Australian venture capital and startup community, and his work is helping to propel Australia's startup ecosystem to new heights.
In addition to his work with Blackbird Ventures, Rick is also the co-founder of Startmate, an accelerator program designed to help new startups and entrepreneurs build their businesses. Startmate has been responsible for launching some of Australia's most successful tech startups, including Canva, SafetyCulture, and Prospa.
Rick is also a passionate philanthropist, having supported numerous causes throughout his career. He is a founding member of the Future Generation Investment Company, a venture capital fund designed to invest in companies that promote economic equality. He is an active supporter of the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Rick is a highly respected figure in the Australian tech community, and his work has helped to shape the future of the industry. He continues to be an active presence in the tech space, helping to foster innovation and collaboration.
