Main Sequence is an Australian venture capital firm founded in 2017 by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency. Operating from its headquarters in Eveleigh, Sydney, the firm oversees over $1 billion across three CSIRO Innovation Funds. Combining investment expertise with scientific insight, Main Sequence bridges the gap between early research and market-ready applications. Collaborating with university labs and research institutes through spin-out series and researcher office hours, the firm accelerates the transformation of lab discoveries into scalable businesses. Since inception, Main Sequence has backed more than 50 active companies and nurtured a community of founders addressing complex challenges.
Investments target six challenge areas spanning space technologies, deep decarbonization, artificial intelligence, sustainable food systems, scalable healthcare access and industrial productivity. The venture science model guides selection of innovations rooted in publicly funded research and supports founders from seed through series A funding. Funds II and III focus heavily on climate solutions, energy transition, quantum technology and biotechnology, reflecting the firm’s commitment to tackling pressing global issues. Beyond capital, the firm offers mentoring and network connections to help companies navigate growth hurdles.
Clean technology and energy storage figure prominently in the portfolio. ElectraLith applies an electrochemical direct lithium extraction process to yield battery-grade lithium hydroxide in a single step, reducing complexity and environmental impact. Endua, a founding investment, develops hydrogen-powered storage units that deliver reliable power to remote sites and assist with grid balancing. Main Sequence also backed Samsara Eco’s $100 million Series A, scaling plastic recycling technology to lower emissions. These investments underscore the firm’s role in advancing cleaner production methods and sustainable energy solutions.
