Sydney-based venture capital firm OneVentures has announced the appointment of experienced technology investor and successful Silicon Valley entrepreneur Melissa Widner as Venture Partner.

Ms Widner comes to OneVentures from US Seapoint Ventures in Seattle where she was a General Partner in two venture funds. She has been an active angel investor in both Australia and the US where she served on the board of the Alliance of Angels, one of America’s first and most active angel investment forums. For over 15 years she has served as a Board Director for technology companies in the US and more recently in Australia.

OneVentures CEO and Managing Director, Dr Michelle Deaker said: “We are delighted with Melissa’s appointment. She brings a unique US venture capital perspective to OneVentures and has a deep understanding of the venture capital industry in Australia, as well as in the US. The appointment deepens OneVentures’ software and digital expertise and US venture networks.”

“Melissa will work closely with the Partners to identify, evaluate and manage investment opportunities in the tech sector for our $100 million Fund II. She will also build our US relationships and leverage her US venture networks to support our portfolio companies as they migrate offshore,” Dr Deaker said.

OneVentures’ portfolio companies Vaxxas, Smart Sparrow and Incoming are now headquartered in the US and will further benefit from the appointment of Ms Widner.

Ms Widner’s experience at Seapoint Ventures is closely aligned to the philosophy of OneVentures which has a focus on providing substantial operational, financial and management experience to build successful businesses.

Prior to her time at Seapoint Ventures, Ms Widner was the co-founder and CEO of 7Software (acquired by Concur Technologies, NASDAQ: CNQR acquired by SAP) and previously the CEO of Northwest Industrial Supply. Under her leadership, both companies generated significant returns for investors.

Ms Widner served on the Advisory Board for the University of Washington Bothell’s Business School and she taught courses in entrepreneurship and venture capital at University of Washington’s Graduate School of Business. She graduated with a Master degree from Stanford with courses in policy analysis and business and a Bachelor degree from the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington.

In Australia, Ms Widner is an established leader among executive women as co-founder and Executive Committee member of Head over Heels, a non-profit organisation that seeks to increase the representation of women leading high-growth businesses. She also served on the Federal Government’s Venture Capital Committee.

“The team at One Ventures brings a disciplined approach to investing as well as first-hand knowledge of the entrepreneurial journey,” said Ms Widner.

“It is a privilege and honour to join Australia’s leading venture capital firm,” she said.

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