Brad Feld has agreed to chair the Limited Partner Advisory Committee for Eastend Ventures Fund 1. For the LPs in our fund, and the founders we back, this is a big deal.
Brad co-founded Foundry — one of the longest-running US venture firms — and Techstars, the global startup accelerator network. He's spent 35+ years as an operator and investor, backing companies including Fitbit, MakerBot, and Zynga, and writing some of the most useful operating playbooks the industry has — Venture Deals, Startup Boards, Do More Faster.
Why this matters for LPs
An LPAC's job is to keep a fund honest. They review valuations, conflicts, and investment policy — the parts of fund operation that sit outside the GP-LP boundary and need an independent voice.
Brad's chairing a committee that already includes seasoned institutional LPs. Adding his perspective — someone who's seen 30+ years of cycles, founded firms that backed unicorns and weathered downturns — sharpens our diligence and raises the bar on every investment we put forward.
Why this matters for founders
When we sit in front of a founder in Adelaide, Perth or Brisbane, we want them to know that the capital we're offering doesn't come from a black box. It's underwritten by an investment committee with deep operating experience, advised by an LPAC chaired by one of the most respected names in venture, and deployed alongside our own personal $3M commitment.
Brad's involvement is part of how we close the credibility gap that early-stage funds in non-coastal markets sometimes carry. Founders shouldn't have to relocate to Sydney to access world-class governance. With this LPAC, they don't.
What's next
Brad joins the LPAC alongside our existing committee members, including Sonya Brocklehurst and Dr Roger Voyle. The LPAC meets quarterly. First meeting is May 2026.
If you're an LP — sophisticated or wholesale investor under the Corporations Act — and you'd like to talk to us about Fund 1, the IM and a 30-minute call with Josh or JD are both one form away.