29North
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About 29North

Good people to have in your corner.

29North is a private investment business, established in 2022. We take minority stakes in privately owned Australian companies and back the founders who lead them, for the long run.

A river winding into the city at sunrise

Our story

Born from a simple belief.

The best businesses are rarely ‘for sale’. The best opportunities come from partnerships with ambitious founders who want capital and support to accelerate their growth, without handing over the keys.

That’s why we founded 29North in 2022: to back high-quality private businesses as long-term minority partners. No time limits, no fees and no takeovers. Just people who are in it with you for the long run.

We’re shareholders, not just investors. Our founders have significant personal wealth invested in 29North, so the businesses we back see us on a similar journey to their own.

The best partnerships aren’t about control; they are about alignment. A minority investment is a long-term commitment to a founder’s vision – providing the capital to scale while leaving the soul of the company intact.

29North investment philosophy

Our people

Directors and founders

  • Brendan Larsen

    Managing Director & Founder

    • Formerly Partner and Head of Mergers & Acquisitions for KPMG Queensland
    • Over 25 years of expertise in deal sourcing, structuring and negotiation in the Australian market, with a focus on private companies
    • Expertise in healthcare, tech, consumer products, financial services & retail
    • Director and Board observer of 29North investee companies including Move Mobility, Urban X, Royal Foods and Day Hospital Partners
    LinkedIn

  • Ross Hayward

    Director & Founder

    • Formerly Director of Premium Funding, one of Australia’s largest private insurance finance businesses
    • Led the transaction sale of Premium Funding to Pemba Capital Partners in 2021
    • Over 25 years’ experience in the financial services sector, including debt funding sources as well as software development
    • Director of Urban X and Move Mobility
    • Board observer for Real Flow Holdings
    LinkedIn

  • Benjamin Korst

    Director & Founder

    • Formerly CEO of Montserrat Day Hospitals, one of Australia’s most successful day hospital businesses with 20 locations across three states
    • Led the organic and M&A expansion of Montserrat over 10 years, resulting in a A$122m sale to Healius Limited (ASX:HLS) in 2019
    • Over 25 years of expertise in healthcare
    • CEO and Director of Day Hospital Partners
    LinkedIn

Advisory board

  • Adelaide McDonald

    Representing MDH

    • More than 17 years’ experience in corporate advisory and equity research, with previous roles at KPMG (M&A), Wilson HTM and BDO Kendalls
    • Holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Business Management from the University of Queensland and is a Chartered Financial Analyst
    • Currently a Non-Executive Director of four ASX-listed companies across the funds management and defence industries, and serves as Chair of Beef Australia Ltd
    • Also a director of MDH Pty Ltd, contributing to the management of the family’s off-farm investment portfolio

  • Stephen Campbell

    Representing Eamus

    • Founder of Auto Parts Group Pty Ltd, which became the largest alternate collision parts supplier in Australia outside the OEM dealer model
    • The business achieved a national footprint of circa 300+ FTE and approximately 4–5% market share at exit
    • Acquired by Genuine Parts Company (GPC), a US-listed global leader owning Repco, NAPA, Motion and related brands

  • Michael Ready

    Representing Baumber Family Office

    • Family office anchored by Andrew Baumber, owner of AR Developments, a Brisbane-based townhouse developer across Southeast Queensland
    • Michael Ready represents the Family Office portfolio, leading finance, M&A and governance activities

  • Archie Douglas & Hugo Douglas

    Representing Douglas Family

    • Family office (IMA) managing property development and investments for shareholders, including the Archie Douglas family
    • Archie Douglas co-founded PRDnationwide (1975, sold to Colliers in 2006) and was a shareholder in Halcyon Lifestyle Communities (sold to Stockland in 2021). Currently invested in Redbank Communities, NSW
    • Hugo Douglas brings 28 years’ experience in business banking (NAB), stockbroking (CSFB), and property finance, including mezzanine and equity investments with IMA
    • Currently Director at Investment Management Australia, Redbank Communities, Feasly, and the Douglas Family Foundation

  • Mitch Victorsen

    Advisory board

    • Over 15 years of investing and investment banking experience in Australia and Asia
    • Executed and managed investments across private equity, real estate, infrastructure and credit, with significant experience in strategic minority, growth and structured investments
    • Previously Managing Director at HOPU Investments, a leading Asian investment firm, in Hong Kong and Beijing
    • Started career as an M&A investment banker with Merrill Lynch

  • Want us in your corner?

    Every partnership we’ve made started with a conversation.

    Talk to us

Let’s talk about your journey.

Every partnership we’ve made started with a conversation. We’d love to hear about your business.

Contact us