Exceptional people &
companies we want to back with our own capital.
River Capital was established in 1996, with an ambition to find great investment opportunities that would compound the capital of our team and their families over the long term. Since then, we have partnered with like-minded co-investors who value our uncompromising commitment to investor and community success.
We are investors of our own money first. Our investment process has been refined by the learnings over many market cycles, and relationships built over 30 years. Our investment decisions are overseen by an outstanding team, whose expertise is complemented by the collective wisdom of our Investment Committee. Across the firm we have over $1 billion invested in public and private companies that meet our investment criteria and that we believe will deliver long term investment performance.
The River Capital way
Time has given us the opportunity to invest in a lot of companies, across many industries and alongside many teams. We have learnt that good ideas come in many forms and believe long term investment performance comes from having the conviction to back your best ideas, and the flexibility to be opportunistic when others can’t. It is impossible to build conviction without extensive research, deep industry relationships and a view to global trends which form the foundation of our approach.
Our Listed Equity Funds, the Founders Fund and Dividend Plus Fund, focus on investing in public companies, predominately in Australia, and have the flexibility to own companies of all sizes. We actively engage with each of our portfolio companies. These Funds are focused on delivering absolute returns.
The Founders Fund and Dividend Plus Fund are complimented by our Strategic Investments. Our Strategic Investments provide us with opportunities to invest in private companies where we feel these companies will deliver better risk-adjusted returns than what we expect through our Funds. Occasionally, ideas from our Listed Equity Funds become Strategic Investments, with our acquisition of Midway Limited a good example.
Our 4 key principles
Compounding
We think about compounding broadly, as it relates to our knowledge, the strength of our relationships, our community impact, and our investment performance. Regarding our investments, compounding begins with a focus on capital preservation. We look for investments with strong foundations, typically asset backing or defensive cashflows which we believe will grow over time.
Concentration
We invest with conviction. We believe that investing into a handful of businesses we know well may see short term price volatility but will provide outperformance and reduced risk over the medium term. If we are excited by an opportunity and are willing to represent at least 20% of the investment, we go for it.
Engagement
We are active investors. The companies we invest in value our long-term focus and the deep expertise we bring to the table. The relationships we hold with management teams and boards are a integral part of our approach. These interactions not only strengthen our conviction but often provide inspiration for new investment ideas.
Agility
Our investment mandate gives us the opportunity to find the best ideas and back them, whether they are public or private, small or large, liquid or illiquid. This allows us to go where others can’t.
30 Years of experience
River Capital has a track record of value creation for our co-investors, including 15 direct investments and 6 new funds in the last five years.
We only pursue opportunities that we are genuinely excited about and we have the ability to invest flexibly on a deal-by-deal basis.
Learn more about the companies that we invest in.
Acquisition of woodfibre and carbon management business
Material stakes in embedded network providers
Acquisition of New Zealand-based education business
Concentrated portfolio of around 8-12 listed investments
100% buyout of TCS franchisor
Minority investment in the SEEK Growth Fund
Portfolio of Global High Yield Credit swapped back to AUD
This fund continues under a new manager
Retail-focused special situations fund in listed equities
Capital Return to investors
IRR 40.5%
Structured credit equity investment
Capital Return to investors in 2025
Lightning Trust - 42% CAGR
Lightning Broadband 2022 - 16% p.a.
USD High Yield Credit
Capital Return to investors in 2022
IRR 6.8% - 12% (USD)
Investment and growth capital with exit to Australian PE
Private loan
Capital Return to investors in 2019
10.2% p.a.
Bank capital note
Capital Return to investors in 2017
16.5% p.a.
Structured credit
Capital Return to investors in 2019
9.4% p.a.
Private loan
Capital Return to investors in 2017
15.7% p.a.
Structured credit
Capital Return to investors in 2018
10.3% p.a.
Structured credit note
Capital Return to investors in 2016
11.8% p.a.
Structured credit note
Capital Return to investors in 2016
12.3% p.a.
Private loan
Capital Return to investors in 2015
IRR 15%
Global Credit (AUD)
Capital Return to investors in 2017
9.8% p.a.
Concentrated portfolio of around 15 listed companies
Companies that we invest in
We only pursue opportunities that we are genuinely excited about and we have the ability to invest flexibly on a deal-by-deal basis.