Martin Rogers
General Introduction
Martin Rogers is a seasoned ESVCLP fund manager and a driving force behind innovation in venture capital. At Defender AM, he brings a wealth of expertise in compliance, fund management, and strategic investments, contributing to a forward-thinking and impactful portfolio.
With dual degrees in Chemical Engineering and Computer Science, Martin combines technical acumen with financial ingenuity. Over his decades-long career, he has established himself as a prominent entrepreneur and investor, excelling in deal origination, due diligence, operations management, and financial execution.
Martin has a proven track record of incubating and scaling ventures across diverse sectors, including technology, life sciences, and fintech, while also guiding publicly listed companies.
Experience
Chief Investment Officer
KTM Ventures Innovation Fund LP
Oct 2016 - Present
Founder of KTM Ventures, an Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership (ESVCLP) approved under the Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation & Science. Martin spearheads investments in technology, fintech, and life sciences, focusing on pre-IPO and private expansion capital to deliver potentially higher returns for venture investors.
Chairman, Investment Committee
SpringCapital Investment
Dec 2018 - Present
Oversees the strategic direction of this Australian Venture Capital firm, which operates an approved ESVCLP fund. Martin guides investment decisions in high-tech companies and alternate investment opportunities.
Senior Advisor
The Lind Partners LLC
Sep 2012 - Present
Provides strategic advice to The Lind Partners, a New York-based alternative asset management firm. The firm specialises in small- and mid-cap publicly traded companies, with a portfolio exceeding $385 million in transaction value.
Director
Cosmos Asset Management
May 2020 - Jun 2022
Contributed to launching Australia’s first Bitcoin ETF and other cryptocurrency ETFs, offering investors seamless access to the growing digital asset class.
Chairman
Aura Energy Limited
Dec 2020 - Jan 2022
Led the strategic focus of Aura Energy, a mineral resources company with major polymetallic and uranium projects across Europe and Africa, including the groundbreaking Tiris Uranium Project in Mauritania.
Current Role
As Responsible Manager, Martin oversees compliance and fund management, ensuring operational excellence at Defender AM. His leadership in the innovative ESVCLP space enables the firm to deliver superior returns while backing transformative businesses. His focus on emerging technologies like AI underscores Defender AM’s mission to remain at the forefront of investment innovation.