Meliora raises AI fund and builds its own deal-finding tool after just one year

A Sydney-based AI advisory firm has closed its first venture capital fund and built a proprietary deal-tracking engine, just 12 months after launching.

The Meliora Company, founded by former Seven West Media and Singtel Optus executive Clive Dickens, started out advising big company bosses on how to navigate AI disruption. Now it is also investing directly in AI start-ups.

The new fund, Meliora Ventures Fund One, will back early-stage technology companies building AI-powered products. Alongside the fund, the firm has launched MvSE - a bespoke software tool that helps the team find investment opportunities and track market trends.

Building, not just advising

Dickens said the traditional consulting model had not kept pace with how fast businesses needed to move.

"The traditional model was built around long discovery cycles, big expensive teams, and static decks. Leaders today need senior, deeper subject matter experience and much more momentum," he said.

Partner Mel Lee said the fund gave Meliora a direct stake in the companies it had spent a year learning about through its advisory work.

"We are seeing amazing companies, incredible founders and new products being built faster around AI. Through our advisory work, we know what senior leaders and enterprise customers are trying to solve," Lee said.

Partner Jack Lonergan said the new signals engine reflected the kind of company Meliora wanted to be.

"One that does not only advise, but also invests, creates and builds," Lonergan said.

The firm now has four partners and 18 staff across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Main image: Meliora's Jack Lonergan, Clive Dickens and Mel Lee.

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