Kailis joined Counterpart Ventures in 2018 and helped establish its Counter Club community. He works with portfolio founders on customer acquisition, key hires and strategy, with investment interests spanning manufacturing, energy, materials science, logistics and other deep-tech areas.
He began his career as a journalist in Perth and later created what Counterpart describes as Australia’s largest startup competition and festival. He then spent more than four years in Australia’s mining and resources sector, working on industrial automation and startup creation. He also grew up working in his family’s seafood business.
Founders building software or hardware for industrial markets can draw on his perspective on customer acquisition, hiring and product-to-market challenges. He is especially relevant to teams working in manufacturing, logistics, energy and deep tech.
Where Mikey can help
- Deep tech
- Industrial automation
- Manufacturing
- Customer acquisition
- Hiring
Operating and investing experience
A selection of companies and roles connected to Mikey Kailis.
Ventures
Counterpart Ventures
Principal
Counter Club
foundational team member
Highlights
- Works with portfolio companies on customers, key hires and strategy
Questionsfounders ask aboutMikey Kailis
What is Mikey's professional background?
Kailis started his career as a journalist and created what Counterpart describes as Australia’s largest startup competition and festival. He then spent more than four years in Australia’s mining and resources sector, including work on industrial automation, before joining Counterpart Ventures in 2018 and helping establish Counter Club.
Which founder topics connect most directly to Mikey's experience?
His experience is relevant when founders are working out how to acquire customers in industrial markets, make key hires, or shape strategy. His background in logistics, mining and industrial automation connects especially closely to manufacturing, energy and logistics businesses.
What is Mikey working on now?
Kailis is a Principal at Counterpart Ventures, investing in early-stage software and deep-tech companies. He also works with portfolio founders on customer acquisition, key hires and strategy and helped establish Counter Club.
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