Powerhouse Ven Ltd Targets USD100M Global Fund With European Partner

Powerhouse Ventures targets USD100 million global fund with European partner

Powerhouse Ventures Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a European venture firm to co-manage an expanded version of its Critical Infrastructure Opportunities Fund (CIO Fund). The proposed global fund structure targets at least USD100 million in total commitments, with the European partner having committed to promptly finalise USD50 million in already earmarked limited partner contributions. The company is targeting a fund launch under the co-managed structure in Q3 2026.

The announcement follows the company’s original fund launch announcement dated 6 May 2026. The partnership transforms the CIO Fund from a domestic vehicle into a global investment platform with immediate institutional scale and committed capital from an experienced European co-manager.

What is a co-managed fund structure?

A co-managed fund structure involves two investment managers sharing responsibility for fund operations, deal sourcing, and investment decisions. Both parties typically have equal representation on the investment committee, ensuring balanced governance.

Under the proposed terms, Powerhouse’s original investment thesis and mandate design are preserved. The Australian Corporate Collective Investment Vehicle (CCIV), referenced in the 6 May 2026 ASX release, will become a feeder fund for Australian-based investors and for Powerhouse’s seed asset contributions.

This structure allows smaller fund managers to access institutional-grade capital, global deal flow, and operational expertise without ceding control of investment strategy. For Powerhouse shareholders, it means retained exposure to the company’s critical infrastructure thesis while gaining access to global scale.

Key terms of the partnership

The MOU sets out “in principle” terms agreed after several months of discussions. The companies are progressing toward definitive and binding documents.

Key terms include:

• Equal representation on the investment committee
• Preservation of Powerhouse’s original investment thesis and mandate design
• Globalisation of the fund structure
• The partner’s commitment to promptly finalise USD50 million of already earmarked limited partner contributions

The preservation of Powerhouse’s original mandate means existing shareholders retain exposure to the company’s critical infrastructure thesis while gaining access to global scale.

Strategic benefits for Powerhouse

The co-managed structure delivers several commercial advantages. The company will gain immediate scale and funds under management (FUM), even after sharing economics with the co-manager. The global structure provides access to combined deal flow from both Australian and European networks, alongside the European partner’s domain expertise and enhanced capital markets execution capabilities.

Powerhouse described the fund as a clear exemplar of its brand as a high conviction investment house.

The global fund expansion fits within a broader strategic repositioning at the company level: Powerhouse is seeking shareholder approval to rebrand as Powerhouse Capital Partners Limited, with its three-unit business model formally separating proprietary investment, funds management, and corporate advisory.

For a listed investment house like Powerhouse, scaling FUM is the primary driver of management fee revenue. Securing USD50 million in committed capital from a single partner accelerates this pathway materially. The target fund size of USD100 million represents a significant expansion from the original domestic vehicle structure announced in May.

What the CIO Fund invests in

The Critical Infrastructure Opportunities Fund focuses on technologies that will develop into critical infrastructure. This thematic area encompasses assets and technologies essential to economic and national security.

The fund sits alongside Powerhouse’s broader platform, which includes listed small caps and Australian carbon projects. The “critical infrastructure” theme is attracting increasing institutional interest globally due to geopolitical shifts and supply chain resilience priorities. A global fund structure may improve access to deal flow in this sector, particularly across European and Australian markets.

The original CIO Fund launch established a seed portfolio of approximately $13 million across 11 companies spanning Space, Quantum, AI, and Advanced Materials, with a $75 million capital raise target under a domestic CCIV structure.

Next steps and timeline

Powerhouse and the European venture firm are progressing toward definitive and binding documents. The company is targeting fund launch in Q3 2026 (calendar year) and will update the market as binding agreements are finalised.

Investors should monitor for the announcement of binding documents, which will confirm final fund terms, fee structures, and committed capital amounts. The progression from MOU to definitive documentation represents the critical next step in executing this global fund expansion.

Ready to Explore Powerhouse’s Critical Infrastructure Investment Platform?

The co-managed CIO Fund structure represents a significant scaling milestone for Powerhouse, combining institutional-grade capital with a focused critical infrastructure mandate. With USD50 million already committed and a Q3 2026 launch target, the fund is transitioning from domestic vehicle to global investment platform.

To access detailed fund documentation, investment thesis, and management team profiles, visit the Powerhouse investor centre. The platform provides comprehensive information on the company’s three-unit business model and seed portfolio composition across Space, Quantum, AI, and Advanced Materials sectors.