Voluntas Elevate: A New Era of Strategic Advisory for Underserved Tech Founders
Voluntas Group has announced the launch of Voluntas Elevate, a new strategic advisory firm aimed at supporting tech founders who have been overlooked by the traditional venture capital model. With offices in Auckland, Sydney, Hong Kong, London, and Los Angeles, the firm offers a comprehensive suite of services focused on sustainable growth, capital acquisition, and talent development.
“There are so many great businesses out there, but the VC obsession with 10x or 100x returns leaves a lot of potential on the table,” explains Jason Holdsworth, Founding Partner of Voluntas Group. “We’re here for the ones overlooked, founders who may not have a headline valuation but are still pulling in sustainable, recurring revenue. Scaling a solid business shouldn’t be a dream reserved only for unicorns.”
Voluntas Elevate works with startups that have hit early milestones but need sharper strategies or access to capital to reach the next level. Whether planning governance frameworks, raising capital, or acquiring top talent, the firm aims to support founders through every stage of their growth journey. Its services are tailored to address a gap in the market, focusing on companies that may not fit the unicorn mold but still demonstrate strong potential.
A significant challenge many founders face is the trade-off between operational support and equity preservation. Sacrificing equity to secure consultancy services or early funding can leave founders with reduced ownership and insufficient resources. Darren Ward, Partner at Voluntas Group, explains that Voluntas Elevate takes a different approach. “We help founders retain more control by providing the guidance they need upfront. We never take more than 10% in any venture we support—it’s about preserving their control and maximizing long-term value.”
The firm’s network of industry advisors brings together expertise from leaders such as Anthony Quirk, Naomi Ballantyne, Brett O’Riley, and David Ding. Leveraging this global network, Voluntas Elevate has already onboarded 12 clients and holds equity stakes in three ventures. It is currently leading an NZ$11.3 million capital raise across nine companies, each raising an average of $1.25 million.
With a goal of onboarding 70 clients in the next financial year and raising over $15 million in capital, Voluntas Elevate is well-positioned to become a strategic growth partner for tech entrepreneurs across Oceania, Asia, and beyond. The firm’s vision goes beyond funding; it emphasizes long-term relationships, sustainable growth, and founder empowerment. “We take a holistic approach, looking beyond just funding,” adds Ward. “We help with everything from sales enablement to talent acquisition. Our goal is to give founders the tools and resources they need to create sustainable growth, no matter where they are on their journey.”
Voluntas Elevate offers more than just advice—it is a movement to reshape how entrepreneurship is supported. By focusing on founders who might otherwise fall through the cracks, the firm aims to build a more inclusive ecosystem where good businesses are given the chance to thrive. For founders stuck between phases or underserved by traditional VC models, Voluntas Elevate provides a fresh path forward.
