CVC Capital Partners Acquires 45% Stake in Australian Venue Co from PAG
CVC Capital Partners has acquired a 45% stake in Australian Venue Co (AVC), one of the largest pub and hospitality operators in Australia, from private equity firm PAG. This transaction marks a significant development in the Australian hospitality sector, positioning CVC and PAG as equal partners with a 45% share each, while AVC’s management retains the remaining equity.
Australian Venue Co operates over 200 venues across Australia and New Zealand, including some of the most iconic pubs and hospitality destinations in the region. Under the leadership of CEO Paul Waterson, AVC has experienced rapid growth over the past several years, expanding its portfolio from 50 venues in 2017 to more than 200 today. The company has built a strong reputation for its operational excellence and diverse range of offerings, from traditional pubs to high-end dining experiences.
The injection of capital from CVC is expected to fuel AVC’s ambitious growth plans. This includes refurbishing and upgrading existing venues to enhance customer experiences and exploring new market opportunities, particularly in key urban centers with growing populations. The partnership is seen as a way to leverage the strengths of both private equity firms, combining PAG’s established presence and operational knowledge with CVC’s global investment expertise and strategic insights.
Richard Blackburn, Head of CVC Australia, highlighted the appeal of AVC’s business model and its strong management team, expressing confidence in the company’s future prospects. The collaboration aims to support continued innovation and expansion in the hospitality sector, which has seen increasing interest from private equity investors keen to capitalize on evolving consumer trends and the sector’s resilience.
Overall, this deal underscores the growing attractiveness of hospitality assets in Australia, signaling further investment and consolidation in the industry as market leaders seek to capitalize on post-pandemic recovery and ongoing consumer demand for quality dining and entertainment experiences.
Gold Coast Arena Project Enters Next Phase with EOI Launch
Gold Coast City Council, working in partnership with Invest Gold Coast, is set to launch an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process for the proposed $2 billion Gold Coast Arena project. It marks a major milestone in the city’s long-term vision to evolve its arts, entertainment, and sports landscape, further enhancing its appeal as a premier destination for both national and international events.
Slated to be built at the Southport waterfront precinct, the arena is designed to accommodate up to 12,000 spectators and will feature state‑of‑the‑art amenities, flexible seating configurations, and advanced acoustics. This multifunctional venue is intended to host an array of events, including live music concerts, professional sporting fixtures, cultural performances, corporate conventions, and emerging attractions like esports competitions.
The EOI invitation, opening in late August 2025, targets private sector investors, development consortiums, and venue management specialists. Respondents will be asked to propose funding structures, design innovations, operational plans, and strategic approaches to integrating the arena within the broader urban fabric. Submissions are expected to close by November, paving the way for formal selection and negotiations to begin early in 2026.
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According to planning forecasts, the arena will generate significant economic and employment benefits. Over its first decade of operation, it is expected to contribute more than $700 million to the regional economy, create approximately 1,800 construction jobs during development, and sustain around 740 full-time operational roles thereafter. These impacts are aligned with the City of Gold Coast’s commitment to revitalizing Southport as a vibrant CBD precinct.
The project aligns closely with broader urban regeneration plans, including enhanced public transport links via light rail and bus networks, pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, and adjacent retail and hospitality offerings. Integrating these elements aims to stimulate foot traffic, encourage local business growth, and deliver enriched experiences for residents and visitors alike.
Once operational, the Gold Coast Arena is expected to host up to 80 major events per year, raising the city’s profile and drawing new audiences. This development represents a bold investment in culture, community, and capability—establishing a destination that will strengthen Gold Coast’s position on Australia’s entertainment stage for decades to come.
Monash University and Breakthrough Victoria Launch A$15M Pre‑Seed Fund
Monash University has unveiled a new A$15 million Pre‑Seed Fund in partnership with Breakthrough Victoria, aimed at accelerating the commercialisation of research-driven spinouts. This initiative is a central pillar of the newly formalised Monash Ventures, a platform consolidating the university’s venture creation and investment activities.
The fund targets early‑stage companies emerging from Monash’s research ecosystem, with investments up to A$1 million per spinout. It is designed to support ventures in sectors ranging from health tech and pharmaceuticals to advanced manufacturing — especially those with strong links to Monash IP or research licensing arrangements.
Three high-impact biomedical spinouts were among the first to receive funding: FytonBio, developing antibody therapeutics for autoimmune diseases; Remagine Labs, engineering wearable drug delivery systems for chronic illness management; and Myostellar, focused on regenerative therapies for muscle disorders.
Underpinning the funding is Breakthrough Victoria’s broader University Innovation Platform, which commits capital to early‑stage venture funds across Victorian universities. Monash’s fund complements this strategy, aiming to bridge the critical “valley of death” phase between research proof‑of‑concept and subsequent venture capital readiness.
Monash’s leadership emphasises that the fund not only provides capital but also access to mentoring, investor networks, and commercialisation support. An investment committee composed of representatives from Monash, Breakthrough Victoria, and external venture experts oversees funding decisions and ensures alignment with strategic impact goals.
The appointment of Ingmar Wahlqvist as Senior Director of New Ventures and Investments brings specialized leadership to the fund. Wahlqvist’s experience in early‑stage companies, strategy consulting, and venture capital positions him to drive growth and portfolio development.
The Pre‑Seed Fund reinforces Monash’s commitment to transforming academic innovations into viable enterprises that deliver economic and societal value. By supporting researchers and founders at the earliest phase, Monash Ventures positions the university to play a leading role in Victoria’s innovation ecosystem, generating new companies, jobs, and technologies with global potential.
This landmark program marks a significant step in the university’s evolution from research institution to technology-enabled incubator, aligning academic excellence with startup success.
The Star Retains 50% Stake in Queen’s Wharf Brisbane After Sale Falls Through
Star Entertainment Group will hold onto its 50% share in the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane integrated resort after its proposed sale to joint venture partners Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium collapsed due to unresolved commercial disagreements. The deal, originally anticipated to close by late July 2025, was terminated when its partners declined Star’s request for an extension, leaving Star with access to the full suite of Brisbane assets, including Treasury Brisbane hotel and its portion of the Charlotte Street car park.
Despite retaining ownership, Star is now under significant financial pressure. The company must meet two near-term repayment obligations—roughly A$10 million by early August and approximately A$31 million by early September—to its partners, representing equity advances made in anticipation of the sale. Failure to fulfill these obligations could lead to forfeiture of Star’s one-third interest in the Gold Coast’s Dorsett Hotel tower, which was put forward as collateral.
Looking ahead, Star continues to shoulder future equity contributions expected to total about A$200 million. Additionally, it remains liable for half of the A$1.4 billion debt facility associated with the Destination Brisbane Consortium. With debt refinancing due in December 2025, the company faces heightened liquidity and cash flow risks.
The fallout from the aborted sale triggered a sharp decline in Star’s share price, which fell nearly 9% to its lowest level since early May, underscoring investor unrest over the group’s financial resilience and strategic direction. With its balance sheet under pressure, Star is now exploring alternative options—seeking new buyers for its Brisbane assets and potential partners to help stabilize its financial position.
Meanwhile, regulatory risks loom large. Star continues to be subject to scrutiny over compliance issues, including a potential substantial penalty over anti‑money laundering breaches. Support from rescue backers such as Bally’s Corporation and long‑time investor Bruce Mathieson remain critical as the company navigates its next moves.
Star’s future now hinges on its ability to execute a new strategic roadmap: refinancing debt, servicing existing obligations, mitigating regulatory exposure, and securing fresh investment to protect its stake in Brisbane’s landmark precinct.
Marketing Agency Behind Linktree Signs Full-Service Partnership with Untitled Group
The creative agency responsible for launching global tech success Linktree has entered into a full-service marketing partnership with leading Australian music and events company Untitled Group. The agreement will see the agency deliver strategic marketing, digital, branding, and content support across Untitled’s expansive portfolio of music festivals, tours, and cultural activations.
Best known for developing Linktree as a simple solution for social media link management, the agency—founded by the same team behind the viral tech platform—has deep roots in digital innovation, artist engagement, and content strategy. What started as a side project to help manage their clients’ social media needs rapidly evolved into a global platform used by millions of creators and brands worldwide.
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Now, the same entrepreneurial mindset is being channeled into live events, with the agency becoming the dedicated marketing arm for Untitled Group. As part of the new agreement, the agency will lead campaign strategy, social media, influencer marketing, content production, and digital performance for Untitled’s nationally recognized festivals, including Wildlands, Grapevine Gathering, and Beyond the Valley.
The partnership arrives at a time of rapid growth for Untitled Group, which has become one of Australia’s most prominent independent promoters. With the live events industry rebounding strongly post-pandemic, Untitled is expanding its reach both domestically and abroad, and the addition of a full-service marketing partner is expected to accelerate its brand footprint.
This collaboration represents a fusion of tech-led creative thinking and cutting-edge event production. For the agency, it marks a return to its cultural and music-focused roots—only now with the backing of years of digital expertise and global product success. For Untitled, it signals a commitment to elevating its brand presence and connecting more deeply with audiences across every platform.
The partnership is set to roll out ahead of the summer festival season.
