Second Sphere Partners (SSP) is a Sydney based Venture Investment and Advisory firm and fund with global coverage.
Our name, representing the core of our thinking, seeks to riff on 'Angel Investing’. It originates from deep Christian theology and the existence of three hierarchical levels or ‘spheres’ of angels spanning Heaven and Earth - and the path of ascendance between them.
The Second Sphere angel operates as a trusted intermediary between the spheres. In practical terms SSP seeks to sit between the levels of investors supporting Founders our primary stakeholders while collaborating with partners within our sphere to achieve common goals and enable shared outcomes.
Second Sphere operates at the intersection of scalable businesses, investment partners and a comprehensive suite of functional experts to drive growth and commercial strength, enabling company structures that work to the benefit of businesses and their investors.
Matching a curated pool of investment partners with exceptional founders and companies, Second Sphere’s advisory services often work as an extension of its portfolio companies’ executive teams to achieve clearly-defined commercial goals.
Helping chart a path to success, as defined by the Founder.
Supporting all aspects of the business, through fixed price and services on measurable outcomes.
Secondary Marketplace Liquidity Enablement
Facilitation of liquidity - equity, debt, free cashflow, grants and incentives.
James Isbell
Co-founder and Managing Partner
With Second Sphere Partners, James is realising his vision of creating a true investment, growth and advisory partnership where all parties involved win through a focus on what he calls “doing the right things, right.”
James has over 25 years of experience driving growth, transformation and commercialisation across a range of industries including financial services, travel, transport, retail and property, from start-ups to global blue-chip companies. He has a strong track record in bridging business need with technology capability, and understands how to build and execute commercial partnerships based on mutual trust and benefit.
Prior to founding Second Sphere Partners, James gained a wealth of global exposure to diverse business models and technology innovations, time in Wall Street, Silicon Valley and Singapore with venture capital and private equity advisors to IBM, and partnering via Microsoft with many start-ups.
David Hodgson
Partner, Growth Commercialisation
David is a seasoned technology company growth and go-to-market advisor with a strong record in scaling businesses and unlocking value across private equity and portfolio companies.
David has operated in and led expansion in fasting growing organisations like Cloud Sherpas and Barhead, that both exited successfully to larger multi-national companies. David applies a structured and system-based approach to growth, a pursuit that is generally more considered an art than a science. Through this structured approach companies are better able to set targets, enable go-to-market professionals, manage sales progression, and analyse areas of high performance for replication and remove inefficiencies in the buyer experience.
In joining Second Sphere Partners, David will leverage this experience and expertise to help those Founders
Iain Podd
Partner, Technology Commercialisation
Iain (iPodd) has an extensive background in sales and technology with over 20 years of experience in both start-ups and large corporates. Iain is entrepreneurial, passionate about business and has worked at senior strategic levels across a broad range of industries. Straddling both technology and commercials, he is driven by bringing high impact strategic solutions to life.
As a Partner in Technology Commercialisation at SSP, a key focus is on identifying promising technologies and bringing them to market. Iain stems from a technical background and holds a master’s degree in business from Macquarie Graduate School of Management.
Despite his claims, Iain did not invent the iPod.
Kylie Rudh
Executive Officer
Kylie brings a diverse skill set from radiology and real estate. With over a decade dedicated to healthcare, she has cultivated invaluable insights through close collaborations with esteemed physicians. Transitioning seamlessly into real estate, she honed her skills alongside top agents, gaining a deep understanding of the ever-evolving market. Currently serving as an executive officer, Kylie plays a pivotal role in overseeing daily operations alongside James.
Originally from Minnesota, USA, Kylie has called Sydney home for nearly 2 years, where she balances career excellence with the joys of motherhood — she’s a proud mom to her vibrant 1-year-old son.
Loren Hannon
Analyst
Loren holds a Bachelor of Economics with a sub-major in Marketing from UTS. Her journey with SSP began with a strong foundation in hospitality, where she first crossed paths with James years ago.
Since joining SSP, she has been actively cultivating her expertise in investor relations and investment strategies. Loren excels in acquiring investors and engaging clients, while also delving into the operational intricacies of SSP’s business.
Loren enjoys staying active with Pilates, exploring new destinations through travel, and diving into enriching reads. Notably, Loren is celebrated for her remarkable ability to solve WORDLE puzzles in just one attempt.
Tomas Moxey
Analyst
Tomas is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business at UTS, with a major in Finance and Marketing, and a sub-major in Management.
Since joining SSP, Tomas has immersed himself in the diverse realm of business operations, gaining valuable insights into strategic planning, financial management, marketing strategies, and operational logistics.
Our industry and functional focus is driven by two core themes.
Sustain and Protect
Renewables, ESG and AgriBusiness
Improve and Advance
Industry Disruptors, Web 3.0 and
Distributed Ledger Technologies
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