Key Takeaways
- • EVP (Equity Venture Partners) has promoted Mark Velik, a 33-year-old former McKinsey & Company associate, to partner—the firm's first new partner appointment in seven years, expanding its partnership ranks to five.
- • The promotion signals confidence in Velik's contributions to Australian startups and reflects EVP's selective approach to partnership expansion within its leadership structure.
- • EVP manages a $400 million venture capital fund and focuses exclusively on early-stage B2B software investments, with co-founders Les Szekely and Howard Leibman leading the firm since its 2014 inception in Sydney.
- • The partnership elevation underscores EVP's strategy of rewarding internal talent and loyalty, with Velik positioned to co-lead investment activities within the firm's existing fund structure.
Summary
Equity Venture Partners (EVP) has appointed Mark Velik as partner, marking the Sydney-based venture capital firm's first new partnership promotion in seven years. Velik, 33, brings McKinsey & Company experience to the role and now expands EVP's partnership cohort to five, according to the firm's announcement.
The promotion reflects EVP's deliberate, talent-focused approach to leadership expansion. Rather than rapidly scaling its partnership ranks, the firm has maintained a selective model—this represents the first new partner added since 2019. Velik's elevation to co-lead responsibilities within EVP's $400 million venture fund underscores his contributions to the firm's portfolio and operational success, as evidenced by positive reception from peers and existing partners including Justin Lipman, Howard Leibman, and Daniel Szekely.
EVP was founded in 2014 and operates exclusively in early-stage B2B software, having backed notable portfolio companies including Deputy, Shippit, and Hnry. The firm's partnership structure now comprises the original co-founders alongside Lipman, Daniel Szekely, Misha Saul, and the newly promoted Velik. This measured approach to partnership growth reflects institutional discipline common in established venture firms that prioritize operational cohesion and alignment with fund strategy over rapid team expansion.
The promotion reflects EVP's deliberate, talent-focused approach to leadership expansion. Rather than rapidly scaling its partnership ranks, the firm has maintained a selective model—this represents the first new partner added since 2019. Velik's elevation to co-lead responsibilities within EVP's $400 million venture fund underscores his contributions to the firm's portfolio and operational success, as evidenced by positive reception from peers and existing partners including Justin Lipman, Howard Leibman, and Daniel Szekely.
EVP was founded in 2014 and operates exclusively in early-stage B2B software, having backed notable portfolio companies including Deputy, Shippit, and Hnry. The firm's partnership structure now comprises the original co-founders alongside Lipman, Daniel Szekely, Misha Saul, and the newly promoted Velik. This measured approach to partnership growth reflects institutional discipline common in established venture firms that prioritize operational cohesion and alignment with fund strategy over rapid team expansion.
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