Melbourne investor Boman Group is ramping up China ties for Australian startups ahead of $1 billion VC fund

An Australian delegation back trade mission to the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA) – the northeast port region closest to Beijing – has given new momentum in Australia–China trade relations and bilateral collaboration, according to its host, Melbourne investment firm Boman Group.

The visit came as Boman looks to secure $1 billion in commitments from Chinese institutional investors to launch a VC fund designed to help Australian startups, especially in hardware, healthtech, and advanced manufacturing, scale into China.  The TEDA region is seen as a key commercialisation hub.

The Australian companies on the trip span advanced manufacturing, biopharmaceuticals, environmental technology, pet nutrition and cross-border finance: Homart Pharmaceuticals, Frontier Pets, JPC Group, GreenEco, Innofocus, and the Australia–China Association of Scientists and Entrepreneurs (ACASE). A delegation from Tianjin visited Melbourne in May.

Boman Group CEO Eric Gao said the group took part in bilateral “Business Cooperation Matchmaking Conference”, with Chinese companies including JD Health and Sinorui Supply Chain expressing strong interest in collaboration and several preliminary partnership agreements struck during the visit.

“This mission shows that TEDA offers more than just access to China — it’s a modern gateway for Australian innovation to scale in Asia,” Gao said.

“We’ve seen first-hand the appetite for collaboration and the opportunities that exist for long-term partnerships.”

Boman Group spent two years going through the Chinese regulatory process to secure operating licences in the region and is now hopes to develop wider participation from Australian exporters, manufacturers, and emerging startups for  future TEDA programs.

“Improved diplomatic relations and China’s push to welcome foreign innovation have created a strategic window for Australian businesses,” Eric Gao said.

“TEDA offers a soft landing, real traction, and the potential for long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.

Australian businesses interested in joining future trade missions or finding out more about commercial opportunities in TEDA can register their interest on Boman’s website.

China is Australia’s largest trading partner and prime minister Anthony Albanese made his second official visit to the nation last month as part of ongoing efforts to improve fractious relations with the Asian superpower.