Zarmeen is a Partner at SDGx , a global deep technology venture capital, venture building, and research group. SDGx is reimagining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and managing Australia’s first climate technology VC fund. We support high potential founders across Australia, Asia and Europe with early funding, deep mentorship and capacity building support delivered through our unique blended finance business model and provide the global cross border transfer to help scale up our start-ups. Zarmeen also currently is the Senior Country Advisor for the Oceania region for The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN); and holds positions as a Non-Executive Director of Magnis Energy Technologies a ASX listed company and also sits on the Board of U Ethical Investors Ltd.
Zarmeen has over 25 years’ experience and has a multi-dimensional background that covers investment management, ESG/impact investing, capacity building and commercialisation. She was the Fund Manager for Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) managing a $20m social impact innovation where she invested in starts up that were addressing the world’s wickedest problems. Further, she was the specialist impact investment adviser to DFAT’s LAUNCH Food Program, sitting on the Global Council and assessed global start-ups who were focussed on solving the Global food security challenges to address poverty. Preceding this, Zarmeen has held several senior executive leadership positions as Executive Director – Strategy at Pengana Capital and prior, held roles of Chief Operating Officer and Head of Product Development at MIR Investment Management, where she led and enabled the firm to grow its funds under management from $250m to $6.5B within 4 years, launched several hedge fund strategies within the Asiapac region.
She is a qualified Australian Chartered Accountant and has a Bachelor of Commerce (sub major Law) degree from University of Western Sydney.