Together we Tend.

Let’s Work Together

More on my background:

  • Venture operator with 10+ years across startups, venture, and innovation ecosystems, spanning fundraising, partnerships, go-to-market, operations, and community growth

  • Deep experience designing venture communities, education programs, and events that create both serendipitous and intentional, high-value outcomes

  • Currently Head of Investor Relations & Community at an Australian venture capital Fund of Funds, supporting both aspiring investors and emerging LPs through structured engagement and education

  • Former enterprise SaaS commercial leader, leading teams and managing complex stakeholder processes and decision support across long deal cycles

  • Hands-on research into regenerative technologies, including recycling pathways and natural materials testing across nonprofit and commercial contexts

Hi, I’m Katie Troutman

I am a strategic facilitator and conduit for authentic capital. The through line of my work is to weave connections, develops opportunities, and takes bold initiatives within the capital ecosystem that create reciprocal benefits for investors and high impact ventures. You can find me at the intersection of being in relation, connecting people and resources, and building the tools + capacity for the tech, art, and culture for humanity to thrive.

Based in Melbourne, Australia. I work with impact-driven investors and founders across Australia and New Zealand.

My intention with anything I work on is to build a legacy of trust-based relationships, pragmatic + impactful partnerships, and generational stewardship, so the future we hand forward is one we’re all proud of.

Tracing the Thread

I’m passionate about the materials revolution underway. Creating a clothing label in 2014 opened my eyes to what sits behind our everyday materials and supply chains - and their impacts. Over time, nature became my primary guide for creating. The materials map below remains as an artefact from Tend 1.0, an homage to a journey and the wonderful people it has placed me in relation with . The map details the journey of a Tend garment, sourced as locally as possible. Visit the Tend IG page for more visual artefacts from my work in sustainable materials. Whether you are a materials geek like me, or an organisation looking to create earth-aligned materials, I welcome hearing from you.

Materials Journey

Tend Garment

Miles traveled: 25,800

In comparison, the average garment in todays market travel an average of 40,000 miles

Tend Journey

Tend began as intimates clothing rooted in nature’s wisdom and shaped through years of research, relationships, and working with partners who share a commitment to integrity and ethics. From community-centred beginnings in Austin to the shores of Australia, Tend continues as a living practice of being in relation. The work has evolved in service of what Life is asking for in this moment.