Dave McManus | Director
Lightning Ventures

Dave McManus is the founder of Lightning Ventures, a Melbourne-based AI Studio that builds custom AI software, MCP servers, and digital transformation work for non-digitally-native organisations across healthcare, financial services, and impact. Before coming home to Australia, Dave spent six years in Silicon Valley. He co-founded Tuki Health, a digital health platform serving Stanford Health Care and UCLA Medical Centre, and worked with hundreds of healthcare and consumer technology companies. Earlier roles include enterprise consulting at Slalom and Microsoft, ecommerce strategy at The North Face and Procter and Gamble, and product at NextVR (acquired by Apple). Lightning Ventures' Australian client list includes Bupa, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Football Australia, Ford, Marshall White, and Carino Care. At DHF 2026, Dave is speaking on the human plus AI advantage. Wednesday 20 May, 11:30 AM, Astra Theatre.