Major industry superannuation funds have struck three major venture capital deals in the last week, stroking hopes that retirement savings will underpin a resurgence of dealmaking among tech start-ups.

Hostplus, which invests largely on behalf of hospitality workers and has long been one of the biggest backers of privately owned tech companies, is putting $125 million more into a prominent fund that backs university-founded start-ups, while AustralianSuper and Australian Retirement Trust have put money into the latest vehicle from local giant Airtree Ventures.