NZ Venture Summit Speakers
NZ Venture Summit Speakers
Building a thriving, innovative, venture capital community
Tuesday 1 April 2025
Waiheke Island, New Zealand
Hamish Blackman
Hamish is a past member of the New Zealand Private Capital council and has been actively involved with New Zealand's private markets for many years, across both venture capital and private equity. When working at NZ Super he was instrumental in the policy setting and establishment of NZGCP's Elevate fund-of-funds programme. He then managed a portfolio of early stage investments on behalf of Ngai Tahu when at Greenmount Capital. After taking a career break for most of last year Hamish is now back in action and actively pursing opportunities. Hamish is based in Christchurch where he enjoys skiing, running and touch rugby or just hanging out with his teenage kids. Hamish is based in Christchurch where he enjoys skiing, running and touch rugby or just hanging out with his teenage kids. He does not profess to be an event MC specialist but notes he has refined his public presentation skills since riding an Ubco bike onto stage at a NZ Private Capital conference in Queenstown.
John Kells - Co-Managing Partner, GD1
John Kells - Co-Managing Partner, GD1
John has 20+ years investment experience, including 14 years in the UK. He spent 3 years as a front office equity analyst for London based hedge fund GLG Partners (previously one of the largest hedge funds globally before being acquired by Man Group). He then went on to work for 8 years at Tesco Pension Investment, a £14B UK pension scheme as the Head of Alternatives, creating, allocating and managing £1.5B in alternative investments globally (predominantly committing to top tier and emerging venture capital and private equity funds and co-investments).
John Brakenridge - Founder, From The Edge
John Brakenridge is a recipient of the King’s Honours CNZM (Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit) for his exceptional contribution to the nation’s food and fibre sectors. He is founder and CEO of From The Edge, a purposeful enterprise connecting people of impact for a more prosperous Aotearoa New Zealand.
From The Edge builds on the legacy of Te Hono, a transformational initiative John co-founded to unite New Zealand’s food and fibre sector leaders (a diverse alumnus representing over 80% of the primary sector). Te Hono brought together industry leaders to drive innovation, collaboration, and value creation – bridging the gap between New Zealand’s primary sector and global markets.
From The Edge expands on Te Hono’s spirit of connection and establishes a multidisciplinary strategic platform aimed at extreme performance – giving people, businesses and our nation an edge.
Previously, John was the founding CEO of The New Zealand Merino Company (NZM), an integrated sales, marketing, and innovation company recognised for transforming New Zealand’s merino industry. Under his leadership, NZM spearheaded a shift from commodity trading to a premium product, generating over $500 million in additional value for stakeholders.
John’s experience and passion span multiple areas of the primary sector, including horticulture in both a strategic capacity and international marketing for Cedenco Foods in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
John holds an MBA from Canterbury University and has also completed post-graduate study at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. He has continued his long-standing relationship with Stanford, now strengthened through a formal partnership with the d.school, broadening insights, impact and access to the world-leading Silicon Valley innovation ecosystem.
In 2010, John was selected as the winner of the Outstanding Leader category at the NZTE International Business Awards. He was also the recipient of the KPMG Leaders Award for Outstanding Contribution to International Business in 2013. His career remains dedicated to driving transformation, prosperity, and global connectivity for New Zealand’s industries.
Sarah Park, Co-Founder, Even Capital
Sarah has a MA(Hons) in Economics from the University of Edinburgh.
Vignesh Kumar, Co-Managing Partner, GD1
Vigesh is a Co-Managing Partner at GD1, a New Zealand based generalist venture capital firm, which invests in companies across deep tech, connected hardware, health tech, SaaS and Internet 2.0 verticals. GD1's most recent fund was launched in 2021 with c.$150M in committed capital and through this Vignesh is an investor and board member of portfolio companies such as Basis, Foundry Lab, Alimetry, Dawn Aerospace, Zenno Astronautics, Type One Energy, among others.
Before GD1, and after overcoming cancer, Vignesh co-founded Journey Health, a digital health oncology platform. Prior to this, while based in California he led engineering execution at Apple across the US and Asia, and before that worked as a design engineer at Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, where he developed neonatal resuscitation technologies for the NICU.
Vignesh is a Kauffman Fellow (Class 28), Fulbright Scholar, and holds an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) degree in Biomedical Engineering and a Master of Engineering Studies (Hons) from The University of Auckland.
Tom Miller, Head of Product, Simplicity
Tom is the Head of Product at Simplicity, a KiwiSaver & Investments Scheme, which has c.$8 billion of FUM and 165,000+ investors. Simplicity has led the way investing institutional money into unlisted asset classes such as venture capital and private equity. Tom manages the unlisted assets at Simplicity which are now in excess of $500 million. He is a passionate supporter of venture capital.
Dr. Sheryl Tan, Senior Investment and Operations Associate, Pacific Channel
Dr. Sheryl Tan is a Senior Associate in the Investment Team at Pacific Channel and primarily takes part in due diligence for potential investments, focusing on R&D, scientific, and financial reviews. A neuroscientist by training, she has previously held research fellowships at the University of Auckland's Centre for Brain Research and also at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, specialising in neurotrauma and neurodegenerative diseases. Her passion for venture capital and bridging research with commercialisation grew when she collaborated with Kitea Health on their intracranial pressure-sensing device for hydrocephalus.
Tori McNoe - Head of Investment Programmes, UniServices
Tori McNoe is the Head of Investment Programmes at UniServices, leading the Commercialisation Partner Network (CPN) Contract. Her work bridges innovative ideas with the expertise and resources needed to create investable ventures, guiding national services like Momentum, Return on Science (RoS), and the Māori Investment Roopū. She has been a strong advocate for the indigenisation of commercialisation and investment, ensuring Indigenous IP remains in the hands of whānau Māori.
Robbie Paul - Managing Director, Icehouse Ventures
Robbie is Managing Director of Icehouse Ventures, an active investor in New Zealand technology companies. Icehouse Ventures has invested >$525m into 349 companies and was among the earliest investors in Halter, Hnry, Sharesies, Mint Innovation, Tracksuit, Dawn Aerospace, OpenStar, Tradify, Partly, and Crimson Education.
Fiona Foster - Senior Investment Manager, MOVAC
Fi is an Investment Director at Movac. She is focused on deal analysis and portfolio management, as well as leading the Movac investment team. Fi has a background in corporate finance, having worked as an investment manager and advisor to the board at Kiwi Group Holdings. Before this, Fi held advisory roles at PwC in the USA and New Zealand. Fi is a CFA charterholder and a passionate champion for diversity and inclusion in the tech sector. Fi is currently serving on the New Zealand Private Capital Council and also sits on the Executive Committee for the Angel Association of NZ.
Brent Ogilvie - Managing Director, Pacific Channel
Brent co-founded Pacific Channel (established 2004) New Zealand’s first, most active and largest deep-tech venture capital firm, which has expanded into Australia. Pacific Channel is focused on investing in ground-breaking companies in the areas of the future of food, health and the environment. and supporting these companies across multiple stages of their growth with its venture capital, expertise and networks.
Pacific Channel has created and managed several funds, delivered 10 exits and generated industry leading IRR and DPI since the inception of its funds management 15 years ago.
Brent is also a co-founder of Tāmata Hauhā, which is afforesting and developing Māori land to create economic prosperity and well-being, and Talalelei Life Futures Fund, a charity providing Samoan learners with an otherwise unattainable education and support to create hope, employment, and wealth in their own communities.
Brent was the founding investor director of eight future of health, food and environment deep tech companies that have generated significant positive impact and capital return for their founding scientists, research institutions and investors.
He was previously the New Zealand Consul and Trade Commissioner to New York.
Brent holds a BSc (Biological Sciences) from the University of Waikato and an MBA from The University of Auckland.
Kim Cunningham - Partner , EY
Kim is a Partner at EY in the International Tax and Transactions Practice, based in Auckland. She has spent over 14 years advising client on private capital transactions, and has a specific interest in venture capital and early stage businesses. Kim has spent time working in England and New Zealand. She also sits on the Professional Development Advisory Group for the NZ Private Capital Association.
Colin McKinnon - Executive Director of New Zealand Private Capital Association
Colin McKinnon - Executive Director of New Zealand Private Capital Association
In the role since May 2008, Colin is responsible for driving the strategy for development of the New Zealand private equity and venture capital industry, communications with members, sponsors and industry participants, coordinating the NZ Private Capital active government lobbying programme and supporting the Council Chairman and members.
Previous roles included Chief Advisor for government involved with policy development for capital markets, issues of “access to finance” for fast-growth businesses and the commercialisation of innovation. With a background in corporate banking and strategic marketing for National Australia Bank and Bank of New Zealand, Colin has held leadership roles in business development, digital transaction management tools and institutional banking relationships with many of New Zealand’s largest corporations.
An advocate for inclusiveness, Colin has encouraged the private capital industry to engage DEI and ESG principles.
Colin is an Economics graduate of Canterbury University and holds a master’s degree in management from Auckland University.
Lance Wiggs, 2040 Ventures
Lance is a principal with LWCM, managers of Punakaiki Fund and the Climate VC Fund. He has assisted hundreds of founders in their fund raising journeys through NZTE, and is a former member or chair of two Return on Science investment committees.
Jason Graham, General Partner, MOVAC
Jason joined Movac as an Analyst in 2012 as the first non-Partner employee. He was a key member of the investment team for Funds 3 and 4, and is a General Partner in Funds 5 and 6. He has a particular interest in later-stage SaaS investing at the Series A/B/C stage, and is the lead Partner for Movac's investments in Tradify, Auror, Open Insurance and LawVu.
Annabelle Glazewski - Investment Director, Invest New Zealand
Annabelle Glazewski - Investment Director, Invest New Zealand
Annabelle is the Investment Director of the Companies team at NZTE, helping Kiwi companies grow by building their capital-raising capability and connecting them with investors. The Investment team at NZTE works across companies, infrastructure/greenfields and the Māori economy.
Before joining NZTE, Annabelle was an Investment Manager at Quayside Holdings. Annabelle's background is primarily in law, working as in-house legal counsel at various institutions including London-based fixed-income and alternative investment fund manager, RBC BlueBay Asset Management, and Goldman Sachs.
Ngaio Merrick - General Partner, Nuance Connected Capital
Ngaio Merrick is a seasoned deep-tech investor with 14 years of experience bridging science and business. She spent a decade managing the investment portfolio for philanthropist Sir David Levene before founding Nuance Connected Capital in 2021, a VC fund dedicated to deep tech. Passionate about supporting founders scaling global-impact technology, Ngaio believes the key to success lies in asking the right questions.
Ngaio Merrick - General Partner, Nuance Connected Capital
Ngaio Merrick is a seasoned deep-tech investor with 14 years of experience bridging science and business. She spent a decade managing the investment portfolio for philanthropist Sir David Levene before founding Nuance Connected Capital in 2021, a VC fund dedicated to deep tech. Passionate about supporting founders scaling global-impact technology, Ngaio believes the key to success lies in asking the right questions.
Georgia Robertson - Associate, Blackbird
Georgia is an associate at Blackbird focussed on investing in Kiwi and Aussie founders building generational companies. Before moving into investing, Georgia trained as a corporate lawyer then moved into operating Chief Executive of tech-charity Humanitix then Fundamentally.
Georgia Robertson - Associate, Blackbird
Georgia is an associate at Blackbird focussed on investing in Kiwi and Aussie founders building generational companies. Before moving into investing, Georgia trained as a corporate lawyer then moved into operating Chief Executive of tech-charity Humanitix then Fundamentally.
Joe Climo - Investment Manager, Reddy Group
Joe is the Investment Manager for Reddy Group, a Single-Family Office, where he leads the Indirect Investment Programme involving portfolio management and external partnerships. His focus primarily lies with global Private Equity and Venture Capital managers, although includes a diversified pool of asset class exposures.
Joe Climo - Investment Manager, Reddy Group
Joe is the Investment Manager for Reddy Group, a Single-Family Office, where he leads the Indirect Investment Programme involving portfolio management and external partnerships. His focus primarily lies with global Private Equity and Venture Capital managers, although includes a diversified pool of asset class exposures.
Melissa Yiannoutsos - Innovation Fund Manager, Booster NZ
Melissa leads venture capital investments at Booster NZ – a Kiwi-owned and government-appointed KiwiSaver provider. She manages the publicly listed Booster Innovation Fund (BIF) – the first of its kind on the NZX – helping retail investors invest in early-stage NZ tech companies advancing innovation in healthcare, climate tech, deep tech and more. Listing in 2022, BIF has invested in over 40 companies, predominately originating from publically funded research. Melissa is recognised for her experience in science commercialisation, start ups and investment receiving the Commercialisation Icon award and welcomed into the Life Sciences Hall of Fame last year and was pivotal in establishing New Zealand’s first Angel Investment Network back n 2002.
Melissa Yiannoutsos - Innovation Fund Manager, Booster NZ
Melissa leads venture capital investments at Booster NZ – a Kiwi-owned and government-appointed KiwiSaver provider. She manages the publicly listed Booster Innovation Fund (BIF) – the first of its kind on the NZX – helping retail investors invest in early-stage NZ tech companies advancing innovation in healthcare, climate tech, deep tech and more. Listing in 2022, BIF has invested in over 40 companies, predominately originating from publically funded research. Melissa is recognised for her experience in science commercialisation, start ups and investment receiving the Commercialisation Icon award and welcomed into the Life Sciences Hall of Fame last year and was pivotal in establishing New Zealand’s first Angel Investment Network back n 2002.
Paul Booth - Head of Capital Markets and Advisory, ASB
Paul is Head of Capital Markets & Advisory at ASB where the team has a strong focus on supporting Private Equity sponsors with flexible and innovative financing solutions.
Paul joined ASB in 2015 and prior to that had 16 years’ working in various Banking and Corporate Finance roles across Europe and the Middle East.
Paul Booth - Head of Capital Markets and Advisory, ASB
Paul is Head of Capital Markets & Advisory at ASB where the team has a strong focus on supporting Private Equity sponsors with flexible and innovative financing solutions.
Paul joined ASB in 2015 and prior to that had 16 years’ working in various Banking and Corporate Finance roles across Europe and the Middle East.
Sam Butler, Senior Investment Analyst, Aspire Fund
Sam supports early-stage investments as a Senior Investment Analyst at NZ Growth Capital Partners’ Aspire Fund. Sam is a deep-tech and biotech enthusiast and holds a BSc in Genetics. Before joining NZGCP, she provided intellectual property and commercialisation advice to early-stage research teams at Plant & Food Research and sat alongside fellow industry professionals on sector-specific investment committees in the Return on Science programme.
Kathryn de Ridder, Investment Director, Bridgewest Ventures
Kate de Ridder trained and worked as an Aerospace Engineer, leading large teams to support airborne defence force missions across the globe for 17 years. On the back of studying finance and strategy she transitioned to the world of Venture Capital in 2019 where she has helped Bridgewest Ventures build the investment team and a portfolio of deep tech investments.
Duncan Mackintosh, Senior Investment Manager, Brandon Capital
Investment Manager with Brandon Capital, a leading life science venture fund since 2016. 24 years in early-stage research, innovation and commercialisation. Recovering veterinarian, start-up junkie, Onehealth investor, and founder. Led initiatives including seed funds, and international advisory programmes. Instrumental in founding and launch of KiwiNet. Experienced investing in the life science sector, drug and vaccine development. Raised capital for and held directorships in a range of investor backed technology companies. Independent member of three deep tech Return On Science Investment Committees. Building new animal drug development opportunities.
Maria Jose Alvarez, Managing Director, WNT Ventures
Maria Jose is Managing Partner at WNT Ventures, bringing over a decade of experience in innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship. She is the only Chilean/Latin American in this role across Australia and New Zealand. With a background in Biotechnology Engineering and a Master’s in BioScience Enterprise, she focuses on deep-tech and breakthrough innovations. Before joining WNT, Maria Jose worked across public and private investment funds and co-founded and led VidAoX, a biotech startup. She is an investor and director on the boards of bspkl, Opo Bio, IASO, and others, supporting high-growth deep-tech companies. MJ is a member of Global Women and has been recognised as Investor of the Year (GENNZ), 40 Under 40 Entrepreneur (University of Auckland), and a Women of Influence in the Diversity category. Committed to increasing representation in venture, she champions underrepresented founders, with over 60% of WNT Fund 3 companies led by women. Maria Jose is also a mentor, serving on advisory committees like StartUp Science and Return On Science. Maria Jose was part of the founding cohort of Momentum Auckland and is a TEDx speaker advocating for deep-tech innovation.
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