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Caitlin Ashworth
Associate at Avid.legal LimitedCaitlin is an associate in the team at the technology and high growth business law firm, Avid.legal, and is passionate about helping bright people achieve big goals for their businesses. She works on a range of commercial and corporate transactions, with a focus on commercial contracts and technology projects, M&A transactions, capital raising, shareholder arrangements, and founder vesting/employee share schemes. Caitlin is always keen to lend a hand in the start-up ecosystem and most recently teamed up with the team at Creative HQ to support founders in the Climate Response Accelerator. Also she’s great at karaoke.
Roz Buick
OracleRoz has more than 25 years experience building and leading teams that digitally transform industries by automating and re-engineering customer workflows, decision making and information management. A catalyst for change and a life-long learner, Roz reveals early market disruptions to maximize value capture. Leading with the customer and in-depth domain knowledge, she led transformations in construction, agriculture, environmental watershed and land management. Leading and growing multiple businesses at Trimble Inc via product strategy and channel innovation including direct, indirect go to market, OEM partnerships, B2B and B2C ecommerce. Roz is currently Senior Vice President in Oracle’s Construction & Engineering global business and Board Director of several construction and technology companies. Trained as a research scientist and lecturer in USA and New Zealand around complex systems modeling and decision making software, she has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, a PhD from Lincoln University NZ, and an
Executive MBA from Duke University North Carolina. Roz and her family are based in Boulder, Colorado but staying regularly connected to New Zealand.
Dr Andrew Chen
Venture Partner at Matū GroupAndrew is a Venture Partner with Matū, early-stage investors in science and deep tech. On the front lines of deep tech investing, he works with the sources of science in Aotearoa New Zealand to help bring ideas out of the lab and into great Kiwi start-ups. His technical background is in computer engineering and AI, and he also Chairs the Return on Science Digital Technologies Investment Committee.
Rob Coneybeer
Founder of Shasta VenturesRob is a founder of Shasta Ventures and a 25-year veteran of the venture capital industry. He led Shasta’s Series A investment in Nest (acquired by Google for $3.2 billion in 2014). His current investments include Accion, Grand Rounds, Groundlight AI, Outpost Space, Starship Technologies, Survios, Tonal, and Turo. Rob’s New Zealand startup investments include Auror, Dawn Aerospace, LawVu, Portainer, and Zenno. Early in his career, Rob served as an engineer in the Astro Space division of Martin Marietta, where he helped build the first A2100 satellite, a platform which is still in production today at Lockheed.
Richard Coon
Chairman at AIMRichard has a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University, is a Chartered Accountant and the serial entrepreneur behind the founding of well-known Kiwi financial services companies, such as Sovereign Assurance, Seniors Money and Partners Life. As an investor and Chairman of Angel Investors Marlborough (AIM), he actively works with high growth companies to help them achieve their plans. When not involved with his business interests, you can often find Richard yacht racing or spending time with his family.
Keith Davison
Partner & Chief Commercial Officer at Dovetail StudiosIn a previous life before Dovetail, Keith:
Attempted to start 6 different companies – 5 out of 6 failed!
The one success was co-founding a technology startup in 2016 in Sydney, with 3 business partners, called Cloud Conformity.
Cloud Conformity provided a software platform to help enterprises with their cloud security needs, specifically around AWS and Microsoft Azure.
After securing their first customer in March 2017, they grew the business to 130 customers in 20 countries, with 75 staff in Australia, the UK, Singapore, and the US.
Cloud Conformity was acquired for AU$100m by Trend Micro, a global security software vendor from Japan / US in October 2019.
Keith brings over 17 years of experience in startups, growth, building companies, leading people, and investing
Rob Everett
CEO of New Zealand Growth Capital PartnersRob joined NZGCP in early 2022. He was previously CEO of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Prior to that, Rob spent the bulk of his career in the financial sector - working for Merrill Lynch and then Bank of America Merrill Lynch for over 17 years in London, New York and Hong Kong.
He also sits on the management board of Samuel Marsden Collegiate School, chairs its Foundation Board and sits on advisory boards at Victoria University. He lives in Wellington and is married, with 3 teenage children and a rather dim black Labrador.
Imche Fourie
Chief Executive Officer at Outset VenturesImche works on the intersection of deep technology and venture capital and is passionate about backing inquisitive people with visions of impact. As the founding CEO, she has built Outset Ventures to be the largest science and engineering venture hub in Aotearoa.
She aims to build our deep technology sector with long-term goals and inclusivity in mind and does so through her work on New Zealand’s Startup Advisors Council, as well as on the boards of several startup companies and industry associations. She is also a founding member of several organisations aimed at getting young people involved with investment and governance.
Prue Halstead
Executive Officer at Invest SouthPrue is Executive Officer at Invest South, a fund which invests in growth businesses in the south of Aotearoa New Zealand. Prue has a background of business development, market and general management experience across a diverse range of industries. She is on the Executive Committee of AANZ, is on the Board of Mainland Angel Investors which covers Central Otago, Otago and Southland and COIN South, a startup hub in Southland. She is a passionate advocate of the hidden gems that can be found in the regions and the importance of impactful collaboration in this space to drive NZ’s growth and prosperity.
Hayley Horan
Microsoft
Marian Johnson
CEO of Ministry of AwesomeMarian Johnson is the CEO of Ministry of Awesome, a member of the inaugural NZ Startup Council, and a trustee for the HiTech Trust. Under her leadership, MoA pivoted to activating NZ's high growth startup and innovation sector and led the establishment of NZ's most prolific early stage incubator as measured by capital raised and jobs created. She also led the establishment of Electrify Aotearoa, NZ's first ever women founders' summit which was followed immediately by the establishment of the Electrify Accelerator focusing on developing the success of NZ's next generation of women-led startups. Previous to her role at MoA, Marian spent 15 years developing and executing business growth strategies for tech startups in NZ as well as with Universal Studios and Discovery Networks in NY, Budapest, and London.
Carl Jones
CEO of WNT VenturesCarl Jones is the Managing Partner of WNT Ventures an early-stage venture capital fund actively establishing and building deep tech companies.
Rhonda Kite
Founder of Kiwa DigitalRhonda Kite, ONZM
Te Aupouri, Ngai Takoto, Ngati Kuri
Founder of media technology company, Kiwa Digital, Rhonda paved the way in technology toward the retention and revitalisation of indigenous language and knowledge across the world.
She is a multi-award-winning television Producer, who’s roots and passion are ingrained in the cultural localisation of media content for a global audience.
In 2018 Rhonda was honoured by HRH Queen Elizabeth II, the New Zealand Order of Meri (ONZM) for Services to New Zealand in Technology for Film and Television. In 2022 she was inducted into the NZ Hall of Fame for Women Entrepreneurs.
Cassandra McAdams
Investment Manager at MovacCassie is an Investment Manager at Movac, joining the team in 2020 on the launch of Fund 5. Her previous role was Investment Manager at NZTE where she worked with start-ups to prepare for capital raising. Prior to returning home to New Zealand, she worked in consulting roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers at Deutsche Bank in London. Cassie is the Founder of OnBoard, a programme working to build a pipeline of tomorrow’s start-up directors.
Ben O'Brien
founder of Stretch SenseBen is the founder representative on the Executive Committee of the Angel Association of New Zealand and the co-founder and CEO of StretchSense. StretchSense motion capture gloves are used to create amazing content and immersive experiences for games, movies, and the metaverse. Ben holds a PhD in Bioengineering, a Black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and won The Prime Minister’s MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist Prize in 2013.
Vanessa Otang
Wealth Management Advisor at JardenVanessa Otang has over 15 years investment advisory experience working in New Zealand, Australia and the UK. Vanessa joined the team with Chris West, Ralph Goodwin, Sam Stanley and their Associate Lynda Wallis in 2022 providing DIMS (discretionary investment management services).
Prior to Jarden, Vanessa was Advice Business Manager and Investment Adviser for an investment advisory firm; responsible for leading a client centric and compliant approach for the adviser network.
She is passionate about delivering the highest standard of financial advice and specialises in Charitable Trust strategy, ESG, Immigration and Wholesale investors.
She is proud to be part of a high calibre team that has breadth of experience and specialities providing depth of market coverage and portfolio surveillance. Vanessa is an NZX Associate Adviser, has a Diploma of Financial Services from Deakin University and sits on the Board of Proprietors for St Patrick’s College. She also regularly provides midday market updates on Radio New Zealand.
Outside of work Vanessa is busy with her children’s activities coaching and managing sport. She will always say “yes” to active activities if family and work commitments allow; of late this has consisted of mountaineering, mountain biking and sailing.
Suse Reynolds
Executive Chair at Angel Association New ZealandSuse Reynolds is the Executive Chair of Angel Association NZ.
She has been on the AANZ Council since its inception in 2008 and took up the Executive Director role in 2012, transitioning to Chair in 2020.
In 2005 Suse helped to found AngelHQ, the Wellington region’s angel network and remains on the Board. Today AngelHQ has nearly 100 members and has invested over $50m into 100+ high-growth startup companies. Suse is an active angel investor with about 25 ventures in her portfolio and currently chairs Narrative Muse, an entertainment sector startup.
Suse is on the board of CreativeHQ. She is a member of Wellington UniVentures Momentum Investment Committee. And Deputy Chair of the Wellington branch of the Institute of Directors. Suse is also a judge for the HighTech Awards. She is also a trustee for Project Crimson deploying cutting edge tech to replant our native forests. And a Trustee for Global Entrepreneurship NZ. Suse is Deputy Chair of the Government appointed Startup Advisors Council.
Aisha Ross
HillfarranceAisha is of Ngāruahine, Taranaki, and Te Atiawa whakapapa. He is a kaiwhakarite at Hillfarrance Venture Capital with an accomplished background in management, governance, business development and innovation.
He has held directorships across a number of commercial, Iwi, private and non-profit organisations, in addition to being a startup founder of 23ika limited, a boutique Māori strategy and marketing consultancy.
Aisha has had success in building organisations, teams and culture, revenue growth, and pioneering innovation solutions with strong market fit. He was pivotal in establishing Te Ahikōmako – Centre of Māori Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Kōkiri Maori Technology Accelerator.
Julian So
Enterprise AngelsJulian is a Fellow Chartered Accountant, and after wrapping up a long career accountancy and a successful exit with a company that he was an executive director and shareholder of, Julian began to explore angel investment. This led him to his newfound passion for working with high growth startups.
Bringing over twenty years of commercial experience to the work he does today Julian specialises in providing VCFO services for SaaS and deep-tech start-ups, manufacturing, building and construction sector.
His unique insight into the challenges of high growth companies helps him provide truly bespoke advice and services to these fast-paced and high stakes industries. His ongoing involvement in the investment world gives him real-time experience and insight into the minds of potential startup investors.
At CFO 4 U, Julian’s purpose is to enable more female finance professionals to grow professionally into a senior role while provide them the flexibility to look after their family. He achieves this by creating an inclusive environment that accommodates a range of different working styles while still providing the highest quality CFO services to our clients. Backing up his purpose, Julian has dedicated 15% of annual profit to invest in female entrepreneurs.
Bridget Unsworth
Executive Director of Angel Association of New ZealandBridget Unsworth is Executive Director at the Angel Association of New Zealand and is a member of Angel HQ and just starting out on building her own investment portfolio. She is currently on the board of TracPlus Global, a real-time asset tracking solutions provider and Invest South, an investment fund based in Southland which supports local businesses seeking capital and expertise for growth.
Ron Weissman
Chairman at Band of AngelsDr. Ronald Weissman is Chairman of the Software Group for Silicon Valley’s oldest angel group, the Band of Angels and is Vice Chair of the Angel Capital Association, North American’s association of professional angel investors, where he also chairs the ACA’s education programs. He has been a VC and Angel investor for more than twenty-two years. He was a partner for seventeen years at global Private Equity and Venture Capital firm, Apax Global, focusing on US and cross-border technology investing and has been a member of the Band of Angels for the past 16 years. He is also an advisor to Neva, the venture fund of Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy’s largest bank and one of the top four banks in Europe.
He has invested in or advised 70+ companies and has served on 40+ Boards of Directors. He was on the executive team at Verity (enterprise search) when the company won the award for large cap turnaround of the year (1999) and at NeXT, directing European Marketing and US Marketing strategy, reporting to Steve Jobs.
He has lectured about venture and angel capital at the University of Santa Clara, Stanford, Berkeley, the American University of Armenia, and the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (Germany), where he has held the rank of Adjunct Professor). He is a frequent conference keynote speaker on angel and venture capital trends. He has promoted private capital-funded innovation ecosystems in Italy, Hong Kong, Armenia, Georgia, Germany, Israel, Ukraine, Chile, Australia, New Zealand and the US White House. He was one of three US angels profiled in The American Angel (2017).
His investment focus is on analytics and artificial intelligence applied to key vertical markets and he has mentored hundreds of startups around the world. He is also the author of the Angel Capital Association’s courses on Boards of Directors and on Managing and Mitigating Startup Investment Risk. He was the 2022 recipient of Keiretsu Forum Northwest’s (one of America’s largest angel groups) Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to private capital investing best practices in the US and worldwide.
He is also the author of two books and many monographs on the Italian Renaissance and served on the faculties of the University of Maryland and Brown University. He received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in History and Quantitative Anthropology and was a US State Department Fulbright Scholar (Italy.)
He lives in Menlo Park and in San Francisco and is passionate about opera.
Brianne West
Founder and CEO of EthiqueBrianne West is a New Zealand entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Ethique, a regenerative beauty brand founded in Aotearoa New Zealand. Ethique has, to date, prevented the manufacture and disposal of almost 25 million plastic bottles worldwide.
Brianne’s success with Ethique has seen her awarded as the EY Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Stuff NZ Women of Influence (business enterprise) and be named as an Obama Foundation Leader.
John Wikstrom
Co-founder of Magic MemoriesJohn Wikstrom co-founded Magic Memories – an international technology company obsessed with innovating content experiences that connect customers to brands, in fun personal ways.
Digital connections that create new revenue streams, and turn paying customers into active marketers for our brand partners.
Magic Memories currently has content partnerships for more than 200 world class brand partners in 16 countries.
John continues to guide the company as an executive director focused on content evolution and partner growth.
A ‘proud New Zealander’, born in the deep south, John and his family have spent five of the last eight years living in London and New York supporting Magic Memories' international growth. John is an Otago University Marketing graduate, graduate of the Icehouse program for owners and managers and a member of the Institute of Directors.
Outside of work, John prioritizes time with his family and friends, particularly boating, golfing, skiing, mountain biking and traveling.
Tim Wixon
Head of Technologies Industry at Bank of New ZealandTim founded and leads BNZ’s growing Technology Industries portfolio and proposition. BNZ’s technology industries portfolio comprises over 1500 software, software-enabled, high-tech manufacturing, high-tech infrastructure and biotechnology businesses. Our proposition – Capital, Connections and Expertise – is delivered through a network of over 35 tech focussed bankers across New Zealand, with recent additions to the capital part of BNZ’s proposition being Revenue Based Financing and Project Scale Up.
Tim has been with BNZ for 8 years in frontline, leadership and strategy roles, following an early career in securities law. He is a qualified barrister and solicitor, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and hold a Masters of Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship, along with degrees in law, finance and economics.