Questions and answers.
The 15 things founders and investors ask us most, answered plainly.
- Why do you invest in Australia and New Zealand?
- ANZ is a rare opportunity for venture investors: a deep entrepreneurial culture, a returning diaspora of experienced operators, and programs like the Edmund Hillary Fellowship drawing global founders to the region.
- What sectors do you focus on?
- AI and B2B SaaS, deep tech, health and longevity, fintech and crypto, marketplaces, and consumer.
- What stage do you invest at?
- Pre-seed and seed, typically pre-revenue up to around $1M ARR. First checks of NZ$100,000 to NZ$400,000, with follow-ons of NZ$300,000 to NZ$700,000 in the companies that are working.
- Why should I take funding from NZVC?
- Beyond capital, we provide hands-on operational support: marketing and product help, fundraising coaching, board governance, AI/ML bootcamps, manufacturing know-how and tech talent sourcing.
- How much do you invest per company?
- An initial check of NZ$100,000 to NZ$400,000, with follow-on of NZ$300,000 to NZ$700,000 in the companies that are working.
- How do you decide who to back?
- We look for team resilience and resourcefulness, and a large market opportunity, founders who are the best in the world at what they're doing.
- Who are your LPs?
- Veteran founders and investors from Silicon Valley and other hubs of innovation.
- Where is NZVC based?
- Auckland, New Zealand. Our partners also work from Sydney and San Francisco, and we back companies across New Zealand and Australia.
- Is NZVC the same as the New Zealand Venture Capital Association or NZ Growth Capital Partners?
- No. NZVC is an independent venture capital firm and has no connection to the New Zealand Venture Capital Association or to NZ Growth Capital Partners.
- How many companies are in the portfolio?
- We have announced 60 companies and they are all on the portfolio wall. We also hold positions we have not announced.
- How big are the funds?
- Fund I is a 2021 vintage. Fund II is open and investing now. We take prospective investors through fund size and performance directly, so write to invest@nzvc.co.nz.
- Do you invest outside New Zealand and Australia?
- Most of what we back starts in New Zealand or Australia. We also invest elsewhere when a partner has direct conviction and the company is building for a global market from the start.
- Who are the partners and how do I reach them?
- Seven partners and venture partners, listed on the team page. Founders write to team@nzvc.co.nz, and what happens to a deck sets out how we read it. Investors write to invest@nzvc.co.nz, and the investor page carries the record behind the fund.
- Is NZVC hiring?
- We have one role open, an Entrepreneur-in-Residence on a three-month paid contract, working with the partners and our product studio Antipodean Labs to find a company and then run it as co-founder. The careers page sets out the role and how to apply.
- What is TechMates?
- TechMates is the NZVC podcast, hosted by Mark Pavlyukovskyy and Hendrik Remigereau. 63 episodes so far with the founders building from Australasia.
Building something world-changing from down here? Pitch us at team@nzvc.co.nz, or read the portfolio first.