New Zealand’s Top Venture Capital Firms For Tech Startups
Over the past decade, New Zealand's startup ecosystem has undergone remarkable growth, supported by a new generation of venture capital firms backing early-stage companies. These VC firms have played a pivotal role in shaping technology companies and driving forward valuations, exits, and IPOs across both local and international capital markets.
Yet, liable information on New Zealand’s venture capital scene remains fragmented. Much of the most useful data about VC investments, fund managers, and fundraising opportunities is hidden behind paywalls or scattered across different sources. Beyond pitch decks and LinkedIn intros, finding trustworthy information on local fund managers, term sheets, SAFE Notes and funding stages remains a challenge.
This guide spotlights the top VC funds and venture capitalists backing ambitious Kiwi founders and New Zealand businesses across Aotearoa.
Icehouse Ventures
- Investment Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C
- Sector: Agnostic
- Notable Investments: Dawn Aerospace, Sharesies, Halter
- Location: Auckland
- Website: icehouseventures.co.nz
Icehouse Ventures is one of New Zealand’s leading venture capital firms, supporting bold kiwi entrepreneurs building globally competitive tech companies. Their approach combines capital with community, offering access to experienced investors, the First Cut network for under-30 founders, and tailored support across talent, fundraising, and scaling. With an active portfolio of high-growth New Zealand businesses, including those in financial services, Icehouse Ventures helps founders navigate from early-stage to Series C and beyond, cementing their place as a key player in the local startup ecosystem.
Blackbird
- Investment Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Growth, IPO
- Sector: Agnostic
- Notable Investments: Canva, FirstAML, Vessev
- Location: Auckland, Melbourne, Sydney
- Website: blackbird.vc
Blackbird Ventures is one of the largest venture capital funds in Australasia, actively investing in ambitious technology companies across New Zealand and Australia. With a focus on long-term support, they back founders from the pre-seed stage through to IPO, helping them scale into global businesses. Blackbird has a proven track record of identifying strong business models early and providing the funding, guidance, and community to build standout companies. Their approach blends high-conviction venture capital investment with co-investment from angel investors and a powerful alumni network.
Altered Capital
- Investment Stage: Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C
- Sector: Agnostic
- Notable Investments: Crimson Education, Starboard Maritime Intelligence, OneReg
- Location: Auckland
- Website: alteredcapital.com
Altered Capital is a New Zealand venture capital firm backing companies with proven product-market fit to reach their greatest ambitions. Altered commits beyond capital and has a concentrated portfolio approach, driving strong alignment with the founders it supports. They offer an active partnership approach, leveraging global expertise and networks, along with a New Zealand-based investment team and operating partners, to help companies realise their full potential.
GD1
- Investment Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
- Sector: Deep Tech, SaaS, Hardware, Connected Hardware, Healthtech, Web3
- Notable Investments: Auror, Ivo, Basis
- Location: Auckland
- Website: gd1.vc
GD1 (Global From Day One) is a high-conviction venture fund backing science-led New Zealand companies with global potential. Rooted in Aotearoa, GD1 focuses on sectors such as deep tech, SaaS, and healthcare, helping Kiwi founders commercialise innovation from day one. Their experienced team, made up of operators, entrepreneurs, and investors, supports portfolio companies through every stage of growth. With strong links to international capital markets, GD1 offers local startups pathways to global expansion, tailored fundraising support, and go-to-market expertise. Their global outlook extends early-stage New Zealand firms beyond local markets while keeping a distinctly Kiwi ethos.
Movac
- Investment Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C
- Sector: Medical Devices, SaaS, Deep Tech, Healthcare, Aerospace
- Notable Investments: Vend, TradeMe, Dawn Aerospace
- Location: Auckland, Wellington
- Website: movac.co.nz
Movac is one of New Zealand’s longest-standing venture capital firms, with over two decades of experience supporting kiwi entrepreneurs. They invest in ambitious startups solving complex challenges in global markets, particularly in deep tech, healthcare, and SaaS. Backed by deep operational expertise and a powerful international network, Movac offers more than capital: they provide hands-on support across commercialisation, scaling strategy, and talent development from seed stage through to Series C. Their portfolio spans enterprise software, deep tech, healthcare, and aerospace, and they’ve built a strong track record of guiding high-growth companies through critical inflection points. This makes Movac a standout name among New Zealand’s leading venture capital investors.
AirTree
- Investment Stage: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Sector: Agnostic
- Notable Investments: Canva, Hnry, Airwallex
- Location: Sydney
- Website: airtree.vc
AirTree Ventures is a trans-Tasman VC firm that supports startups in New Zealand and Australia from the earliest stages. Their mission is to back entrepreneurs with bold visions and provide more than just capital. Founders benefit from AirTree’s hands-on support across hiring, team design, and organisational strategy, as well as access to one of the region’s strongest founder networks. With an investment strategy focused on long-term partnerships and scaling high-potential early-stage companies, AirTree has built a strong track record across ANZ’s tech sector.
NZ Growth Capital Partners
- Investment Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B
- Sector: Technology, Healthcare, Clean Energy
- Notable Investments: LanzaTech, ReluGroup, Kami
- Location: Auckland, Wellington
- Website: nzgcp.co.nz
NZ Growth Capital Partners (NZGCP) is a government-backed investment firm focused on unlocking innovation and growth capital for New Zealand companies. Their model spans multiple investment funds, including a fund of funds structure and direct investments into early-stage startups. NZGCP supports high-growth ventures across sectors like clean energy, technology, and healthcare, helping companies build resilience, scale, and attract future venture capital investors. With a long-term view, they aim to amplify Aotearoa’s innovation economy through targeted venture investment.
Outset Ventures
- Investment Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
- Sector: Deep Tech
- Notable Investments: OpenStar, Ternary, Vertus Energy
- Location: Auckland
- Website: outset.ventures
Outset Ventures is a specialised venture capital firm and incubator and accelerator for early-stage companies working in deep tech, including; energy, biotech, hardware, and advanced materials. Based in Auckland, they are the only firm in New Zealand with in-house labs and workshop facilities to support science-led startup companies. Outset provides capital, industry expertise, and hands-on support to accelerate commercialisation for technical founders. Their ecosystem connects ambitious teams with venture partners, advisors, and a global innovation network.
Pacific Channel
- Investment Stage: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Sector: Climate & Sustainability, Food & Beverage, Deep Tech
- Notable Investments: Tasmanion, Geo40, CropX
- Location: Auckland
- Website: pacificchannel.com
Pacific Channel is a leading New Zealand venture capital firm investing in science-led deep tech ventures tackling large-scale global challenges. With a focus on climate, automation, and sustainable food systems, they help founders bring breakthrough innovations to market. Their team combines investment experience with scientific and engineering backgrounds, offering strategic guidance, capital raised, and operational support. They back early-stage companies through to growth-stage, building sustainable business models and partnering with like-minded capital partners to amplify impact. Pacific Channel also supports life sciences and biotech teams solving challenges in health, food, and sustainability, and maintains links with research and commercial partners in biotech hubs like Boston and New York, helping NZ ventures access global innovation pipelines.
Phase One
- Investment Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
- Sector: SaaS
- Notable Investments: Cotiss, Extraordinary, VXT
- Location: Auckland
- Website: phaseone.ventures
Phase One Ventures is more than a venture capital fund - it's a collaborative hub for early-stage startups and the next generation of New Zealand businesses. Designed to support founders through their earliest challenges, Phase One helps refine business models, achieve product-market fit, and unlock early traction. Their team offers mentorship, hands-on advice, and peer-led sessions through their incubator programme. They also provide early-stage funding to standout ventures and continue to back them through successive funding rounds.
Punakaiki Fund
- Investment Stage: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Sector: Technology, SaaS
- Notable Investments: Projectworks, Vend, Timely
- Location: Auckland
- Website: https://punakaikifund.co.nz/
Punakaiki Fund is one of New Zealand’s earliest and most active venture capital firms, backing early-stage ventures with scalable business models and high-growth potential. With a strong preference for B2B SaaS and a proven track record, they provide both capital and founder-focused support. Their Socially Responsible Investment Policy excludes sectors like crypto and high-emissions industries. Alongside their investment activity, Punakaiki champions ethical funding and long-term value creation, strengthening the local startup ecosystem while helping private companies prepare for the next stage of growth.
Sparkbox Venture Group
- Investment Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
- Sector: SaaS
- Notable Investments: Xero, Mish Guru, Auror
- Location: Auckland
- Website: sparkboxventures.com
Sparkbox Venture Group is an established venture capital firm investing in high-growth technology companies across New Zealand and the wider Asia-Pacific region. With multiple investment vehicles, including GD1 Seed and Fund II, Sparkbox backs ventures from pre-seed through to scale. Their portfolio spans diverse sectors such as SaaS, diagnostics, and communications, and they actively support entrepreneurs with funding, guidance, and a strategic partner network. Sparkbox plays a key role in nurturing private equity investment opportunities in New Zealand’s innovation space.
WNT Ventures
- Investment Stage: Seed, Series A
- Sector: AgriTech, Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Engineering, Sustainability
- Notable Investments: CarbonCrop, FoundryLab, Mint Innovation
- Location: Tauranga
- Website: wntventures.co.nz
WNT Ventures is a deep-tech focused investment fund based in Tauranga, providing early-stage funding to science and engineering-led teams. They offer incubation grants, hands-on advice, and strategic introductions to help companies with defensible IP scale globally. Committed to New Zealand innovation, WNT helps founders assess investor fit and connects them with promising late-stage funders.
Summary
New Zealand’s startup ecosystem continues to flourish, supported by a growing mix of public and private venture capital. Whether you’re raising a first round, scaling through your growth-stage, or preparing for later-stage capital raising, finding the right venture partners is crucial to your success.
The world-class VC firms listed here represent some of the most active and trusted names in the local VC investments space. From MVP-stage and pre-seed to later-stage funding, and from biotech to fintech, these investors support startups across every growth phase, including ambitious growth-stage companies preparing for international expansion.
Beyond VC, public research organisations and NZTE offer startup grants and support services. Other funding paths, such as crowdfunding or partnering with a venture studio, may better align with your growth strategy. Venture investment management tools like Crunchbase and PitchBook can also help a startup founder research investors, benchmark activity, and sharpen their fundraising strategy.
Whether your sights are set on Auckland, Sydney, New York, or scaling globally to hubs like Silicon Valley, it is important to do your due diligence and align with venture capitalists who understand your vision. Many successful startup founders draw early inspiration from the journeys of both local peers and influential Australian VC firms, gaining lessons from both sides of the Tasman.
FAQs
What makes New Zealand’s venture capital ecosystem unique compared to Silicon Valley?
New Zealand’s venture capital market is smaller in size than Silicon Valley, but it offers founders clear advantages. Kiwi startups benefit from a close-knit investor community, faster access to decision-makers, and investors who are highly engaged in founder success. In San Francisco and Menlo Park, global giants like Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, and Accel often back companies aiming for massive scale from day one, but the competition for attention is intense. By contrast, New Zealand VC firms combine global ambition with a more collaborative, founder-friendly approach. This environment makes it easier for startups to build strong early relationships before attracting Australian or international investors.
How should NZ tech startups prepare for VC due diligence and the funding lifecycle?
New Zealand startups are expected to apply the same high standards as their global peers when preparing for due diligence. Clear financials, a well-structured ownership model, and a plan for growth are essential. Understanding assets under management (AUM) helps founders judge whether a fund has capacity for follow-on investment, while mapping milestones across the lifecycle demonstrates readiness for each stage of funding. Local founders who prepare with this level of discipline show they can operate to the standards of major firms like New Enterprise Associates, giving them credibility with both NZ and global venture partners.
What can Kiwi founders learn from global case studies?
Case studies from Airbnb and Coinbase demonstrate how rapid product-market fit and user adoption can attract major international capital. Both companies raised early in California and New York City, proving the importance of timing and execution in the first round. For New Zealand founders, the lesson is not to replicate these paths directly but to adapt their strategies for the local market while showing they understand what global investors look for. This combination of local execution and international awareness helps Kiwi startups position themselves for long-term success.
How do New Zealand VC firms compare to private equity firms and hedge funds?
Venture capital in New Zealand plays a distinct role, backing startups at earlier stages and providing hands-on guidance. Private equity firms usually invest once companies are more mature, while hedge funds sometimes participate in larger, later-stage rounds with different expectations. For Kiwi founders, working with local VC firms early on offers access to supportive investors who value collaboration and practical growth strategies. At the same time, understanding global deal flow helps them anticipate how fundraising may evolve as their business scales.
Which sectors attract the most venture funding in New Zealand and abroad?
NZ tech has become a magnet for investment, especially in SaaS, fintech, and deep tech, reflecting the country’s strong talent base. Local strengths in biotech and digital innovation mirror global trends. International firms like Lightspeed and Lightspeed Venture Partners have backed similar sectors abroad, while General Catalyst and Kleiner Perkins are known for pushing into areas such as health and climate technology. For Kiwi startups, this alignment means their sector focus can resonate with both local VC firms and global investors looking for the next wave of innovation.
How can Kiwi startups connect with international VC firms for later-stage growth?
As New Zealand companies expand beyond the local market, attracting global investors becomes critical for later-stage funding. VC firms such as Founders Fund, Khosla Ventures, Bessemer, and New Enterprise Associates provide the scale to support international expansion. Kiwi startups that prove their model at home, often beginning in Auckland, are increasingly seen as efficient and innovative, qualities that appeal to investors in San Francisco, New York City, and Silicon Valley. By building connections early and showing global readiness, founders can position themselves for growth that extends well beyond Aotearoa.
