Invest New Zealand

Concrete is the most used product in the world. But cement — the glue that holds concrete together – is responsible for 8% of global CO2 emissions. Neocrete’s low carbon, high-performing concrete is helping change this.  The company recently raised $6.5 million in a funding round led by Singapore-based venture capital firm Wavemaker Partners. The investment will see it continue to scale up commercially, set up a pilot plant, and further its development of an ‘activator’ that reduces the amount of cement required to make concrete.  It’s already achieved a 30-50% reduction and is on track to produce cement-free, zero-carbon concrete by 2027. “Neocrete is a leader in the future of concrete,” says Invest NZ GM, Dylan Lawrence. “Every tonne of traditional concrete made produces 0.9 tonnes of CO2 thanks to the cement used, so Neocrete’s goal to decarbonise concrete is game changing for the industry and the planet. “We were so excited to have Neocrete join NZTE’s 2023 #InvestHER programme. Co-founder Zarina Bazoeva was among 7 women founders to pitch to investors across New Zealand and Singapore, and we’re really pleased to see it result in a successful capital raise.” Cement is what binds concrete together, giving it strength. By combining smart chemistry and nano-technology, Neocrete has developed an additive that activates low carbon materials so they can replace cement, without the need for costly carbon and energy intensive industrial processes. . The result is a high performing, waterproof, durable, low carbon concrete that surpasses industry standards. It’s already been used in commercial and government funded projects across New Zealand.  The international construction industry is actively searching for ways to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete, without compromising quality or elevating cost. Neocrete is in the early stages of trial programmes with some of the largest cement and concrete suppliers in the world. It’s able to generate recurring revenue by selling the ‘activator’– disrupting a US$360 billion dollar market and making a tangible positive difference to the planet.  So, if you’re looking to do good and do well, #NewZealand is a solid investment option. With a sustainable, inclusive, innovative business culture that delivers both societal and financial benefits. Talk to our team today to learn about your investment opportunities, along with our Investor Visa – whereby you can get residency for New Zealand by investing in companies like these. https://lnkd.in/gyM_e3Yn Matt Kennedy-Good, Zarina Bazoeva, Neocrete, #carbonneutral #sustainableconstruction #concrete #newtechnology #worldleader #building #globalconstruction

Thank you Evan Veza from Bank of New Zealand for your insightful piece on the needs of US investor migrants.

The EY "Entrepreneur Of The Year" program in New Zealand celebrates the achievements of innovative entrepreneurs who are forging disruptive technologies, transforming consumer experiences, and driving beneficial social change. This initiative acknowledges and aids outstanding entrepreneurs who master the artful balance of passion, determination, character, and skill to create businesses that address the most complex challenges and build a better working world. A huge congratulations to all the finalists for being recognised in this program, which is now a globally revered award. Anihana, Halter, Girls That Invest, Tracksuit, HINE (by Miria Flavell), BlackBull Markets, FABRUM., Nauhria Group - Precast & Prestressed Concrete, Reinforcing Steel, The Pure Food Co, New Image International, DETA Consulting, Toku Eyes, Shuttlerock, Grater Goods, Velobike and The Clean Beauty Company by Erna Basson. Learn more about these incredible individuals here: Entrepreneur Of The Year New Zealand | EY New Zealand 

Helius Therapeutics is New Zealand’s largest GMP-certified medicinal #cannabiscompany. A successful capital raise in 2022 has seen the company supercharge its domestic growth and prepare to take on the world. 👏  NZTE’s GM of Investment Dylan Lawrence says "The medicinal cannabis industry offers a huge economic and social opportunity for New Zealand, and Helius is one of the leaders in this space. Helius has already successfully launched 8 products here and has multiple international contracts for export. It’s backed by a world-class, collaborative scientific community that makes New Zealand the ideal innovation hub for the Asia-Pacific region. This investment success has allowed the company to bring additional skilled technicians on board and continue it’s mission to deliver a better quality of life for more people around the world. It’s not just good for patients, but for the New Zealand economy.”   From its world-class 8,800sqm medicinal cannabis facility in East Tamaki, Auckland, #Helius is working to create the world’s safest and most efficacious cannabis products. #Medicinalcannabis is already helping relieve symptoms for patients with #sleepdisorders, #chronicpain and #anxiety, and has a strong innovative pipeline backed by clinical trials – with the potential to make a difference to the lives of millions around the world. And it’s an industry that’s growing fast. In 2016, the Ministry of Health estimated 1 in 20 people in Aotearoa were already using cannabis for medicinal purposes. In 2023, over 155,000 medicinal cannabis products were dispensed to Kiwi patients – taking the local industry to a value of over NZ$20 million. Globally, the medicinal cannabis industry is estimated to grow to over $65B by 2025. And, as the New Zealand government continues to improve access and export regulations, Helius is well placed to tap into this opportunity – with an initial focus on Australia, a market expected to achieve over NZ$1 billion by 2033. As Helius CEO Carmen Doran says, “We’re proud to be making and supplying medicines that are making a difference to patients in New Zealand and around the world, all from right here in East Tamaki.” So, if you’re looking to do good and do well, New Zealand is a solid investment option. With a sustainable, inclusive, innovative business culture that delivers both societal and financial benefits.   Talk to our team of experts today to find out how you can use investment as a pathway to residency today here https://lnkd.in/g3XENajW #InvestNewZealand #NZTE  #kiwitech #HealthTech #Innovation #Helius #doGoodDoWell  

Exporting plays a crucial role in the economic growth and development of New Zealand, along with providing a critical avenue for expanding business opportunities and reaching a wider global audience. In this episode of BNZ Connect, Frances Cook is joined by Carmen Doran, CEO Helius Therapeutics and David Downs, CEO New Zealand Story Group. They talk through #exporting, the critical role of market research in identifying potential export markets, government support and trade agreements, and shed light on the challenges faced by New Zealand businesses when entering international markets.   Helius Therapeutics is New Zealand’s largest producer of medicinal cannabis and have raised over $60M NZD in capital since 2018 from a network of local investors that share the same values as Helius Therapeutics. Carmen talks to the regulatory changes that came into effect this July that unlocked export markets for medicinal cannabis producers. The new regulations will effectively lower barriers to export markets, ensuring our local industry can continue to be commercially viable. “This sector is such a big, exciting opportunity for New Zealand, in the fact that it takes our agricultural hgeritage, the technology that we have already in growing things, and it puts it together with our care for people as a value. All those things are so well respected overseas.” Says Carmen. Watch these trailblazers discuss unlocking overseas markets in the link below:  

Our final day of Te Waka Hourua 2.0 began with an inspiring visit to one of the world’s leading animation studios, and hearing from some master storytellers. Back in San Francisco we heard from Tess Hatch of Bessemer Venture Partners, a local VC fund (which has invested in Halter and RocketLab). Tess took us through her amazing career having done a Masters in aerospace engineering at Stanford and working at Boeing and SpaceX. Her insights into space and other frontier technology (including the role and importance of co-investors) were appreciated by the group and she was impressed with the number of VC funds in New Zealand with a deep-tech focus! Next we heard from Alice Brooks of Khosla Ventures, another local VC fund (also an investor in RocketLab as well as Leaft Foods and LanzaTech). Alice has also had a fascinating career to date, which included founding Roominate and pitching and securing investment from Mark Cuban on ‘Shark Tank’! She emphasised the importance of narrowing focus to 3 key diligence questions in deciding whether to invest in a start-up (often “how big could it be?”, “how differentiated is it?” and “does it have the right team?”). Third was Shuo Yang from Lowercarbon Capital, whose motto is “backing kickass companies that make real money slashing CO2 emissions and sucking carbon out of the sky. Shuo gave a wonderful talk on his personal journey, his thoughts on climate-tech and New Zealand. Encouragingly Shuo said on a per capital basis he sees more exciting climate-tech companies coming out of New Zealand than our competitors. Finally Loren Straub from Bowery Capital joined us, a VC with offices in both San Francisco and New York (and whose investments into SailThru and Solve have had strong New Zealand connections). She offered some great insights into the B2B start-up world and fund raising in the US, particularly the importance of DPI (Distributed to Paid-In capital) as a performance metric for LPs. Other key takeaways: Entrepreneurship is a deeply personal journey, and supporting founders on this path with empathy and trust is the responsibility of a good investor. New Zealand founders need to project confidence when pitching to US investors (and remember the “discounts” that will be applied by those investors). The importance of ingredients for great storytelling, and the challenges for leaders of tech companies in maintaining passion/excitement over the long term. We’re diligently compiling the wealth of knowledge acquired throughout the week to disseminate it broadly—stay tuned for updates! #tewakahourua #nzte #nzventurecapital #scalingintheUS

We are hiring! The New Zealand government aims to boost prosperity for all New Zealanders with a key focus on the economy by doubling exports and enhancing productivity for New Zealand businesses. To achieve this, the growth of the Māori economy plays a key role. We are looking for an investment focused professional with in-depth knowledge of the Māori commercial sector to join our Māori Investment Team.  The ideal candidate would preferably bring to the team a background in investment, corporate finance, property or infrastructure and strong project management skills. You will be working across the entire life cycle of investment projects, from developing investment propositions alongside Māori organisations (Iwi commercial entities; significant Māori Incorporations and Lands Trusts; Māori commercial partnerships; Māori companies etc) at the concept stage, shaping the proposition for market, then connecting with the right investors.    Your role will also involve showing investment opportunities to your Māori investor network. This means that you will have both the commercial capability to vet these opportunities, as well as a deep understanding of the preferences and mandate of your Māori investor network.  You will have sound technical understanding and advice you will provide, ranging from high level value proposition and market evaluation through to financial analysis, business models, operational mechanics, debt management, how to leverage current economic factors, and governance for specific opportunities; all to create high-quality investment propositions and attract investors.  Relationships will be as diverse as the projects, with a wide range of stakeholders including Founders, Directors and Management of Māori commercial entities; governors of Iwi, Māori Incorporations and Land Trusts; local and international investor groups; Professional intermediaries (e.g. Investment Banks, Advisory Firms, Commercial Banks); and relevant government agencies. Learn more about joining our team and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gD3c6zQQ #hiring #Māoriinvestment #growNZ Bronson Marshall, Jamie Te Hiwi, Tahana Tippett-Tapsell, Karina N., Stephanie Cooper-Poka

Our third day at Te Waka Hourua 2.0 in the Bay Area included a visit to Microsoft’s second largest campus in the US, while hearing from kiwi entrepreneurs who have launched successful businesses in Silicon Valley.   First up we were warmly welcomed by Microsoft’s VP of Azure AI Futures, Marco Casalaina, who demonstrated yet to-be-seen AI tools being developed by the Azure AI team, including AI agents that will take non-deterministic actions for users.   We then heard from the excellent kiwi founder, Victoria Ransom, who grew her start-up Wildfire from $0 to $100m in ARR over two years which was later sold to Google for $450m. Proving growing up on an asparagus farm in Bulls is no barrier to shouldering it with the best in Silicon Valley, Victoria gave us deep insights into her entrepreneurial journey.   Next, we were joined by two all-star kiwi entrepreneurs - Tim Brown, co-founder of Allbirds, and Dave Ferguson, co-founder of Nuro - for a panel Q&A session touching on themes including how kiwi companies can win in Silicon Valley. In a world of hubris, we learnt kiwi’s natural humility can be an asset in the Valley when combined with confident articulation.   Making our way back to San Francisco we were met by serial entrepreneur and Rhodes Scholar, Sean Gourley , who founded AI company’s Quid and Primer and spoke at length about the importance of forming and nurturing relationships in the US and how NZs strong hardware engineering culture can be an asset for early deep-tech start-ups.   Yoav Lurie, founder of Simple Energy, then took us on his roller-coaster entrepreneurial journey which at one point had him combining five companies into one in a highly complicated M&A transaction that ultimately proved very valuable.   In the closing session, Campbell Brown, the dynamic entrepreneur behind start-up PredictHQ, shared insights on demand intelligence. He highlighted the successful coexistence of teams across the US and New Zealand, emphasizing his pride in retaining the company’s headquarters in NZ—a significant decision for him as a kiwi   Impressive kiwis doing big things in the Bay Area while retaining the values and traits what makes us special in the world. While we need to make sure we are close to the market to understand and solve big problems, it’s clear NZ is a world class launching pad for entrepreneurs. A few more gems: Don't be a tourist - Coming up into this market for 2 weeks and expecting to raise and make the connections required isn't going to work. Being consistently on the ground is imperative. Who you bring into the business has the biggest impact on your culture. Be prepared to make hard decisions when there isn't the right fit. Be the best at one thing, and do that really well. Investors aren’t interested in hearing about all your capabilities; they want to see ruthless execution and unwavering focus on what you do best. #tewakahourua #nzte #investnz

What an incredible week full of insights, deep experience and incredible stories from founders and investors across the greater San Francisco area with the #tewakahourua2. My favourite quote from each of the sessions was: * You have to be all in on "the thing" as a founder, you can pivot from what you were doing, but make sure you are all in on what you pivot to * OKRs (objectives and key results) is a shared language, everyone across the organisation understands the shared values, which gives them the permission to say no - its a good idea but not this month/this quarter * Stubbornness is a terrible trait when runway is the enemy - what is the right milestone and validation point the company needs to meet with the current runway available * You can confuse what you ARE measuring with what you SHOULD really be measuring and why it really matters * You are going to make a lot of right decisions that turned out wrong, don't learn from the few wrong decisions you made that were right * We are in the hangover right now and AI is the bloody mary * There are 3 values to focus on when making investment decisions: bright, kind and goal oriented - but there are applications of kind that are soft which aren't beneficial to the company * Do you ask yourself "is there something I really want to see in the world that is really compelling?" * Do whatever it takes to get those brand name customers * Make hard decisions when you need to - an amazing high performing sales person who doesn't fit the company culture is not good for business long term * You have to show up regularly - you cannot fly in and fly out * We have to get more ruthless with the guest list - we need to double down on the best of the best * You can't be a tourist in your home country AND your primary market country - you need to double down * Always ask "can this product feature impact 80% of our customers" - it's the lens you run product development through to make sure you don't get pulled down rabbit holes * You need to work out what is happening in a sector or market that makes that sector or market interesting - why now is the most important part of the roadmap * 3 questions to ask - how big do we think this market can really be, how differentiated is their tech truly and how are the team thinking about prioritising what they need A huge thank you to New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and your incredible team for pulling together a fantastic trip. I am leaving full of ideas and plans for how AANZ can better support our industry to take on the US market and succeed. Such a great crew of people to travel with as well - huge thanks to you all for a great week Prue Halstead Jack McQuire Mitali Purohit Nadine Hill Carl Jones Erin Grueber Georgia Mills, CA James Pinner Dylan Lawrence Kate de Ridder Mark Vivian Angus Blair Guy Royal Guy Horrocks Hugo Fisher John Kells Kieran Jina Lachlan Nixon Renata Hakiwai Samantha Gibson Jonathan Wells

What an incredible day in the Bay! Day 2 of Te Waka Hourua 2.0 was filled with invaluable insights and inspiring discussions with some of the US’s leading venture capitalists and an epic Kiwi.   We started the day with Randy Komisar the best-selling author, venture capitalist, and technology attorney. Randy is a masterful storyteller; his deep understanding of the New Zealand innovation ecosystem, coupled with his extensive Silicon Valley experience provided us with candid and actionable insights and advice.    Next, we were privileged to hear from two prominent VC players and true friends of New Zealand: Robert Coneybeer from Shasta Ventures and Anthony Lee from Altos Ventures. Their significant impact on New Zealand through investments, relationships, and active engagement within our ecosystem is truly inspiring. We explored their firms’ investment strategies, delved into emerging technologies, shared success stories, and discussed their active support for founders.   In our last stop before lunch, we had the pleasure of hearing from Mike Smith of Footwork Ventures Mike's journey from COO of Walmart.com to playing a pivotal role in Stitch Fix’s IPO, and now investing in Tracksuit through FootWork, is nothing short of extraordinary.   We spent the afternoon with Bowen Pan, an exceptional Kiwi and the VP of Product at Common Room (formerly Facebook). Bowen graciously hosted us at his home, where we were all inspired by this unassuming individual. His intelligence, ambition, and passion played a pivotal role in creating the Facebook Marketplace that we use today. Key Takeaways: If we want to compete with the best, we need to learn from the best - watching how top US Start-ups pitch for capital is a great way of bench-marking. Exits are key but don't happen overnight. Work out your path to exit early and start building those partnerships from the outset. Empower your team to leverage data and insights for creating remarkable products. Take Bowen Pan as an example: during his early days at Facebook, he discovered a crucial insight in a presentation. Users were utilizing Facebook groups as marketplaces, which ultimately inspired the creation of Facebook Marketplace; an amazing platform fabricated by a Kiwi. #tewakahourua #nzte #investment #scalingintheUS #AIP