Anna Rhodes - WNT Ventures

WNT Ventures is Hiring!

Are you passionate about deep tech and innovation? WNT Ventures is looking for an Investment Associate to join our dynamic team. This role will lead investments into cutting-edge technologies and support high-growth startups.

As Investment Associate, you will be a key player in identifying, developing, and investing in early-stage companies with high potential. You’ll work closely with founders, providing hands-on support to help them realize their vision, from initial investment to global scale-up.

We’re particularly keen to hear from those with engineering backgrounds and start-up experience —your technical expertise combined with business acumen could help shape the next generation of groundbreaking companies in New Zealand and beyond.

Join us and be a part of driving the global scale-up of deep tech innovation! 🌍

Find out more about the role and how you can make your mark in cutting-edge technology developed right here in Aotearoa New Zealand

SEEK - Investment Associate at WNT Ventures

Why we invested in Opo Bio

At WNT Ventures, we pride ourselves on identifying and nurturing groundbreaking companies that have the potential to revolutionise industries. Our recent investment in Opo Bio, a synthetic biology company focused on cultivated meat and ingredients is a testament to this commitment. Here’s why we chose to back Opo Bio and why we believe in its potential.

A Groundbreaking Approach to Enable a Growing Market

Opo Bio stands out in the synthetic biology industry due to its innovative approach to creating high-quality cell lines, which can be used in a range of applications, such as structured meat products or animal-free ingredients. This approach not only sets Opo Bio apart but, also, enables the growing demand for sustainable and ethical meat alternatives. With the latest funding, Opo Bio is poised to expand into other high-value animal ingredients, such as fats and collagen, opening up new markets and opportunities.

Experienced and Visionary Leadership

One of the critical factors in our decision to invest in Opo Bio is the strength of its leadership team. Led by a group of experienced professionals with deep expertise in biotechnology, food science, and commercial strategy, the team has a clear vision for the company’s growth and the execution capabilities to achieve it.

Strategic Partnerships and Support

Opo Bio has already secured key partnerships with industry leaders and research institutions, which will be instrumental in accelerating product development and market entry. These collaborations provide the company with access to cutting-edge research, technological advancements, and a network of industry contacts that will be crucial as it scales its operations. Additionally, Opo Bio’s alignment with global sustainability goals makes it an attractive partner for organisations looking to invest in the future of food.

A Focus on Sustainability

At WNT Ventures, we are committed to supporting companies that contribute to a more sustainable future. Opo Bio’s mission to produce key ingredients using fewer resources and with a significantly lower environmental impact aligns perfectly with our investment philosophy. The company’s technology has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water consumption associated with traditional livestock farming, making it a compelling investment for those concerned about the planet's future.

Enhancing Founder Equity

At WNT Ventures, we recognize the importance of keeping founders motivated and aligned with the company’s long-term success. In this funding round, we worked closely with Opo Bio and its existing shareholders to create a path for increasing founder equity. This adjustment strengthens the founders' stake in the company, ensuring their incentives remain closely tied to the performance and growth of the business. We believe this move will help sustain the entrepreneurial spirit and drive which have been central to Opo Bio’s achievements.

A comment from the founders

Over the past two years, we’ve grown from our first employee to a team of eight, launched and sold cell products globally, and partnered with cultivated meat companies and research teams across the world. This was enabled by the support of our Seed investors, but it's only the beginning of our story. We are thrilled to welcome WNT to our investor base and drive Opo's growth into its next phase, where we will diversify our technology and expand our commercial offerings into new B2B ingredient categories, including cell-based collagen.

WNT is a valuable addition to our existing group of investors, bringing extensive networks, hands-on experience in building deep-tech companies, and expertise in the B2B high-value ingredient sector. Working with WNT during due diligence was refreshing—they truly understand deep-tech companies, the importance and value of different forms of intellectual property, and the unique challenges that companies like Opo encounter.

The Path Forward

Our investment in Opo Bio reflects our belief in the transformative potential of synthetic biology and the company’s ability to lead in this space. We are excited to support Opo Bio on its journey to create a more sustainable and ethical food and ingredients system. As the company continues to innovate and grow, we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the world.

MJ Alvarez and Grace Holland.

How do you Scale From Fire Fighting to Operational Excellence

14 September 2023

Online

12:30pm - 2:00pm

We know that building a hardware business is hard. It is unusual for hardware founding teams to have the full set of skills required to be able to support them to bring their product from concept all the way to market. We have planned six key workshops that will help give the foundational building blocks for any budding hardware entrepreneur.

Led by WNT Investment Manager, Niamh Given, this workshop will give you tools and tips you need to talk to your market and ensure you have problem-market fit before you go too far on your journey. There will be an opportunity to ask questions, talk about market validation challenges you have had in the past and learn from companies who have been through the process.

The Hardware Rollercoaster

There are many high and lows that are encountered on this journey. It’s important to understand that a lot of the things keeping you up at night as a Hardware Entrepreneur, have kept people up at night before! This series is here to answer some of the questions you have but also to give you partners and networks that you can reach out to and ask questions so that you don’t have to go on this journey alone.

What are in the sessions?

In each session, we will be bringing together industry experts and experienced entrepreneurs to help give you a toolkit to help you through some of the sleepless nights that building a company can bring.

Whether you are already on your hardware startup journey and have questions about certain areas or just thinking about embarking on that startup journey there will be useful insights, networks and case studies that you will get from the series.

Session #5 - From Fire Fighting to Operational Excellence

Building a strong operational base in a hardware company from early on will help build a stronger company. In this session, we will bring together local and international experts who have built best in class supply chains for hardware companies. They’ll be able to handle the hard questions about how to build quality management systems, navigate complex logistics, building a team, risk management and sustainability.

Our incredible panelists include:

Roz Buick

Roz is a senior executive and catalyst for digital transformation, having game-changed industries via customer-led differentiated strategy in product, services and go to market. Overseeing worldwide teams and business P&Ls, she redefines strategy and builds teams to consistently step-function the growth in business revenue and profit.

Alan Cuddihy

Alan develops the global PCH sustainability strategy, to go beyond compliance and focus on the economic benefit of excellence in environmental and social performance. Alan is primarily interested in the intersection of technology and sustainability. Bringing new products and technologies to market at the right time while also maximizing positive social and environmental impact.

John Olsen

John has over 20 years in HR with experience in manufacturing, financial services, technology, distribution, customer service, and logistics organisations. He has led in global business environments ranging from high growth to ground breaking innovation to large scale.

Solving a real problem and finding your initial target market

27 June 2023

Wellington

3:00pm - 5:30pm

Amazon Web Services (AWS) Level 21, 157 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central

We know that the world is already full of lots of products. Let’s make sure the product you are building is solving a real problem and that you know who your early adopter is going to be, so you can ensure every one of your products makes it into the right hands.

Find out more about the Hardware Series and other workshops coming soon here

Chat with WNT Investment Manager

We understand its not always easy for everyone to get face-time with investors. Our aim is to provide free easy access for founders, academics and entrepreneurs to get honest face-to-face feedback from our experienced venture capital investment team.

WNT Office Hours provide New Zealand founders, researchers and aspiring entrepreneurs an opportunity to meet with members of the WNT team to answer questions, hear ideas and receive advice and guidance.

Whether you have nothing more than an idea, or are ready to seek funding, all are welcome.

Book your spot online now

Introducing The Hardware Series

Throughout 2023 WNT Ventures is hosting The Hardware Series

The Hardware Rollercoaster

What are in the sessions?

In each session, we will be bringing together industry experts and experienced entrepreneurs to give you a toolkit to help you through some of the sleepless nights that building a company can bring.

Come to one as a standalone session or come to all.

Meet Niamh

Niamh Given is the perfect person to be hosting this series. She’s a seasoned founder and investor who has a wealth of experience working with hardware companies globally, and building business strategies. Niamh will be drawing on her impressive networks to facilitate or co-host some of the sessions.

The Lineup

#1 Create a Product Customers will Love

Solving a real problem and finding your initial target market

Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau

15 May - Sold Out

October - TBA

Christchurch Ōtautahi

31 May 2023 - 3:00pm to 5:30pm

Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara

Amazon Web Services (AWS) Level 12, 157 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central

27 June 20213 - 3:00pm to 5:30pm

#2 Understanding the Value of Design

Understanding how building design into your product DNA adds value is important to engage your target market from the very beginning.

Experts in the field will talk you through frameworks and rationale based on empathy, collaboration, and experimentation to generate innovative solutions for hardware start-up companies. Followed by a panel, moderated by Nick Couch, WNT Investment Manager and experienced hardware startup founders.

Technology innovation can often be one of the key drivers of hardware innovation, however unless you understand your customer and design your product with an in-depth understanding of that customer, you can completely miss your target market.

When designing products there are so many decision points to be made, a design-thinking approach can help you make better decisions more efficiently.

Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau

17 May - Sold Out

October - TBA

#3 Protect Your Idea and Product

Build a robust Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy to protect your product design and innovation and what to consider with hardware

IP is not just about your patents… building a robust IP Strategy is important right from the beginning. Hardware requires working closely with partners to protect your secret sauce while not hindering the progress you make.

Moderated by Carl Jones, WNT Managing Partner along with panelists industry expert Narly Kalupahana, from Narly.IP, and Sortify.tm and Nicola Johnstone,, Head of IP Legal at Auckland Uniservices

Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau

19 May - Sold Out

October - TBA

#4 Prototype to Market Workshop

You’ve got a prototype…..now how do you get that to your market?

This is one of the most underestimated steps in every hardware startups. Every single time we have worked with founders through this process, it has taken longer and cost more than budgeted.

Scaling will always be an iterative process, and at every stage there will be new learnings and new challenges.

Many entrepreneurs forget that there have been many products built before them and with that a multitude of challenges that have already been solved. It’s all about finding the right people to help guide and support you through the process. In this session, we will talk through the fundamental steps in the design for manufacture process that cannot be shortcut. The importance of component and supplier selection, product testing and risk assessment. We will also bring in experienced partners who have supported many startup founders through this process and talk through some case studies.

Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau

10 August 2023 - 12pm to 2pm

Registrations TBA

#5 Towards Operational Excellence Workshop

Transitioning from fire-fighting to building strong operational foundations is the key to long-term success

In this session, we will bring together local and international experts who have built best in class supply chains for hardware companies.

Our experts will be able to handle the hard questions about how to build quality management systems, navigate complex logistics and ensuring you understand multiple approaches to financing your business when building products and inventory.

Online

14 September 2023 - 12pm - 2pm

Venue - zoom

Registrations TBA

#6 Is Your Market Ready?

Your product is ready and it’s time to get it to your market.

This workshop will focus on building relationships with partners and getting your product to market.

Many companies find that they focus on building the product and expect customers to just find them… it doesn’t happen that way. Finding the right channels to market, engaging with partners and early adopters and ensuring you continuously learn and improve is critical. Revenue and Investment are dependent on you having a clear path to market.

Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau

12 October 2023 - 12pm

Registrations TBA

Follow WNT on linkedIn to not miss out on all our events and workshops.

Aucklanders - Back by popular demand!

12 May - 5pm to 8pm

SOLD OUT

Next Pitchfest to be announced - follow WNT Ventures on LinkedIn so you don't mis out

See live pitches and learn from an open feedback session in real time from an experienced panel of experts in their field

Learn how to successfully pitch and present to raise capital in a friendly environment and participate in a Q&A session

Network with other likeminded folks on a similar journey

We’ve got you sorted with our epic collaboration with Michael Philpott New Zealand’s # 1 Speaker coach and investment pitch coach.

Carl Jones, Managing Partner of WNT Ventures who has hears pitches from startups on almost a weekly basis over the last 15 years, is on the panel and will have crucial advice on how to make that sought after impression on investors.

Even if you aren't pitching, come along and meet some of the fantastic Auckland start-up community.

This popular event starts with Michael’s famous facilitated networking, and launches into the Pitch Fest with our selected five minute pitches with real time feedback.

Following the Pitch Fest the Pro-Panel will have an open discussion with Q&A for those burning questions you might have as an audience member.

Friday the 12th of May from 5pm until 8:00 pm, we are hosting at MinterEllisonRuddWatts on Custom Street in the CBD.

There is a small $10 entry fee – all the proceeds from tickets will go to cash prizes for the pitch winners!

You don’t want to miss this so get in quick, Follow the link and grab a ticket.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Maria Jose Alvarez to co-lead WNT Ventures, Aotearoa New Zealand’s most established Deep Tech investment company

TAURANGA. 27 March 2023 — Maria Jose (MJ) Alvarez and Carl Jones will be working side by side leading WNT Ventures and supporting founders solving the world’s biggest challenges today and tomorrow. MJ needs no introduction to the NZ deep tech ecosystem, and her passion for championing deep tech founders is well entrenched. MJ joined WNT in 2021 as an Investment Manager and her progression to Partner is a natural evolution for her career and for WNT Ventures.

Founder and Investor

The entrepreneurial seed was planted during her undergraduate degree in Biotechnology Engineering in Chile, where MJ took her innovation from lab to market, founding and operating VidAoX, a deep-tech start-up focused on the Agritech sector. Commercialising her deep tech innovation gave MJ experience of what it is to build a deep tech company, and she has been investing in deep tech founders since her arrival in New Zealand in 2016. During this time, she has also completed her Masters in Bioscience Enterprise and supported the innovation ecosystem through a myriad of initiatives.

MJ says, “New Zealand has world-leading science and engineering, and when it comes to deep tech innovations, WNT Ventures has the track record and experience to turn these ideas into reality. I’m passionate about investing in the best founders and working alongside them, as well as providing our LP’s great returns. I am very proud to work alongside Carl and the team developing the next phase for WNT Ventures.”

MJ’s strength lies in closing the gap between STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and Venture Capital and she believes this provides the bridge she wanted to find when she founded her own deep tech company.

NZ's Most Established Early Stage Deep Tech Investor

WNT Ventures was established in 2014 with the support of Bay of Plenty institutions and entrepreneurs. Since then, the company has expanded into its Auckland office which MJ leads. WNT has three funds and was the first investor in a number of great New Zealand companies including Foundry Lab, Mint Innovation, and more recently b.Spkl. Investing in deep tech and supporting these founders requires a specific skill set and expertise that the team at WNT Ventures possess, as a tight knit and uniquely inclusive unit.

MJ is currently on the board of three deep tech companies and will become a Director of WNT Ventures Management company and will join the Investment Committee. The entire team are excited about this next stage of deep tech in NZ and hope you join us in congratulating MJ.

Argo Navis Aerospace poised to propel rocket engines into US, UK, Europe with latest $1 million cap raise.

AUCKLAND. 27th February 2023 — Argo Navis, the aerospace company about to deliver custom upper stage rocket engines to launch providers, announced today the initial close of their convertible note round. The oversubscribed NZ$1.075 million round was led by WNT Ventures with participation from Alt Ventures and the wider WNT Investor Group.

Argo Navis has developed a next generation rocket propulsion system, which enables the rapid development and launching of vehicles. Their engines are highly scalable, reliable, and efficient.

“It was a straight-forward decision by our investment committee to invest into Argo Navis at the beginning,” said Carl Jones, Managing Partner at WNT Ventures. “Malcolm is an innovator and problem solver, he has a distinguished career as a rocket engineer having previously been key to developing technology for a successful well-known rocket launch provider operating out of Aotearoa. It was the natural next step for him to found his own company with this new innovation.”
WNT Ventures partnered with the company in 2020 and provided NZ$1 million of capital in a pre-seed round.

Powering Launch Providers

Argo Navis CEO and founder, Dr Malcolm Snowdon has recently returned from meeting prospective customers in person in the US, Canada, UK, and Europe.

“Launch providers are very interested in the Argo Navis propulsion system, but they need to see it to believe it,” said Dr. Malcolm Snowdon. “Our first sub-orbital demonstration flight has got the green light which means we will be proving out the technology in flight and will continue to showcase the propulsion system in operation through the launch programme.”

The Argo Navis 5kN engine completed ground testing in early 2022, and a successful 4 second in-flight burn on the K-200 test vehicle occurred earlier this month.

To find out more about this launch and future launches follow the Argo Navis on Linkedin.

Early Investment Opportunity

The investment opportunity into Argo Navis Aerospace is still open for a short time to qualified investors. Reach out to WNT Ventures for more information.

About Argo Navis

Argo Navis Aerospace is a commercial supplier of upper-stage rocket engines. Their propulsion system is designed to overcome schedule challenges as well as cost, performance, and reliability issues currently experienced by launch providers. Get in contact with the company for tailor made cutting-edge technology built to your mission specifications to find out more. www.argonavis.aero

Malcolm Snowdon has been building rockets since he was small….

…and he is still building rockets today. His passion for the techology he is developing is infectious as he tells us about chosing a co-founder and the journey Argo Navis has been on so far.

“What we are seeing now is a lot of startups getting going, doing some really cool innovative work around the country (in the aerospace sector)”

Watch the interview here.

This is the third in a series of interviews with WNT deep tech portfolio company Founders. To check out another interview with a founder – Asa Cox from Arcanum AI – about where he sees AI in the future click on the link here.