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Carl Jones: Managing Partner

Carl is the Managing Partner at WNT Ventures, having joined as founding CEO in 2014.  Carl directs the fund activities, is lead investor on Fund 2 companies; Argo Navis, Farrago and Insite AI, and led investments into the Fund 1 companies.

Carl’s prior experience includes private equity, property and investment management with roles in New Zealand and London as well as with New Zealand Venture Investment Fund (NZVIF) on both the Seed Co-investment Fund and their Taiwan/New Zealand Co-Fund arrangement.

TJ Laurino: Investment Analyst

TJ completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Bioscience Enterprise where she developed a keen interest in market validation, IP strategy and valuations. Trained as a medical scientist, she mixes thorough research with her passion for early stage investments to help tech entrepreneurs succeed in their commercialisation journey. She came to WNT in 2020 from The Icehouse where she was administrating projects and honing her Analytical skills.

When not number crunching or analysing markets, TJ enjoys playing volleyball or has her nose in a good book.

James Wood: Marketing and Communications Specialist

James has experience in corporate Strategy & Marketing, and his skills lie in networking, relationship building and engagement across a diverse range of stakeholders. He completed a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours in 2019 which had a focus in Strategic Management & Marketing. Prior to starting at WNT he was on staff at Dropit Inc, where he assisted the New Zealand & U.S. team in the development and overall strategy of the company. The skills he gained there led him to hold a role at Shift Customer Experience NZ where he assists innovative companies build a strong foundation to prepare for scale.  James shares his time between Shift and WNT. 

Laura Faulconer: Investment Manager

Laura has built a career in accelerating commercialisation of IP-anchored advanced technologies. Trained as a biomedical engineer, she has worked at the intersection of research translation, commercial development and fundraising with deep experience in medical devices and health technologies. Before joining WNT in 2017, she was CTO for The Actuator/STC Australia where she designed and launched a seed-to-Series A accelerator for medical devices.  While there, she founded Australia’s largest and longest-running medical device startup competition, with ongoing support from major corporates, governments and publicly funded research organisations.

She has also held roles including university entrepreneurship support, university teaching, marketing and business development, and innovation management.

Jon Sandrook: Investment Manager

Jon has a background as a corporate strategist, analyst, consultant, and executive focusing on building and growing companies across a range of sectors. Throughout a career spanning both New Zealand and the US, Jon has driven a range of M&A activities, including an $80m corporate merger, and successfully building an animal health biotechnology company specialising in vaccines and diagnostics. Jon has a passion for innovation and start-ups with global potential, as well as interest in social ventures and purpose-driven projects.

Michael Nguyen: Investment Analyst

Michael is currently a Senior Investment Analyst at WNT Ventures.  He brings five years of experience in Market Research, Due Diligence, Financial Planning, Valuation and Fund Management. 

His previous employment was with PwC where he worked as a Senior Analyst in its Corporate Finance team.  At PwC, he assisted a number of technology start-up companies in raising capital and developing their business plans.  He also delivered in-depth market research to various companies to deepen their understanding of supply and demand for their products and services.

Prior to PwC, Michael worked in the Banking Industry as an Investment Analyst and conducted analysis on companies in various industries.

He earned his BA in Finance with distinction in the U.S and is working on the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) level III to become a CFA charterholder.

Anna Rhodes: Executive Assistant

Anna joined WNT Ventures as Executive Assistant in June 2019. 

She has a background in science and finance and more recently administration and operations and has worked for a diverse range of industries in the U.K, Australia and N.Z.

After completing her MSc (Hons) in nutrition she ran interactive seminars working with senior citizens with the aim to improve the physical and mental wellbeing in our communities. 

Anna has a passion for building communities, environmental issues, positive societal change, and when she has spare time, has started learning a few chords on her guitar.

Scott Hamilton

Director – WNT Ventures management

Investment Committee Member

Chair – WNT Ventures GP

Chair – WNT ventures GP2

Scott joined Quayside as Chief Executive in 2010 and has led Quayside’s growth and diversification programme. He joined Quayside having held senior roles in investment, finance, and funds management with organisations like ASB Group Investments and Barclays Global Investors. Scott is also a director on the Opotiki Packing and Cool Storage and Huakiwi Services boards. Scott is a Chartered Accountant and member of the Institute of Directors. He is also Chair of Pillans Point Primary School board.

Richard Hughes

 Independent Chair – WNT Ventures Management

 Chair – Investment Committee

 Director – WNT Ventures GP2

Richard has spent much of his career in the private equity industry in the UK, China, other emerging markets, Australia and New Zealand. Richard trained with 3i plc, a leading global Venture capital and Private equity firm, and is an experienced founder and operator of ‘private capital’ funds, including the US$100m China Capital Partners of which he was also Chief Executive. He has also been involved in the establishment, and oversight, of a number of funds in New Zealand.

He is a Director at Oriens Capital Ltd and Orthotic Group Holdings Ltd. Richard is a Chartered Accountant and read Engineering at Cambridge University.

Beppie Holm

Director – WNT Ventures Management 

Investment Committee member

Director – WNT Ventures GP2

Beppie is a founding shareholder & Chair of RAM3D, a member of the Enterprise Angels Board and the Acorn Foundation Investment Advisory Committee. Beppie’s career included working with BP in New Zealand in senior communications and external relations management roles for 14 years followed by 10 years working in HR with BP in Japan, South East Asia and Angola to support the development of local personnel for new businesses. After returning to New Zealand in 2009, she worked at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic in business development and project management roles for 4 years, while becoming more involved with technology start-ups and angel investing. Beppie is an associate member of the Institute of Directors.

Steve Saunders

Director – WNT Ventures management

Investment Committee Member

Director – WNT ventures GP2

Steve Saunders is the Owner/Founder of the Plus Group of companies, specialising in horticulture management consultancy, global pollen production, robotics development, international joint ventures, applied technology, research and development, innovation and science.

He is the Co-Founder of Newnham Park Horticulture Innovation Centre at Te Puna and also a Director of multiple privately owned companies.  Steve is a major stakeholder in the kiwifruit postharvest sector, an active Angel Investor, a SCIF investor representative and an elected member of the Executive Board for Priority One.

Ian Macrae

Investment Committee Member

Director – WNT Ventures GP

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Peter Wren – Hilton

Director – WNT Ventures GP

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Nigel Tutt

Director – WNT Ventures GP

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Teresa Pollard

Director – WNT Ventures Management

Investment Committee member

Teresa is a passionate leader with an entrepreneurial focus and over 18 years in Sales, Marketing and Technology experience leading executive engagements and diverse teams in NZ, Singapore and New York.

As a strategic thinker Teresa is passionate about the New Zealand investment ecosystem and how this ecosystem can scale and grow New Zealand companies to reach new heights.

Teresa’s strength lies in developing innovative strategies and strategic partnerships that deliver dual value and growth for both parties. Teresa enjoys coaching others and helping them to value the skills and capabilities they have in reaching future goals.

Teresa whakapapa’s to Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu ki whaingaroa me Ngāti kauwhata.

Kerry McIntosh

Director – WNT Ventures Management

Investment Committee member

Kerry is an experienced director with exposure to a wide range of industries including tech, healthcare and waste management. His employment background is in financial markets where he had long career in investment banking and funds management. He worked for leading global investment bank Credit Suisse First Boston in NZ and Australia and then for Ironbridge Capital, an expansion capital private equity fund focusing on mid –market firms.

Since 2013 he has been an active angel investor and a director of and advisor to high growth tech companies. He currently has a portfolio of in excess of 50 early stage investments which includes some of NZ’s most dynamic high growth tech companies ,split between direct investments and various early stage funds, . He consults to Zino Ventures which is the manager of Zino Growth Fund , a small venture fund whose thesis is taking great NZ software companies to the Asian markets.

He is a Chartered Member of the NZ Institute of Directors and a former Chair of the NZ Venture Capital Association.

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If you are a qualified investor and would ’d like to find out about investing with us please get in touch with us Carl Jones:

carl@wntventures.co.nz
021 666 375