Behind every thriving startup ecosystem is a network of organisations that connect capital with opportunity. In Wellington, that network is collaborative, well-structured and increasingly outward-looking.
This month, we’re spotlighting key investor organisations committing capital into the region:
As New Zealand’s capital and a recognised hub for technology, creative industries and research commercialisation, Wellington has developed a funding landscape that reflects both its scale and its ambition. Wellington’s growth story is shaped by economic development agencies, angel networks, venture capital firms and public–private partnerships working together to stimulate innovation and sustainable returns.
This layered capital pathway allows startups to progress from concept to seed funding, through larger raises – all towards global expansion.
Angel HQ
Angel HQ began in 2007 at the initiative of Grow Wellington, the regional economic development agency that was also responsible for supporting entrepreneurship and innovation in the region. From the outset, Angel HQ has been deeply embedded in Wellington’s innovation ecosystem. Its early alignment with Grow Wellington laid the groundwork for strong collaboration with incubators, accelerators and research commercialisation teams.
Today, Angel HQ is recognised as a well-established angel investment club that connects early-stage founders with experienced investors to help grow innovative Kiwi businesses. Angel investors support early-stage startups by offering capital in exchange for equity ownership or convertible debt. It operates as a community of accredited angel investors who provide not only capital but also mentorship, expertise and strategic support to startups poised for growth and potential global expansion.
Angel HQ has invested over $52 million across sectors including fintech, medtech, biotech, fmcg, software and consumer services, contributing to a more vibrant early-stage investment landscape in Wellington and beyond.
For nearly 20 years we’ve been part of the growth of the Wellington Start Up scene. There have been highs and lows but without doubt the most exciting thing is the consistent increase in the scale and depth of the local support systems. The quality of our founders, their ideas and pitches and the support they have from their peers and advisors to reach markets and networks across NZ and the World have all grown exponentially. Visitors and contacts, nationally and globally, speak with envy about the close connectedness of our community. This stands us in good stead as a foundation for the future.
Wellington companies Angel HQ invested in:
- Archer McRae Beverages Limited
- B.spkl Ltd
- Beyond VR Limited
- Blackcurrent Holdings Limited
- Cloudsource Holding Ltd (SaferMe)
- Cogo Connecting Good Limited
- Educa Limited
- Eight Wire Limited
- Eight360 Limited
- Evithe Limited
- Excio Limited
- Factor (prev, Prospero)
- Foundry Lab Ltd (via WNT)
- Hnry Limited
- Hot Lime Labs Limited
- Humble Bee Limited
- Inhibit Coatings Limited
- Liquium Limited
- Litmaps Limited
- Loomio Limited
- Mevo Limited
- Montoux Limited
- Motion Tech Lab Ltd (Scriptsee)
- Power Trip Limited
- Pricetech Ltd (Marginfuel)
- Ripple Media Ltd (Press Patron)
- Roady Travel Ltd
- Safety Lab Holdings Limited (Seen Safety)
- Sensori Systems Limited
- Sharesies Group Limited
- Signal Corporation Ltd
- Tapi Limited
- Times7 Holdings Limited
- Flick Energy Limited
- Tourwriter Limited
- Upstock Limited (previously Ordamatic)
- Volition
- WIP App Ltd (Wipster)
- Xplora
- PAM
- Wellumio
Booster NZ
Booster is a Wellington-based investment and wealth management company with over 200,000 customers. Founded in 1998, Booster is one of New Zealand’s significant locally-owned financial services providers, and a default KiwiSaver provider managing billions of dollars on behalf of Kiwi investors. Not only that, they’re a local investor in Wellington’s startup ecosystem.
In 2017, Booster and Wellington UniVentures (WUV) – the commercialisation arm of Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington – began a partnership to commercialise cutting-edge innovation from the University’s research. So far, Booster has invested over $7 million in 13 businesses spun out of Victoria University. The partnership has grown to include other NZ universities, institutions and investments, and the Booster Innovation Fund (BIF) being listed on the NZX.
Many of Booster’s KiwiSaver members have a slice of BIF and therefore, world-class tech companies started in New Zealand. Booster has invested in 30+ startups in early-stage tech and innovation since 2022.
Innovation companies originated in Wellington that Booster has invested in:
- Advemto
- Allegro Energy
- Bioora
- Bontia Bio
- B.spkl
- EdPotential (successful exit)
- Ferronova
- Indus
- Inhibit Coatings
- Aplenty
- Liquium
- Marama Labs
- Tasman Ion
- Wellumino
- Woolchemy
- X-Frame
Booster’s full suite of products include:
- KiwiSaver and Superannuation schemes
- Managed investment funds including Socially Responsible options
- Savvy debit card linked to an investment account and money management tools
- Personal insurance
- Free app for money management mybudgetpal
In addition, the Booster Foundation partners with communities to improve financial resilience and reduce financial inequality.
Foggy Valley Aotearoa
Foggy Valley Aotearoa (FVA) is a New Zealand–based family office investing in early-stage startups and venture capital funds, with a focus on female founders and positive impact. With strong ties to Wellington’s innovation ecosystem, FVA is part of the new wave of locally rooted investors helping Kiwi companies scale beyond domestic markets. FVA has invested directly in over 40 companies and 20 VC funds. Alongside their gender lens approach to direct investments, FVA actively advocates for the VC funds in their portfolio to invest in female founders.
Companies invested in (Wellington based office):
PAM, EatKinda, FTN Motion, Cogo, E-Leviate, Narrative Muse
Movac
Meet the Wellington-based VC Firm That’s Been Backing Kiwi Tech Since Before It Was Cool
Founded in 1998, Movac is New Zealand’s most experienced venture capital firm and one with deep roots right here in Wellington. Over more than two decades, the firm has raised over $700 million across multiple funds and backed more than 60 Kiwi companies, from early seed stage through to growth capital. Movac doesn’t just write cheques — it brings hands-on operational expertise to help founders scale, and has consistently co-invested alongside angel networks, other VCs, and government-backed entities to strengthen the capital pipeline across the ecosystem. Their track record speaks for itself: early bets on Trade Me and Aroa Biosurgery, major exits including Greenbutton (acquired by Microsoft), PowerbyProxi (acquired by Apple), Timely (acquired by EverCommerce, Vend (acquired by Lightspeed), and a current portfolio that includes some of Wellington’s most exciting companies, among them HNRY, Advemto, BSpkl, Wellumio, Atomic, and Kry10.
For Wellington founders thinking about their next raise, Movac is a firm worth knowing. Partner Mark Vivian captures the firm’s outlook well: “Wellington has a long history of producing tech companies taking on big opportunities, and we’re proud to have been part of that story for over 25 years. What excites us most is what’s still to come, with a new generation of founders here building global companies from Wellington, and we want to be the team that backs them.”
Connect with the Movac team on LinkedIn or attend a Movac event to immerse yourself in the community.
Uush Capital
Uush Capital is a New Zealand-based family investment office backing the technologies and founders building a better future. Operating from Aotearoa and investing both domestically and globally, Uush takes an early-stage, conviction-led approach — favouring pre-revenue and early-traction companies tackling the hard problems of how we move, build, power, and feed ourselves.
Guided by the belief that the next generation of transformative tools is undervalued by conventional markets, Uush’s portfolio spans climate, mobility, advanced manufacturing, and frontier technology. Capital is treated as a long-term trust — with impact, social good, and philanthropy considerations woven into the fabric of each investment decision.
Wellington companies invested in: FoundryLab, previously Mevo
A Connected Capital Community
Wellington’s investor ecosystem is close knit. Angel investors help founders validate ideas. Venture capital firms provide scale-up funding. Wealth managers and institutional funds channel long-term capital into both public and private markets. University partnerships convert research into commercial opportunity.
Together, these organisations create more than funding, they create momentum.
For founders, this means clearer pathways to growth and easier introductions. For investors, it means shared knowledge, co-investment opportunities and stronger deal flow. And for Wellington, it means a capital ecosystem capable of supporting innovation from first cheque to global expansion.
In a city known for creativity and ideas, this coordinated investment infrastructure ensures those ideas don’t just emerge, they have the support to scale.
