New Zealand’s venture capital landscape is evolving, with an increasing number of female investors driving innovation, diversity, and growth in the startup ecosystem. These women are not only shaping investment strategies but also championing underrepresented founders, deep-tech breakthroughs, and high-growth ventures. From early-stage funding to M&A-driven exits, their expertise spans various industries, including healthcare, sustainability, and frontier technologies. This article highlights some of the most influential females in New Zealand who are making a lasting impact on the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Anna Stuck - Co-Founder & General Partner at Even Capital

Anna Stuck, Co-Founder and General Partner at Even Capital, is a passionate social entrepreneur and investor focused on empowering women through venture capital. Her diverse background spans healthcare, philanthropy, and leadership roles, including founding the Clare Foundation. Driven by a commitment to champion female-led initiatives, Anna co-founded Even Capital with Sarah to transform the venture capital landscape.

Caroline Quay - Managing Partner at MQB Partners

Caroline Quay is a seasoned healthtech investor with extensive experience leading investments in medical devices, digital health, biotechnology, and diagnostics. She previously served as Global General Counsel at Fisher & Paykel Healthcare and was a founding executive at Aroa Biosurgery, which went public on the ASX in 2020. With a background in mergers and acquisitions law, she holds an LLB (Hons) and a BCom in Accounting and Finance from the University of Auckland and has completed executive education at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.

Cather Simpson - Partner at Pacific Channel

Professor Cather Simpson is a renowned deep-tech commercialization expert and a partner at Pacific Channel, where she helps identify and advance investment opportunities. She is a professor at the University of Auckland, jointly appointed in physics and chemistry, and has co-founded several ventures, including Engender, Orbis Diagnostics, and Luminoma. Holding a PhD from the University of New Mexico, she is also the CEO of Orbis Diagnostics and a startup mentor, driving innovation in New Zealand’s knowledge-based economy.

Heather Gadonniex - CMO and Operating Partner at GD1

Heather Gadonniex is the CMO and Operating Partner at GD1, where she drives growth for portfolio companies and leads marketing and ESG initiatives. With nearly two decades of experience in corporate communications, marketing, sales, and sustainability, she has held leadership roles in Silicon Valley startups and multinational companies. A former founder herself, Heather is passionate about scaling purpose-driven brands and guiding teams toward impactful, global growth.

Jess Gilbert - Partner at Outset Ventures

Jess Gilbert is a Partner at Outset Ventures, where she co-leads investments for Outset Fund II, overseeing deal origination, due diligence, and portfolio management. Previously, she was a Portfolio Manager at NZ Super Fund, leading over $1.5 billion in transactions across forestry, infrastructure, and technology in multiple regions. She also founded the AUT Investment Club, fostering industry connections and hands-on learning for finance students.

Jo Wickham - Partner at Icehouse Ventures

Jo Wickham, Partner at Icehouse Ventures, brings extensive experience in law, business, and venture capital, with a passion for elevating New Zealand's tech industry to a global stage. She previously worked as a private equity and corporate lawyer at leading firms in London and Auckland before transitioning to senior executive roles in a globally listed NZ tech company and a data-driven marketing startup. With a strong commitment to supporting Kiwi founders, she holds board observer roles at several startups and contributes to Icehouse Ventures' portfolio of over 270 NZ tech companies.

Lane Litz - Founder & Managing Partner at Founder VC

Lane Litz, Founder and Managing Partner at Founder VC, specializes in enabling M&A-driven exits for startups, focusing on EdTech companies with proven product-market fit. With a career spanning roles such as Venture Partner at Icehouse Ventures and CEO of Speakia, an AI-led EdTech platform acquired by Edumaxi in 2022, Lane has demonstrated a strong track record in investment, leadership, and innovation. A dual-degree holder in International Relations and Foreign Languages from West Virginia University, Lane combines global perspective with a passion for fostering ambitious founders and impactful ventures.

Maria Jose Alvarez - Managing Partner at WNT Ventures

Maria Jose Alvarez is the Managing Partner at WNT Ventures, New Zealand's leading deep-tech incubator, where she supports early-stage science-backed ventures across various sectors. With a background in biotechnology and a Master's in Bioscience Enterprise (First Class Honors) from the University of Auckland, she co-founded a biotech startup in the agritech space and has extensive experience in investment management through her tenure at NZGCP. She also serves as a director for innovative companies like IASO, Opo Bio, and Bspkl, leveraging her expertise in commercialization, governance, and sustainable technology development.

Mitali Purohit - General Partner at Nuance Connected Capital

Mitali Purohit is a General Partner at Nuance Connected Capital, a $57M deeptech fund supporting New Zealand startups tackling global challenges. Previously, she led the $150M Technology Incubator Programme at Callaghan Innovation, driving deeptech commercialization, and played a key role in establishing the ArcAngels Fund at Icehouse Ventures. She also serves as an investor board observer for multiple startups, including Zenno Astronautics, Wellumio, Hectre, and NanoLayr.

Nadine Hill - Partner at 2040 Ventures

Nadine Hill is a seasoned investment professional with over 15 years of experience in international capital markets across Australasia and the United Kingdom. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Massey University and has held prominent roles, including Investment Director at Punakaiki Fund and Director at multiple organizations such as Orah, Projectworks, and QUBEdocs. Nadine's expertise spans venture capital, strategy, and deal execution, with a strong focus on supporting high-growth technology companies in New Zealand.

Ngaio Merrick - Managing Partner at Nuance Connected Capital

Ngaio Merrick, Managing Partner at Nuance Connected Capital, focuses on supporting founders and accelerating the commercialization of deep-tech innovations that improve lives and the planet. Before founding Nuance, she managed Sir David Levene's investment portfolio and recognized the need to help Kiwi startups succeed internationally by connecting them to beta customers and global partners. Ngaio's extensive governance experience and strong networks in the deep-tech ecosystem drive her commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and fostering impactful innovation.

Phoebe Harrop - Partner at Blackbird Ventures

Phoebe Harrop is a Partner at Blackbird Ventures, where she invests in New Zealand's most ambitious founders. With a background in law and Spanish from the University of Otago, she began her career at Bain & Company, later transitioning to impact-driven investment at Generation Investment Management, where she worked on sustainability-focused growth equity investments in companies like Asana, Toast, and Remitly. Returning to New Zealand, Phoebe combines her global experience with a passion for backing transformative ventures from Aotearoa.

Samantha Wong - Partner at Blackbird Ventures

Samantha Wong is a Partner at Blackbird Ventures, where she has been instrumental in supporting leading tech companies founded by Australians and Kiwis, including Canva and CultureAmp. She previously co-founded CapacityHQ, a legal consultancy marketplace acquired by LegalVision, and led major e-commerce initiatives at SurfStitch during its rapid expansion. With a strong academic background in law and history from UNSW and the University of Copenhagen, Samantha brings a wealth of experience in strategy, operations, and investment.

Sarah Park - Co-Founder & Managing General Partner at Even Capital

Sarah Park, Co-Founder and Managing General Partner at Even Capital, is a dedicated investor with a strong focus on early-stage, female-driven companies. After a successful career in corporate finance and capital markets, she transitioned to investment and governance, holding leadership roles such as Independent Director and Audit and Risk Chair for various organizations. At Even Capital, Sarah oversees day-to-day management while championing innovative women-led ventures alongside her co-founder, Anna Stuck.

Tana van Loggerenberg - CFO/COO at NZ Growth Capital Partners

Tana van Loggerenberg, CFO/COO at NZ Growth Capital Partners, oversees accounting, budgeting, and forecasting, leveraging her extensive expertise in cost management, financial planning, and strategy implementation within the financial services sector. She previously held leadership roles at Mindfull NZ, QUBEdocs, and Absa Group, focusing on M&A, cash flow, and business development. A qualified Chartered Accountant with CA Australia and New Zealand, Tana holds a Master’s in Positive Leadership and Strategy from IE Business School and a BCom Honours from North-West University in South Africa.

As New Zealand’s startup scene continues to flourish, the contributions of these female leaders play a crucial role in shaping the future of entrepreneurship and investment. Their leadership, sector expertise, and commitment to fostering innovation are paving the way for more inclusive and dynamic opportunities in the market. By supporting ambitious founders and groundbreaking technologies, these investors are not only transforming individual ventures but also strengthening New Zealand’s position in the global startup landscape.