The recent Angel Association and PwC release of data reveals a new record of $86 million flowing into early-stage
businesses across the country.
NZVCA Executive Director Colin McKinnon says: ‘The reported growth in investment dollars was due to an increasing number
of larger deals in 2017, compared to the year before. The increased deal size indicates a maturing of the early-stage
market. We are seeing angel investment building larger companies that are capable of attracting international
investment.
‘Over the last ten years, the angel community has developed a vibrant, consistent and internationally competitive
environment for New Zealand investors and entrepreneurs. The presence of international venture funds in many of the
early-stage rounds in 2017 is a positive indicator linked with improved quality of investable deals and relevant
international connections.
‘The Angel Association is to be congratulated for the promotion of the asset class.’
The New Zealand early-stage market has few formal institutional investors and this impinges on the depth of NZ-based
venture funds for series A/B rounds. In the future, if the angel investors can demonstrate a greater level of capital
returned to investors, there is the prospect that more local investors will, in turn, support local venture funds.
NZVCA estimates that there were over 25 domestic and international funds active in early-stage venture in New Zealand
during 2017.’
ENDS