Booster Innovation Fund
Venture capitalWellington · Seed–Growth · 14 people tracked
Investment thesis
Booster's specialist investment funds, including the Booster Innovation Fund (NZX: BIF), aim to build the financial resilience of New Zealanders by backing homegrown innovation. The fund invests directly into early-stage Kiwi startups and commercialises breakthrough research from partnerships with universities such as Victoria University of Wellington (Wellington UniVentures) and the University of Otago. Investments span biotech (e.g. Rekover Therapeutics), advanced materials (Inhibit Coatings), and green hydrogen (Bspkl). The approach favours long-term, yield-focused partnering, keeping opportunities, profits and jobs in New Zealand while giving everyday retail investors a chance to share in local companies' success.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 14 people
from the firm's websiteDi leads the Booster team as CEO with a focus on customer needs and building New Zealanders' financial resilience. She is a director of Booster Investment Management Ltd.
Paul chairs Booster and is a director of Booster Investment Management Limited. He is a commercial lawyer with over 30 years of experience and a past director and chair of NZX and ASX listed companies.
Manager of the Booster Innovation Fund, inducted into the Biotech Hall of Fame in recognition of her long-standing contribution to New Zealand's biotech sector.
Gary focuses on project implementation and serves as Booster's company secretary. He was previously an auditor with PwC and worked in risk and project management at AMP before joining Booster in 2005.
Alison oversees customer experience across Booster's platforms and coordinates teams to deliver strategy and key outcomes. She is a senior manager of Booster Investment Management Ltd.
Managing Director of Booster, emphasizing the firm's values of honesty and purpose and its aspiration to be New Zealand's most trusted financial partner.
Andrew has extensive finance, risk and corporate governance experience across Asia-Pacific and ensures Booster meets its regulatory obligations. He is a senior manager of Booster Investment Management Ltd.
Entrepreneur and adviser working at the intersection of technology and science, with an MSc in computer science and an MBA from IMD. She is Chief Strategy Officer at Ternary Kinetrics, a green technology company.
Brings experience in governance, entrepreneurship and organisational culture. She is a director of Biocell Corporation and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Chair and Investor at Soul Capital, and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland.
Has over 20 years' experience in investment and science commercialisation, holding executive and director roles in technology start-ups and leading strategic growth, capital raising and partnerships.
Mihaela handles projects, systems and process improvements aligned with Booster's business goals. She is a senior manager of Booster Investment Management Ltd.
Nadine leads Booster's customer strategy, focusing on customer success, innovation and end-to-end engagement. She is a senior manager of Booster Investment Management Ltd.
Natasha oversees Booster's finance, administration, operations and HR functions. She previously spent 12 years as an auditor at Grant Thornton in New Zealand and the UK.
Simon leads Booster's investment strategy, having previously served nearly a decade as CIO at Kiwi Wealth/Kiwi Invest, with expertise across KiwiSaver, wealth management and private investments.
Investments · 54 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathFormerly Hot Lime Labs; develops CO2 capture solutions for high-tech greenhouses.
Proprietary vaccine and immunotherapy platform for infectious disease and cancer.
Uses UV light signals to boost seed and seedling genetic potential; domiciled in the USA.
Commercialising automated manufacturing for accessible CAR T cell cancer therapies.
Synthetic biology company producing commercially valuable natural compounds for pharma and crop protection.
Green-hydrogen technology company working to transform hydrogen production; winner of the PwC NZ Breakthrough Project Award at the 2023 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards.
Develops immunotherapy for chronic periodontal disease in companion animals.
Commercialises a NZ hops-derived bioactive ingredient for appetite management.
Commercialising a metal organic framework carbon capture technology from Massey University.
Medical device company supplying kits that optimise wound healing after sinus surgery.
Trading name of The Sustainable Care Company; sells eco-friendly powdered cleaning and personal care products.
Software platform automating compliance, management and auditing for AECO industries.
Web-based SaaS helping schools analyse student data to improve outcomes.
Cancer diagnostics company developing surgical oncology tracer systems; domiciled in Australia.
Patented mechanical breathing technology (by My Better Breathing Limited) for nasal congestion.
Digital platform giving global investors direct access to India's financial markets.
Produces highly effective antimicrobial surface coatings to prevent pathogen spread.
Develops bioassays for detecting steroid hormones and anabolic drugs in biological samples.
Develops inclusive education technology tools using robots, coding, VR and AR.
Data-driven wellbeing platform enabling schools to make effective student interventions.
Commercialises Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for molecule capture and extraction.
Developing a novel catalyst to produce ammonia more efficiently and with a lower carbon footprint.
Cloud-based AI platform using edge sensors to remotely monitor operating environments, initially in animal health.
Develops UV-Vis spectroscopy hardware (CloudSpec) and data analytics for cloudy liquids.
Spectral molecular imaging company delivering 3D colour CT scanners; spun out of University of Canterbury and CERN.
Silicon chip nano-needle technology for improved drug delivery and cell therapy; domiciled in the USA.
Actuarial automation and decision science platform for life and health insurers.
Food technology firm producing marine whey protein from water and microalgae.
Produces cell lines and ingredients for the cultivated meats sector.
AI-based automated care platform for knee injury recovery and chronic conditions.
Developing a 'lab on a disk' microfluidic point-of-care diagnostic testing platform.
SaaS platform transforming static reports and spreadsheet data into interactive reports.
Soft, multifunctional robotic structures for robotics, automation and medical applications.
Research company developing a drug for multiple sclerosis.
Plant and Food Research spin-out commercialising an insect-receptor-based taste and smell sensing system.
Commercialising brain health focused therapies with novel mechanisms of action.
Produces motion-capture gloves combining stretchable sensors and machine learning (by Sensor Holdings).
Developing an immunotherapy medicine to help patients' immune systems destroy cancer cells.
Developing aluminium ion batteries for grid storage and portable applications.
Commercialises a resilient slip friction joint seismic technology protecting multi-storey buildings.
Commercialises novel cardiac biomarkers to rapidly diagnose heart conditions.
Merged entity of ZeroJet and Tectrax developing electric marine propulsion systems.
Commercialising a portable MRI device to bring brain scans to where strokes happen.
Material technology company transforming wool into high-performance sustainable hygiene materials.
Open data technology provider enabling secure real-time exchange of financial information via APIs (Wych Holdings).
Recoverable and reusable framing system for sustainable building construction; domiciled in Australia.
Formerly Zincovery; commercialising lower-carbon zinc recycling technology from University of Canterbury.
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Booster Innovation Fund invest at?
- Booster Innovation Fund invests at the Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth stages.
- What sectors does Booster Innovation Fund focus on?
- Booster Innovation Fund focuses on Biotech, Cleantech, Deep Tech, Fintech, New Materials, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Booster Innovation Fund located?
- Booster Innovation Fund is headquartered in Wellington, NZ.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamMelissa Yiannoutsos manages the publicly listed Booster Innovation Fund (BIF) - YouTube
Robbie Schneider · Melissa Yiannoutsos
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