How many investments has Bridgewest Ventures made?

Bridgewest Ventures has 11 tracked investments, including 1 dated in the last 24 months.

What stage does Bridgewest Ventures invest at?

Bridgewest Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.

Where is Bridgewest Ventures located?

Bridgewest Ventures is headquartered in Auckland, NZ.

Does Bridgewest Ventures lead rounds?

Yes, Bridgewest Ventures leads investment rounds.

Who does Bridgewest Ventures co-invest with?

Bridgewest Ventures most often shares deals with Booster Innovation Fund, Angel HQ, Cure Kids Ventures, among 6 tracked co-investors.

Bridgewest Ventures

Venture capitaloperating company · company profile

Auckland · Pre-Seed–Seed · 14 people tracked

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Find your way into Bridgewest Ventures

1,259 people in our graph share verified history with the Bridgewest Ventures team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.

Michelle Fernandesunlockedknows Jennifer Henry Brown · together at Jones Day (overlapped)

×2knows the team · via The University of Texas at Austin

×2knows the team · via University of Sussex

knows the team · via Texas McCombs School of Business

×2knows the team · via University of San Diego

knows the team · via Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management

✨ Fox Verdict

Investment thesis

Bridgewest Ventures focuses on deep tech, investing selectively in ventures where its global track record and technical expertise can accelerate growth and reduce risk. Priority sectors include clean tech, AI/ML, medtech, life sciences, and advanced sensors. The firm emphasizes connecting New Zealand innovation to international networks, governance, and market pathways needed to scale. Beyond capital, it offers founders access to a curated network of industry veterans and global leaders, combining scientific knowledge with decades of venture-building experience to guide companies through each growth stage. Its mission centers on driving positive global impact through innovative deep tech solutions.

Invests inAI & Machine Learning Biotech Cleantech Deep Tech Impact & Social Good Medical Devices Auckland Global New Zealand

Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.

Stage

Pre-Seed–Seed

Auckland, NZ

Leads rounds

Leads

Instruments

Equity · Grants

Founded

2020

Last 12 months

1 investment

Tracked investments

Team · 14 people

from the firm's website & curated

Saum Vahdat· CEO· San Diego, California, United Statesin

Cornell MBA who worked in real estate investment and Johnson & Johnson's venture platform before joining Bridgewest to operate portfolio companies; now CEO of Bridgewest Ventures leading investment strategy and incubation programs, including BVNZ's partnership with the NZ government.

Kathryn de Ridder· Investment Director· Auckland, Auckland, New Zealandin

Former aerospace engineer with 17 years supporting defence force missions who moved into venture capital in 2019 and has helped build Bridgewest Ventures' investment team and deep tech portfolio.

Tamsin Bateman· Investment Manager· New Zealandin

Investment manager focused on breakthrough science and scaling portfolio companies, with experience leading go-to-market, commercial operations, and governance at a NZ medical device company. Holds a Master of Bioscience Enterprise.

Adam Gickling· Executive Vice President, Bridgewest Group· United Statesin

Executive Vice President of the parent Bridgewest Group, serving on Bridgewest Ventures' executive committee.

Akansha Gill· Legal & Governance Manager· New Zealandin

Law graduate and chartered governance professional originally from New Delhi who moved to New Zealand in 2020, with over eight years' experience as a legal associate and company secretary.

Darja Nelson· Operating Partner· Auckland, Auckland, New Zealandin

Started as a neuroscience researcher and moved into commercializing deep tech IP from NZ research institutes, including a spinout from Plant & Food Research, before focusing on early-stage investment.

Dr Massih Tayebi· Chairman, Bridgewest Group· London, England, United Kingdomin

Chairman of the parent Bridgewest Group, serving on Bridgewest Ventures' executive committee.

Jennifer Henry Brown· General Counsel, Bridgewest Group· Dallas, Texas, United Statesin

General Counsel of the parent Bridgewest Group, serving on Bridgewest Ventures' executive committee.

John Robson· General Manager New Zealand· Wellington, Wellington, New Zealandin

Finance and investment professional with board governance experience; joined Bridgewest Group in 2017 (via a 2019 acquisition), previously led a NZ private banking group's investment team and spent over 11 years as a senior portfolio manager at Merrill Lynch.

Rayan Coates· Investment Analyst Intern· Auckland, Auckland, New Zealandin

Supports BVNZ's investment decisions and portfolio management; originally from the UK with a BSc in International Business, previously a finance analyst within the wider Bridgewest Group.

Saeed Khorami· Executive Vice President, Bridgewest Group· San Diego, California, United Statesin

Executive Vice President of the parent Bridgewest Group, serving on Bridgewest Ventures' executive committee.

Tommy Broudy· Operating Partner, Bridgewest Group· San Diego County, California, United Statesin

Operating Partner of the parent Bridgewest Group, serving on Bridgewest Ventures' executive committee.

Xavier Taucher· Fund Associate· Auckland, Auckland, New Zealandin

Fund associate handling fund operations, investor communications, and portfolio management; previously worked at Enterprise Angels and founded a health and fitness tech startup. Holds degrees in economics/finance and nutrition/sport science from the University of Otago.

Will Haringa· Investment Diligence Consultant· Auckland, Auckland, New Zealandin

Co-founder and co-CEO of CoffeeAI, which generates customized outreach emails and LinkedIn messages for sales professionals using data analysis.

Founder mafia

2 people who came through Bridgewest Ventures went on to found or lead other companies.

Saum VahdatCEOFounded Bridgewest Ventures Will HaringaInvestment Diligence ConsultantFounded CoffeeAI

What they invest in

from 13 of 13 portfolio companies

AI & Machine Learning ×5Medical Devices ×5Biotech ×4Deep Tech ×4New Materials ×4Cleantech ×3Enterprise Software ×3Hardware ×3

HQs:New Zealand×8United States×1

Investments · 13 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

Projectworksprojectworks.io in✓ verified

Projectworks provides project management and financial visibility software designed for professional services firms to maximize billable time and improve project margins.

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkSaaS

Doug Taylor(Co-founder)inJulian ClarkeinMatt Hayter(Company President)in

Co-investorsPunakaiki Fund Ten Coves Capital

Projectworksprojectworks.com in✓ verified

Projectworks provides software for managing time tracking, project management, resource allocation, and invoicing for professional services firms.

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkSaaS

Doug Taylor(Co-founder)inMatt Hayter(Company President & CPO)in

Co-investorsPunakaiki Fund Ten Coves Capital

Avasaavasa.io in

Avasa develops technology to simplify microsurgical procedures, replacing manual hand sewing with automated microvascular connection methods.

HardwareMedical Devices

Co-investorsBooster Innovation Fund Cure Kids Ventures Movac NZ Growth Capital Partners

BioOrabioora.com inOct 2025

BioOra develops and manufactures CAR-T cell therapies from New Zealand, targeting patients with cancer who currently lack access to these treatments in their local regions.

BiotechDigital HealthMedical DevicesNew Zealand, NZ

Co-investorsBooster Innovation Fund Cure Kids Ventures

Compostifycompostify.com in 𝕏

Compostify develops compostable bioplastic solutions designed to replace conventional plastics, with a focus on breaking down naturally in composting environments.

AgTechCircular EconomyCleantechClimate TechNew Materials

Mutahar Glasgow(Co-founder)inSteve Wilson(CEO)in

Entropeakentropeak.tech in

Entropeak develops HEO-A1, a high-entropy oxide anode material designed as a drop-in replacement for graphite that increases the energy density of lithium-ion batteries.

CleantechEnergyNew Materials

Luminomaluminomadx.com in

Luminoma is developing the LumAssure, a portable diagnostic-aid that uses Raman spectroscopy to non-invasively assess whether a skin lesion is likely malignant or benign within seconds.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHealthtechMedical DevicesAuckland, NZ

Cather Simpson(Co-founder & Founder Director)Michel Nieuwoudt(Chief Scientific Officer)in

Co-investorsAngel HQ Pacific Channel

Macso Technologiesmacso.ai in 𝕏

MACSO develops technology that makes AI, IoT, and edge computing capabilities more accessible and cost-effective for industries.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardwareIoTAuckland, NZ

Saba Samiei(Founder & CEO)in

Co-investorsBooster Innovation Fund Pacific Channel

Nanophagenanophage.com in

Nanophage Technologies develops biological nanorod scaffolds for diagnostic assay applications, enabling enhanced detection and sensitivity in clinical and research settings.

BiotechDeep TechMedical DevicesNew Materials

Paul Smith(Chief Executive Officer)inDr Stuart Blincko(Chief Technology Officer)

Co-investorsAngel HQ

Precision Chromaprecision-chroma.com in

Precision Chroma develops 3D-printed chromatography columns using patented technology for laboratory and analytical applications.

BiotechDeep TechHardwareChristchurch, NZ

Theianovatheianova.com in

TheiaNova is developing a non-surgical therapy to induce remodeling of the cornea for patients with ectatic vision disorders such as keratoconus.

BiotechHealthtechMedical Devices

Colin Green(Chief Scientific Officer)Carissa Fonseca(Chief Executive Officer)inPriyanka Agarwal(Director of Research & Operations, Formulation Lead)in

Thetestmartthetestmart.com in

The TestMart provides AI-powered testing automation for Microsoft Dynamics 365 enterprises, reducing test cycles from weeks to days while maintaining deterministic validation and auditability.

AI & Machine LearningDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSaaSMiami, US

Zealafoamzealafoam.com

ZealaFoam develops plant-based foam alternatives to traditional polystyrene, enabling companies to switch to sustainable materials using existing equipment.

Circular EconomyCleantechNew MaterialsBay of Plenty, NZ

Sarah Heine(CEO and Director)in

Portfolio news

latest coverage across their companies

Projectworks makes Inc. 5000 again as US push grows

Projectworks · cfotech.co.nz · Aug 26, 2026

Top 5 Companies Likely to Transact (August 24, 2026)

Avasa · dakota.com · Aug 24, 2026

BioOra signs new global rights deal ahead of $30m fund raise - NBR | Business news & analysis | Independent, ad-free reporting

BioOra · nbr.co.nz · Apr 29, 2026

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has Bridgewest Ventures made?: Bridgewest Ventures has 11 tracked investments, including 1 dated in the last 24 months.
What stage does Bridgewest Ventures invest at?: Bridgewest Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
What sectors does Bridgewest Ventures focus on?: Bridgewest Ventures focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Biotech, Cleantech, Deep Tech, Impact & Social Good, Medical Devices.
Where is Bridgewest Ventures located?: Bridgewest Ventures is headquartered in Auckland, NZ.
Does Bridgewest Ventures lead rounds?: Yes, Bridgewest Ventures leads investment rounds.
Who does Bridgewest Ventures co-invest with?: Bridgewest Ventures most often shares deals with Booster Innovation Fund, Angel HQ, Cure Kids Ventures, among 6 tracked co-investors.

Media · Podcasts & interviews

featuring the team

Saum Vahdat, CEO of Bridgewest Ventures, on VC's role in the push of collaborati... | ION Analytics Community

Saum Vahdat · community.ionanalytics.com

Images

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