About
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.
Experience
- pharmAgentInvestor directorcurrent2026 — present
- Precision Chromatography LimitedChairpersoncurrent2025 — present
- Bridgewest Ventures NZOperating Partnercurrent2025 — present
- Bridgewest Ventures NZCommercialization Manager2023 — 2025
- Compostify (Bioplastics)Investor Directorcurrent2024 — presentNew Zealand
- Zealafoam Holdings LimitedDirectorcurrent2024 — present
- Project DORISDirectorcurrent2023 — present
- OnBoard NZ2022 Cohort Member2022 — 2024Auckland, New Zealand
- Marama LabsBoard Observer2022 — 2023New Zealand
- Scentian Bio Ltd.Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)2021 — 2023Auckland, New Zealand
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research LimitedSenior Commercialisation Manager2019 — 2023Auckland Metropolitan Area
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research LimitedIP Advisor2016 — 2021Auckland
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research LimitedIP Co-ordinator2012 — 2016Auckland
- University of AucklandBiomedical Science Technician2011 — 2012Liggins Institute
- The University of AucklandBioscience Enterprise Masters Graduate2010 — 2011
- UniServicesTechnology Development Intern2010
Education
- University of AucklandMaster's Degree, Biomedical Science2011 — 2012
- University of AucklandMaster's Degree, Bioscience Enterprise2010
- University of AucklandBSc, Biomedical Science2006 — 2008
Skills & more
Portfolio ManagementVenture CapitalBoard GovernanceBusiness DevelopmentCapital RaisingMolecular Biology1Intellectual Property3NeurobiologyBiotechnology10Lifesciences4Science2Commercialization2
+10 more
ResearchData AnalysisGeneticsBiochemistryLife SciencesPCRDeep Tech InvestingCommercial Strategy and Go-to-MarketManagementStrategyLanguages English · Serbo-Croatian
From Darja's professional profile.
Colleagues at Bridgewest Ventures
Adam Gickling
Executive Vice President, Bridgewest Group at Bridgewest Ventures
Akansha Gill
Legal & Governance Manager at Bridgewest Ventures
Alexander Rivers
Investment Analyst at Bridgewest Ventures
Dr Massih Tayebi
Chief Executive, Bridgewest Group at Bridgewest Ventures
Jennifer Henry Brown
General Counsel, Bridgewest Group at Bridgewest Ventures
John Robson
General Manager New Zealand at Bridgewest Ventures
Kathryn de Ridder
Investment Director at Bridgewest Ventures
Rayan Coates
Investment Analyst Intern at Bridgewest Ventures
Frequently asked questions
- Where does Darja Nelson work?
- Darja Nelson is Operating Partner at Bridgewest Ventures.
Same school
Shared employers
Also worked at pharmAgent1
Also worked at Bridgewest Ventures NZ9
Saum VahdatCEO at Bridgewest VenturesKathryn de RidderInvestment Director at Bridgewest VenturesJohn RobsonGeneral Manager New Zealand at Bridgewest VenturesAkansha GillLegal & Governance Manager at Bridgewest VenturesAlexander RiversInvestment Analyst at Bridgewest VenturesXavier TaucherFund Associate at Bridgewest Ventures
+ 3 more
Also worked at Compostify (Bioplastics)1
Also worked at University of Auckland21
Francesco MonacaInvestor at Giant Ventures Global LlpAvantika GuptaPrincipal at Type One VenturesJustin BonsFounder & CIO at Cyber CapitalBecca GauntHead of Legal at Icehouse VenturesLucy LawSenior Investment Analyst at NZ Growth Capital PartnersBekah TregonningCreative Marketing Specialist at Founder Catalyst (Ministry of Awesome)
+ 15 more