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Darja Nelson

Investor

Operating Partner at Bridgewest Ventures

Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

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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

  1. pharmAgentInvestor directorcurrent2026 — present
  2. Precision Chromatography LimitedChairpersoncurrent2025 — present
  3. Bridgewest Ventures NZOperating Partnercurrent2025 — present
  4. Bridgewest Ventures NZCommercialization Manager2023 — 2025
  5. Compostify (Bioplastics)Investor Directorcurrent2024 — presentNew Zealand
  6. Zealafoam Holdings LimitedDirectorcurrent2024 — present
  7. Project DORISDirectorcurrent2023 — present
  8. OnBoard NZ2022 Cohort Member2022 — 2024Auckland, New Zealand
  9. Marama LabsBoard Observer2022 — 2023New Zealand
  10. Scentian Bio Ltd.Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)2021 — 2023Auckland, New Zealand
  11. The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research LimitedSenior Commercialisation Manager2019 — 2023Auckland Metropolitan Area
  12. The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research LimitedIP Advisor2016 — 2021Auckland
  13. The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research LimitedIP Co-ordinator2012 — 2016Auckland
  14. University of AucklandBiomedical Science Technician2011 — 2012Liggins Institute
  15. The University of AucklandBioscience Enterprise Masters Graduate2010 — 2011
  16. UniServicesTechnology Development Intern2010

Skills & more

Portfolio ManagementVenture CapitalBoard GovernanceBusiness DevelopmentCapital RaisingMolecular Biology1Intellectual Property3NeurobiologyBiotechnology10Lifesciences4Science2Commercialization2
+10 moreResearchData AnalysisGeneticsBiochemistryLife SciencesPCRDeep Tech InvestingCommercial Strategy and Go-to-MarketManagementStrategy

Languages 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
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
Saeed Khorami
Executive Vice President, Bridgewest Group at Bridgewest Ventures

Frequently asked questions

Who is Darja Nelson?
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.
Where does Darja Nelson work?
Darja Nelson is Operating Partner at Bridgewest Ventures.
Where did Darja Nelson go to school?
Darja Nelson studied at University of Auckland (Master's Degree, Biomedical Science); University of Auckland (Master's Degree, Bioscience Enterprise); University of Auckland (BSc, Biomedical Science).

Same school

Shared employers