Derek Handley
InvestorCo-Founder and Managing Partner at Aera VC
Auckland, New Zealand
Writes $100K – $5M checks · typically $1.5M
About
Derek Handley is a New Zealand entrepreneur and investor whose career began in New York's media and technology scene, where he co-founded The Hyperfactory, an early mobile marketing agency that was sold to Time Inc/Meredith in 2010. In 2013 he co-founded The B Team, a not-for-profit network of business leaders, alongside Richard Branson and Jochen Zeitz, serving as its founding CEO. He and his wife Maya created the Aera Foundation in 2015, and he is now founding general partner at Aera VC, a climate-focused venture fund investing in companies tackling the UN's sustainable development goals. Handley also founded Wiser, a platform and podcast series focused on self-knowledge and purpose, and is an adjunct professor at AUT University while studying toward a master's degree in religion at Harvard.
Invests in
AgTechClimate TechDeep TechEnergyFoodTechHardwareSpace Tech
Beyond investing
- Founded
- Founded Wiser, a platform and podcast series helping people develop self-knowledge and purpose. Co-founded and ran The Hyperfactory, a digital technology agency, with his brothers. Co-founded The B Team with Sir Richard Branson and Jochen Zeitz. Co-founded the Aera Foundation with his wife Maya in 2015.
- Education
- Studying toward a master's degree in religion at Harvard University. Previously studied at MIT, Victoria University in Wellington, and Singularity University.
- Boards
- Was a long-standing board member of SKY Network Television, New Zealand's largest media company.
- Charities
- Through the Aera Foundation supports impact ventures including Eat My Lunch and WeAreTENZING.
- Communities
- Member of New Zealand Asian Leaders.
- Awards
- Former Ernst & Young 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year'. Named an AACSB International Influential Leader. Recognized as a Sir Peter Blake Trust Leader. Named to the 'Silicon Alley 100' list of most influential technology professionals in greater New York.
- Hobbies
- Hopes to travel to space as a civilian astronaut with Virgin Galactic.
- Family
- Married to Maya, with whom he founded the Aera Foundation.
- More
- Authored the 2013 memoir 'Heart to Start', published by Random House.
From Derek's own website — common ground for a warm intro.
Experience
- AeraFoundercurrent2023 — presentAuckland, New Zealand
- Aera VCFounding Partnercurrent2016 — presentAuckland, New Zealand
- The Wharton SchoolNazarian Social Innovator in Residencecurrent2016 — present
- The Aera FoundationFoundercurrent2014 — presentAuckland, New York
- WeAreTENZINGCo-Foundercurrent2016 — presentAuckland, New Zealand
- Virgin GalacticAstronaut in Waitingcurrent2009 — present
- AUT UniversityAdjunct Executive Professorcurrent2013 — presentAuckland
- TravalystCampaign Chair (New Zealand)2020 — 2022New Zealand
- Sky New ZealandMember of the Board of Directors2013 — 2021Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Onward LabsCo-Founder, Advisor2017 — 2020New York, United States
- Human Ventures CoChief Innovation Officer2017 — 2018New York City Metropolitan Area
- AndelaAdvisor2015 — 2018New York
- Air New ZealandSustainability Advisory Panel2015 — 2018Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- The Arts FoundationTrustee2013 — 2015Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- The B TeamFounding CEO and Entrepreneur in Residence2011 — 2015New York
- The B TeamEntrepreneur in Residence2014 — 2015New York
- Iliad FundGeneral Partner2011 — 2015Auckland
- Snakk MediaCo-Founder2011 — 2015Greater Sydney Area
- BooktrackChairman2010 — 2013
- Opportunity InternationalDirector, Youth Board2010 — 2012New York
- The HyperfactoryCo-Founder, CEO2000 — 2011Auckland, New York, Hong Kong, Los Angeles
- Crow BarOwner2004 — 2005
Skills & more
Leadership99Strategy99Sustainability1Climate1Entrepreneurship99Mobile9Mobile Marketing99Non-profits13Mobile Advertising26Mobile Devices91Digital Strategy49Strategic Partnerships82
+12 more
Digital MarketingDigital MediaMobile ApplicationsProgram ManagementProduct ManagementStart-upsBusiness StrategyVenture CapitalSocial NetworkingMarketing StrategyCompetitive AnalysisNew Business DevelopmentFrom Derek's professional profile.
Colleagues at Aera VC
Alex André de La Porte
Insight Partner at Aera VC
Daniel Tan
Fund Director, Principal at Aera VC
Jiore Craig
Insight Partner at Aera VC
Josh Thompson
Partner at Aera VC
Jui Jhala
Fund Director, Finance & Compliance at Aera VC
Keenan Kwok
Partner at Aera VC
Nick Winstone
Founder, Partner at Aera VC
Roz Turner
Operations & Support at Aera VC
Network2
Investors connected to Derek in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Derek Handley?
- Derek Handley is a New Zealand entrepreneur and investor whose career began in New York's media and technology scene, where he co-founded The Hyperfactory, an early mobile marketing agency that was sold to Time Inc/Meredith in 2010. In 2013 he co-founded The B Team, a not-for-profit network of business leaders, alongside Richard Branson and Jochen Zeitz, serving as its founding CEO. He and his wife Maya created the Aera Foundation in 2015, and he is now founding general partner at Aera VC, a climate-focused venture fund investing in companies tackling the UN's sustainable development goals. Handley also founded Wiser, a platform and podcast series focused on self-knowledge and purpose, and is an adjunct professor at AUT University while studying toward a master's degree in religion at Harvard.
- Where does Derek Handley work?
- Derek Handley is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Aera VC.
- What does Derek Handley invest in?
- Derek Handley invests in AgTech, Climate Tech, Deep Tech, Energy, FoodTech, Hardware, Space Tech.
- What check size does Derek Handley write?
- Derek Handley typically writes checks of $100K – $5M.
- Where did Derek Handley go to school?
- Derek Handley studied at Harvard University (Masters of Liberal Arts, Religion); Auckland University of Technology (Masters of Applied Psychology); MIT Sloan School of Management (Executive Entrepreneurship).
- What awards has Derek Handley received?
- Former Ernst & Young 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year'. Named an AACSB International Influential Leader. Recognized as a Sir Peter Blake Trust Leader. Named to the 'Silicon Alley 100' list of most influential technology professionals in greater New York.
Same school
Also attended Harvard University1,558
Alfred LinPartner at Sequoia CapitalChris DixonFounder & Managing Partner of a16z crypto at Andreessen HorowitzSarah TavelVenture Partner at BenchmarkDanny RimerPartner at Index VenturesLaela SturdyManaging Partner at CapitalGBill GatesCo-founder of Microsoft; Chair of the Gates Foundation
+ 1,552 more
Also attended Auckland University of Technology22
Teemu MattilaPartner at Lifeline VenturesLauri KarjalainenInvestment Manager, Innovestor Venture Capital at Innovestor VenturesTristan PollockInvestor at NZVCKrisztina HorvathJunior Partner at IdékapitalOlivia FlemingPartner at HelmRobert BrundinHead of Financial Control at Procuritas
+ 16 more
Also attended MIT Sloan School of Management518
Doug LeonePartner at Sequoia Capital; former Global Managing PartnerHemant TanejaCEO & Managing Director of General CatalystBrad FeldCo-founder of Foundry and TechstarsChris MorrisProcess Specialist, Exit Readiness at Mayfair Equity PartnersBirgitteInvestor at InvestinorOlaInvestor at Investinor
+ 512 more
Also attended Victoria University of Wellington52
Helen SounessVenture Partner at RampersandIsabel VerheggenGlobal Head of Marketing, CV Labs at CV LabsRachel HindPrivate Client Adviser at Aura GroupRyanInvestor at Matchstick VenturesMoritz ReckPrincipal at Engelhardt Kaupp Kiefer & Co. Management GmbHMark VivianPartner at Movac
+ 46 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Virgin Galactic7
A.C. CharaniaAdvisor - Ex. CTO Nasa at Balerion Space VenturesMandy VaughnOperating Partner at Embedded VenturesChristine ChoiPartner at M13Dave ClarkPartner at Expansive VenturesBilly ThalheimerFounder at REGENTMatt GialichFounder/CEO at AstroForge
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+ 1 more
