Find your path to Jon
198 people in our graph share verified history with Jon — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Helen SounessunlockedJon: together at Victoria University of Wellington
×3Jon: together at Massey University
×7Jon: together at Victoria University of Wellington
Jon: together at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
About
Jon Sandbrook is a founder, investor, and advisor with 20 years of experience building companies and supporting innovation across technology, agriculture, food, biotechnology, and materials sectors. He currently serves as Director at StaplesVR and works across new product development, venture capital investing, technology commercialization, and strategic planning. His background includes leadership roles at startups, established corporations, and nonprofit organizations.
Experience
- StaplesVRDirectorcurrent2025 — presentAuckland, New Zealand
- Soul CapitalVenture Principalcurrent2025 — presentAuckland, New Zealand
- Bain & CompanyExpert Consultantcurrent2022 — presentAuckland, New Zealand
- TDRI LimitedCo-Founder / Directorcurrent2018 — presentTauranga, New Zealand
- Joiner Sandbrook LLCPrincipal Consultantcurrent2009 — present
- Ki Tua FundVenture Lead2023 — 2025Auckland, New Zealand
- New Zealand Trade and EnterpriseInvestment Manager2021 — 2022Auckland, New Zealand
- Marama Labs LimitedDirector2019 — 2021Wellington, New Zealand
- Mastaplex LimitedDirector2017 — 2021Dunedin, New Zealand
- WNT VenturesInvestment Manager2017 — 2021Tauranga, New Zealand
- Babylon BioConsulting LLCIndependent Advisor2015 — 2020
- Sprout AgriTechAdvisor2015 — 2017
- Pan Genome SystemsCo-Founder / President2013 — 2016
- WWBICDirector - South Central Region2012 — 2013Greater Madison Area
- AsureQuality LimitedVP, Corporate Strategy & Company Secretary2007 — 2009Auckland, New Zealand
- AsureQuality LimitedDirector, Corporate Strategy2006 — 2007Auckland, New Zealand
- AsureQuality LimitedAnalyst2004 — 2006Auckland, New Zealand
- Palmerston North City CouncilEconomic Policy Analyst2003 — 2004Palmerston North, New Zealand
Skills & more
Start-up Ventures3Strategic Planning30Strategy28Leadership24Leadership Development13Management14Program Management8Business Development8International Business6Food Industry7Agriculture6Start-ups6
+12 more
EntrepreneurshipBusiness StrategyMergers & AcquisitionsNonprofitsPolicy AnalysisSmall BusinessMergersNon-profitsBiotechnologyRestructuringEconomicsMarketing Strategy- Certified NxLevel Instructor — NxLevel Training Network
From Jon's professional profile.
Colleagues at Soul Capital
Anastasia Shakhanova
Investment Manager at Soul Capital
Anna Wu
Senior Investment Analyst at Soul Capital
Dave Curtis
Executive Director at Soul Capital
Dr. Deb Shepherd
Non-Executive Director at Soul Capital
Dr. Jamie Newth
Founder & CEO at Soul Capital
Erin Kuo
Investment Committee at Soul Capital
Jodi Hayward
Investment Committee at Soul Capital
Judith Marecek
Operations at Soul Capital
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Jon Sandbrook?
- Jon Sandbrook is a founder, investor, and advisor with 20 years of experience building companies and supporting innovation across technology, agriculture, food, biotechnology, and materials sectors. He currently serves as Director at StaplesVR and works across new product development, venture capital investing, technology commercialization, and strategic planning. His background includes leadership roles at startups, established corporations, and nonprofit organizations.
- Where does Jon Sandbrook work?
- Jon Sandbrook is Venture Principal at Soul Capital.
- Where did Jon Sandbrook go to school?
- Jon Sandbrook studied at Massey University (Bachelor of Applied Economics, Economics); Victoria University of Wellington (Bachelor of Commerce and Administration (Honors), Business Administration).
Founder mafias
Techstars mafia2,005
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Brad FeldCo-founderFounded TechstarsGleb ChuvpiloTechstars Boston Accelerator 2014Founded Thor Directed Energy +6David CummingsTechstars Boulder Accelerator 2012Founded Undaunted +6Jagmeet LambaEntrepreneurshipFounded Certa +3Ben LammMentor & InvestorFounded Breaking +3T.J. ParkerTechstars Boston Accelerator 2013Founded Tjparker +2
+ 1,998 more
Victoria University of Wellington mafia24
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Ryan BrosharStudy AbroadFounded Matchstick +1Nina Le LievreDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)Founded Inhibit CoatingsMike CaseyBITFounded FishburnersMaxence DrummondFIlm Studies - ManagementFounded malibouNadia FadhilaMasters in Public PolicyFounded FinteliteStefan KrawczykBachelor of ScienceFounded DAGWorks Inc.
+ 17 more
Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa mafia16
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Joshua FeastBTech, First Class HonorsFounded 8i +1Hal Smith StevensBachelor's degreeFounded Alteredstatemachine +1Howard MooreB.TechFounded PictorAdrian MacneilBachelor of Science (BSc)Founded FoxgloveSimon CarrollBachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.)Founded AgovorProfessor Aaron MarshallBachelor of Technology - BTechFounded Ternary Energy
+ 9 more
WNT Ventures mafia3
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Sprout mafia2
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended Massey University53
Alexandre DurriveChief Technology Officer at Partech VenturesEarl RattrayKey Advisor at Lever VCDerek HandleyFuturist, entrepreneur, and student fascinated by what it means to live well in an increasingly chaotic worldMaddie AlbonGlobal Marketing Manager at GP BullhoundLyndon SettleChief Executive at Quayside HoldingsLance WiggsCo-Founder at Punakaiki Fund
+ 47 more
Also attended Victoria University of Wellington98
Helen SounessVenture Partner at RampersandDerek HandleyFuturist, entrepreneur, and student fascinated by what it means to live well in an increasingly chaotic worldIsabel VerheggenGlobal Head of Marketing, CV Labs at CV LabsRachel HindPrivate Client Adviser at Aura GroupCarolynChief Credit Officer at Terra Firma Capital CorporationKarin LouženskáCOO at Rockaway Ventures
+ 92 more
Shared employers
Also worked at StaplesVR1
Also worked at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise19
Shama Amalean SkinnerFormer COO of Thinx Inc., Obama USA Leader for the Obama Foundation at XRCAaron SmallInvestment Principal at GD1Lance WiggsCo-Founder at Punakaiki FundLance WiggsPartner at Climate Venture Capital FundNick FogartyOperating Partner at Altered CapitalBen AndersonOperating Partner (Leadership); Venture Partner at Movac
+ 13 more
