Earlier this year, Pacific Channel celebrated a significant milestone - over two decades of backing great people solving hard problems and proving that science and innovation from New Zealand and Australia can deliver both commercial success and lasting global impact.
Since our establishment in 2004, we’ve backed 67 companies, achieved 11 successful exits, and helped create more than 1,000 high-value jobs. With more than $125m under management across six funds and multiple SPVs, Pacific Channel has grown into a leading Asia-Pacific funds management firm that is now regarded as being amongst the top VC managers globally.
“We set out to back scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs developing technologies to solve the world’s toughest problems - from healthcare and foodsystems to climate resilience and energy. Deep-tech takes time, resilience, and long-term commitment, but the results speak for themselves.”
- Brent Ogilvie, Managing Partner
20 years in numbers
Highlights from our journey
From our first investments in university spinouts to leading global exits, the last 20 years have shown the potential of deep-tech in our region:
- Engender Technologies: Founded out of the University of Auckland, acquired by CRV in 2018 after pioneeringphotonics-based animal health technology.
- Quantifi Photonics: Backed from formation through to its 2025 acquisition by a Nasdaq-listed strategic, provingworld-leading hardware can be built and scaled from New Zealand.
- Bovonic: A rising category leader in herd healthwith its QuadSense mastitis detection platform, now expanding into global markets.
These stories, and many others, demonstrate how science-led ventures can deliver global scale while remaining anchored in our region.
Impact beyond investment
Pacific Channel’s work extends beyond financial returns. We’ve supported ventures aligned to UN Sustainable Development Goals, from improving health outcomes and advancing renewable energy to increasing foodsecurity.
In 2021, we co-founded Tāmata Hauhā with its Māori management team to support whānau-led transformation on Māori land. Today, more than 5 million trees have been planted, with a goal of sequestering 1% of New Zealand’s carbon emissions.
A story told through film
Over the past year, we’ve shared our journey through a three-part video series - covering the first decade, the second, and our future focus. The 20-Year Impact Report brings these stories together - a reflection on where we’ve come from and where we’re going.
The First Decade: Establishing the foundations, forging partnerships and building conviction in deep-tech
The Second Decade: Scaling Science and Expanding Impact
The Next Decade: What’s Ahead for Deep-Tech in Australasia
Looking ahead
Since completing this report, Pacific Channel has continued to grow. We have established Fund V, a dedicated renewable energy fund, and expanded our portfolio with several new investments.
This reflects the momentum of our ecosystem and reinforcesour commitment to supporting transformative ventures across health, food, and the environment.
With Fund V now active, alongside our existing funds, Pacific Channel is even better positioned to back the next generation of deep-tech companies and scale their impact globally.
We remain driven by the same ambition: to back transformative science that delivers commercial success and a better future for people and the planet.
Read the full 20-Year Impact Report
