In the company's first ten years, Pacific Channel proved that New Zealand science and engineering based innovations could be the foundation for globally relevant companies. The second decade was about scale and generating investment returns.
As profiled in the second video in our 20 Years of Impact, Innovation & Investment series: The Second Decade: Scaling Science and Expanding Impact, this was a period of transformation. We evolved from an early-stage venture investor into a leading deep-tech fund manager with a growing portfolio, broader capital base, and global reach. The foundation had been laid, now it was time to build.
This decade saw more than just growth in numbers. It marked a shift in ambition. Pacific Channel expanded its investment thesis, built deeper partnerships, and helped take New Zealand-origin science to international markets. This formative ten years saw achieve major milestones: multiple successful exits, growing recognition among global co-investors, and the extension of our footprint into Australia. These weren’t just commercial wins - they were proof points for our model of value beyond capital.:
- Launch Fund II - a $55m fund which included $20m in sovereign capital,
- Validate our approach with early exits from Fund I
- Celebrate the exit of Engender Technologies to CRV, returning 75x our investment and marking a milestone in university - commercialisation success
- Expand our remit to include proprietary advanced engineering - primarily green energy and environmentally focused technologies
- Establish Fund III to expand Pacific Channel's ability to lead and co-lead capital rounds
- Start investing in Australian-based deep tech companies
The impact of our approach is clear. Our portfolio companies are creating IP that matters, commercialising technologies with the potential to address global challenges in health, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing. They’re raising follow-on capital, forming international partnerships, and attracting talent to the region.
This second chapter also highlights the increasing strength of our team. With more PhDs in our team and on our investment committee than most firms in the region, and a deliberate blend of scientific, commercial, and operational experience, Pacific Channel became a trusted partner not just for founders, but for co-investors and research institutions too.
As we look ahead to the third and final video in our series, which explores the future of Pacific Channel and what’s next for deep-tech in our region, this second decade reminds us what’s possible when bold ideas meet the right capital, the right expertise, and the right timing.
Because science doesn’t just scale on its own. It takes commitment, collaboration, and the kind of long-term perspective Pacific Channel was built to deliver.
