Investment Portfolio

Aravive is a late clinical-stage oncology company developing targeted therapeutics to treat metastatic disease. Its lead product candidate, Batiraxcept (formerly AVB-500), is an ultra-high-affinity decoy protein that binds to GAS6, the sole ligand that activates AXL, inhibiting metastasis, tumour growth, and restoring sensitivity to anti-cancer agents.

Founded in 2018, CAS (Codify Asset Solutions, formerly Compliance Audit Systems) is the developer of ACABIM, a computational engine that automates building and construction compliance auditing work. The software enables automatic checks to determine whether projects are compliant with regulations at all stages of the life cycle.

Founded in 2015, Cirrus Materials Science develops various novel coating technologies that can effectively and sustainably enhance a material’s properties such as resistance to wear and corrosion, aesthetics, thermal and electrical conductivity. These coating solutions have applications in the automotive, hi-tech manufacturing, electrical and aerospace industries.

Founded in 2015, Dotterel’s unique noise reduction and microphone array technology make it possible to capture clear sound even in the noisiest of environments, including on drones. The company’s microphone arrays and remote two-way communication technologies are finding applications in defence, emergency and entertainment.

Spun out from the University in 2016, EnPot (Energia Potior) changes the way smelters use energy to produce aluminium. Ultimately, the technology operates like a virtual battery capable of providing storage and back-up power to electricity grids in times of high energy demand or lower-than-normal generation.

Founded in 2016, Formus developed the world’s first AI-automated 3D planner for joint replacement surgeries. The technology allows clinicians to transform a scan into a fully interactive 3D model of joints such as the hip or knee, empowering patient-specific implant selection and placement. Formus raised US$5 million in 2022.

Founded in 2018, HeartLab has developed an AI-based technology that automates the repetitive and time-consuming tasks required for analysing echocardiograms and provides easy-to-interpret reports, allowing doctors to gather more information from echocardiograms in less time. In 2021, it raised $3.5 million to bring its technology to the US market.

Founded in 2022, ISPY Nits is on a mission to permanently eliminate nits from homes and classrooms. Their technology is a biofluorescent powder that makes nit eggs glow under a UV light so that they can be easily found and removed.

Founded in 2017, Kara Technologies is developing hyper-realistic digital avatars to make content accessible to the Deaf community. An early goal is creating emergency messaging by using a set of pre-recorded motion-captured animations. This will be followed by fully automated, real-time translation with applications in education, services, entertainment and safety.

Founded in 2019, MindEar developed a mobile app that provides support to people with tinnitus. Designed by audiologists, psychologists and researchers, MindEar is a virtual coach that integrates evidence-based treatments including cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation and sound therapy.

As concerns about the climate and ethical impacts of the meat industry grow, so does interest in the potential of lab-grown meat. Opo Bio was born from University cell culture expertise and aims to be a cell line supplier to the cultivated (cultured) meat industry.

Founded in 2022 as a spin-out from the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, PhaseFoam aims to commercialise a new heat-absorbing material with the potential to transform the cold chain and building industries. It encapsulates phase-change materials, which absorb or release heat as they change between liquid and solid states.

With deep expertise in harnessing, manipulating and measuring the physical properties of light, Quantifi Photonics has developed a range of products that solve the challenges of testing and measuring complex optical and photonics telecommunications systems. Founded in 2012, it raised US$15 million in Series C funding in 2022.

RosterLab won the 2020 University of Auckland Velocity $100K Challenge. Its AI solution automatically creates efficient and compliant rosters with an emphasis on staff satisfaction. It was the only algorithm to solve every rostering scenario in the International Nurse Rostering Competition.

Since 2001, Southern Photonics has specialized in optical systems design and manufacture, providing instruments and solutions for a wide range of test, measurement, lab and industrial needs. The parent company of Quantifi Photonics, Southern Photonics continues to design and manufacture instruments for light generation and analysis.

The Insides Company builds a device for patients who have had colorectal wounds or surgery. The Insides System takes what flows out into a bag and pumps it back downstream, allowing patients to eat and drink normally, reducing hospital stays, improving quality of life and saving on treatment costs.

Founded in 2018, Toku Eyes developed a multi-modal artificial intelligence platform for instant healthcare diagnostics, personalised prognostics and general health risk assessments using retinal images to screen for preventable blindness and cardiovascular disease risk. It raised $3.6million in seed funding in 2021.

Vortex Power Systems is a revolutionary technology, converting low-grade waste heat into clean electricity. Using waste heat recovered from thermal processes in industry, the technology generates and controls something like a waterspout and harnesses its power using a vortex turbine to create clean electricity. It raised $2 million in 2021.