Originally from the USA but living in New Zealand since 1982, Dave is a professional director and startup investor. He’s been called the “godfather of Wellington startups”, and was involved in the establishment of the AngelHQ – the local Wellington Angel investment network, Lightning Lab – New Zealand’s startup accelerator, and Startup NZ – the national startup support organisation.

 

Dave is a director for a number of startups and larger organisations such as Open Polytechnic and InternetNZ. Dave is a successful serial entrepreneur, but has also been involved in numerous lexicography projects, nonprofits, social enterprises, and interfaith initiatives. He blogs at http://dave.moskovitz.co.nz/ and tweets @davemosk. He also curates the NZ Startup of the Week website at http://sotw.nz/

A process-oriented problem solver, entrepreneur and founding GEN NZ trustee, Katherine helps early-stage businesses to get organised and is all about getting shit done.

 

Katherine is a generalist with a wide range of experience in many industries from software, hardware, government, and energy (including holding a COO role with a deep-tech renewable energy storage startup). She is also on the core team of entrepreneur support organisation Doso. Outside of entrepreneuring, she loves food, music and Zumba.

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With a proven track record of creating and nurturing vibrant, inclusive communities, I am passionate about fostering connections, revealing collaboration opportunities and seeing individuals thrive.

 

Working at the intersection of education and innovation, I have developed a unique set of aptitudes and skills honed specifically around Community Building. Co-founding Venture Centre, an impact enterprise support organisation, Basestation an independent co-working space, and founding Stand Tall, have each contributed to grow my entrepreneurial abilities and mindset. These initiatives reflect my dedication to championing entrepreneurship, innovation, personal growth and prosperity, providing platforms for emerging talents and makers to thrive in Tauranga and beyond.

Pauli is passionate about building meaningful connections and empowering people in the startup ecosystem.

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As co-founder of MUV Talks, she helps share inspiring stories encouraging positive action. Previously, she advised Kiwi entrepreneurs at GridAKL, connecting them with vital resources.

She is also a Global Facilitator for Startup Weekend and curates Startup Digest Aotearoa New Zealand. As an Ambassador for The Community Collective, Pauli creates initiatives that empower community builders. Her focus is on fostering collaboration and growth through community building and event planning.

In her day job, Irene is a Senior Investment Analyst at VC firm Nuance Connected Capital where she supports disruptive deep tech startups to scale and grow.

 

Previously, she supported the early stages of the startup lifecycle by working with accelerator and incubator companies with their first steps and raising their first set of external funding. Deeply committed to growing a diverse ecosystem, Irene is also the Program Delivery Lead at OnBoard, which focuses on enhancing start-up board diversity and governance practices. She holds a Master's in Forensic Science from Auckland University and began her career as a chemist.

When she's not working, you can find her traveling the world, exploring different cultures, and eating to her heart's content. 

Nick has experience in both the public and private sectors. He has started and exited his own business, brokered multiple business exits, and worked in corporate venturing and venture capital, investing in New Zealand startups.

 

Nick approaches challenges with a commercial lens, making data-driven decisions, and is deeply committed to building partnerships that drive mutually beneficial outcomes. He is dedicated to helping founders navigate early-stage growth and develop commercially viable strategies for long-term success. 

Outside of work, Nick enjoys spending time with his two rambunctious boys and wife, and loves to travel.

For the last 14 years, Alexandre has been a significant member of the innovation and early-stage space globally. He has been part of 29 different deals to date, in founder, c suite, investor, and board member roles. he led basico.com from conception to an eight-digit revenue (sold in 2021), raised 100m+ in combined seed, series a and b for different startups and was involved in 6 exits.

 

Alexandre was the global director of business innovation at whirlpool's compressor division, where he led the creation and growth of 6 new companies, from ai to retail intelligence and circular economy. among those ventures, youmma - a supplier of solar fridges to rural consumers in Africa.

 

In 2019 Alexandre became an Edmund Hillary Fellowship fellow and moved permanently to Aotearoa New Zealand. He perceives that the kiwi ethos and business environment are conducive to significant opportunities for innovation and creating teams with a robust culture.

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Terence Hikawai-Goodall is of Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa and Ngāti Pāhauwera descent. He spent 10 years in the NZ Army; 3 years travelling Ireland, the UK and Europe; and has 15 years’ experience supporting rangatahi (young people) and their whānau (family) to engage in education, vocational training and tertiary studies.

 

Terence has worked in several government roles developing, supporting and delivering strategies that embed Te Ao Māori Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles across government systems. He founded Pūtahi Innovations (Ltd.) with his wife Laura Hikawai-Goodall in 2017, a consultancy supporting enterprises, businesses and organisations on their Te Ao Māori Journey. Terence is currently UK based working to bridge entrepreneurship between Aotearoa NZ, Australia, the UK, Ireland and Europe.

Waikato University - Director of Innovation and Impact

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Rosanne is an intrapreneur and knowledge mobilisation specialist with more than 20 years of experience across the science, research and innovation ecosystem. Her
career covers a diverse range of sectors and experiences with a common theme in connecting research and innovation with the commercial sector – her passion lies in the magic created through bringing these worlds together. Rosanne has held many senior leadership and executive positions within universities and research organisations with a focus on strategy setting, governance, stakeholder engagement
and commercialisation. She has a PhD in environmental toxicology.