Investor Profile: Movac — Thesis, Cheque Size & How to Apply

Introduction

Movac is New Zealand's most experienced venture capital firm, established in 1998, when the country's venture capital industry was still in its infancy. Based in Auckland and Wellington, it has spent 28 years backing Kiwi technology founders, and its own site reports $922 million raised in capital across nine funds, more than $510 million deployed, and more than 60 companies invested into.

Thesis

The Movac thesis centres on patience, judgement and partnership. Its values are tenure, intelligence, decency and discernment. It backs rare founders with the appetite, intellect and endurance to build world class technology companies, then stays with them through governance, strategy and international growth.

Sectors and stages

Movac invests in technology across deep tech, software as a service, healthcare, medical devices and aerospace, supporting companies from early stage through to Series C and growth rounds.

Fund size and cheque size

Across its nine funds, Movac reports $922 million raised and more than $510 million deployed. Its most recent growth vehicle, Movac Growth Fund 6, raised $202 million. A current standard cheque size is not publicly disclosed on the firm's site, so founders should not assume a fixed ticket and should discuss round size directly with the team.

Notable portfolio

The firm's best known successes include TradeMe, New Zealand's online marketplace, and Vend, the retail point of sale company, alongside Unleashed Software, the inventory management business. More recent names associated with the firm include Mint Innovation, which recovers metals from waste, Dawn Aerospace, the space transportation company, PowerbyProxi, the wireless power company, and Aroa Biosurgery, the medical technology company.

Partners and team

Movac today has five active partners: Mark Vivian, David Beard, Mark Stuart, Jason Graham and Fiona Foster, bringing more than 100 years of collective experience. Founding partner Phil McCaw, who established the firm in 1998 with Richard Abbott, Mark Richter and Sharon Bryant, now acts as Advisor Emeritus. Operating partners and an advisory board including Rachel Taulelei and Dr David Teece support the team.

Programs, credits and perks

Movac does not run a public accelerator programme, and no startup credits or perks bundle is advertised on its site. Instead, founder support comes through the partner team, operating partners, and community activity such as The Jam, its gathering of founders and growth operators, plus an investment podcast.

How to apply for funding from Movac

No public application portal for founders was verified on the firm's site at the time of writing. Founders should approach Movac through the official website at movac.co.nz, using the contact routes published there, and should be ready to explain the technology advantage, the international market, and the capital plan through to the next round. Fit with the partners matters as much as the pitch deck, so a warm introduction through a portfolio founder is worth seeking.