George Gong

Callaghan Innovation is Aotearoa New Zealand’s innovation agency. We activate innovation and help businesses grow faster for a better New Zealand. We partner with ambitious businesses of all sizes, delivering a range of innovation and research and development (R&D) services to suit each stage of their growth. Our staff – including more than 200 of New Zealand’s leading scientists and engineers – empower innovators by connecting people, opportunities and networks, and by providing tailored technical solutions, skills and capability development programmes, and grants co-funding. As a government agency, we also enhance the operation of New Zealand’s innovation ecosystem, working closely with MBIE, NZTE, NZVIF, Crown Research Institutes, and other organisations that help increase business investment in R&D and innovation. Please contact us for more information about how you can grow faster through technology and innovation. To see our terms of use for online engagement, you can head here: https://www.callaghaninnovation.govt.nz/our-social-media-channels

Tuhua was the name of Icehouse Ventures first two seed funds. Investments include Halter, Avertana, 90 Seconds, IMeasureU (acquired by LSE: OMG), TNX, Tradify, Parrot Analytics, Mint Innovation, Spalk, Cirrus, Genoapay (acquired by Latitude FS), Melodics, Sharesies, Rocos (acquired by DroneDeploy), Joyous, Vessev, Nilo, Dawn Aerospace, Caruso, Groov, Partly, Dexibit, The Insides Company, Inhibit Coatings, Jettzy, McCarthy Finch (acquired by Onit), Datch, Basis, Upstock, Narrative, Vertus Energy, and Open Star.

Ice Angels was formed in 2004 by five founding members and The Icehouse to enable members to invest collaboratively into Kiwi startups. Ice Angels grew to be among the most active angel investment networks globally comprising over 200 entrepreneurs, executives, and professional investors investing >$10m per year. Ice Angels operation as an independent club was discontinued in 2020 with many of the members becoming active investors in the Icehouse Ventures community.

Idea is Northeastern Universitys student-run venture accelerator that educates entrepreneurs and grows ideas into businesses We take passionate Northeastern students, faculty, and alumni who have ideas and educate them on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. Then, we coach them through our self-selecting stage-gate process that focuses on customer validation, business modeling, and financing. As these entrepreneurs achieve specific milestones, they gain access to additional resources, including coaching, workshops, in-kind services, IDEAs Gap Fund, and our network of mentors and investors. Our entire process culminates in launching ventures that are investment-ready or self-sustaining.

An angel fund invest in early stage start-ups innovating A.I. technologies in Edtech, eCommerce/Fintech and Healthcare. KungHo Fund is the investment arm of Zino Ventures for the U.S. market.

LearnLaunch Institute, is a non-profit organization, located in Boston, serving the education ecosystem in the New England region. We believe in high-quality, equitable teaching and learning for all students. We help unleash the power of innovation by empowering school & district leaders to embrace & manage change. We engage education practitioners and policy leaders in workshops and conferences. We convene local, state, and national thought leaders to solve the toughest problems facing education. We lead communities to muster the power of innovation. Learn more at learnlaunch.org and follow LearnLaunch on Twitter at @learnlaunch. Learn more about the LearnLaunch Accelerator at learnlaunch.com.

Launchpad Venture Group is a Boston-area angel investing group focused on locally based, early stage companies, primarily in high tech and life sciences. Launchpad is the most active Seed funder in the region having backed over 150 start ups. Launchpad specializes in leading priced equity raises. Launchpad invests approximately $10 million per year and actively syndicates with other Angel Groups and Venture Capitalists. You can learn more at www.launchpadventuregroup.com.

WISEMONT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC is an investment banking company based out of Kirkland, Washington, United States.