More than $50 million was invested by angel investors into 63 young companies in 2009 – a 72 percent increase on the previous 12 month record of $29 million invested in 2008, based on data collected by Young Company Finance. Cumulatively, $127 million has now been invested into young companies by angels since Young Company Finance began collating data in 2006. NZVIF chief executive Franceska Banga said angel investors are the playing an ...more »

The Halo Fund - a joint venture between seven angel investor groups and the New Zealand Venture Investment Fund – is being redesigned, having closed its fund-raising short of its $5 million target. Halo Investment Management chairman John McDonald said the fund received strong interest from investors but the investment climate meant it received commitments of $2 million. “The concept was extremely well received, but unfortunately, ...more »

New Zealand and Singapore angel investors have signed a land-mark partnership between the Angel Association of New Zealand and the Business Angel Network (South East Asia) which will assist both countries in the development of globally successful exporting companies....more »

Sir Stephen Tindall has been appointed the first ever New Zealand Arch Angel at the Angel Association of New Zealand’s second Angel Summit in Queenstown on Friday....more »

This month the New Zealand Institute published a paper on New Zealand's innovation eco-system - emerging conclusions.  They are seeking feedback on the paper.  It is a very thought-provoking paper with some key issues that New Zealand needs to face, such as productivity and innovation and how New Zealand has to improve it's ability to commercialise science. View the paper here. Feedback on the publication can be sent ...more »

New Zealand Firm Aspiring Software Limited has created a web browser that integrates social networking, social bookmarking and live searching. It’s all about u! Consolidate your presence on the web: social networking pages - facebook, myspace, bebo, web site, media articles, blog, group, organization, products, promotions, YouTube clips… all in 1 place. e.g. musician Anneka Thwaites’ Q. v:* ...more »

The New Zealand Venture Investment Fund is committing $4 million to an investment partnership with Trans Tasman Commercialisation Fund to invest into new technologies emerging out of Auckland University. NZVIF’s $4 million commitment will be alongside the Trans Tasman Commercialisation Fund – an AU$30 million investment fund established last year to commercialise research at Auckland University and four Australian ...more »

The Angel Association New Zealand has appointed Colin McKinnon as its new executive director. Mr McKinnon will take on the role in addition to his position as executive director of the New Zealand Private Equity and Venture Capital Association. Angel Association chair Andrew Hamilton said Mr McKinnon has considerable understanding of the New Zealand private capital markets - from angel investing through to venture capital and larger private ...more »

The private equity and venture capital industry’s upcoming annual conference will look at the challenges and opportunities for New Zealand investors as investment markets adjust to the economic climate, says New Zealand Private Equity and Venture Capital Association executive director Colin McKinnon. The eighth annual NZVCA conference is being held in Auckland on 4 November. The conference draws together New Zealand’s private ...more »

The latest retail trade stats are somewhat of a warm relief to the recent chill weather. Seasonally adjusted sales rose by1.1 percent in the last month. But the cool conditions may have contributed to the pick-up in retail sales. Clothing and softgoods sales in August had the largest increase ($14 million, 6.6 percent) across the 24 industries that StatsNZ monitors....more »