Robbie Paul, CEO of Icehouse Ventures, talks about the state of VC, Icehouse's recent $10m raise, and the impact of VC on the NZ economy. They discuss the growing startup ecosystem in NZ and the benefits of fundraising. They also highlight the evolution of Icehouse Ventures as a transformative investor, their focus on different fund structures, and the importance of networking in the VC world.
Ice House Ventures aims to become transformative investors in transformative companies, fostering the growth and success of Kiwi companies with global impact.
The New Zealand venture capital ecosystem has a bright future, with factors like globalization, political stability, and increased connectivity contributing to its growth.
Deep dives
Ice House Ventures: A Journey of Growth and Impact in the World of Venture Capital
Ice House Ventures has undergone a significant transformation over the last decade, evolving from a business incubator to an independent venture capital firm with over $400k under management. CEO Robbie Paul discusses their $10 million raise and its potential for growth, highlighting the maturation and professionalization of the venture capital industry in New Zealand. He emphasizes the positive impact venture capital can have on the country, attracting global talent, fostering entrepreneurship, and fueling the growth of transformative Kiwi companies. Paul points to the development of a thriving ecosystem with an increasing number of successful companies and a growing belief among participants. He also highlights the diversity of successful industries and the ability to build globally valuable companies across various sectors. The discussion touches on the importance of ambition and the ability to think bigger, citing examples like Rocket Lab and Halter. The summary concludes with Paul sharing insights into Ice House Ventures' current structure, investment strategies, and funds, including their seed fund for early-stage investments and growth fund for later-stage companies.
The Role of Capital Raises in Venture Capital and Entrepreneurial Growth
The $10 million capital raise for Ice House Ventures is viewed as more than just a financial opportunity. Paul highlights the benefits of the fundraising process itself, challenging entrepreneurs to think bigger, articulate their vision, and validate their mission. The fundraise allows companies to attract and retain top talent, supporting the professional growth of the entire team and the broader venture capital ecosystem in New Zealand. The vision behind the raise is to become transformative investors in transformative companies, scaling alongside Kiwi companies as they achieve global impact. Paul emphasizes the dual rewards of doing good and doing well, as venture capital investments can yield both intrinsic and financial success. The summary notes that the raised capital will enable Ice House Ventures to invest in promising entrepreneurs and help them grow and scale their businesses, further solidifying its position in the venture capital landscape.
The State of the New Zealand Venture Capital Ecosystem
The New Zealand venture capital ecosystem is described as having a bright future, with several factors working in its favor. The country's globalization, English-speaking population, political stability, and natural beauty make it an attractive destination for talent and investors. Paul believes that New Zealand's smaller size can be an advantage, allowing for easier navigation, less complexity, and faster decision-making. The ecosystem has matured significantly over the years, with increased global connectivity, the rise of globally valued companies across sectors, and a growing number of believers in the startup world. While challenges such as access to capital and talent exist, Paul remains optimistic that these obstacles can be effectively addressed, and points out that great companies ultimately find ways to access the necessary resources to succeed.
Increasing Inclusion and Participation in Venture Capital
To increase the participation of everyday investors in venture capital, Paul advocates for a more accessible ecosystem. While acknowledging the need for consumer protection measures, he believes that balanced and well-considered approaches should be explored to allow wider engagement. Drawing parallels to the Australian system, he suggests considering options like allowing people to self-direct parts of their long-term investments, such as KiwiSaver, towards venture capital. Paul shares his personal experience and highlights the benefits of engaging aspiring investors, making the ecosystem more inclusive, and providing opportunities to support future wealth generators and company creators in New Zealand.
Icehouse Ventures invests in and supports more companies than any other in Aotearoa, so naturally CEO Robbie Paul gets a good view of what makes a great company, founder and ecosystem. He joins us to talk about the state of VC today, Icehouse's recent raise of $10m and whether a lack of money is holding great companies back (spoiler: it isn’t).