Movac

High-Level Overview

Movac is New Zealand’s most experienced and deeply embedded technology-focused venture and growth capital firm, with a mission to build iconic Kiwi tech companies that compete globally. Since 1998, Movac has operated as a full lifecycle investor, backing companies from early stage through expansion and into later-stage growth, with a high-conviction, high-touch approach. The firm combines local capital with global networks and hands-on operational support to help founders scale their businesses.

Movac invests across all sectors but has developed specialist capabilities in SaaS (particularly security, marketplaces, IoT, and gaming), life sciences (including medtech and foodtech), and other deep-tech domains. With over 50 investments and more than 10 exits, Movac has played a central role in shaping New Zealand’s tech startup ecosystem, helping create over 500 jobs in the last three years alone and deploying more than $400 million in capital. Its presence has helped professionalize the local venture landscape and connect Kiwi founders with international markets and talent.

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Origin Story

Founded in 1998, Movac emerged at a time when New Zealand’s venture capital ecosystem was still nascent. It began as one of the country’s first dedicated technology investors, filling a critical gap for early-stage capital and strategic guidance for ambitious local founders. Over the past two and a half decades, Movac has evolved from a small local fund into a multi-fund platform managing hundreds of millions in assets, with a consistent focus on backing New Zealand-based technology companies.

Key partners such as David Beard, Jason Graham, and Mark Stuart have anchored Movac’s growth, bringing decades of combined experience in scaling businesses, commercializing innovation, and navigating global markets. The firm has maintained its Kiwi roots while expanding its reach, building a reputation not just as a source of capital but as a true partner to founders—deeply integrated into the fabric of the local tech scene and trusted by institutions like the New Zealand Super Fund, which has committed significant capital to Movac’s latest fund.

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Core Differentiators

Full Lifecycle Tech Investor
Movac stands out in New Zealand’s VC landscape by offering capital and support across the entire company lifecycle—from seed and Series A through expansion and pre-IPO stages. This allows founders to maintain a long-term relationship with a single, aligned investor.

High-Touch, High-Conviction Approach
The firm takes board seats and works closely with management teams, offering more than just capital. Movac emphasizes capability building, leadership development, and hands-on support in areas like GTM strategy, international expansion, and talent acquisition.

Deep Local Integration + Global Reach
Movac is deeply embedded in the Kiwi tech ecosystem, with strong relationships across founders, corporates, and government agencies. At the same time, it leverages the collective networks of its team and LPs to open doors in Australia, North America, and Europe.

Sector Specialization & Functional Expertise
While sector-agnostic in principle, Movac has built deep expertise in SaaS, marketplaces, IoT, gaming, and life sciences. The team brings over 100 years of combined experience in commercializing technology and scaling businesses, giving them credibility and insight at critical inflection points.

Track Record & Institutional Backing
With 7 funds raised, 50+ investments, and more than 10 exits, Movac has one of the strongest track records in Australasia. Its ability to attract institutional capital—such as from NZ Super—validates its strategy and strengthens its position as a cornerstone of New Zealand’s innovation economy.

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Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Movac is riding—and helping accelerate—a broader trend of New Zealand maturing into a credible global tech hub. Historically, Kiwi startups often had to relocate or rely on offshore capital to scale. Movac changes that equation by providing patient, sophisticated capital that allows companies to stay headquartered in New Zealand while accessing global markets.

The firm benefits from several tailwinds: rising founder ambition, improved access to talent and remote work infrastructure, and increasing recognition of New Zealand’s strengths in niche areas like agritech, healthtech, and climate tech. Movac’s focus on “iconic Kiwi tech companies” aligns with a national narrative of building globally competitive homegrown champions rather than just exit-prone startups.

By backing companies that solve hard problems in large markets, Movac also helps shift the ecosystem’s focus from lifestyle businesses to scalable, export-oriented ventures. Its influence extends beyond its portfolio: through its hiring practices, governance standards, and advocacy for better founder support, Movac raises the bar for what a professional tech investor looks like in New Zealand.

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Quick Take & Future Outlook

Movac is well-positioned to remain the anchor institution for New Zealand’s tech ecosystem for years to come. As the country continues to produce more ambitious founders and deeper technical talent, Movac’s full lifecycle model and institutional-grade infrastructure will become even more valuable.

Looking ahead, the firm is likely to double down on its strengths in SaaS and life sciences while also backing emerging opportunities in climate tech, AI-native applications, and frontier tech spun out of New Zealand’s research institutions. Its latest fund, opened in 2025, signals continued confidence in the local market and suggests a focus on expansion-stage companies that are ready to scale internationally.

Movac’s greatest impact may ultimately be cultural: proving that world-class tech companies can be built and backed from New Zealand. As more of its portfolio companies achieve global scale, Movac will not only deliver strong returns—it will inspire the next generation of Kiwi founders and investors, reinforcing its role as the bedrock of New Zealand’s innovation economy.