Loading organizations...
Key people at Phase One Ventures.
Phase One Ventures is an Auckland, New Zealand-based investment firm that operates as an early-stage founder community, a product and growth incubator program, and a venture capital fund. The organization is dedicated to fostering the next generation of high-growth New Zealand startups, with a stated vision for an "even happier New Zealand."
Functioning as a venture studio, Phase One Ventures specializes in building SaaS products, guiding them from the initial idea phase through to the development of a minimum viable product and beyond. This comprehensive approach aims to support entrepreneurs through various stages of their startup journey, providing both capital and operational expertise within the local innovation ecosystem.
Key people at Phase One Ventures.
Phase One Ventures has 5 tracked investments across 3 companies. The latest tracked deal is $445.0M Seed in NextWork in March 2026.
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 4, 2026 | NextWork | $445.0M Seed | SHAKTI | Blackbird Ventures, Cake Ventures, GD1, Icehouse Ventures |
| Feb 9, 2026 | Contented | $4.1M Seed | Altered Capital | Exhort Ventures, Icehouse Ventures, K1W1, NEW Zealand Growth Capital Partners, Shearwater Capital |
| Feb 1, 2025 | Ivo | $16.0M Series A | Costanoa Ventures | High Alpha, Hoxton Ventures, Powerhouse Ventures, Uncork Capital, TOM Williams, Blackbird Ventures, Fika Ventures, GD1, NFDG |
| Apr 22, 2024 | NextWork | $2.3M Pre-Seed | John Kells | Blackbird Ventures, Icehouse Ventures |
| Apr 4, 2024 | Ivo | $4.8M Other Equity | Fika Ventures, Uncork Capital | Daniel Gross, GD1 |
Phase One Ventures is an Auckland, New Zealand-based organization that integrates multiple functions to support the startup ecosystem. It operates as an early-stage founder community, providing a network and resources for emerging entrepreneurs. Concurrently, it runs a product and growth incubator program designed to help startups develop and scale their offerings, emphasizing hands-on guidance.
Beyond its community and incubation efforts, Phase One Ventures also functions as a venture capital fund, providing financial backing to promising early-stage companies. This multi-faceted approach allows the firm to engage with startups at various points of their development, from ideation to market entry and sustained growth. The firm aims to be a comprehensive partner for founders.
A core component of Phase One Ventures' model is its role as a venture studio. In this capacity, the firm actively builds SaaS products, taking them from an initial concept through to the creation of a minimum viable product (MVP) and subsequent stages of development. This hands-on involvement in product creation distinguishes its operational strategy within the venture landscape.
The organization is specifically focused on nurturing high-growth New Zealand startups, aligning with its broader vision for an "even happier New Zealand." Its commitment to the local ecosystem is further evidenced by its headquarters in Auckland. An early-stage fund managed by Phase One Ventures successfully closed with NZ$2.1 million, demonstrating its capacity to mobilize capital for local innovation.
This fund has reportedly supported 14 tech startups, showcasing the firm's active participation in the venture landscape. Notably, 36% of the companies backed by this fund were founded or co-founded by women, indicating a commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within its investment portfolio and the broader startup community.
