Something special is happening, and it’s time you got involved

For the last six months I’ve been deep in Mum mode with my new son and toddler daughter. 

Meanwhile, an unprecedented chapter has been unfolding in New Zealand’s technology scene:

• In the Ngauranga Gorge, OpenStar floated their half-tonne magnet on the path to delivering nuclear fusion. New Zealand might just change how the world makes energy. 
• Marloo, an AI partner for financial advisors launched just over a year ago, raised a $17M seed round. They are now serving 650+ firms across seven countries. (See open roles here)
• Tracksuit, who we backed in their first round and in every round since, topped 1,000 customers in 25 countries before their fifth birthday. (See open roles here)
• Halter, who we’ve backed five times to become their biggest supporter, hit more than a million collars in the field, and closed a Series E at over $3.3 billion valuation. (See open roles here)
• Partly, who we've backed since pre-seed and in every round since, are using AI to fix a $2 trillion industry that's barely changed in decades. Headquartered in Christchurch, they’re now operating across four continents. (See open roles here)
• ThroughLine are now the mental health crisis support infrastructure behind ChatGPT, Claude, Google, Roblox and more, powering tens of millions of safety moments monthly across 170+ countries. (See open roles here)

I could go on. In the last twelve months, half of Blackbird's new investments have been in Kiwi-founded companies. New Zealand startups are on fire.

The barriers to building from this part of the world are shrinking. New Zealand is home to more and more global category leading companies. This is the place ambitious talent wants to live.  

At the same time, New Zealand’s economy desperately needs to ship higher-value exports so we can afford the things we badly want: quality education, healthcare and infrastructure.

If you’re thinking of moving here, or moving back here, you no longer need to trade ambition and impact for lifestyle. 

If you already live here: the opportunity cost of sitting on your hands, or working in a stalled legacy industry waiting for your job to be automated, has never been greater.

So let me ask you straight: what role will you have in creating a prosperous and future-proof New Zealand, in creating the place we all want to live? 

I cannot wait to find the next Vessev, Ternary, or Polymath being founded on these shores.

I cannot wait to fund your idea.

I cannot wait to have you join one of these rocketship companies. 

I'm back. And I cannot wait to see what we build next.

My DMs are open!

Phoebe Harrop Meadows leads Blackbird Aotearoa. Blackbird has invested over $370M in New Zealand companies and we're just getting started.