• Wellumio

  Participated · Series A · Jul 2026

  Wellumio develops a portable neuroimaging platform called Axana that uses patented PGFM (pulsed gradient–free mapping) technology to deliver rapid MRI-based stroke assessments at the point of care. The technology is designed to operate without contrast agents, cryogenics, or shielded rooms, enabling use in critical care settings. The company completed initial human feasibility trials and received a U.S. patent for its technology in December 2025. Wellumio is progressing toward regulatory approval and plans expanded clinical evaluation across additional sites and geographies. The company is led by co-founder and CEO Dr. Shieak Tzeng and is based in Wellington, New Zealand.

• Kitea Health

  Participated · Series A · Dec 2025

  Kitea Health is an Auckland University Bioengineering Institute spin-out building a miniature implant that wirelessly measures pressure inside the brain or heart and transmits data through an external wand. The device is designed to cut down false alarms and provide clinicians with real-time information for patients suffering from hydrocephalus, heart failure, or traumatic injury. Kitea has already completed a first-in-human safety study at Auckland Hospital, implanting the sensor in 20 patients aged 18 months to 84 years with no adverse effects reported. The company is preparing a 150-patient U.S. trial at Texas Children’s Hospital, targeting FDA clearance that could unlock approvals in the UK, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. Kitea employs 24 staff (23 in Auckland and one U.S. regulatory specialist) and has attracted $14 million in research grants. Financially, the firm closed an oversubscribed $13 million pre-Series A round, following a $6 million seed raise in 2023, and management believes the new capital will last through late 2027 and completion of U.S. trials. Future capital raises are expected only after trial results, potentially involving U.S. med-tech investors or a strategic acquirer.

• Avasa

  Participated · Equity · Sep 2023

  Avasa is developing the Avasa Coupler, a category‑defining device that enables safe, fast and standardized reconnection of micro‑arteries used in reconstructive microsurgery. The company has reached design freeze and built pre‑production units that achieved 100% success in chronic animal studies. Founder and CEO Dr. Nandoun Abeysekera is a clinician‑bioengineer and Avasa reports strong clinical demand—89% of the 100+ microsurgeons interviewed expressed strong interest. Founded in 2018 and based in Auckland, New Zealand, Avasa is completing verification testing and recruiting commercial leadership to build its go‑to‑market strategy. The company intends to use the new capital to progress through FDA clearance and to launch commercially within the next 18 months. Avasa, led by CEO and founder Dr. Nandoun Abeysekera, is an Auckland, New Zealand-based medical device company focused on innovating surgical procedures through implantable devices. The company’s core product targets reconstructive microsurgery to help patients who have suffered debilitating disease and deformity. Avasa raised $1.55M in funding and intends to use the proceeds to expand operations. The announcement lists participation from both new and existing investors. Dr. Abeysekera expects the scope of the company’s device to expand into other surgical fields, including organ transplants, cardiothoracic surgery, and vascular surgery. The coverage was reported by FInSMEs on 14 September 2023.

• Amaroq Therapeutics

  Participated · Equity · Jul 2021

  Amaroq Therapeutics is a Dunedin-based biotech spun out of the University of Otago focused on developing a new class of therapeutics that target long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in oncology. The team is led by founder and Chief Scientific Officer Dr Sarah Diermeier, a researcher experienced in lncRNA biology, and has one of the world’s most advanced programs in next-generation RNA therapy based on patient data. Amaroq has identified lncRNAs that are highly expressed in cancer cells and shown that removing these molecules can slow cancer cell division. The company is developing therapies initially aimed at breast, colorectal and liver cancers and intends to address high unmet clinical need including resistance to chemotherapeutics and improving survival rates. Financially, Amaroq secured NZ$14m in investment to accelerate development; the financing package also benefits from a Callaghan Innovation repayable grant administered by Brandon Capital. Amaroq is supported by the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF) and investors including Brandon Capital, Otago Innovation, Cure Kids and NZ Innovation Booster.

• Upside Biotechnologies

  Participated · Series A · Mar 2017

  Upside Biotechnologies, based in Auckland, New Zealand, is developing an advanced skin replacement therapy that grows a small sample of unburnt patient skin into large areas of full-thickness lab-grown skin for grafting. The company’s product is produced faster than competing products in development and is supplied in larger sheets with handling characteristics preferred by burns surgeons. Upside was spun out of the University of Auckland from Professor Rod Dunbar’s laboratory. CEO Robert Feldman says the recently raised capital will enable the company to complete product development, demonstrate proof of concept and ready the product for its first human trial. The company also plans to use the funding to forge links, collaborations and explore market opportunities in the United States. The article situates Upside within the broader regenerative medicine market, which is projected to reach US$30 billion by 2022.

No current team members are available.