Through the $40 million pre-seed and seed University of ߣߣƵInventors’ Fund, we invest in research-based start-ups connected to Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. Check out our portfolio of companies, many of which are looking for further investment.
Investment Portfolio
We invest in ideas that will change the world
Apercure Surgical developed out of a University medical device design studio in 2020. An early-stage, research-focused company, Apercure aims to commercialise radiological and surgical drain devices. It grew out of a Smart Ideas grant from MBIE with support from Return On Science and seed investment from UniServices and WNT Ventures.
![Apercure LogoGCoHorizontalGCoTwo Colour](/assets/Investment-Portfolio/Apercure/Apercure-LogoGCoHorizontalGCoTwo-Colour.png)
Apercure
Improving patient and clinician experiences with radiological and surgical drains
Kent Lee
Founded in 2018, Avasa is developing advanced medical solutions in the field of reconstructive surgery. It creates tools, such as its patented Arterial Coupler, to help surgeons reconnect microvascular arteries simply and efficiently in tissue transfer and transplant surgery. An early-stage, research-focused company, Avasa has received support from Bridgewest Ventures.
![Avasa](/assets/Investment-Portfolio/Avasa/Avasa.png)
Avasa
Developing advanced medical solutions for microsurgery
Kent Lee
DDRx is a cancer drug development company founded by Associate Professor Michael Hay and Emeritus Professor William Wilson to develop DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) inhibitors that sensitise tumours to radiation without affecting healthy tissue. It aims to improve the safety and effectiveness of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer patients.
![DDRx black 1](/assets/Investment-Portfolio/DDRx-Pharmaceuticals-/DDRx_black_1.png)
DDRx Pharmaceuticals
Developing new drugs for head and neck cancer patients
Kimberlee Jordan
Built on decades of University of ߣߣƵresearch, UniServices spun out HaloIPT in 2010 to provide wireless charging systems for electric vehicles with equivalent efficiency and greater reliability and usability than plug-in charging systems. In 2011, HaloIPT was acquired by wireless technology giant Qualcomm and later by Witricity in 2018.
![qualcomm halo removebg preview](/assets/Investment-Portfolio/HaloIPT/qualcomm-halo-removebg-preview.png)
HaloIPT
Providing wireless charging systems for electric vehicles
Founded in 2007, PowerbyProxi developed wireless power transmitters and receivers that can simultaneously power up many different devices, including rechargeable batteries. PowerbyProxi was acquired in 2017.
![powerbyproxi owler 20161031 004051 original](/assets/Investment-Portfolio/PowerbyProxi/powerbyproxi_owler_20161031_004051_original.png)
PowerbyProxi
Wireless power charging for consumer electronics and industrial applications
TamoRx aims to develop an immunotherapy medicine to help patients’ immune systems destroy cancer cells. In 2022, it secured $15.25 million in capital to accelerate the development of its cancer treatment. TamoRx is based on the University's discovery of a mechanism that restricts the immune system from fighting cancer.
![tamorx removebg preview](/assets/Investment-Portfolio/TamoRx/tamorx-removebg-preview.png)
TamoRx
Helping the immune system destroy cancer cells
Kimberlee Jordan