Hillfarrance is Two

Two years ago today, I signed Hillfarrance into formal existence and started on the most significant and most rewarding journey of my career thus far.

In the space of two years, we have done a lot. Aside from scout programmes, startup capital roadshows and Collaborative Carry, our greatest honour is funding fourteen of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most exciting startups and the entrepreneurs who run them.

It is a profound privilege to invest in the dreams and aspirations of fourteen Kiwi startups and their founders. These people reside at the very heart of our business and are our reason for existence. 

We want to thank the country of New Zealand and its startup ecosystem for welcoming us into the fold. As some may remember, we entered the market with a certain degree of “impact” when we first started. We want to thank those of you who supported our team, our tenacity to keep trying while the tall poppies were being cut, and those who gave us a proverbial punch in the gut when we stepped over the line.

From impact often comes growth, and we have been growing like nobody's business since we landed on these shores. Our team has grown to include Alex and Aisha, two new VCs ready to “step unto the breach” of startup investing. Our footprint has grown to include portfolio companies based in all corners of the country creating over 120 new jobs. Perhaps most importantly for me, I have grown as a person. Moving country and setting up a home with two exceptional children under the age of two has been quite the voyage. I can’t thank my partner-in-crime, Diana, enough for all of the sacrifice and support she has given me during this time.

Without all of our friends, colleagues and partners, we wouldn't have been able to build Hillfarrance into the quartile-busting firm it is today. Our recent eye-opening fund performance is a testament to all of your hard work and commitment to our goal of becoming New Zealand’s number one early-stage venture fund. Just wait until you see what we have in store for the future.

From pandemics to illegal wars, this decade has undoubtedly given us a couple of years where the highs have been super high (and often brief), and the lows have been pretty damn dark. With all of the horrible events happening around the world, it is challenging to see the light in all of that darkness. It is undoubtedly pretty faint at the moment, but we can get there with strength and courage.

In summary

Thank you to New Zealand for giving us the sandbox to innovate and break boundaries.

Thank you to our investors for trusting in us to be custodians of some of their most valued assets.

Thank you to our founders for believing in the Hillfarrance vision and letting us join your family--we hope you like being a part of ours.

Here’s to many, many more years of wearing the t-shirt and serving the dreamers, thinkers and doers.

P.S. Thankfully, we have new t-shirts and hoodies coming.

P.P.S. I know I may get some flak for this but I am going to go on record and say that the last two years have taught me that New Zealand chips are better than those from the UK.