Icehouse Ventures
VC Fund Manager based in Auckland
About Icehouse Ventures
New Zealand's most active early-stage venture capital firm with over $750m AUM and 340+ portfolio companies
Location
Auckland
FSP Registration
FSP18944
Established
2001
23 years track record
AIP Approved
Eligible for Active Investor Plus visa
Funds Managed (3)
Icehouse Ventures Seed Fund IV LP
~30 of NZ's leading high-growth technology companies at pre-seed to pre-Series A
IV Sustainable Technology Fund
20-40 impact seed stage technology companies amplifying global sustainability
Icehouse Ventures Seed Fund
New Zealand's most active early-stage venture capital fund backing brave Kiwi founders
Investment Opportunities(3)
IV Sustainable Technology Fund
Investing20-40 of NZ's leading impact seed stage technology companies amplifying global sustainability
Icehouse Ventures Seed Fund IV
OpenFourth vintage of New Zealand's most active early-stage venture fund backing brave Kiwi founders
Icehouse Ventures Seed Fund IV LP
Fundraising~30 of NZ's leading high-growth technology companies at pre-seed to pre-Series A stages
Key People (15)
Robbie Paul
CEO
Leadership
Has been with Icehouse Ventures from its angel network, to its first fund, to over $500m in FUM. Joined in 2008.
Jack McQuire
Partner
Leadership
Drawn to the optimism of founders tackling seemingly insurmountable global problems, a three-month internship has become a career spanning over a decade. Joined in 2013.
Barnaby Marshall
Partner
Leadership
Involved in the NZ startup ecosystem for over a decade as both founder and investor, supporting early-stage entrepreneurs to achieve global scale. Joined in 2017.
Jo Wickham
Partner
Leadership
Former private equity/corporate lawyer at London Magic Circle and Auckland firms; senior executive at globally listed NZ tech company and data-driven marketing startup. Joined in 2021.
Jason Wang
Partner
Leadership
EHF fellow who raised his first fund in 2016; established Chinese investor community and positioning the firm's diverse investor network. Joined in 2015.
Tim Brown
Venture Partner
Leadership
Allbirds co-founder and former All Whites captain bringing startup experience to Kiwi founders. Joined in 2024.
Tom Furlong
Venture Partner
Leadership
15 years in Silicon Valley corporate law; 15 years as VC at Granite Ventures with $1b FUM and unicorn portfolio. Joined in 2017.
Peter Thomson
CTO
Leadership
Built product and marketing for startups in New York and London; former private equity and venture capital lawyer with fintech passion. Joined in 2019.
Scott Turner
CFO
Leadership
Previously at Deloitte NZ and investment broking in London; exited his own startup before joining. Joined in 2016.
Matt Gunn
COO
Leadership
Former COO and Head of Growth at scaling retail and open data startups; raised over $30m for IV funds. Joined in 2020.
Mason Bleakley
Principal
Investment Team
Joined at age 19; raised over $30m in venture funds and helped launch First Cut, a $5.2m fund for founders under 30. Joined in 2017.
Steph Benseman
Principal and Head of Portfolio Services
Investment Team
Designed and delivered accelerators for startups and corporate innovation before joining. Joined in 2021.
Christine Jensen
Head of Marketing
Operations
Early marketer at two NZ fintech startups; expertise in content, comms, and brand elevation. Joined in 2025.
Becca Gaunt
Senior Legal Counsel
Operations
International VC experience from top-tier UK VC law firm and in-house counsel at European/US-focused VC. Joined in 2024.
Felicity Richards
Business Support Manager
Operations
Extensive Navy career; finance experience at London PE and asset management firms; supports international growth. Joined in 2023.
Get Started
Quick Info
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify a provider is legitimate and trustworthy?
Conduct thorough due diligence before investing with any provider: (1) Check FMA Register - Verify the provider is licensed or registered with the Financial Markets Authority (www.fma.govt.nz/compliance/entities), (2) Review track record - Research past fund performance, years in operation, total funds under management, (3) Check key personnel - Research investment team backgrounds, LinkedIn profiles, previous roles and experience, (4) Request references - Ask to speak with existing investors or portfolio companies, (5) Review documentation - Read Information Memoranda, trust deeds, audited financial statements thoroughly, (6) Understand fee structures - Ensure fees are clear, reasonable, and aligned with industry norms, (7) Check for red flags - Promises of guaranteed returns, pressure to invest quickly, unlicensed operators, lack of transparency. All providers on Wholesale Investor NZ are pre-screened for legitimacy, but always conduct your own due diligence.
What questions should I ask a fund manager before investing?
Ask fund managers these critical questions: Investment Strategy - What is your investment thesis? How do you source deals? What's your competitive advantage? Track Record - What returns have you achieved historically (gross and net)? What percentage of investments succeeded vs failed? Can I speak with investors in prior funds? Team - Who makes investment decisions? What's their background? Have there been recent departures? How is the team compensated? Risk Management - What was your worst investment and what did you learn? How do you handle conflicts of interest? What's your downside protection? Fees - Explain management fees, performance fees, and all other costs? What's the hurdle rate? Process - What's the investment committee process? How often do you report? What voting rights do I have? Exit - What's the expected timeline to liquidity? Have you returned capital to investors before? Get answers in writing and verify claims independently.
What is the difference between a fund manager and a platform?
Fund Managers directly manage pooled investment capital, making investment decisions, conducting due diligence, managing portfolio companies/assets, charging management and performance fees, and carrying fiduciary duty to investors. Examples include private equity firms, credit fund managers, property developers. Platforms provide infrastructure for accessing multiple investment opportunities, do not make direct investment decisions (investors choose from offerings), may conduct initial due diligence on providers, charge platform fees or take commissions from providers, and offer comparison and research tools. Examples include investment platforms, crowdfunding sites, syndication platforms. Some hybrid models exist - platforms with house funds. When investing via platforms, you still need to evaluate the underlying fund manager's capabilities, track record, and terms as if investing directly.