Mana Tupu Capital · Founders, Owners & Companies
We back the builders —
and the owners
ready for what's next.
Mana Tupu Capital invests in early- and growth-stage New Zealand ventures — and acquires majority positions in established, cash-generative NZ businesses. If you are building something that scales, or running something worth owning, tell us about it.
Early & growth-stage
founders
FinTech, AgriTech, GreenTech, AI & Big Data. Series A and B equity investments into NZ companies building scalable technology with global reach.
Apply for Venture Investment →Established NZ business
owners
$3M–$30M revenue, cash-generative, owner-operated. Majority acquisition or succession buyout — for owners who are ready for their next chapter.
Register Your Business →
What We Back
Capital and capability
for founders who
build to exit.
We invest in New Zealand and NZ-connected companies demonstrating commercial traction, founder capability, defensible intellectual property, and a clear pathway to liquidity through merger, acquisition, or IPO.
This is not passive capital. We take governance positions, make commercial introductions, and work alongside founders through the hard work of scaling — from Series A through to exit. We look for businesses where our involvement accelerates outcomes, not just our cheque.
All investments must qualify as Authorised Investments under the Active Investor Plus Visa Growth Category — meaning companies must be incorporated, tax-resident, and operationally based in New Zealand, or demonstrate a substantive NZ connection.
Apply Now →Sectors We Back
Three sectors.
One mandate.
We focus where New Zealand's competitive advantages are strongest — and where the global opportunity is largest. AI and Big Data intersect across all three sectors and are a central part of our investment thesis.
Open banking, payments infrastructure, lending technology, wealth management platforms, compliance tools, and data services. NZ's largest tech vertical by revenue — entering an acceleration phase with open banking reform and competition policy tailwinds.
Precision agriculture, food technology, on-farm data systems, provenance tracking, sustainable land management, and supply chain innovation. Building on New Zealand's globally competitive primary sector with technology that travels internationally.
Clean energy software, grid optimisation, storage technology, industrial electrification, emissions monitoring, and decarbonisation infrastructure. NZ's 85% renewable electricity base creates a natural deployment environment for climate technology with global export potential.
What We Look For
We back traction,
not just
potential.
Every investment is assessed across commercial, financial, technical, legal, and ESG dimensions. These are the characteristics that matter most to our Investment Committee.
We are sector-focused but stage-flexible — most investments are at Series A or B, but we will consider exceptional pre-revenue opportunities where the IP defensibility and founder track record are compelling. Applications are reviewed by the investment team and progress to full IC review if they meet our initial screening criteria.
Validated product-market fit, paying customers or committed pilots, and evidence of repeatable revenue. We want to see the problem solved, not just described.
A clear pathway to international revenue, not just domestic market capture. NZ as a launch pad, not a ceiling. We fund businesses that sell to the world.
Technology, data, regulatory position, or network effects that create sustainable competitive barriers. Something that takes years to replicate, not months.
Track record, domain expertise, and demonstrated execution. We back the team as much as the technology — founders who have scaled before, or who show the discipline and self-awareness of those who will.
A realistic exit thesis — trade sale, merger, or IPO — with identifiable strategic or financial buyers in the market. We underwrite exit from day one.
Incorporated and tax-resident in New Zealand, with primary operations in NZ. AIP compliance is a fund requirement — investments must meet the NZ Connection test under Invest NZ criteria.
What We Offer
More than capital.
A partner through exit.
We bring four things to every investment — and we mean all four, not just the cheque.
Equity investment at Series A or B, structured for milestone-based deployment. Capital that scales with your execution, not ahead of it.
Board or observer rights. Structured reporting and performance covenants. The governance infrastructure that institutional buyers expect to see at exit.
Access to our global investor and commercial network across Asia-Pacific, North America, and beyond. Introductions to co-investors, strategic partners, and potential acquirers.
Active exit planning from the first board meeting. We document realistic pathways, maintain the standards institutional buyers require, and prepare you for the process well before you need to run it.
PE/SME Buyout Fund · Launching Q3 2026
You built it.
We'll take it
to the next level.
Mana Tupu Capital is establishing a dedicated PE/SME Buyout Fund for New Zealand business owners in the $3M–$30M revenue range who are considering succession, a partial exit, or bringing in an institutional partner to accelerate growth.
We acquire majority positions using preferred equity and loan note structures — generating income distributions from operational cash flow while working with retained management to build the business toward a premium exit. This is not passive ownership. We bring governance, commercial infrastructure, and an exit plan from day one.
Register Your Business →
Who We're Looking For
The right business at
the right moment.
You have built a profitable business over 20–30 years and are ready to transition. No clear internal successor, no appetite for a rushed trade sale, but not ready to walk away. We provide a structured exit with retained management where that adds value.
Your business is profitable and growing but you need capital and operational infrastructure to reach the next level — new geographies, acquisitions, or technology investment. You want a partner who brings more than a cheque.
You want to crystallise some value now, retain meaningful equity, and continue running the business — with institutional governance and a defined exit pathway. A recapitalisation that gives you liquidity without relinquishing all control.
What We Acquire
The business profile
we look for.
We are sector-agnostic for the PE/SME fund — we assess the business fundamentals, not the industry. The characteristics below are what matter to our Investment Committee. If your business fits, we want to hear from you.
Typical sectors include trade services, food & beverage production, agriculture and horticulture, professional services, logistics, construction services, and niche manufacturing. We are particularly interested in businesses with export potential or technology adoption opportunities.
Entry Multiple
NZ SME transactions typically occur at 1.5×–3.5× EBITDA — and that is what we pay. We are not distressed buyers and we do not pursue opportunistic pricing. Our returns come from operational improvement and aggregation, not from underpaying founders who built something genuinely valuable. If your business is worth more, we will reflect that.
The Process · Venture & PE
From application
to decision.
The same disciplined process applies to both Venture Fund I and the PE/SME Buyout Fund. Every application is reviewed and you will hear from us at each stage.
Apply for Investment
Tell us about
what you're building — or running.
Complete the application form below — whether you are a founder seeking venture capital or a business owner exploring a buyout, acquisition, or succession conversation. All submissions are reviewed by the Mana Tupu investment team.
We respond to every application and will tell you why if the answer is no. For venture applicants, have your pitch deck, latest financials, and cap table ready. For PE/SME applicants, a brief overview of your business, revenue, and ownership structure is sufficient to start.
Your application is submitted securely via the Myndra platform. All information is treated as strictly confidential and will not be shared with third parties without your consent. Applications are typically reviewed within 10 business days. If you experience any issues with this form, contact us directly at invest@manatupu.co.nz.
Not ready to apply?
Let's have a conversation.
If you'd prefer to talk before submitting a formal application, our investment team is available. We hold a limited number of introductory calls each month for companies at the right stage.