Outset Venture

Outset Ventures is a pioneering venture capital firm and deep technology incubator based in Auckland, New Zealand, dedicated to transforming breakthrough scientific and engineering innovations into globally significant companies. Established in 2016 as a venture capital entity, its roots trace back to 2006 with the establishment of its physical R&D facilities, which famously incubated early-stage ventures like Rocket Lab and LanzaTech. The firm operates on a unique integrated model, combining specialised laboratory and workshop facilities, a focused venture fund, and a curated community to provide comprehensive support for deep technology startups.

Outset Ventures primarily serves visionary founders across New Zealand who are developing complex, hard-to-replicate technologies in sectors critical for global challenges. These include energy, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, advanced materials, industrial chemistry, biotechnology, medical technology, waste-to-value solutions, and future food. The firm's investment thesis is centred on backing 'atoms, not bits' – companies built on fundamental scientific advancements or engineering innovations that possess a strong technical moat and target large international markets.

What sets Outset Ventures apart is its hands-on, platform-based approach. Beyond capital, it provides founders with direct access to world-class deep technology infrastructure, specialist equipment, and technical expertise through its 6,000 square metre campus, Future House. This physical hub fosters a collaborative environment where founders benefit from shared facilities, operational input, and introductions to a global network of investors, partners, customers, and talent. This holistic support aims to accelerate research and development cycles, reduce common pitfalls, and efficiently scale complex scientific projects.

The firm boasts a remarkable history of nurturing successful deep technology companies. Noteworthy alumni from its facilities include Rocket Lab, now a Nasdaq-listed global aerospace organisation, and LanzaTech, a leading carbon capture and transformation company also listed on Nasdaq. Mint Innovation and Ternary Kinetics are further examples of ventures that have emerged from Outset's ecosystem, demonstrating its proven capability to convert early-stage scientific ideas into commercial successes.

Outset Ventures is led by an experienced team of deep technology founders and operators. Mat Rowe, Co-Founder and Executive Director, brings over 25 years of experience in science, engineering, and commercialisation, having been a founding team member of LanzaTech and co-founder of Dotterel Technologies and Mint Innovation. Angus Blair, General Partner, co-leads the investment team, with a background in product leadership and a focus on translating complex science into investable strategies. The Investment Committee includes luminaries such as Sir Peter Beck (Founder, CEO of Rocket Lab), Dr. Sean Simpson (Co-founder of LanzaTech and Ternary), and Dr. Will Barker (Founder, CEO of Mint Innovation), providing invaluable entrepreneurial and technical expertise to portfolio companies.