are you a founder Ready to seek investment?

We are always looking for high growth, scalable companies. If you want to seek investment from Mainland Angels, get in touch with the network manager closest to you (Peter - Otago/Southland, Camille- Canterbury) with your investor pitch deck, and deal screening document filled out. Its that simple!




What is the process?

If you fit the Mainland Angels thesis (see below), Peter or Camille will send your email with documents to the screening committee. They will carefully assess your company based on your investor pitch deck and deal screening document, and decide who moves forward. Please note this is a competitive process, and some companies will not be selected to present, or you may need to wait until a later date.

Once you have been selected to present in front of our angels, you can either pitch in front of our members in person, or do an off-cycle deal through Catalist which is an online platform that angels use to find deals.

Our 2025 dates are:

Screening committee cut off by Mainland Angels


What types of companies get selected, and what doesn’t?

At Mainland Angels, we are looking for companies that our angels would invest in. We are looking for typically (with exceptions)

  • Valuation of under ~$12M pre-money (this can be higher for deep tech or med tech companies)

  • We love supporting South Island based companies. In saying this, we also invest in companies outside of the Mainland

  • Fantastic founders with expertise in their industry or startups

  • Some evidence of commercial traction (sales, MOUs, LOIs, waiting lists, etc)

  • An exit path for investors

  • Highly scalable companies going for big markets

  • High gross margins

  • Bonus points if you have exited a company before

We do not typically invest in:

  • Primary industry (i.e farming) but we will invest in things related to farming like cow wearables.

  • Pure R&D

  • Construction, development or real estate

  • Mining

  • Cryptocurrencies

  • Alcohol, Tobacco, illegal drug manufacturing.




need help getting investment ready?

If you’re a founder with an idea ready to scale, but you need some help getting all your ducks in a row before you get intouch with investors - get in touch with your local startup scene. MAI is co-funded by the following three investment hubs, they’ll be able to help you get investment ready and link you with the right people in MAI to speak with.

 

Southland based? COIN South - Email

Dunedin based? Startup Dunedin - Email

Queenstown based? Startup Queenstown Lakes - Email

Christchurch or NZ based? Ministry of Awesome - Email