Auckland network the Ice Angels announced today that 2013 was its best year to date, with nearly $8 million pumped into 26 New Zealand businesses.
Members of the Ice Angels collectively invested $7,890,819 – nearly double the overall amount invested in 2012 and 2011.
READ MORE: Where are all the female angel investors?
Ken Erskine, director of startup and the Ice Angels at The Icehouse, said greater coordination with other investment groups around New Zealand has worked well to enable more startups to raise more money.
The Ice Angels syndicated with Sparkbox, Stephen Tindall’s k1w1, Movac, AngelHQ, Arch Angels, the Enterprise Angels, and many others throughout last year as well as providing angel funding to four startups that received seed funding from the Global from Day One Seed fund.
“Last year, Ice Angel’s portfolio companies including Booktrack, Stolen Rum, and Nexus6 secured significant amounts of venture capital, launched new products, and successfully broke into overseas markets,” says Erksine.
“The outlook for 2014 is already looking good. We’ve met with dozens of fascinating startups and have already invested nearly $1m in companies including Eftplus.
“The sign off of crowdfunding by the government opens the door for many more kiwi startups to raise seed funding.”
The network also added 37 new investors last year including global CEOs, exited entrepreneurs, and professional investors.
READ MORE: Angel investor Bill Payne on people, products and pivots
