Astrolab works with ideas from across the country. Its head office is in Auckland in close proximity to Auckland’s top universities and medical research facilities as well as the central business community. Our ventures vary from initial concepts to fully developed ideas and we provide commercialisation expertise, financial backing, crucial go-to-market contacts, strategy and other business assets essential for success.
Astrolab works with innovators in a range of sectors including ICT, life science, clean-tech, IoT and devices, human performance, media, visualisation/VR/AR, agritech, and care/medical. Approved under Callaghan Innovation’s incubator funding framework, Astrolab is mandated by the New Zealand Government.
Our mission is to successfully, globally commercialise high-tech intellectual property from New Zealand.
OUR TEAM
ARRON JUDSON
DIRECTOR
Provides governance & leadership expertise for the ventures and Astrolab.
With 25+ years’ experience in ICT running advanced research facilities for US & EU startups and in senior commercial roles with technology focused multinationals. Director of the Centre for Software Innovation at University of Auckland (New Zealand’s largest university). Arron sits on the Return on Science Investment Committee assessing deep IP from NZ public research organisations.
Brett Oliver
CEO/Director
Management of the Incubator and relationships with our partner network.
10+ years’ experience in commercialisation & innovation activities. Roles included composite materials design engineer Air New Zealand, technology auditor and advisor at KPMG, commercialisation manager at UniServices and North Island Manager of Commercialisation, NZ Health Innovation Hub.
Rory MacGillycuddy
Ventures Executive
Provides the day to day support to our ventures and assisting Brett in ensuring processes are continuously improved.
Rory has a strong career in corporate banking in UK and New Zealand and has
worked in a variety of senior roles in seed through to late stage investment assisting companies with capital raising and addressing issues around strategy, growth and governance.
Patrick Bray
Partner
Based between San Francisco and Tokyo, brings substantial expertise in managing collaboration and investment with globally based industry partners. Secured 100+ partnerships between IP developers and industry matching complex IP to international demand. Excellent connections with North American and Asian VCs, and corporates.
Louis Newton
Analyst
Helps Astrolab to identify the ventures that we can help succeed and once those ventures are on board helps with their vision and strategy. Louis’ background includes significant technical expertise and degreesin Physics, Chemistry and Philosophy.