WNT Ventures Tech Week Expert Sessions: Building Strategic Partnerships
Event description
Taking NZ tech companies global is not an easy task. Hear from global experts who have built some of the biggest tech companies in the world.
Our speakers:
Jo Blundell has 14 years of experience in technology startups including Xero, and Timely, where she was the Chief Product and Marketing Officer. Most recently, Jo has stepped up as CEO of climate-tech startup CarbonCrop. Jo's experience spans brand, marketing, product, and sales, with a focus on building competitive differentiation and commercialising new opportunities within purpose-led ventures.
Wendy Kerr has vast experience in global technology and media companies such as the Financial Times, Pearson, Quicken, Expedia, Betfair, IBM, Barclaycard, The Economist, and Fidessa either in leading or in providing bespoke solutions for staff development and culture change. Here in Aotearoa New Zealand, Wendy joined the University of Auckland as Director of the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, transforming the Centre and enabling the University to be recognised as Entrepreneurial University of the Year in the Asia-Pacific. Wendy leads Global Marketing, People and Culture, and Organisational Effectiveness in her current role as Global Chief Operating Officer for fintech company Valocity.
The conversation will be facilitated by Maria Jose Alvarez, Investment Manager at WNT Ventures. Maria Jose is an experienced deep-tech founder and investor focused on supporting entrepreneurs in the process of investment, commercialisation, and growth. Through her time in New Zealand, MJ has worked with over 150 start-ups through Pre-Seed to Series A capital raises, particularly focused on breakthrough technologies in life sciences, agritech, and health.
Whether you are a first-time founder, a business owner, or a senior executive, the panel's experiences will bring valuable insights into attracting the right investors, building tech that scales, and how building networks can help you take over your target market.
At the end of the event, there will be opportunities for networking over drinks.