All of you, here comes the video to show what you've missed out on if you didn't join the flight of 50 on Monday 20 May 2019.

We're running ADI.Clinic at eight sites across the country with the help of other angels groups that are stepping up in the regions. Whangarei is one of those sites and Akudos comes from there after the team has been coached by Lawrence over several months.

This is their pitch video, FKA's 34 Voting Angels are currently deliberating whether to proceed to DD. Nearly half the votes are in so far and there is clearly interest in Akudos.

"It will be administered by the Super fund, with NZVIF making the investments through private sector fund managers."

"The Venture Capital Association had expressed concerns that if NZVIF went it alone with investments, bypassing private fund managers, that would run counter to its original remit of helping grow a strong private sector venture capital industry in New Zealand and could "crowd out" private investment." ☞ full article

Also, ☞ this article.  "[...] Icehouse chief executive Andy Hamilton also said the challenge would be getting the private sector on board to match the investment." Meaning increase the $3m($100m) fund presumably?

Ping Garth.Hinton@fka.nz for more info.

The above shot shows impeccable timing from Lance Wiggs. Still, he is clearly better at investing than photography.

18:30 @ KPMG, 18 Viaduct Harbour Ave, Auckland.

With Tim Warren, we have at least one other Angel who had red hair at some point and a photo to prove it. But seriously, if you know of any material reasons why Lawrence should not join our group, now is the time to speak up! Raise your concerns in confidence with the FKA Directors.

Suse from AANZ was supported by a strong FKA contingent with Jackie, wannabe Lawrence, Martin and Rudi. So strong was our contingent that somehow, the MC Ken Erskine ended up registered as a Flying Kiwi Angel with a big lanyard sign to prove it. But he carried that 'badge of honour' with his typical GSOH throughout the day.

CCH says, "Ken would make a fine first Scotsman in our ranks."

End of Year Celebration for 2018

You are invited to join friends and colleagues for end-of-year drinks and canapés at 5:00pm on Wednesday 5 December at the offices or sun deck of EY on Takutai Square in Auckland.

It’s been "pedal to the metal" all year in angel investment so please join us to celebrate the excitement and traction founders and investors are generating in New Zealand.

Kindly RSVP to Karren  Hmm, red wine, one way to drown starworms!

Her partner Rory MacGillycuddy has co-hosted Ask Angels Anything with Rudi and devised the cheeky fundraiser slogan.

Says Rudi, "Fund Moxion, then Robyn and tell others! I'll send out the full co-investment call for Moxion early next week.".

Tue, 18 Sep @ 1830, 18 Viaduct Harbour Ave, Auckland

Everyone is amped to hear Ambit pitch so the pressure is on!

Little known fact, at the IA Showcase the editor caught up with JB from Squirrel who put the Squirrel bot persona on Tinder for a laugh. Haha!

www.Moxion.io is our portfolio company #10 and is disrupting film production in Hollywood and beyond. Great editorial coverage in The Hollywood Reporter on pages 12 and 18 for Moxion. This custom edition is distributed at the Toronto International Film Festival
#FKAngels #KIWIstartups #MakeFKAproud #GoMoxion

Phil is our true Flying Kiwi often helping with DD whilst travelling for his passion. He recently made 2nd place in the Dutch competition and 5th in the British competition. He competes in the shrinking 'rigid wing' class that is being overtaken in popularity by the 'flexi' class. The facetious might liken his success to 95-year-old Olga who is winning medals and setting world records in her class. ☞ BBC footage

Thanks, Tim (Gelston, not Warren), for reminding us of this harsh reality. We all know that most startups fail but looking at the data of 1,100+ startups from seed investment onward puts it all into an even harsher perspective. Only 48% raised a second round of funding, and a mere 15% went on to raise a fourth. And the chances of reaching unicorn status? 

☞ Not great, about 1%.

Big numbers also with the pitches, multimillion rounds at eye-watering valuations. AskNicely, one that got away although we had early engagement. They are now raising US$7-10m on a valuation to be set by the lead investor but expected to be about US$50M. Definitely some great companies in the mix and good on Robbie and team for getting those to the night.

Some early ones too that would unlikely have found a champion among FKAngels, let alone pass the DD Vote. IA's focus and strength are clearly with later stage deals that have rounds which demand the big cheques that such a staged event can generate. The distance between the founders and the investor audience was a perfect proxy for the difference between the IA and FKA style of angel investing.

One of New Zealand’s most ardent angel investors, Debra Hall, was awarded the Angel Association of New Zealand’s (AANZ) prestigious Arch Angel Award at the 10th Anniversary NZ Angel Summit on Waiheke Island in 2017.

Now in 2018, she has already spoken with Tim W, Jai and Rudi. Neither of them could find fault with her, except they did find her very outspoken and forthright. She likes FKA's active involvement with founders and has already attended a couple of ADI.Clinic sessions.

If any of you know of any reasons why Debra should not join our group then now is the time to speak OUT. Please raise your concerns in confidence by email with the FKA board.

Important LP2 Decision
We need all LPs to vote over Easter to get formal support for the FKA board recommendation that was circulated on Thursday. At the time of publishing, we have 15 votes in, all in favour. That makes 17 laggards!