Rachel Benitez Email & Phone Number

Auckland, New Zealand

Assisted in the deployment of New Zealand's premier impact-first investment fund, Te Pae ki te Rangi, funded by one of the largest community trusts in the country, Foundation North.Led and supported the implementation of new reporting frameworks, including a portfolio-wide impact measurement methodology across multiple asset classes, and due diligence processes to the Fund's investment committee.Assisted in over $18M investment transactions across VC equity and real assets that prioritise social and environmental returns to marginalised communities in New Zealand, with focus on impact due diligence, market and competitor analyses, and financial analysis. Board Observer role with early-stage VC companies across fintech and social enterprise.

Auckland, New Zealand

Advised pre-seed/seed investments into disruptive deep tech technologies, guided by rigorous due diligence into the technology's market potential, R&D roadmap, IP strategy, governance, capital strategy and financial modelling. Portfolio management responsibilities included quarterly valuations, LP reporting, drafting pitch decks to assist GP capital raising, ongoing support of existing portfolio companies through Board Observer roles. Matū Group invests in deep technology companies that seek to address some of society’s biggest issues, like chronic diseases, climate change, food production and energy generation and storage. Matū is an active early-stage investor, investing financial and intellectual capital in globally scalable deep technology start-ups where their expertise can make a difference to the company’s success.

Auckland, New Zealand

Assessed and advised on the commercial viability of new engineering/physical sciences ideas from both students and research professionals at the University of Auckland, through market research and IP analysis. Supported new and follow-on investments under the Inventor's Fund. Exposure to the Return on Science Investment Committees, a network of leading industry, research, and VC professionals in New Zealand, as well as board governance and legal reviews for existing portfolio companies. Co-ordinating commercialisation workshops for PhD and postgrad students to build investment readiness out of the university. Auckland UniServices is one of Aotearoa's largest technology transfer offices. Inventors' Fund operates under UniServices as a pool of investment capital to support the development of spinouts/inventor entrepreneurs from the university.