Hawkes Bay Angel Summit deemed a success for national and international attendees

The government's Chief Science Advisor Sir Peter Gluckman outlined policy plans for commercialising innovation at Black Barn on Friday. Photo / Warren Buckland

The Angel Association of New Zealand's annual Angel Summit in Hawke's Bay last week was "brilliant" in every way, says executive director Suse Reynolds.

"The weather was gorgeous, the food was gorgeous and the people were wonderful," she said.

She said it was a very productive two days for the 120 delegates, with some of the key issues being collaboration, the importance of New Zealand Inc and balancing investment with return - the conflicting need for return on investment with wider economic/social goals.

She said the Black Barn venue helped foster good relations between attendees.

"Business is all about people and it is important to build the foundations of trust."
Angels flew in from throughout New Zealand and overseas.

"The New Zealand Angel Summit has a reputation for being the world's best angel conference destination. Last year when we had it in Queenstown we had 50 international visitors from a dozen different countries. We didn't quite manage it this time around because last year's was the Asian business angels forum and this year we were back to our New Zealand Angel Summit, but we still had Australian's Chinese, Americans, Canadians and one Skyped-in from Zurich."

Summit activities included an address from Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce, a visit to Rockit Apples' packing shed and a dozen investment-related presentations.

One of New Zealand's most prolific angel investors, Trevor Dickinson, was awarded the prestigious Arch Angel Award in Hawke's Bay, which recognises individuals who have "steadfastly championed the cause of angel investment and investors".

He has made more than 50 investments in early-stage and startup companies - the vast majority of which are angel-backed firms from throughout the country. He is on the board of Wellington-based angel investor network Angel HQ, and received the organisation's first lifetime membership based on the value of his investments made through the group.

Angel HQ manager Dave Allison said his contribution to the angel investment community was marked.

"The energy and enthusiasm he brings is extraordinary, whether it's on the boards of companies, or advising entrepreneurs, or making deals happen by bringing people together," he said.

The English-born former geologist worked in the UK oil and gas industry before mortgaging his house to develop state-of-the-art measurement-while-drilling technology.

GeoLink success allowed him to retire to New Zealand where he was a founding investor in startups including Lightning Lab, Wipster, HydroWorks, Nyriad, Cloud Cannon, 8i, Flick Electric and Times-7.

Former Arch Angel winners also include The Warehouse founder and long-time angel investor Sir Stephen Tindall and Andy Hamilton, chief executive of Auckland-based incubator and business educator The Icehouse.