The NZ entrepreneur trying to seed six unicorns

Phase One CEO Mahesh Muralidhar. (Image: Phase One)

Tue, 06 Aug 2024

New Zealand venture capitalist Mahesh Muralidhar is aiming to nurture six billion-dollar "unicorn" companies through Phase One, his early-stage funding community.The organisation selectively invests in early-stage companies. "The mission for ... Phase One is six unicorns, so six billion-dollar businesses that are privately held," he said.Muralidhar said Phase One had invested in around 14 early-stage companies. "It's a very small fund, so we've deployed around $600,000 and we've committed to another $50...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets

2 Cheap Cars signals branding gear change to chase Turners

At the AGM, a shareholder cited Turners' “very aggressive marketing strategy”.

Gregor Thompson 12:00pm

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Friday, Sept 26

Think you're clever enough?

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Technology

Govt agency defends support for vanishing venture capitalist

NZ Growth Capital Partners refuses to detail problems with Hillfarrance startup fund.

Maria Slade 5:00am

Sponsored

AI agents: opportunity or graveyard? Spark’s five-point playbook for success

Artificial intelligence agents – autonomous digital entities that analyse data, automate decisions, and act independently – are set to drive a new wave of business transformation.

Spark Enterprise

Sponsored