Ki Tua Fund

Ki Tua Fund is Fonterra's corporate venture capital arm, based in Auckland, New Zealand, investing in and partnering with startups to advance innovative solutions at the intersection of science, nutrition, and technology for health impact. The fund focuses on areas such as biomanufacturing, gut microbiome health, synthetic biology, and agricultural productivity innovations. It manages over $100 million in assets under management (AUM) and has nine portfolio companies across North America and Europe, emphasizing a founder-first approach with flexible capital. Key personnel include Managing Director Komal Mistry-Mehta, COO Hamish Gowans, and independent board members Bill Liao and Rodolphe Barrangou. Established in 2023 by Fonterra, Hamish Gowans led the initial business case for the fund's creation. Its business model centers on funded 100% by Fonterra Co-op as its CVC arm, provides flexible capital investments including follow-on and lead rounds to startups.