Single Family OfficePuts its own capital into companiesLAST VERIFIED Oct 2026 · 3 SOURCES

Hoku Group

Wellington family office investing its own capital in early-stage tech companies via Hoku Ventures, and funding NZ charities via the Hoku Foundation.

USEFUL FOR Founders · Co-investors

Family & background

HEADQUARTERS: Wellington, New Zealand
FOUNDED: 2009

Investment approach

SECTORS: Artificial Intelligence Software & SaaS Fintech Media & Entertainment Climate & Energy Mobility & Logistics
STAGES: Pre-SeedSeed
ROUTES: Companies (own capital)
STRATEGIES: Direct investmentsVenture capital

Overview

Hoku Group is a Wellington family office that says it invests its own capital on its own timeframe. Its investment arm, Hoku Ventures, led by chairman Rowan Simpson, backs a small number of early-stage technology companies, with past investments in Trade Me, Xero, Vend and Timely. Hoku Foundation, a private philanthropic foundation, funds New Zealand organisations in youth employment, community housing and waste reduction.

Investment thesis

Invests in people rather than business models: backs founders early, with conviction, and works closely with them, investing in the best companies rather than the most companies.

Holdings & investments (20)

INVESTMENT ARMS & VEHICLES

Hoku Ventures
Investment arm backing high-growth technology companies early
Hoku Foundation
Private philanthropic foundation

HOLDINGS & INVESTMENTS · MOST RECENT FIRST

Timely
since 2013 · exited
Vend
since 2011 · exited
Sonar6
since 2007 · exited
Xero
since 2007
Trade Me
since 2000 · exited
Sterling AI
Artificial Intelligence · active
Tractor Ventures
Fintech · active
Melodics
Media & Entertainment · active
Stickybeak
Software & SaaS · active
Prosaic
Artificial Intelligence · active
Aeroplanned
Software & SaaS · active
Atomic
Fintech · active
Community Music
Media & Entertainment · active
Firmcheck
Software & SaaS · active
Huckleberry
Artificial Intelligence · active
Lightyears Solar
Climate & Energy · active
Method
Climate & Energy · active
Parkable
Mobility & Logistics · active
Thematic
Artificial Intelligence · active
Gelato.io
exited

People

Rowan Simpson
Chairman · source
Sam White
Finance & Ops Director · source
Eve Jolly
Foundation Director (Hoku Foundation) · source

Frequently asked questions

Hoku Group is a single family office based in Wellington, New Zealand, founded in 2009.

Hoku Group invests its own capital into companies. Its stated asset mix includes direct investments and venture capital.

Hoku Group invests at Pre-Seed and Seed stages in Artificial Intelligence, Software & SaaS, Fintech, Media & Entertainment, Climate & Energy and Mobility & Logistics.

Key people at Hoku Group include Rowan Simpson (Chairman), Sam White (Finance & Ops Director) and Eve Jolly (Foundation Director (Hoku Foundation)).

Hoku Group's holdings and investments include Sterling AI, Tractor Ventures, Melodics, Stickybeak, Prosaic, Aeroplanned, Atomic and Community Music, among others.