Erin Wansbrough - Founder, Seed EO

I have spent 25 years at the intersection of innovation, commercialisation and growth, working inside startups, boardrooms, government, and the ecosystems that connect them.

I began my career in research business development and technology transfer at Auckland UniServices and IMBcom at the University of Queensland, helping take research IP from the lab into market, and onto a global stage.

I have worked on the executive teams of successful early-stage ventures, including Genesis R&D and Adherium, and spent several years inside central government at MBIE and Callaghan Innovation, where business, policy and non-dilutive funding meet. During that time, I managed an investment portfolio of more than $500M and worked with hundreds of New Zealand companies at the moments that define whether they scale or stall.

As CEO of Soda Inc. for more than six years, I led one of New Zealand’s leading startup growth hubs, growing revenue by more than 50%, building a successful coworking hub, launching entrepreneurship programmes, and connecting founders with the capital, networks and commercial discipline needed to grow.

I have chaired and served on boards across climate tech, health, deep tech and the wider innovation ecosystem, including Cetogenix, NZ Hi-Tech Trust and Cultivate Trust. I have also assessed and supported hundreds of founders and ventures through pitch, investment and evaluation panels, including Callaghan Innovation’s Ārohia Trailblazer Grant panel and KiwiNet’s Investment Committee.

Across medtech, hardware, AI and science-led innovation, I have worked alongside founders, executives and boards to sharpen strategy, unlock growth, and move from ambition to action.

I know what it takes to build something from nothing, and what it takes to make it last.

Based in Kirikiriroa and working across New Zealand.