Round two of the Ākina IIRP 2022 recipients announced

*Ākina 2022 IIRP round two recipient, Doug Sturrock, Founder of GEOBIND with Northland Inc Growth Advisor Andrea Primrose-Netzler*

The Ākina Impact Investment Readiness Programme is currently the only one of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand. This is the sixth year the IIRP has been run by Ākina, with our generous programme partners; The Tindall Foundation, Kiwibank, Foundation North and WEL Energy Trust funding a pool of $300,000.

The IIRP provides funding of up to $30,000 for impact-led businesses to spend on professional support that gets them ready for investment. After completing the readiness work, recipients typically go on to receive significant investment, and grow their business and impact accordingly. In five years, IIRP recipients were granted $795,000 in funding, and then went on to raise $49.75m in impact investment … that’s 62 times the amount granted!

Previously, we’ve supported businesses like Raglan Food Co, Again Again, Nau Mai Rā, Localised, Leaft, Supergenerous, 3 Bags Full and Hot Lime Labs to name a few.

Alongside our first round of funding recipients for the 2022 Impact Investment Readiness Programme (IIRP), Ākina is proud to introduce the second round of funding recipients.

We are pleased to have recipient diversity including ventures that are led by men and women, and focusing on environmental and social impact.

December recipients

Neocrete

Neocrete produces a pozzolanic hyper-activated additive to concrete, that significantly reduces its carbon emissions by up to 45% at this stage.

"We are absolutely stoked to receive Akina’s support. It has enabled us to hire experts to help us develop a comprehensive strategy to protect and commercialise our intellectual property - critical for the investment we will seek in 2023, and our vision to decarbonise the concrete industry. Huge thanks to Akina for this support!"

- Zarina Bazoeva, Co-founder of Neocrete

neocrete.co.nz

GEOBIND

GEOBIND is a range of certified bio-aggregate walling solutions, leading the way in sustainable construction innovation. Developed with a vision to build healthier homes, and protect the environment, GEOBIND is carbon-negative, proven to excel in both performance and efficiency, and is proudly New Zealand-made.

“With the Ākina Foundation impact investment readiness support, we can now confidently move to the next stage of our raise backed by solid advice and mentoring. Thanks again Ākina, we truly appreciate the opportunity”.

- Doug Sturrock, Founder of GEOBIND

GEOBIND FEATURE IN NZ HERALD

Ruminant Biotech

Ruminant BioTech’s purpose is to make a big difference in climate change by materially reducing the amount of methane put into the atmosphere by ruminant livestock. This is delivered by a ground-breaking methane inhibiting bolus.

“The IIRP grant from Ākina will greatly support our process of raising impact investment, which will fund the next phase of our R&D programme, and ultimately enable Ruminant BioTech to realise our purpose.”
- George Reeves, CEO of Ruminant BioTech

Read Ruminant Biotech’s latest media release, where they share how they are already raising $7.8M from a government climate emergency response fund.

ruminantbiotech.com

Ākina IIRP 2022 recipient, Brough Johnson, Co-CEO of Narrative

Narrative Muse

Narrative Muse is a global discovery and insights platform for underrepresented audiences. It helps people discover books, movies, and TV by and about women and gender-diverse people that match their taste and identity. Narrative Muse helps media companies and content creators make impact-driven decisions for these underserved audiences using hard-to-obtain insights.

“We’re incredibly proud to be supported by an organisation like Ākina that values impact-driven business. This funding will allow us to start seeking further impact partnerships and investments. Thank you Ākina for your confidence in us and our mission.”

- Brough Johnson, Co-CEO of Narrative

matchmaker.narrativemuse.co