Angel Awards 2025 Announced Dave Allison recognised – Kotahitanga Award

The recipient of the Kotahitanga Award is Dave Allison. Dave is the long-standing manager of Angel HQ, which has nearly 100 members and has invested over 48 million into 153 portfolio companies. Dave has been described as the glue that holds Angel HQ together and works tirelessly supporting founders and their teams to develop their capital strategy, prepare for the due diligence process and get investment ready. Dave has been a mentor for Lightning Lab companies, Manager for Impact Enterprise Fund and Investment Director for The Akina Foundation. For well over a decade, he has been a dedicated supporter of startups and early-stage investing. His deep understanding of the challenges founders face makes him a highly effective investor and advocate, actively welcoming new members into Angel HQ and making sure they feel welcomed and supported in their investment endeavours.

Dave unites the investment community in Wellington and beyond, fostering a strong sense of connection and engagement within the club. His efforts extend beyond Angel HQ, as he collaborates with other investment groups across New Zealand to strengthen early-stage investment. He is a dedicated advocate for both the companies he supports and the investors he works alongside.

“Dave is a firm believer in the transformative impact startups and their teams can have on the world. He also understands the commitment and challenges required to succeed. His unwavering support for early-stage investment and entrepreneurship deserves recognition and serves as an inspiration to others. Down-to-earth with a sharp sense of humour, Dave is the kind of person who truly reflects the characteristics that define the Kotahitanga Award,” said Bridget Unsworth.

Mike Caird received the Arch Angel Award which was first awarded in 2009 to Sir Stephen Tindall. See separate release.

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For more information, please contact Bridget Unsworth, CEO Angel Association

mob: 021 555 563 or email: [email protected]

The Angel Association is an organisation that aims to increase the quantity, quality, and success of angel investments in New Zealand and in doing so create a greater pool of capital for innovative start-up companies. It was established in 2008 to bring together New Zealand angels and early-stage funds. AANZ currently has 50+ members representing over 900 individual angels associated with New Zealand’s key angel networks and funds. AANZ works closely with NZTE (New Zealand Trade and Enterprise), NZ Growth Capital Partners and Callaghan Innovation and a number of private sector partners including Jarden, PWC, Avid Legal, KiwiNet, Uniservices, Amazon Web Services and BNZ. For more, please visit: www.angelassociation.co.nz

The Kotahitanga Award recognises those people in the angel community who have made an outstanding contribution to the industry. It acknowledges those who have selflessly given personal time and energy for a sustained period and contributed to the professionalism, profile and reputation of angel investment in New Zealand.