Robotics and superconductor wire make it into Booster's KiwiSaver portfolios

Booster has added more private equity investments into its KiwiSaver portfolios.

Saturday, September 11th 2021, 1:07PM

Booster is one of a number of KiwiSaver providers investing into New Zealand companies.

"Booster is committed to helping Kiwis share in the success of the innovative research and IP happening right here by bringing these unique investment opportunities within reach of everyday New Zealanders," the company says in a statement.

The manager's first initiative in the tech space was the NZ Innovation Booster which directs capital into early-stage IP emerging from New Zealand universities.

Now it has entered a collaboration with venture capital fund Matū, which focuses on IP-rich science and technology opportunities.

“This is an example of the type of cooperation that will create a strong and long-term innovation ecosystem in New Zealand - further advancing the pipeline of investment opportunities, while growing and preserving value within New Zealand for longer”, Booster managing director Allan Yeo says.

The first of its two investments is Wellington based HTS-110. Using high temperature superconductor wire, HTS-110 designs and produces cryogen-free electromagnetic products. These are used in a variety of applications, from powerful magnets for materials characterisation and chemical analysis, through to the development of new computer hard drive technologies.

HTS-110 has an established global customer base and with a history of innovation is well-placed for the significant growth opportunities the multi-billion-dollar global superconducting market provides.

HTS-110 CEO, Donald Pooke says the investment represents an exciting stage for HTS-110. “It provides the focus and commitment to push the boundaries of our product range and expand our markets and customer base. It also allows HTS-110 to look at new opportunities alongside the superconducting technology development occurring in local research organisations.”

The second is robotics firm PowerOn. The Auckland-based company, with an engineering and production branch in Germany, are revolutionising robotics.

Its proprietary technology enables soft, friendly, lifelike robots with a sense of touch that can more naturally interact with users and their environment.
PowerOn’s advancements open new product applications and opportunities, not only in robotics, but in automation, e-commerce, agritech and medicine.

“We believe ’soft’ robotics will eventually have an impact similar to the invention of semiconductors, that led to the IT revolution. The support shown by the venture finance community in this capital raise is a strong vote of confidence in our team to make this vision a reality," PowerOn chief executive Markus Henke.

"We now have a clear runway to move our technology out into the market – and to change the world with the next generation of robotics,” he says.

Tags: Allen Yeo Booster KiwiSaver Private equity