Every great tree has a solid set of roots π³
This blog was distributed to our first 200+ backers via email.
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Kia ora!
As you know we have been working on building a rockstar team at Regenerate NZ,
Every single one of you in some way shape or form have helped with this through recommendations, sharing connections, tagging friends in posts and plenty of introductions.
Before creating a formal governance board and purchasing our first forest we have put in place an informal advisory board of experts.
We would like to share with you who these humans are so you know that we are in the strongest position to purchase our first forest and beyond!
Forest Purchasing Advisory
Adrian Loo
Why Adrian?
Director at Forest Management Group specialising in ETS & Project Management
Awarded the NZ Institute of Forestry Prince of Wales Sustainability Cup. The Prince of Wales Sustainability Cup recognises the achievements of an outstanding young forest professional who is highly engaged in the principles of sustainable forest management.
Master of Forestry Science from University of Canterbury. Topic: A geospatial and economic analysis of potential for afforestation in Canterbury, New Zealand.
How did we meet?
Alex and Adrian met at the University of Canterbury back in 2013 through the Forestry society and studies in similar fields of Forestry and Earth Sciences.
Fun facts about Adrian
Adrian and his friends have already collectively purchased 2x forests since leaving University and this conversation during our validation phase was a key indicator we were on the right track with Regenerate NZ.
Recently a new Dad to a beautiful daughter!
Future economic analysis and long term modelling
Dr. Sebastien Gehricke
Why Sebastien?
Deputy Director University of Otago Climate and Energy Finance Group
Dr Gehricke is researching in Responsible Investing, Climate Finance, Derivatives, Asset Pricing, Carbon Markets and Energy Markets. He also has financial consulting experience, particularly in project feasibility modelling and investment management.
How did we meet?
Jonny was introduced to Sebastien through his connection with David Hall who has held previous roles with Pure Advantage and is a founding director of the Mohio Climate Innovation Lab.
Fun facts about Sebastien?
He lives in an off grid Tiny home in a Forest!
Also the father to a young daughter - seems to be a bit of a theme around here?
Fundraising and getting to scale
Dave Insull
Why Dave?
Ex Growth director at 90 Seconds - Stuff
Ex Partnership Director and 9th employee at Cover Genius which just became Australia latest Unicorn with a $1Bn valuation - Bloomberg
General Partner at Afterwork Ventures
How did we meet?
After releasing our 100 year vision blog on LinkedIn Dave was connected to us by the legendary Jen Lin Wong from Elephant Ventures.
Fun facts about Dave?
After spending time abroad he has returned with his family to the Hawkes Bay where he is now regenerating 15ha of wetland on his own property.
He also has a small army of Rugrats running around his household.
So what's the plan?
Build a financial model for our first forestry purchase (we will aim to share this with you before Christmas)
Battle test this with our experts
Deeper dive on funding, access to capital and which growth levers we can pull to continue our trajectory to purchasing our first Forest by April 2022.
This is just the start of our foundations, if you know of anyone else we should be talking too, holes in our team or other experts who you think would love to be involved at such a formative stage, please do not hesitate to CC us in or send us a message!
p.s. After launching the wallet last week we are already 1% towards our goal of hitting our $100k to buy our first forest by April 2022 - Feel free to log in to your wallet here and start contributing today!
Kia mΔia,
Jonny & Alex
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This blog was distributed to our first 200+ backers via email.
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