Driven by the success of early stage technology incubator WNT Ventures, Quayside funded an initial concept to investigate the value of creating a mid-tier private equity firm in Tauranga. Following a successful capital raise, Quayside became a cornerstone shareholder in Oriens Capital in 2016, thereby completing the Bay of Plenty’s investment value chain alongside WNT Ventures and Enterprise Angels.

Oriens Capital provides growth and succession capital to mid-sized businesses in regional New Zealand with an economic value in the $10m-$50m range. It targets profitable companies that have growth opportunities, which previously had no formal source of capital.

Oriens’ focus on regional companies make it unique in the New Zealand market and it is the country’s largest regionally-based growth fund. With a broad skill base to tap into at both executive and board level, as well as through their extensive networks, Oriens has a strong partnering approach to growing businesses.

Oriens’ first private equity fund received commitments in excess of $50 million in investment. Alongside Quayside Holdings, disclosed investors included Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust and Sir Stephen Tindall’s K1W1 fund, as well as several regional community investment vehicles, iwi investment organisations and other qualifying investors.