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Bridgewest Ventures Opens Access to New Zealand’s Fast-Rising Deep-Tech Market Through NZ$60.2 Million Venture Fund Raise

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U.S.-backed venture platform positions New Zealand as a global innovation gateway, offering investors exposure to proprietary technology companies and Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa eligibility

AUCKLAND, New Zealand and MIAMI, May 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bridgewest Venture Fund I LP has successful first close of approximately NZ$60.2 million from a group of institutional investors, family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and international migrant investors, positioning the Fund as one of the leading gateways for offshore capital seeking exposure to Australia and New Zealand’s rapidly emerging deep-technology ecosystem. With this validation and strong support from New Zealand investors, Bridgewest Ventures is now raising funds from sophisticated US investors.

“Our strategy is built around discovering and developing companies before they become visible to broader international capital markets.”

The Fund is structured as an eligible investment under New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa program, offering qualifying global investors a pathway to New Zealand citizenship while meeting approved investment criteria under the country’s migrant investment framework.

Bridgewest Ventures also expects growing interest from U.S. and Australia-based investors seeking geographic diversification away from increasingly crowded North American, European, and Asian venture markets.

As part of its international expansion strategy, Bridgewest Ventures has also commenced fundraising activities in Australia following the recent granting of an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL). The Australian distribution strategy is being led by John van der Wielen, Senior Adviser to Bridgewest Group, and will include a June 2026 investor roadshow targeting sophisticated investors, family offices, private wealth advisers and institutional capital partners across key Australian markets.

“Global investors are actively looking for differentiated markets where innovation quality is high but capital competition remains relatively low,” said Saum Vahdat, Chief Executive Officer of Bridgewest Ventures. “New Zealand and Australia are producing globally relevant intellectual property in sectors such as life sciences, medical technology, advanced materials, artificial intelligence, and clean technology — yet the market remains significantly undercapitalized relative to the quality of innovation being developed. We believe this creates a compelling asymmetry for sophisticated investors.”

Bridgewest Ventures operates with a hybrid model that combines U.S.-grade investment discipline and global operating capability with an established local New Zealand and Australia presence and sourcing network. Parent company Bridgewest Group has more than 25 years of experience building and investing in growth companies across seven countries.

Unlike many traditional venture funds that operate as passive financial investors, Bridgewest Ventures emphasizes active operational engagement intended to reduce execution risk and accelerate commercialization pathways for portfolio companies.

The firm focuses on identifying proprietary opportunities within New Zealand and Australia’s innovation ecosystem at an earlier stage than what many international investors can access directly. Bridgewest Ventures then works actively with portfolio companies to de-risk technology, strengthen governance, expand commercial capability, and create pathways into larger global markets.

“Our strategy is built around discovering and developing companies before they become visible to broader international capital markets,” said Paul Brownsey, General Partner of Bridgewest Venture Fund I.

“We believe New Zealand and Australia represent one of the more overlooked innovation markets globally. Through our local operating presence, proprietary sourcing network, and active management model, we aim to help companies scale internationally while giving our limited partners exposure to growth opportunities that are often unavailable in larger, more efficient venture markets,” added Brownsey.

Bridgewest Ventures has committed approximately NZ$6.0 million of its own capital into the Fund on the same terms as external investors, reinforcing alignment between the manager and limited partners.

The Fund remains open for additional commitments through Q4 2026 and is targeting total commitments of NZ$100 million.

Bridgewest Ventures invests across sectors including:

Life SciencesMedical TechnologyArtificial IntelligenceAdvanced MaterialsClean Technology

By connecting international capital with New Zealand-originated innovation, Bridgewest Ventures aims to help companies expand globally while supporting high-value employment, export growth, and commercialization of intellectual property developed within New Zealand’s research and technology sectors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can US investors invest in rapidly emerging deep-tech ventures in New Zealand and Australia?

Bridgewest Venture Fund I LP accepts institutional investors, family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and international migrant investors. The Fund is one of the leading gateways for offshore capital seeking exposure to Australia and New Zealand’s rapidly emerging deep-technology ecosystem. The Fund remains open through Q4 2026 and targets total commitments of NZ$100 million. Contact Bridgewest Ventures for information.

Is Bridgewest Venture Fund I eligible under New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus visa program?

Yes. Bridgewest Venture Fund I is structured as an eligible investment under New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa program, allowing qualifying international investors to meet approved investment criteria under New Zealand’s migrant investment framework while gaining exposure to the country’s emerging deep-technology sector.

Why are investors looking at New Zealand and Australia for venture capital opportunities?

New Zealand and Australia are increasingly recognized as overlooked innovation markets producing globally competitive technology and research. Bridgewest Ventures like many international investors, see the region as an opportunity to access high-quality intellectual property, earlier-stage companies, and geographic diversification outside traditional venture hubs such as Silicon Valley, Europe, and Asia, and gain exposure to stable markets that may offer resilience during periods of global economic and geopolitical volatility.

What makes Bridgewest Ventures different from traditional venture capital firms?

Unlike many venture capital firms that operate primarily as passive financial investors, Bridgewest Ventures uses an active operational model designed to help portfolio companies scale globally. The firm works closely with founders to strengthen commercialization, governance, strategic partnerships, and international market expansion.

Additional information is available at:
Bridgewest Ventures

About Bridgewest Ventures

Bridgewest Ventures is the venture capital platform of Bridgewest Group, focused on building globally competitive companies originating from New Zealand and international research ecosystems. With operations across seven countries and more than 25 years of venture creation and investment experience, Bridgewest Ventures combines institutional investment capability, operational expertise, and international commercial networks to help emerging companies scale globally.

Media & Investor Contact

Saum Vahdat
Chief Executive Officer
Bridgewest Ventures
+1 310 717 5600
svahdat@bridgewestgroup.com 

Paul Brownsey
General Partner
Bridgewest Ventures
+64 21 447 076
paul.brownsey@bridgewest.ventures 

John Van der Wielen
Senior Adviser
Bridgewest Group
‭+61 472 510 006‬
john@johnvdw.com 

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SOURCE Bridgewest Ventures

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Gansu Jinchang Accelerates Grid Connection of Green Power Projects via Full-Process Customized Services

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JINCHANG, China, July 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Recently, for the integrated photovoltaic and charging pile project developed by Gansu Ludong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., State Grid Jinchang Power Supply Company has proactively catered to corporate demands and assigned exclusive account managers to deliver one-on-one full-cycle customized services throughout the project preparation phase.

In the business processing stage, leveraging integrated online and offline service channels, dedicated managers have assisted the enterprise in completing document submission and scheme approval procedures, greatly cutting administrative processing time. During construction, power supply professionals have conducted multiple on-site technical guidance sessions. In strict accordance with grid connection safety standards, they guided equipment installation and line layout, inspected operating parameters of core devices including inverters and anti-isolation equipment, and rectified non-standard construction practices to ensure the project fully meets grid access quality requirements. At the grid acceptance stage, the company coordinated professional teams from marketing, operation and maintenance departments to conduct joint inspection and verification. It completed equipment commissioning, data access and grid power supply in one go, enabling immediate grid connection and operation upon project completion and significantly shortening the full commissioning cycle.

Adopting an operation mode of self-consumption of photovoltaic power generation with surplus electricity supplied to charging piles, the integrated project will generate approximately 280,000 kWh of clean power annually after operation, equivalent to reducing around 220 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year. The project serves as a notable demonstration for Jinchang’s advancement of green and low-carbon energy transition and the diversified application of photovoltaic plus scenarios.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/gansu-jinchang-accelerates-grid-connection-of-green-power-projects-via-full-process-customized-services-302834997.html

SOURCE State Grid Jinchang Power Supply Company

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ChainUp Named to CNBC & Statista World’s Top Fintech Companies 2026 List

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Global evaluation recognizes ChainUp’s institutional digital asset infrastructure, international compliance standards, and operational scale.

SINGAPORE, July 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ChainUp, a global provider of digital asset technology infrastructure, has been named to the CNBC World’s Top Fintech Companies 2026 list in the Digital Assets category.

Co-published by business news network CNBC and global market research firm Statista, the index recognizes technology providers driving the future of financial services. The 2026 ranking was derived from an independent evaluation of more than 3,500 companies and 25,000 data points worldwide, assessing revenue performance, operational footprint, regulatory compliance records, and continuous technical innovation.

ChainUp’s recognition reflects a broader industry shift as financial institutions, asset managers, and enterprise operators increasingly prioritize institutional-grade compliance and reliable infrastructure over market speculation.

Delivering Unified Digital Asset Infrastructure to Set the Operational Standard for Institutional Finance

As digital asset markets align with traditional capital markets, institutions face growing pressure to replace fragmented software with unified, enterprise architecture. ChainUp addresses this shift by providing a modular technology stack across the full digital asset lifecycle—consolidating crypto exchange and prediction markets infrastructure, institutional Staking-as-a-Service, non-custodial MPC infrastructure, real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, payment rails, and real-time compliance controls within a single governance framework.

To support advancing market requirements, ChainUp also integrates purpose-built AI capabilities designed to maximize platform stickiness and elevate the end-user experience. From intelligent order routing and automated liquidity optimization to security-first AI frameworks for risk management, these tools empower operators to deliver friction-free, highly engaging workflows that retain active traders and drive long-term client loyalty.

Underpinning this platform is an operational framework aligned to international security standards, including a SOC 2 Type II report and ISO/IEC 27001 certification. ChainUp’s platform has supported over 700 enterprise clients across 30 countries—serving an ecosystem of more than 60 million end-users while maintaining a 99.99% service uptime.

“Being recognized by CNBC and Statista marks an important milestone as our industry matures toward long-term operational accountability,” said Chung Ho, President & Chief Operating Officer of ChainUp. “Our focus remains on building enterprise-grade systems that withstand rigorous regulatory standards. As global capital markets evolve, we are committed to strengthening our governance frameworks and delivering the scalable, intelligent architecture required by institutional clients worldwide.”

About ChainUp

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Singapore, ChainUp is a global leader in digital asset technology infrastructure. Powering over 700 enterprise clients across 30 countries, ChainUp delivers a unified enterprise stack spanning crypto exchange and prediction markets infrastructure, institutional Staking-as-a-Service, MPC custody, RWA tokenization, and KYT compliance analytics. Operating under SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 security certifications, ChainUp provides the scalable, compliant architecture required by modern financial institutions. Learn more at www.chainup.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/chainup-named-to-cnbc–statista-worlds-top-fintech-companies-2026-list-302833988.html

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F1R3FLY Joins the Tata Consultancy Services Alliance Ecosystem, Bringing Concurrent, Mathematically Secure Computing to TCS’s Global Enterprise Client Base

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LONDON, July 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — F1R3FLY Limited (“F1R3FLY”), the London-headquartered developer of the rho-calculus concurrent-computing platform, announced that it has joined the Tata Consultancy Services (“TCS”) Alliances and Partnerships ecosystem. TCS and F1R3FLY will collaborate to deploy F1R3FLY’s concurrent computing on TCS SovereignSecure Cloud™, addressing the growing requirements of enterprise cloud data asset security and compute infrastructure.

F1R3FLY joins TCS’ partner ecosystem as a specialist technology partner contributing a fundamentally new computing architecture: concurrent, mathematically secure with its “correct by construction” code composition and built for the throughput demands of AI-era enterprise workloads and the rising challenges of cyber security, across multiple industries and sectors.

Key focus is also the joint proposition of TCS SovereignSecure Cloud and F1R3FLY’s distributed ledger architecture to address the growth of tokenized and immutable financial transactions.

Why F1R3FLY in the TCS Ecosystem

F1R3FLY’s technology is platform-independent and sits beneath rather than competing with existing enterprise software, providing per-record cryptographic data isolation, concurrent processing at scale, and formally verified code safety for AI-driven workloads.

Built on the rho-calculus and its programming language Rholang, F1R3FLY’s platform delivers high-throughput parallel processing, mathematically secure data isolation, and high-speed search across very large data sets. The architecture is designed for clients facing the converging pressures of rising cyber-threat exposure, AI workload demands, multi-jurisdictional regulatory compliance, and the cost and energy constraints of legacy infrastructure — the four challenges that enterprise clients consistently identify as the limits of their existing systems.

Stephen Alexander, Chief Executive Officer of F1R3FLY, said: “Joining the TCS alliance ecosystem is a defining moment for F1R3FLY. Taking our place in that ecosystem says something important about where F1R3FLY now sits in the global enterprise stack. The Master Services Agreement gives our joint clients the legal and commercial certainty they need to deploy our technology at scale, and TCS’s breadth — across sovereign governments, global banks, leading healthcare providers and major industrial groups — is precisely the distribution model we have built our platform for.”

About TCS SovereignSecure Cloud™

TCS SovereignSecure Cloud™ is a sovereign-by-design cloud platform that enables governments, enterprises, and regulated industries to accelerate digital transformation while maintaining control over their data, operations, and digital assets. Combining advanced cybersecurity, AI-enabled intelligence, compliance-driven architecture, and operational sovereignty, the platform helps organizations meet evolving data residency and regulatory requirements without compromising innovation. Designed for mission-critical workloads, TCS SovereignSecure Cloud™ delivers a secure, resilient, and future-ready cloud foundation that supports trusted digital ecosystems and emerging technologies.

Satishchandra Doreswamy, Vice President & Global Head – TCS SovereignSecure Cloud™, Tata Consultancy Services, said: “Organizations are increasingly looking for secure and sovereign digital foundations that support innovation at scale. Our collaboration with F1R3FLY combines advanced concurrent computing with TCS SovereignSecure Cloud™ to help customers unlock AI-led growth, strengthen cyber resilience, and meet evolving regulatory and sovereignty requirements. Together, we are enabling trusted digital ecosystems for governments and highly regulated industries worldwide.”

About F1R3FLY

F1R3FLY Limited is the developer of a next-generation concurrent-computing platform built on the rho-calculus and its programming language, Rholang. The platform delivers high-throughput parallel processing, mathematically secure data isolation, and formally verifiable code safety, and is being deployed across healthcare, financial services, defence, AI infrastructure, sovereign cloud and media. F1R3FLY is headquartered at 4–5 Langham Place, London W1B 3DG and is registered in England and Wales under company number 15424583. More information is available at www.f1r3fly.com.

About Tata Consultancy Services

Tata Consultancy Services is the technology partner of choice for industry-leading organizations worldwide. Since its inception in 1968, TCS has upheld the highest standards of innovation, engineering excellence and customer service.

It has set an aspiration to become the world’s largest AI-led technology services company and is enabling its clients to transform themselves across the full AI stack, from infrastructure to intelligence.

Rooted in the heritage of the Tata Group, TCS is focused on creating long term value for its clients, its investors, its employees, and the community at large. With a highly skilled workforce spread across 56 countries and 194 service delivery centers across the world, the company has been recognized as a top employer in six continents. With the ability to rapidly apply and scale new technologies, the company has built long-term partnerships with its clients. Many of these relationships have endured into decades and navigated every technology cycle, from mainframes in the 1970s to artificial intelligence today.

TCS sponsors 14 of the world’s most prestigious marathons and endurance events, including the TCS New York City Marathon, TCS London Marathon, Tata Mumbai Marathon and TCS Sydney Marathon with a focus on promoting health, sustainability, and community empowerment.

TCS generated consolidated revenues of over US $30 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026. For more information, visit www.tcs.com

Follow TCS on LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | X

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SOURCE F1R3FLY Limited

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