Erena Calder Hawkins
Venture Manager

Erena is an innovation and commercialisation professional with experience spanning venture development, early-stage investment, entrepreneurship programmes and business transformation. Prior to joining AUT Ventures, she worked across New Zealand's innovation ecosystem, supporting researchers and founders to identify commercial opportunities, navigate commercialisation pathways and translate emerging technologies into meaningful real-world impact.

Erena has a particular passion for innovation in the primary sector. Through her involvement with the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) and a secondment to US agricultural biotechnology company ZeaKal, she has developed strong international connections and a global perspective on innovation and its commercial applications.

Erena holds a Master of Bioscience Enterprise from the University of Auckland and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Biotechnology from the University of Waikato. She is also a member of the Return on Science Agritech & Foodtech Investment Committee.

Contact details
erena.calderhawkins@aut.ac.nz
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