Bridging the execution gap: A Q&A with Tamsin Bateman
Tamsin Bateman began her career with a clear ambition: to make a tangible difference in people's lives. Like many driven students, she initially viewed clinical medicine as a direct route to that goal.
However, during her biomedical science studies, her perspective shifted. She saw that while clinicians save lives at the bedside, there was another way to contribute - by building the commercial engines that bring new treatments to the world.
This led her to pivot into a Master of Bioscience Enterprise, where she found the bridge between research and the real world.
"I’ve always been driven by impact. I realised that by helping to commercialise science, you can contribute to the economy and healthcare system at scale, creating the jobs and the tools that enable better outcomes."
It is a mission that has defined Tamsin’s career, taking her from consulting in the UK life sciences sector to investment roles at NZTE and New Ground Capital, and eventually to the front lines of scaling high-growth New Zealand medical device company Alimetry.
Now, she joins Bridgewest Ventures as our new Investment Manager, bringing a rare blend of scientific literacy and operational grit to the team.
We sat down with Tamsin to talk about the "execution gap" in New Zealand science, the rise of HealthTech, and why she wants to get in the trenches with founders.
The "Operator-Investor" Mindset
For Tamsin, the move to Bridgewest Ventures wasn't a cold start, she has been consulting with the team for two years prior to joining full-time. Prior to that, she had assisted Bridgewest and their portfolio companies in her role at NZTE. What drew her in was the firm’s commitment to active investing.
"I love working with a portfolio of companies, but I didn't want to be an investor who sits back and watches. I want to be in the weeds. I want to help figure out channels to market, win those first deals, and help build the revenue line on a P&L."
This desire to be "hands-on" comes from her recent experience leading go-to-market strategy for Alimetry. It taught her that while New Zealand produces world-class research, the science is only half the battle.
"New Zealand has an amazing cohort of scientists. We produce incredible, world-leading innovation. Where we often fall down is the commercial execution."
"A lot of deep tech is chasing markets in the US and Europe, and it is a totally different ball game over there. You can’t underestimate what it takes to win in those markets. You need to surround yourself with people who have done it before."
The Shift from Biotech to HealthTech
With her background in Bioscience Enterprise, Tamsin has had a front-row seat to the evolution of the New Zealand ecosystem. She notes a distinct shift in the last decade from pure biotech towards a broader strength in HealthTech - software, hardware, and medical devices.
"When I was coming through university in the early 2010s, it was very biotech-focused. Now, we are seeing deep expertise emerging in medical devices and digital health," she notes. "But these are highly regulated, capital-intensive industries. To succeed, you need investors who understand that nuance, who understand the time and cash required to build a scientific story that drives clinician adoption."
What is the "X-Factor"?
As Investment Manager, Tamsin will be leading the charge on guiding new ventures through the Bridgewest incubation pathway. So, what makes her sit up and pay attention when a new founder walks through the door?
"For me, it’s about a direct line of sight to impact," she says.
"It might sound cheesy, but I get excited when I can see exactly how a technology is going to do good in the world. Whether that is massively reducing the time to develop a life-changing drug or improving patient outcomes, if you can show me that direct line from your technology to a better future, that is the X-factor."
Looking Ahead to 2026
Settling into the role, Tamsin is optimistic about the year ahead. She sees 2026 as a year where New Zealand deep tech can leverage global tools to overcome local disadvantages.
"I’m really excited about the productivity gains we can achieve through AI," she says. "It has the potential to massively change what a business looks like and overcome some of the tyranny of distance we’ve historically faced."
Ultimately, Tamsin is here to bridge the gap between New Zealand innovation and global execution.
"I want to be the partner that helps founders make those critical commercial decisions. We have the science. Let's build the businesses."
If you’re a deep-tech start-up founder and you’d like to talk to Tamsin about your business idea, you can email her at Tamsin.Bateman@bridgewest.ventures or connect on LinkedIn