Maria José Alvarez
Delegate
Maria José (MJ) Alvarez is managing partner and a director of WNT Ventures, a New Zealand deep-tech venture capital firm investing in science and engineering-led companies with global potential.
A biotechnology engineer by training, MJ has built her career across technology commercialisation, venture capital and governance, supporting the translation of breakthrough science into globally competitive businesses.
She holds governance roles across five deep-tech companies spanning biotechnology, medtech, clean energy, advanced materials and climate technologies, and serves on the University of Auckland Alumni Advisory Board.
Internationally, she has also served as an independent advisor and committee member for Start-Up Ciencia, an initiative of Chile’s Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation.
Originally from Chile and based in New Zealand, MJ brings a cross-border perspective to investment and governance, with particular expertise in capital strategy, internationalisation, strategic partnerships and deep-tech commercialisation.