About us
Our mission
To help create diverse agricultural landscapes and thriving localised bioeconomies that provide for people and nature.
Our approach
We connect visionary landowners, investors and businesses via an investment platform. To create integrated solutions to accelerate the diversification of agricultural systems and the creation of supporting localised bioeconomies.
Meet Our Founders
Jade and Michelle share a passion for creating and supporting change towards diversified agricultural systems and landscapes that support the development of a localised bioeconomy across Aotearoa. This passion and motivation is backed up by dovetailing skill sets and perspectives.
Michelle Barry
Michelle is a director, researcher, and business owner. She has 13 years’ experience across agri-environmental advisory services, viticulture and wine production, extension, stakeholder engagement and entrepreneurship. She is finalising her PhD in agricultural economics at Lincoln University.
Jade Chia
Jade brings startup experience and cross-functional expertise to the Variegate. A food technologist by trade, her FMCG background spans across marketing, strategy and value-creation, sales, technical applications (alternative proteins,functional ingredients).
Jade is here to lead the charge on integrating technological advancements into emerging primary industries, and identify their place in sustaining agricultural communities.