Derek Handley

Derek is a serial entrepreneur who has founded and sold multiple companies. He is a founder of Aera VC and sits on the Aera VC Investment Committee for all Aera funds.

He previously co-founded international non profit The B Team alongside Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson and was campaign Chair for Duke of Sussex Prince Harry’s sustainability travel initiative Travalyst. He is currently CEO at Aera NZ a start up focused on accelerating first home buyers into property ownership.

Derek was named one of top 100 global leaders by Real Leaders Magazine and 100 most influential people in technology in New York by Business Insider. He is a former EY young entrepreneur of the year with degrees in finance and, architectural science and graduated with a Masters majoring in religion at Harvard in 2025.