Pete Hodgson spent over 20 years in the NZ parliament, nine of them as a senior cabinet minister whose relevant portfolios included science, economic development, tertiary education, crown research institutes, commerce and health. One of his initiatives was to create the pre-seed accelerator fund upon which Return on Science has been subsequently built. 

Prior to entering parliament he has practised as a veterinarian in NZ and the UK, taught secondary level physics and owned or run a number of small businesses. Since leaving Parliament he has spent time as CE Otago Innovation and, among other things is currently chair of Callaghan Innovation Ltd.