Business building tips and insights from Startup NZ subject experts.
Knowledge Base: Angel funding insights with Bridget Unsworth, Angel Association New Zealand
Watch now: (20 mins) In this edition of Knowledge Base, Richard Liew talks with Bridget Unsworth, Executive Director of Angel Association New Zealand (AANZ). If you are building an innovative startup and need funding, tune into this informative discussion where Bridget provides an overview of angel investment funding in New Zealand and plenty of tips […]
Knowledge Base
Business building tips and insights from Startup NZ subject experts.
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RECENTly ON NZ ENTREPRENEUR
PowerUp Podcast returns for season four
The PowerUp Podcast from Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki is back with the release of the first three episodes in the latest six-part series that celebrates trailblazing Taranaki entrepreneurs and innovators who are leaving their mark on the world. Season four promises a diverse line-up of driven founders who are achieving amazing things across a […]
DoPaw
In Founder Focus we introduce entrepreneurs and change-makers working on innovative startups, social enterprises and SME’s around Aotearoa New Zealand. At a glance Founder: Lou Anne Lowry Business: DoPaw Founded: 2020 / Launched 2023 HQ: Waikato Can you tell us a bit about your business? DoPaw, based in the North Island of New Zealand, stands […]
Manawatū – The future of food
In the heart of the lower North Island, is a small but mighty region batting above its weight on a global scale, poised to shape Aotearoa New Zealand’s evolving food narrative. The region’s rich history in food innovation and science, coupled with fertile natural resources, and backed by thriving primary, technology, distribution and logistics sectors, […]
Solo
In Founder Focus we introduce entrepreneurs and change-makers working on innovative startups, social enterprises and SME’s around Aotearoa New Zealand. At a glance Founder: Brent Wilson Business: Solo Founded: 2018 HQ: Wellington Can you tell us a bit about your business? Solo is an accounting app that makes it easy for self-employed New Zealanders to […]
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OTHER RECENT NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPDATES
BIZ WIRE
Founder Q&A: DietDecoder
Business: DietDecoder Team: Cynthia Northcote (Director) and Emily House (CTO) HQ: New Plymouth What products, services, solutions or technology have you developed? We are what we eat and the same goes for our livestock. Developed in the lush countryside of eastern Taranaki, DietDecoder is the result of 25 years of on-farm experience in improving animal […]
Afirmo app aims to be first stop for Kiwi businesses
Afirmo, an innovative, cohesive Software as a service (SaaS) app, is making small business ownership and success more attainable for thousands of people in New Zealand, regardless of business background and skill set. The software is a one-stop-support-shop for small businesses, offering tools and assistance to give the best possible start to people venturing into […]
Kernohan Engineering’s bioreactors to assist NZs productive export capacity
Nelson-based Kernohan Engineering is about to produce bioreactors that will increase New Zealand’s productive export capacity by enabling large scale fermentation of proteins and novel ingredients. The company plans to have a purpose-built manufacturing plant employing 600 people to manufacture bioreactors at scale, with the goal of creating a $50m export business by 2030. Currently, […]
Meet the only commercial cranberry farm in New Zealand
Cranberries Westland – the only commercial cranberry farm in New Zealand – is reaching new ground, having increased harvest six-fold over the last six years and is projecting to expand further into unchartered territories and markets. Cranberries are a superfruit native to North America and while the West Coast of New Zealand has a very […]
Founder Q&A: COCOSHAKIM
Business: COCOSHAKIM Founder: Jesse Gibson HQ: South Auckland What products, services, solutions or technology have you developed? I provide video production services using a quick turnaround model I’ve developed as a micro parallel to the film industry production cycle. This model utilises mandatory physical fitness as a means of maintaining job readiness and streamlining the […]
BioOra, the Kiwi biotech leading the fight in immune cell cancer therapy
A pioneering New Zealand medical innovator, BioOra, is to embark on a capital raise to accelerate its groundbreaking automated platform that reprograms blood cells to fight cancer. The therapy is truly personalised where BioOra uses a patient’s own immune cells (T-cells) and reprograms them in the laboratory to directly identify and kill cancer cells once […]
CarbonZ helping more New Zealand businesses to take meaningful climate action
Finn Ross describes himself as a passionate kiwi naturalist, climate activist and adventurer. And while his studies and work have taken him all over the world, home is where his heart is, which led him to found CarbonZ – a company that enables businesses to buy traceable and native New Zealand carbon removal credits. Asked […]
Paparoa Environmental Services on track for sustainable public access to the great New Zealand outdoors
The great outdoors is one of New Zealand’s greatest assets. But without safe and well-established access, there are many parts of our beautiful bush and coastline that we wouldn’t be able to explore. Which is where Mike Osborne, and his recently established business Paparoa Environmental Services, makes his mark – all in the name of […]
Jooules on a mission to produce sustainable future food, with tech that ‘eats’ carbon dioxide
With climate change taking centre stage for many new innovations over the last decade, biotech startup Jooules is focusing on where they feel they can make the most difference – the food sector. More specifically, Jooules is looking to produce animal-equivalent proteins, without the need for any animal’s involvement, resulting in the production of protein […]
Marine AI’s vessels set to increase aquaculture productivity
Nelson startup Marine AI is developing autonomous vessels that will be able to safely navigate New Zealand inshore and coastal waters, acting as a data collection platform for marine farm operators and for environmental monitoring purposes. Marine AI will fit the surface vessels – essentially crewless boats – with artificial intelligence (AI) – hence the […]
Founder Q&A: Everkind
Business: Everkind Founder: Amanda-Jane Healy HQ: New Plymouth What products, services, solutions or technology have you developed? We create certified organic body care for people who don’t want to choose between their health and what works. At Everkind, we seek to do no harm to people or planet. So from our formulas to our packaging, […]
Former software entrepreneur turns seaweed pest into a liquid spray fertiliser
Nelson entrepreneur Alex Pressman is turning an invasive marine pest into a business. He harvests a species of native seaweed and turns it into plant nutrients and crop protection products for domestic and overseas markets in Asian, American and European farmers. Pressman moved to New Zealand in 2002, settling in Nelson after he sold a […]
HOW-TO’S, TIPS, Insights AND ADVICE
Insights
NZ Universities are spinning out market-ready ventures – what investors should know
Investors looking for the Next Big Thing are often drawn to universities. Afterall, some of the world’s most exciting and influential companies have started on campuses (think BioNTech and Google). Universities attract smart people who want to change the world and give them the support they need to make it happen. They equip academics with […]
The Factory helping food and fibre businesses raise capital
Raising capital isn’t a skill that comes naturally to many young food and fibre businesses but a new initiative is looking to increase capability among the sector to support growth and expansion. We understand the seasonality of the food and fibre sector creates unique challenges for young businesses trying to grow and there are sufficient […]
Interview: Tim Crown, Blackpearl Group and Insight Enterprises
Richard Liew talks to Tim Crown, Chair at Blackpearl Group (NZX: BPG) and Chair and Cofounder at NASDAQ listed Insight Enterprises (NASDAQ: NSIT) about Blackpearl’s recent listing on the NZX, and Insight Enterprises journey from a $USD2000 startup to $USD10B in annual revenues. Wellington born technology company Blackpearl Group listed on the NZX Main Board […]
11 tips for reducing costs in small business
With inflation reaching a 30-year high, small businesses across the country will be looking for ways to reduce costs amid cost of living and rising price pressures. According to the latest MYOB SME Snapshot, a survey of over 500 local SME operators around New Zealand, most believe the economy will decline in the next year, […]
You’ve got a great business idea so why won’t it catch on?
How do you create that spark that gets customers and investors truly excited about your business? It can be one of the biggest frustrations for startups. You know your business idea has real value and potential, but you’re struggling to get traction with customers and investors. No matter how much you re-work your pitch document, […]
Online education initiative launches to build NZ “grassroots” entrepreneur pipeline
An initiative to help Kiwis gain the confidence and knowledge to pursue their business and social enterprise building dreams kicks off today, the first iteration of what is set to become an annual campaign to help build Aotearoa New Zealand’s entrepreneurial capital. Dubbed “Startup Spring” the campaign organised by online magazine, NZ Entrepreneur, will see […]
SME&E Festival Podcast: Tim Jones, What is B Corp and why is it a good idea for your business?
Got your tickets to the 2022 NZ SME&E Festival this 8th and 9th of November? Each week we’ll be sharing a podcast from some of the many great business speakers and mentors you can catch at the festival. What is B Corp and why is it a good idea for your business? In this episode […]
Food and fibre capital raising programme launched
Planning for and securing capital for small-medium sized (SMEs) food and fibre businesses just got easier with the launch of Investment Ready – a twelve-week capital-raising preparation programme offering one-to-one and group capability building sessions. Investment Ready is designed to equip food and fibre businesses with the tools to prepare for and successfully raise investment […]
SME&E Festival Podcast: David Remmerswaal, Search Engine Optimisation for beginners
Got your tickets to the 2022 NZ SME&E Festival this 8th and 9th of November? Each week we’ll be sharing a podcast from some of the many great business speakers and mentors you can catch at the festival. Search Engine Optimisation for beginners In this episode of the SME&E Festival Podcast, festival organiser Craig Murray […]
Top tips to protect your small business against a cyber attack
As the adoption of digital tools has become increasingly more important for doing business, it’s crucial that business owners know how to protect themselves and their operations against cyber-attacks, says MYOB’s Head of Information and Cyber Security, Peter Wolski. COVID-19 increased the urgency for many businesses – particularly SMEs – to adopt digital tools. The […]
SME&E Festival Podcast: Sarah Colcord, How to create a Facebook Group with over 500 thousand members
Got your tickets to the 2022 NZ SME&E Festival this 8th and 9th of November? Each week we’ll be sharing a podcast from some of the many great business speakers and mentors you can catch at the festival. How to create a Facebook Group with over 500 thousand members In this episode of the SME&E […]
SME&E Festival Podcast: Ian Cartwright, How to amplify your businesses sales
Got your tickets to the 2022 NZ SME&E Festival this 8th and 9th of November? Each week we’ll be sharing a podcast from some of the many great business speakers and mentors you can catch at the festival. How to amplify your businesses sales In this episode of the SME&E Festival Podcast, festival organiser Craig […]
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ECOSYSTEM
NZ rises to #20 in Emerging Startup Ecosystem global ranking: Oceania sees highest early-stage funding in the world
The 2023 Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) was released at The Next Web Conference in Amsterdam by Startup Genome and Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN). It shows seven Asia-Pacific ecosystems in the top 30 ranking – with New Zealand making it to the Top 20 for the first time. New Zealand shot up in the Emerging […]
Investment Ready looks to grow Kiwi food and fibre innovators
Ambitious food and fibre businesses with proven products seeking to expand their operations are being invited to apply for Investment Ready, a programme by The Factory and the Ministry for Primary Industries. The programme takes successful applicants through an intensive and comprehensive 12-week programme, preparing them for the next phase of growth and investment with […]
PowerUp Podcast Season Three: Highlighting remarkable Taranaki entrepreneurs
Te Puna Umanga/Venture Taranaki has now released the final three episodes of PowerUp Podcast, Season Three, hosted by long time business advocate David Downs. Over the six-part series, we have heard valuable insights and practical advice from trailblazing Taranaki enterprise owners who are leading in their fields. While all six guests have unique stories, they […]
AANZ Runway Event Review by Eldon Tate, Inhibit Coatings
Runway is one of the signature events on the Angel Association NZ calendar and provides founders with the opportunity to network and meet with other investors and founders from around the country. BNZ Founder Scholarship recipient Eldon Tate attended the AANZ Runway event in Auckland in March. Eldon is the co-founder of Inhibit Coatings, an […]
PowerUp Podcast returns for season three
Te Puna Umanga/Venture Taranaki’s PowerUp podcast is back with the release of the first three episodes of the latest six-part series that celebrates the prominent Taranaki entrepreneurs and innovators who are leaving their mark on the world. As the Regional Development Agency, Te Puna Umanga/Venture Taranaki is powering up the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Taranaki so […]
Creative HQ
WHO: Creative HQ WHAT: Startup Incubator; Accelerator; Mentoring; Seed and angel investment; Coworking/shared workspace HQ: Wellington ESTABLISHED: 2003 INTRODUCTION At Creative HQ, we help ideas take flight. We support startups and scale-ups through our Incubator, Accelerator programmes and founder workshops. Our programmes bring discipline to startup life. We help you to reimagine and invent your […]
Callaghan Innovation celebrates 10 years of entrepreneur support
Callaghan Innovation, New Zealand Government’s “innovation agency”, marks its 10th birthday this month, announcing its intention to launch the Sir Paul Callaghan 100 report – a new way to celebrate and recognise innovative ‘unicorns’ making an impact on Aotearoa’s economy. The agency was launched on 1 February 2013 with the commencement of the Callaghan Innovation […]
New stewards for NZ Tech Startups Ecosystem Facebook Group
Ankit Sehgal, the founder of the NZ Tech Startups Ecosystem Facebook group, will pass leadership of the group to the Global Entrepreneurship Network Aotearoa New Zealand (GEN NZ) on 31 January. Ankit started the group in July 2012, which has developed into an open community of nearly 20,000 entrepreneurs, designers, software developers, advisors, investors and […]
Spirit of innovation demonstrated in land transport sector
A number of startups and entrepreneurial initiatives working to address challenges in the transport sector have been approved for funding in round one of the Waka Kotahi Hoe ki angitū- Innovation Fund, with a second round of challenges now announced. The $15 million fund, which was launched in June to accelerate innovative transport projects, attracted […]
FEATURED AND FAVES
SPOTLIGHT
Why our small businesses are a BIG deal
In the entrepreneur world we hear a lot of talk about entrepreneurs and businesses needing to be “global from day one”. Investors and business commentators lament our lack of large global businesses and say the “three-B” (bach, ‘Beemer’ and boat) mentality of Kiwi business owners is holding us back. In this regard small businesses are often […]
Editorial: We owe a duty of care to founder mental health and it requires a collaborative solution
I didn’t know Jake Millar, save for a few emails swapped with our editor when he was just getting started with Unfiltered. As for so many others though, the news of his death by suicide last year still came as a shock and with a deep sense of sadness. Sadness for the loss of a […]
Why every Kiwi should back or build a startup
Not all of us are built to be founders but we can all find a way to back ambitious, world-changing businesses; whether it’s buying their products, using their services, promoting them, encouraging and supporting them or investing in them. Certainly, backing and building startups will do a whole lot more for our future and our […]
What Government funding is available for startups in NZ?
One of the questions we’re often asked is, “What Government funding is available for startups in New Zealand?” Like so many questions in life, the answer is, “It depends.” So you’ve come up with a great business idea. You know exactly what problem you want to solve, and how you’re going to solve it. And […]
Start-up or startup? And what exactly is one anyway?!
If you’ve ever thought that “startup” was simply another name for a new small business, you’d be right. But, you’d also be wrong. Richard Liew explains. The Spring blossoms are out in force here in Wanaka and if ever there was a season that represented the promise, the energy, and oh-so tantalising potential of the startup […]
5 questions every entrepreneur should ask when people offer advice
When you know nothing, even fools can sound like geniuses. This is a vital lesson that all entrepreneurs need to learn as soon as possible – one that I and other entrepreneurs I know have had to learn the hard way, many times over. When you first start out in entrepreneurship – by this I […]