Hawaiiki Pepi

Hawaiiki Pepi

#nzentrepreneur

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: Joelle Holland Business: Hawaiiki Pepi Founded: 2022 HQ: Auckland Can you tell us a bit about your business? Hawaiiki Pepi is a Māori owned Pakihi (business) that creates Māori designed products […]

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RECENTly ON NZ ENTREPRENEUR

Milk NZ

Founder Q&A: Ben Reid, Milk NZ

#nzentrepreneur

Business: Milk NZ Founder: Ben Reid HQ: Auckland Tell us a bit about yourself and your business. I started Milk 19 years ago alongside Simon Cairns, and it’s been quite the journey. My background was in design, and I spent some time working in the industry in the UK before coming home to start Milk. […]

Bio Gold

Bio Gold

#nzentrepreneur

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: Carl Meyer Business: Bio Gold Founded: 2019 HQ: Bay of Plenty Can you tell us a bit about your business? Our company produces 100% New Zealand made natural health products to […]

Calma Sleeps

Calma Sleeps

#nzentrepreneur

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: Manita Chand Business: Calma Sleeps Founded: 2023 HQ: Auckland Can you tell us a bit about your business? Calma Sleeps is a sleep care brand with a dedicated mission: to ensure a […]

On Your Terms

Knowledge Base: Get contracts and legal docs right with Natalie Fennell and Claire Bodle, On Your Terms

#nzentrepreneur

Watch now: (14 mins) In this edition of Knowledge Base, Richard Liew talks with Natalie Fennell and Claire Bodle, lawyers and cofounders of legal documents company “On Your Terms“. Natalie and Claire explain how they are using smart tech to bring down the cost of common business legal documents for New Zealand business owners, as […]


OTHER RECENT NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPDATES

BIZ WIRE

Milk NZ

Founder Q&A: Ben Reid, Milk NZ

#nzentrepreneur

Business: Milk NZ Founder: Ben Reid HQ: Auckland Tell us a bit about yourself and your business. I started Milk 19 years ago alongside Simon Cairns, and it’s been quite the journey. My background was in design, and I spent some time working in the industry in the UK before coming home to start Milk. […]

On Your Terms

Knowledge Base: Get contracts and legal docs right with Natalie Fennell and Claire Bodle, On Your Terms

#nzentrepreneur

Watch now: (14 mins) In this edition of Knowledge Base, Richard Liew talks with Natalie Fennell and Claire Bodle, lawyers and cofounders of legal documents company “On Your Terms“. Natalie and Claire explain how they are using smart tech to bring down the cost of common business legal documents for New Zealand business owners, as […]

Kara Technologies

Kara Technologies pioneering inclusive emergency Sign Language success for the Deaf

#nzentrepreneur

In a groundbreaking development, Kara Technologies has emerged as one of the recipients of a pivotal $500,000 scale-up funding initiative, courtesy of Australian Red Cross, in collaboration with the Telstra Foundation. This significant infusion of funding will help to catalyse Kara’s innovative avatar technology, paving the way for the creation of an accessible and user-friendly […]

Collab Digital

Knowledge Base: Social media strategy with Brent Ireland, Collab Digital

#nzentrepreneur

Watch now: (17 mins) In this edition of Knowledge Base, Richard Liew talks with Brent Ireland, CEO of social media and content experts Collab Digital. In 2023, business social media platform LinkedIn celebrated its 20th birthday signifying at least two decades since social media has been available for businesses to use as part of their […]

The Selwyn Innovation Challenge

The Selwyn Foundation launches $550,000 Respectful Ageing Innovation Challenge

#nzentrepreneur

Grants available for organisations with novel solutions to the challenges facing seniors. The Selwyn Foundation has launched its inaugural Respectful Ageing Innovation Challenge, which will see $550,000 given to develop solutions to the complex problems seniors face. The Selwyn Foundation embarked on a transformation process two years ago, selling six of its seven rest homes, […]

Integrape

Founder Q&A: Integrape

#nzentrepreneur

Business: Integrape Founder: Joris Besamusca HQ: Waihi What products, services, solutions or technology have you developed?  We are a software company that builds digital tools for viticulture. Our core product is Integrape a decision support platform focussing on nutrition and variability in the vineyard. We aggregate and standardise data relevant to the health and production […]

Azura

Azura to develop technology to extract energy from wave power

#nzentrepreneur

A New Plymouth-based startup has developed wave energy conversion technology to produce electrical power and potable water from the power of waves. Azura Wave Power has developed and refined a unique and patented wave technology system to extract energy from the power of waves. Unlike other wave energy converters, Azura’s technology system extracts power from […]

Nexustorage

Kiwi data storage startup Nexustorage helping businesses unlock the power of their data

#nzentrepreneur

An intelligent Kapiti-based Kiwi data storage startup is combining the reliable functionality of traditional storage technology, with modern cloud capabilities. And this, says Glen Olsen, founder of Nexustorage and creator of Nexfs, is what makes it truly unique. Olsen knows that data isn’t the most interesting thing in the world. But he says the trick […]

Hiringa Energy

Hiringa Energy to address climate change by taking clean, green hydrogen fuel to the world

#nzentrepreneur

A group of energy professionals based in New Plymouth is building one of the world’s first green hydrogen refuelling networks, designed principally to refuel trucks in the heavy transport sector. Hiringa Energy was created in 2017 to enable large-scale decarbonisation in a commercially sustainable way, motivated by a desire to address climate change. It will […]

On Your Terms

On Your Terms bridging tech and personalised service to bring down business legal costs

#nzentrepreneur

While we ponder if AI is the way forward or the path to doomsday, Kiwi legal tech startup On Your Terms has found a way to combine the best of tech with the expertise of a personal legal service, at a fraction of the price.  AI has its limitations, and when it comes to legal […]

DietDecoder

Founder Q&A: DietDecoder

#nzentrepreneur

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

Afirmo app aims to be first stop for Kiwi businesses

#nzentrepreneur

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 […]


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HOW-TO’S, TIPS, Insights AND ADVICE

Insights

On Your Terms

Knowledge Base: Get contracts and legal docs right with Natalie Fennell and Claire Bodle, On Your Terms

#nzentrepreneur

Watch now: (14 mins) In this edition of Knowledge Base, Richard Liew talks with Natalie Fennell and Claire Bodle, lawyers and cofounders of legal documents company “On Your Terms“. Natalie and Claire explain how they are using smart tech to bring down the cost of common business legal documents for New Zealand business owners, as […]

Collab Digital

Knowledge Base: Social media strategy with Brent Ireland, Collab Digital

#nzentrepreneur

Watch now: (17 mins) In this edition of Knowledge Base, Richard Liew talks with Brent Ireland, CEO of social media and content experts Collab Digital. In 2023, business social media platform LinkedIn celebrated its 20th birthday signifying at least two decades since social media has been available for businesses to use as part of their […]

Afirmo

Knowledge Base: Business structure insights with Robert Rolls

#nzentrepreneur

Watch now: (13 Mins) In this edition of Knowledge Base, Richard Liew talks with Robert Rolls, CEO and founder of business setup and scaleup app, Afirmo. If you’re new to business tune into this illuminating conversation about the business setup process in New Zealand. From choosing between operating as a sole trader, partnership or company; […]

BrakeAce

How to create a 1M+ views Instagram Reel for your startup

#nzentrepreneur

Matt Miller, founder of BrakeAce, made a Reel for his startup that got 1M+ views in ten days. He shares his learnings for startup founders here. 1. Making a dope Reel was a good investment of time Between recording, editing and publishing I only spent one hour. There was time to develop the vision of […]

Joe Blogs Digital

Knowledge Base: Joe Sutheran, Joe Blogs Digital

#nzentrepreneur

Watch now: (14 mins) In this edition of Knowledge Base, Richard Liew talks with Joe Sutheran, the Google Ads and Google Analytics expert behind Joe Blogs Digital. If you’ve thought about using Google Ads to drive traffic and leads to your website or store, tune in for Joe’s tips on everything from setting up a […]

iPromise

Knowledge Base: Paul Veric, IPromise

#nzentrepreneur

Watch now: (13 mins) In this edition of Knowledge Base, Richard Liew talks with Paul Veric, cofounder of payment app IPromise. We tackle the tricky subject of collecting payments from clients, which can be problematic for businesses that incur costs such as labour and materials when delivering their services to customers, but then have to […]

Human Digital

Knowledge Base: Ben Van Rooy, Human Digital

#nzentrepreneur

Watch now: (14 MINS) In this edition of Knowledge Base, Richard Liew talks with marketing expert Ben Van Rooy, founder of Auckland and Sydney based marketing company, Human Digital. We unpack the seemingly overwhelming subject of marketing for business founders, and ask Ben what the three most important things any new business owner should focus […]

Little Biz Online

Knowledge Base: Leah Harold, Little Biz Online

#nzentrepreneur

Watch now: (12.5 mins) In this edition of Knowledge Base, Richard Liew talks with WordPress expert Leah Harold, owner of WordPress website design and hosting company Little Biz Online. Speaking to Richard from Whangarei, Leah gives the low down on WordPress for founders considering their website and e-commerce platform options. She explains how to set […]

Tom Sweeney Crew Technical Recruitment

Knowledge Base: Tom Sweeney, Crew Technology recruitment

#nzentrepreneur

Watch now: (12min) In this edition of Knowledge Base, Richard Liew talks with Tom Sweeney, cofounder of Crew Technology Recruitment, a recruitment agency based in Dunedin and Christchurch but helping New Zealand businesses source and employ top IT and digital talent nationally. Tom shares key insights for founders looking to hire their first tech team […]

For customer engagement Emotional Value beats Functional Value

#nzentrepreneur

There is irrefutable evidence that, even in the age of instant online purchasing, customers who emotionally connect with a business or brand purchase more, stay longer, and provide hundreds of percent more lifetime value. Yet when you look at the way most businesses market themselves, you’d think this was radical, reckless thinking. Despite emotional connection […]

Chorus

How much bandwidth does your business need?

#nzentrepreneur

In today’s digital world, a strong internet connection is the lifeblood of most businesses. With modern technology and digital ways of working available (and constantly evolving), it brings into sharp focus the question – is your internet bandwidth up to the job? Whether you have a cafe that offers free wifi for customers or have […]

Chorus

Pros and cons of buying your own router

#nzentrepreneur

Wifi routers, are a critical piece of equipment when it comes to connecting devices at your office to the Internet. In New Zealand most service providers, (ISPs) give or rent a modem/router for free upon sign-up to a new broadband plan (although some charge for delivery) and some even throw in a wifi mesh system. […]


FROM THE STARTUP ECOSYSTEM

ECOSYSTEM

GEN NZ Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Awards

GEN NZ Entrepreneurship Awards Winners announced

#nzentrepreneur

The Global Entrepreneurship Network New Zealand (GEN NZ) recognised the winners of the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Awards last week on Thursday 26 October in a ceremony and celebration at GridAKL. The annual awards recognise New Zealand’s rising entrepreneurs, their ventures, and the ecosystem that supports them. GEN NZ Chair Dave Moskovitz said that the judging was […]

Techstars Startup Weekend

Discover your entrepreneurial spirit at Techstars Startup Weekend Queenstown

#nzentrepreneur

Marco Dingemans, General Manager at Startup Queenstown Lakes is inviting local and visiting entrepreneurs to make the most of the next Techstars Startup Weekend. In Queenstown Lakes District, the entrepreneurial spirit is more alive than ever. To enhance this force, the Techstars Startup Weekend from 10 – 12 November, Queenstown is the place to be. […]

NZ Entrepreneurial Ecosystem 2023 Awards

Nominations are now open for the Aotearoa NZ Entrepreneurial Ecosystem 2023 Awards

#nzentrepreneur

The Global Entrepreneurship Network Aotearoa NZ has announced the opening of nominations for the Aotearoa NZ Entrepreneurial Ecosystem 2023 Awards. The awards aim to recognise New Zealand founders, entrepreneurs, and supporters in our thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Categories include Entrepreneur of the year, Social Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur Support Organisation, Māori Entrepreneur, Investor, Academic initiative, Youth programme, Intrapreneur, […]

GEN NZ

New Zealand entrepreneurs on the world stage at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress

#nzentrepreneur

More than 2,000 entrepreneurs, investors, policy makers and community leaders are headed to the annual Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) in Melbourne next week, and a delegation of 56 New Zealanders are set to make the most of such an incredible opportunity. “The GEC has never been so close, providing us a forum to not only […]

Newmarket Business Awards

Business awards celebrate Newmarket’s finest

#nzentrepreneur

The Newmarket business community came together on Friday 25th August to celebrate excellence and innovation at the annual Newmarket Business Awards (NBA), hosted by the Newmarket Business Association (NBA). The event, held at Cordis and sponsored by Auckland MINI Garage and Q Mastercard®, showcased the remarkable achievements of businesses in the Newmarket precinct. The Newmarket […]

Stefan Korn

Callaghan Innovation launches counselling service for startup founders

#nzentrepreneur

Callaghan Innovation has today launched a counselling service to support founders whose mental health is suffering due to the significant pressures associated with establishing and growing a startup. Plans for the service were announced at the Electrify Aotearoa conference on 1 August at the same time as the organisation launched a guidance and resolution service […]

Rebel Business School Aotearoa

Rebel Business School partners with Semaine Group for new course, Business Plan Sprint

#nzentrepreneur

Rebel Business School Aotearoa (RBSA) is well-known for two things: its unapologetic, startup-friendly mentality, and its dedication to business education. As we move into the latter half of 2023, Rebel has once again turned their eye to New Zealand’s entrepreneurial innovation. This time, they’ll be partnering with the Semaine Group, developers of the bizezi app, […]

Venture Taranaki

One big boost for Taranaki businesses

#nzentrepreneur

Taranaki small businesses have overwhelmingly embraced a government programme helping them to grow online. Digital Boost Facilitation Scheme is a Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) initiative created to provide additional support and encouragement to small businesses to adopt and practically use the Digital Boost Platforms to digitally transform their businesses. As the regional […]

Whitecliff

Interview: Eric Thompson, School of Design Innovation, Whitecliff

#nzentrepreneur

Richard Liew talks with Eric Thompson, Head of the School of Design Innovation at Whitecliffe, about their new “low residence” masters degree being offered for entrepreneurs in New Zealand. A range of entrepreneur topics are discussed including Kiwis’ attitude to failure, passion and critical thinking. WATCH NOW: Supporter Spotlight: Offers and services from NZ Entrepreneur […]


FEATURED AND FAVES

SPOTLIGHT

Government funding startups nz

What Government funding is available for startups in NZ?

#nzentrepreneur

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

Start-up or startup? And what exactly is one anyway?!

#nzentrepreneur

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

5 questions every entrepreneur should ask when people offer advice

#nzentrepreneur

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 […]