Welcome

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 Founders: Bruce Jackson and Ronel Schodt Business: Kai’s Education Founded: 2019 HQ: Auckland Can you tell us a bit about your business? Kai’s Education is shaping the future of learning through innovative […]

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: Olivia Dyet Business: Empathix Founded: 2023 HQ: Auckland Can you tell us a bit about your business? Empathix is changing the recruitment game by creating a new market category: human-centric, advanced […]

NZ startup Shutterspeed has been selected as part of the 2024 Techstars Sydney accelerator, accompanied by $US120,000 funding. 4,400 companies have worked with the US global startup network Techstars, with a US$116B portfolio market cap.   Shutterspeed is developing a cutting-edge AI-powered business assistant for content creators and creative professionals. This investment highlights the growing recognition […]

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 Founders: Rob Stirling and Gene Dower Business: Scannable Founded: 2020 HQ: Otago Can you tell us a bit about your business? Scannable exists to streamline safety equipment management for ‘work-at-height’ industries, such […]

Launching a startup is exciting, particularly given New Zealand’s thriving and innovative startup ecosystem. However, the journey can be a steep learning curve and present numerous challenges, especially for first-time founders. This article explores five of the most common mistakes startup founders make and how you can steer clear of them. 1. Choosing the Wrong […]

Take a stroll through the heart of the South Island city of Nelson and you may be surprised to come across a new ‘store’ on the block that’s being hailed as a world-first in the field of artificial intelligence. The store is the Nelson AI Sandbox – a community education hub where anyone can walk […]

When Emma McMulkin found herself staring into the void of post-restructure unemployment after 17 years working for a multinational software company, she couldn’t help but feel a little daunted. But following a chance discussion with a friend, she discovered a new opportunity that let her take control of her career and leverage her well-honed marketing […]

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 Founders: Jim Grierson and David Eder Business: The cGP Lab Founded: 2020 HQ: Auckland Can you tell us a bit about your business? We offer health supplements containing a dipeptide called cyclic […]

New research reveals that seven in ten (70%) SMEs are feeling stressed and burnt out, made more alarming given that SMEs make up 97% of all businesses in New Zealand. The latest RFI Global research commissioned by Prospa highlights the ongoing uncertainty in New Zealand’s business climate, with business confidence continuing to trend downwards despite […]

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 Founders: Dorenda Britten and Chris Cole Business: Unlock Innovation Founded: 2021 HQ: Canterbury Can you tell us a bit about your business? Unlock Innovation was founded to address a skills shortage in […]

A startup aiming to streamline the heavy haulage and ‘lifting and shifting’ industries has created a digital dispatch management system for drivers to run their operations more smoothly and directly from the cabs in their vehicles. Mother Trucking, a Nelson-based limited liability startup launched in March 2023, wants to shape the future of the heavy […]

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: Luke Irving Business: Fingermark Founded: 2006 HQ: Hawke’s Bay Can you tell us a bit about your business? Fingermark is a technology company that specialises in optimising and empowering those in […]