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 Founder: Grenville Watson Business: Music Buddy App Founded: 2021 HQ: Hawke’s Bay Can you tell us a bit about your business? Music Buddy is an App for Musicians to live stream gigs to […]

These past few years have tested the mettle of entrepreneurs like never before. Yet, here you are. So first and foremost, congratulations for making it this far, it is a true testament to your perseverance and dedication. And although times are still undoubtedly tough, we are seeing a turn for the better in business. With […]

New Zealand music royalty King Kapisi has joined forces with Mastercard to celebrate small businesses in Aotearoa that reach the remarkable milestone of being in business for 10 years. This initiative stems from the recognition that there are some life milestones that are so impressive that they deserve a letter from the King – like […]

New Zealand’s productivity levels are facing a significant challenge, ranking among the lowest in the OECD (The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). Auckland business owner Nat Milne aims to address this issue with an innovative solution – the Beminded training programme. Developed in Sweden by Anna Bojlert, the scientifically-backed initiative harnesses neuroscience to help […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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: Michal Garvey Business: Foodprint Founded: 2018 / 2019 HQ: Auckland Can you tell us a bit about your business? Foodprint is a food rescue app. We partner with local eateries that have […]

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: Dr Manuel Seidel Business: ecoPortal Founded: 2010 HQ: Auckland Can you tell us a bit about your business? We’re ecoPortal and we exist to help keep people safe and environments healthy. […]

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 […]

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: Jo Mohan, Nick Jackson, Luka Licul Business: Spout Milk Founded: 2019 HQ: Canterbury Can you tell us a bit about your business? Spout helps reduce plastic milk bottle waste with reusable […]

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, […]