Welcome

In Founder Focus we introduce entrepreneurs and innovators working on our next generation of new business startups, social enterprises and small businesses. At a glance Founders: Andrew Chambers, Ben Goldsmith, Chris Stevens & Stephane Mathieu Business: Tella Founded: March 2021 HQ: Auckland Can you tell us a bit about your business? We remove the pain […]

In Founder Focus we introduce entrepreneurs and innovators working on our next generation of new business startups, social enterprises and small businesses. At a glance Founder: Steven Zinsli Business: HealthNow Founded: 2021 HQ: Auckland Can you tell us a bit about your business? HealthNow is a Fintech/Healthtech solution which simplifies the payment experience for patients, […]

After successfully making its mark in Wellington, food waste business Wonky Box has now expanded to Auckland. Wonky Box is a startup aiming to reduce food waste and help both consumers and growers by saving odd looking fruit and vegetables from going to waste. The subscription-based service collects fresh produce from growers that are perfectly […]

Richard Liew talks to Emma Campbell, founder of new UX design studio (Bo Studio) focused on supporting agritech businesses. Tune in for top UX tips for founders. WATCH NOW: Supporter Spotlight: Offers and services from NZ Entrepreneur supporters!

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 […]

A startup, with roots in New Plymouth, is working on an energy storage solution that has the potential to decarbonise large economies the world over. And it’s banking on the energy sector to grab onto the innovation with both hands. EnergyBank founder Tim Hawkey was destined for a career in the energy industry, even though […]

In Founder Focus we introduce entrepreneurs and innovators working on our next generation of new business startups, social enterprises and small businesses. At a glance Founder: Jack Dustin Business: Roof Space Founded: August 2021 HQ: Bay of Plenty Can you tell us a bit about your business? Roof Space is a peer-to-peer marketplace for sending […]

Online buy, sell and rent marketplace, Designer Wardrobe, has continued to grow market share to become the largest retailer of its type in New Zealand with gross transaction volumes for its marketplace hitting more than $1 million a month – all despite severe Covid disruption. Its continued success can be largely attributed to fine-tuning the […]

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 […]

New Zealand’s small businesses are feeling positive about the future as we head into the Christmas holiday period. A new survey commissioned by specialist small business lender, Prospa, shows business sentiment among this cohort is upbeat heading into summer, with 73% of those surveyed saying that they felt good about their overall business health and […]

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 […]

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 […]