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 Founder: John Boyle Business: Dzyn Space Founded: October 2019 HQ: Canterbury Can you tell us a bit about your business? Dzyn Space is a DIY graphic design software platform with […]

Prominent Queenstown hospitality software business Loaded is launching its global campaign, following the raising of $3.25 million via a combination of equity and debt, with an initial entry into Australia planned for early 2023. CEO Richard McLeod says crossing the Tasman is the first step as part of expanding globally and the expectation is that […]

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 […]

An initiative supporting young entrepreneurs at Westlake Boys High School called Openground has provided a pathway between academic theory and learning, and the practical reality of running a business.  Some students from this year’s inaugural Openground programme are now running their startups upon leaving school. Students successfully started their own businesses while learning essential core […]

Richard Liew talks to Matt Calkins, cofounder and CEO of US listed technology company Appian (NASDAQ: APPN), about bootstrapping, business ideas, game theory and robot CEO’s. Started by four friends at the start of the dotcom bust, Appian employs 2000 people worldwide and is today recognised as a global leader in the low-code space, helping […]

WHO: Organic Genetics Founders: Holly Wright and Paul Lee HQ: Auckland website: organicgenetics.co.nz NZ Entrepreneur: Tell us why you started your business, Organic Genetics and have you always been entrepreneurial?  Holly Wright: We founded Organic Genetics in 2019 after numerous discussions around the emerging medicinal cannabis industry here in NZ. We had a strong vision […]

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: Charlotte Greer (veto is a one-woman show) Business: veto. Founded: May 2020 HQ: Bay of Plenty Can you tell us a bit about your business? veto. wants to bring […]

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, […]

With 18 years as CMC Markets’ General Manager of NZ under his belt, we asked Chris Smith to share his insights on the world of investing, and what it’s like leading the local arm of a globally renowned fintech. NZ Entrepreneur: In your role as GM of CMC Markets NZ, you have a good helicopter […]

A Southland based game developer is currently rocking the metaverse, with live events being streamed to guests inside his 3D platform, MYX providing a virtual experience that’s the next best thing to the real-world event. But it’s a double-edged sword as he has discovered. Funder Games founder and creative director Paul Cousins prefers to be […]

WHO: Kimer Med Founders: Phil Oliver and Rick Kiessig HQ: Nelson website: www.kimermed.co.nz What products, services, solutions or technology have you developed?  In spite of the billions of dollars spent on medical research, registered antiviral drugs exist for only a handful of viral diseases that afflict humans. Most of these target a specific virus and […]

As New Zealand’s leading agritech and foodtech accelerator and investment firm, Sprout Agritech is supporting agriculture and food technologies with an ecosystem that allows them to develop right here at home – but look globally for opportunities and growth. “We are unlike other companies developing in this space, and this comes down to our three […]