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Video games are one of the biggest and most lucrative sectors of the worldwide software technology industry today, which is why big development studios pour so much money into creating them. Think Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto and Halo, which are amongst the most expensive video games ever made, with development budgets in the […]

Raising capital is one of the most crucial milestones in any startup’s journey, yet it’s also where many promising ventures stumble. The difference between a successful funding round and a missed opportunity often comes down to preparation – having the right legal structure, understanding what investors actually want to see, and knowing how to position […]

Auckland entrepreneur Julie MacCulloch has launched Localsville, a new online service designed to connect communities, foster friendships, and drive customers to local businesses — all while encouraging safe, independent socialising. The St Heliers–based founder says the platform is a culmination of years of development, evolving from her earlier ventures into social networking, through to a […]

Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of thriving economies. From rural towns to bustling cities, when entrepreneurial activity grows, so does community vibrancy. More local businesses mean more reasons for people to visit, spend, and stay — which in turn attracts talent, investment, and new ideas. It’s a cycle that lifts entire regions. For Manuela Klevisser, founder […]

On ancestral whenua (land) at Ōwhata in Rotorua, a unique development is turning the tide on homeownership for Māori. Led by Ōwhata 2B and Ōwhata 7 Ahuwhenua Trusts, operating under the name Ōwhata Kōhanga Rākau (OKR), a new initiative is bringing affordable and well-designed housing to whānau of Ngati Te Roro o Te Rangi and […]

Many software startup founders say the early days can feel like building a plane while flying it. Plans shift week to week. One minute it’s about product-market fit; the next it’s about rewriting the pricing model at 2am. Devin Deen has been there a few times. This time, with his new venture ThinkGo, the seasoned […]

GridAKL/John Lysaght, one of the main venues of this exciting week. [Photo Supplied]

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/s: Julz Nonoa [Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Tangahoe, Ngaruahine, Tainui] and Kiri Leach [Ngati Konohi, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti] Business: Whare Hau Tutū Founded: 2021 HQ: Waikato Can you tell us a bit about your business? […]

When Wei Sun fell in love with New Zealand while on holiday in 2016, little did he know that he would be back nearly a decade later, launching a healthcare technology startup in Christchurch to build an affordable, effective AI gastrointestinal (GI) health management platform. Sun – a seasoned entrepreneur with a 25-year track record […]

Unconference and Workshops at AUT in Auckland on 7 and 8 August 2025. The event brings together entrepreneurs and supporters from all over New Zealand in a two day festival of networking, collaborative education, and getting sh!t done. At the Unconference on 8 August, the attendees set the agenda, and discuss items of importance on […]

It started with a fishing trip, a smoker, and a piece of Mānuka wood. A few years later, a simple stick has been transformed into an exciting natural pet product – Bonno, a uniquely Kiwi chew for dogs. But Bonno is more than just a dog chew. It’s a product with iconic New Zealand roots, […]

This is the story of an unusual games company making unusual games, built by a woman who followed an unusual career path.  Melanie (Mel) Langlotz is the founder and CEO of Geo AR Games, a game design studio that utilises augmented reality for “creating digital experiences that positively impact the world, fostering education and empowerment […]