Welcome

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 […]

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 […]