Welcome

Launching a startup is exciting, particularly given New Zealand’s thriving and innovative startup ecosystem. However, the journey can be a steep learning curve and present numerous challenges, especially for first-time founders. This article explores five of the most common mistakes startup founders make and how you can steer clear of them. 1. Choosing the Wrong […]

Take a stroll through the heart of the South Island city of Nelson and you may be surprised to come across a new ‘store’ on the block that’s being hailed as a world-first in the field of artificial intelligence. The store is the Nelson AI Sandbox – a community education hub where anyone can walk […]

When Emma McMulkin found herself staring into the void of post-restructure unemployment after 17 years working for a multinational software company, she couldn’t help but feel a little daunted. But following a chance discussion with a friend, she discovered a new opportunity that let her take control of her career and leverage her well-honed marketing […]

Who: FoundrPR What: PR (Public Relations), PR Coaching NZ HQ: Auckland Who do you work with and what key challenges do you help them solve? At FoundrPR we help founders of startups and small to medium enterprises (“SME’s”) grow awareness for their businesses in the media. We also provide PR services to many organisations that […]

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: Jim Grierson and David Eder Business: The cGP Lab Founded: 2020 HQ: Auckland Can you tell us a bit about your business? We offer health supplements containing a dipeptide called cyclic […]

New research reveals that seven in ten (70%) SMEs are feeling stressed and burnt out, made more alarming given that SMEs make up 97% of all businesses in New Zealand. The latest RFI Global research commissioned by Prospa highlights the ongoing uncertainty in New Zealand’s business climate, with business confidence continuing to trend downwards despite […]

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: Dorenda Britten and Chris Cole Business: Unlock Innovation Founded: 2021 HQ: Canterbury Can you tell us a bit about your business? Unlock Innovation was founded to address a skills shortage in […]

A startup aiming to streamline the heavy haulage and ‘lifting and shifting’ industries has created a digital dispatch management system for drivers to run their operations more smoothly and directly from the cabs in their vehicles. Mother Trucking, a Nelson-based limited liability startup launched in March 2023, wants to shape the future of the heavy […]

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: Luke Irving Business: Fingermark Founded: 2006 HQ: Hawke’s Bay Can you tell us a bit about your business? Fingermark is a technology company that specialises in optimising and empowering those in […]

We are living in uncertain times. To me it almost feels like we are in a pressure cooker of social, economic, political and environmental stew. In such times it’s natural for the prehistoric “lizard” part of our brain to kick into survival mode. This is a problem because if we are here because of our […]

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: Nicole Bourne Business: All Things Foil Founded: 2024 HQ: Taranaki Can you tell us a bit about your business? My name is Nicole, a qualified hairdresser for 12+ years, two years […]

Michelle Cole, Executive Director of the Angel Association NZ, hopes to encourage more investors to see the wide range of opportunities out there – particularly when it comes to those that are often on the ‘fringe’ of founderdom. “We want to be able to show early stage investors, and the ecosystem, that there are a […]