Welcome

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: Emma Michelsen Business: Daisy Founded: 2023 HQ: Auckland Can you tell us a bit about your business? Daisy is a pioneer in women’s health, focusing on innovative over-the-counter antenatal products to […]

Nelson’s leading tertiary education provider is readying its students for the next wave of tech innovation under the guidance of a globally experienced AI specialist who is supercharging the capabilities of the school’s IT and Computing programme. Ali Kahwaji, an IT tutor in Digital Technologies at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT), spent many […]

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: Prof. Keith Alexander (Founder and Director), Richard Shepherd (CEO), Dr. Alex O’Keefe (CTO) Business: Hapai Transfer Systems Founded: 2018 HQ: Canterbury Can you tell us a bit about your business? Ageing […]

Avnet and MACSO Technologies have entered a strategic relationship to accelerate and scale IoT deployments for customers worldwide by advancing artificial intelligence (AI) models on hardware and electronic components through Avnet’s IoTConnect Partner Program. Auckland based MACSO trains advanced artificial intelligence models that can simultaneously use different types of sensors on Avnet’s components. “MACSO is […]

Watch/listen to the Interview: Here Richard Liew talks with Paul Wilkes, founder and CEO at national marketing consultancy company MyMarketer. In the interview Paul talks about the unique business model behind MyMarketer which enables professional marketers to set up and run their own marketing businesses with the support of an established national brand and operating […]

When an accounts manager working in the farming sector in the Canterbury region decided it was time for a career change, a new opportunity came in the form of a plumbing business – however, there was a twist. The plumbing company in question was not only looking for an employee with an accounting background, but […]

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: Nick Kelly Business: Framework Doors Founded: 2024 HQ: Auckland Can you tell us a bit about your business? Framework is a steel door and window company, specialising in design-led security solutions. […]

It’s a story of grit, clever thinking, innovative use of digital technology – and a whole lot of charcoal. A decade ago, Under the Hood BBQ was just an idea that sparked from a deep passion for “low and slow” barbecue cooking felt by husband-and-wife duo Dave and Michelle King, expressed through an Instagram page. […]

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: Nar Singh and Braedyn Mackay Business: Orderlink Founded: 2023 HQ: Auckland Can you tell us a bit about your business? At Orderlink we have developed a software platform that is designed […]

As a busy working mum, Bonnie Slade wanted quick pre-packaged snacks for her kids that weren’t loaded with rubbish. When she realised the options were limited, she decided to create her own. The result was NaturKidz – an award-winning line of freeze-dried snacks made from New Zealand fruit, which is also now a flourishing business. […]

Despite economic challenges, New Zealand businesses are demonstrating remarkable resilience and innovation, successfully competing on the global stage. A recent survey from New Zealand and Australian payments provider Pin Payments revealed that 65 percent of NZ businesses are concerned about the economy, while 75 percent say their business has been negatively impacted by inflation. These […]

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: Sarina Iwabuchi Business: Osakana Jewellery Founded: 2020 HQ: Auckland Can you tell us a bit about your business? At Osakana Jewellery, we’re on a mission to put the brakes on fast […]