You’ve got a brilliant idea, set up your company, and you and your partners are ready to go! You’ve each got a shareholding, you’re super aligned, and nothing could possibly go wrong… But have you actually talked about what happens if, in 6 months, the business needs quite a bit more cash? Or if one of you moves to a new city and can’t work in the business anymore? Life changes and business can, unfortunately, be unpredictable. The great news is that you can make a rule book (aka shareholder’s agreement) so that when things pop up – you all know how to deal with them. Because it’s staying al ..read more

A New Zealand educated scientist turned entrepreneur Dr Privahini (Priv) Bradoo, Cofounder and CEO of US AI startup Plank, returned to New Zealand from the US earlier this year to connect with early-stage investors at multiple Angel Association New Zealand (AANZ) events. The AANZ with support from New Zealand Growth Capital Partners (NZGCP) hosted Bradoo in New Zealand in February 2024 to attend the Startup Ecosystem Enablers Meetup in Auckland, their annual Angel Summit, and to run exclusive workshops in both Auckland and Wellington. Michelle Cole, Executive Director of the Angel Associatio ..read more

A 100 per cent Kiwi owned online e-commerce marketplace is encouraging New Zealanders to support Kiwi-owned businesses and keep hard-earned dollars in New Zealand. Buy Kiwi hopes to capture 0.5 per cent of the fast-growing e-commerce online market – $29m a year – before 2027. Buy Kiwi, based in Parnell, Auckland, supports only New Zealand businesses. Since its launch 12 months ago it has registered more than 500 local businesses and listed more than 40,000 products for sale. Buy Kiwi director, Scott Russell, says Buy Kiwi was funded by ‘mum and dad’ shareholder investors, all Kiwis who care ..read more

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: Shanon O’Connor Business: Tōnui Collab Founded: 2019 HQ: Gisborne Can you tell us a bit about your business? Tōnui Collab is a specialist bilingual education partner dedicated to creating innovative STEMM learning opportunities. Tamariki and rangatahi are invited to explore the diversity of STEMM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Mātauranga (Māori knowledge) – through experimentation with animation, engin ..read more

Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki has released the final three episodes of its PowerUp Podcast, Season Four, hosted by business advocate and CEO of NZ Story, David Downs. Each episode of the PowerUp Podcast features a prominent Taranaki entrepreneur who is making waves with their trailblazing spirit and innovative approach. Through candid conversations they share their wins, challenges, and inspiration, along with how Taranaki shapes their work and lifestyle. Packed with real-life business lessons and inspiring stories, the PowerUp Podcast is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs and founde ..read more

Businesses in the Manawatū will benefit from a new partnership between CEDA and ManawaTech as they support the Summer of Tech programme in 2024. With an aim to increase the number of recent tech graduates moving to the region, they will cover the Summer of Tech registration fee for participating businesses as well as co-funding 50% of the placement fee. “Tech plays such an important role across the whole ecosystem,” says Greg Bignall, CEDA Business Development Manager. “So there’s a nice synergy because tech cuts across all sectors that we focus on at CEDA.” Summer of Tech is a nationwide in ..read more

Callaghan Innovation’s New to R&D Grant was created to support entrepreneurs at the start of their innovation journey. Those entrepreneurs have formed a business around their exciting new idea or concept, are looking for some initial research and development (R&D) funding and would benefit from starting their own in-house R&D programme. The grant comes in two parts, which work in parallel: First project funding: Applicants put forward a proposed plan and budget for their first structured R&D project to push forward their new idea or concept. This first R&D project often h ..read more

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: Paul McKernan Business: Drip Waterproof Socks Founded: 2023 HQ: Auckland Can you tell us a bit about your business? We have designed a waterproof sock for outdoor enthusiasts and sports lovers, we do it for those that don’t mind getting caught in the rain or might end up in a puddle or stream but don’t want to pay the heavy price of wet feet for the rest of their round, match or day. Our feature product has a waterproof m ..read more

Forty-five exceptional rangatahi Māori and Pasifika young minds from high schools across Aotearoa were united in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland last week to attend the entrepreneurial education programme, ‘Young Navigators,’ by Young Enterprise Trust. The initiative, sponsored by One NZ, alongside Pacific Business Trust, and New Zealand Māori Tourism, is designed to immerse Māori and Pasifika taiurua (students) in three days of enterprise-focused activities to connect, collaborate and learn. The programme is a fusion between the organisation’s flagship programme, ‘Young Enterprise Scheme,’ and a f ..read more

Squarespace is a popular website building and hosting service that allows individuals and businesses to create professional-looking websites and e-commerce stores without needing extensive technical expertise. It provides a user-friendly interface with an intuitive “drag and drop” editor, and a variety of professionally designed templates that users can customise to create their own unique websites. Squarespace currently offers four main pricing plans, each with different features and capabilities. When billed annually, their personal plan starts at $NZ27 a month and basic business plans at ..read more