TechMates

From hypersonics and space-based hyperspectral imaging to "Starlink for energy" - three deep tech founders are defying the laws of physics to build the future.In this episode of TechMates, we dive into the deep end of hard tech with three visionaries who are redefining the boundaries of aerospace, satellite imaging, and global energy distribution. We hear from Stefan Powell of Dawn Aerospace, who explains why building an "aircraft with the performance of a rocket" is the key to unlocking the multi-billion dollar hypersonics and orbital launch markets (without the liability of dropping rocket debris on Philadelphia).We also hear from Shoaib Iqbal of Esper Satellites, who breaks down the "DIY" origins of their space-based hyperspectral cameras—starting with eBay parts and astrophotography sensors to see chemical compositions from orbit. Finally, Billy J of Aquila shares a radical, contrarian vision for the future of power: an "internet of energy." He challenges the current trend of localized microgrids, proposing a zero-cost-per-kilometer, speed-of-light energy transmission network that operates just like Starlink. If you want to know what the next 50 years of human infrastructure looks like, this conversation is for you.🚀 Orbital Launch vs. Hypersonics: Why Dawn Aerospace is building reusable rocket-powered aircraft to tap into the $7B hypersonics defense market.📸 Hyperspectral Imaging from Space: How Esper Satellites hacked together their first sensors to see beyond the visual spectrum and classify materials from orbit.⚡ The "Internet of Energy": Aquila's contrarian thesis on why energy transmission must shift from physical cables and localized grids to speed-of-light optical networks.🛠️ DIY Deep Tech: The scrappy, off-the-shelf engineering tactics used to build the first iterations of game-changing orbital hardware.💸 The Cost of Infrastructure: Comparing the $1M/km cost of high-voltage DC power lines to the zero-cost transmission of directed energy.Connect with the Guests:Dawn Aerospace: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spowell111/Esper Satellites: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shoaib-esper/Aquila: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-jeremijenko-a31399183/Connect with NZVC & Hosts:🔗 Learn more about NZVC: Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/Timestamps:If you enjoyed this deep dive into the hard tech shaping our future, please hit the Like button, Comment below on which technology you think will change the world fastest, and Subscribe for more conversations with visionary founders!#startups, #deeptech, #aerospace, #NewZealand, #hypersonics, #satellites, #energy, #innovation, #space, #technology, #DawnAerospace, #EsperSatellites, #Aquila, #venturecapital, #founderstories, #futuretech, #NZVC, #TechMates, #engineering, #hardtech

He advised HBO’s Silicon Valley for five seasons, was part of a database team built and acquired by Apple, and helped run an "eBay for seized, stolen, and abandoned goods"—now tech veteran Andrew J. Nash is revealing his startup secrets.In this episode of TechMates, we sit down with Andrew J. Nash, a tech veteran who has been coding for 50 years. After spending 28 years in the US at the epicenter of the Silicon Valley tech boom, he recently returned to Melbourne, Australia. He is now launching Austral Impact, a venture designed to bring the heavyweight experience of Aussie tech expats back home to supercharge the local startup ecosystem.Andrew shares what it was like working directly with Mike Judge as the technical advisor for HBO's Silicon Valley, ensuring the show's tech was as accurate as the chemistry in Breaking Bad. He discusses the six-year journey of the FoundationDB team and the grueling two-year process leading up to their acquisition by Apple. He also explains his "singles and doubles" strategy, advising founders to banish the idea of building a billion-dollar company on Day 1. From investing in iPhone-hacking tech for law enforcement to building the "picks and shovels" of the AI revolution, Andrew's 40-year career is a masterclass in tech execution.🎬 HBO’s Silicon Valley: Working with Mike Judge to ensure the show's tech was 100% accurate.💻 The Apple Acquisition: The 6-year journey of the FoundationDB team and the 2-year enterprise sales gauntlet to get acquired by Apple.🚨 "eBay for Seized Goods": Helping run PropertyRoom.com, a reverse liquidity marketplace for the law enforcement community for seized, stolen, and abandoned goods.📉 The "Singles & Doubles" Strategy: Why aiming for a $1B valuation out of the gate is a trap, and why you should engineer your startup for a trade sale instead.🤖 AI’s 2nd & 3rd Order Problems: Why Andrew is building AI orchestration tools and focusing on the "picks and shovels" of the new agentic AI era.🇦🇺 Austral Impact: Returning to Melbourne to build a virtual ecosystem of veteran operators for the Australian market.Connect with the Guest:Andrew’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewjnash/Austral Impact: https://www.linkedin.com/company/australimpact/Learn more about NZVC:Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/Timestamps:01:16 - Introduction & Advising HBO’s Silicon Valley04:35 - Moving to the US & experiencing the 90s Tech Boom12:11 - The early days of ERP, Oracle, and enterprise software18:49 - Commercial successes: Visual Sciences, Adobe, & PropertyRoom22:07 - Building the FoundationDB team & the 2-year acquisition by Apple31:03 - Digital Identity, Trust, and AI Personas34:44 - Startup failures & the "Singles and Doubles" exit strategy39:31 - Leaving the US to launch Austral Impact in Melbourne44:05 - The future of AI: Solving 2nd and 3rd-order problems48:43 - Quick Fire: Selling a Bell Helicopter & advice to his 23-year-old selfIf you enjoyed these 40 years of hard-earned startup wisdom, please hit the Like button, Comment with your favorite piece of advice from Andrew, and Subscribe for more high-impact conversations with tech leaders!#startups #SiliconValley #tech #AndrewJNash #venturecapital #entrepreneurship #software #artificialintelligence #HBOSiliconValley #Apple #acquisitions #SaaS #investing #deeptech #AustralImpact #Australia #NZVC #founders #business #TechMates

The former London financier who funded Harry Potter now controls the single biggest lever in New Zealand’s startup ecosystem—and he’s on a mission to deploy billions.In this episode of TechMates, we sit down with James Pinner, the Chief Investment Officer of New Zealand Growth Capital Partners (NZGCP). James isn't your typical government official. After spending 15 years in London’s cutthroat capital markets (including financing the early Harry Potter films) and managing dynastic wealth for the 150-year-old Todd Corporation, he stepped into the public sector with a massive mandate: architecting the future of New Zealand's venture ecosystem.James drops bold truths on the state of the market, including why New Zealand has a "zombie startup" problem, his highly contrarian take on why Kiwi AgTech actually struggles to scale globally, and the urgent need to wake up the $120 billion "sleeping giant" of KiwiSaver funds. From navigating dual-use defense technology to doubling down on the booming aerospace sector, this conversation is an absolute masterclass for founders looking to raise capital and anyone interested in the macroeconomic machinery of venture capital.🧟‍♂️ The "Zombie Startup" Problem: Why funding companies for too long traps top talent.💰 Unlocking KiwiSaver: How shifting just 1% of a $120B pool could transform the VC landscape.🚀 Deep Tech Dominance: Why space, clean tech, and medtech are New Zealand's true superpowers.🚜 The AgTech Illusion: A controversial take on why NZ's pastoral farming innovations struggle to scale globally.🎬 From Hollywood to Hardware: Lessons learned from financing blockbuster films and managing a multi-generational family office.⚔️ Defense & Dual-Use Tech: How shifting global alliances are forcing VCs to rethink defense investing.Connect with the Guest:NZGCP Website: https://www.nzgcp.co.nz/James Pinner's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-pinnerConnect with NZVC & Hosts:🔗 Learn more about NZVC: Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to James Pinner & NZGCP02:24 - From London Capital Markets to Financing Harry Potter04:31 - Lessons from Todd Corporation (150-year-old family wealth)11:37 - Does the "Number 8 Wire" mentality hurt Kiwi ambition?14:43 - New Zealand's "Zombie Startup" problem explained18:15 - Waking up the $120 Billion KiwiSaver sleeping giant25:05 - Why the government must be the highest-risk investor27:07 - NZ's biggest opportunities: Space, Clean Tech, MedTech32:15 - A controversial take on New Zealand AgTech42:00 - Geopolitics, defense tech, and shifting global alliances52:32 - How to pitch New Zealand to the rest of the world59:31 - Quick Fire: Overhyped trends, underfunded sectors, and founder mistakesIf you found value in this deep dive into the mechanics of venture capital, please hit the Like button, Comment with your thoughts on the "zombie startup" problem, and Subscribe for more high-impact conversations with tech leaders!#startups, #venturecapital, #NewZealand, #NZGCP, #investing, #deeptech, #spacetech, #entrepreneurship, #KiwiSaver, #governmentfunding, #innovation, #techpodcast, #founderjourney, #cleantech, #medtech, #startupfunding, #TechMates, #NZVC, #HarryPotter, #globalmarkets

From his daughter’s kitchen table tip about a new app called Snapchat to building a $300 billion venture empire—legendary VC Barry Eggers reveals how he spots the next big thing.In this episode of TechMates, we sit down with Barry Eggers, founding partner of Lightspeed Venture Partners, one of the most iconic venture firms in Silicon Valley history. Barry takes us inside the legendary "Snapchat Moment" in 2012, where noticing his teenage daughter using a disappearing photo app led to Lightspeed becoming the first investor in Snap Inc.—a bet that turned $500k into billions.We dive deep into the evolution of Silicon Valley from apricot orchards to the epicenter of AI, why Barry believes "concentration" is the new diversification, and his candid take on AI replacing white-collar jobs (including his own). Whether you're a founder looking to raise capital or an investor trying to spot the next unicorn, this conversation is packed with 28 years of wisdom from a VC who has seen it all.Key Topics:👻 The Snapchat Story: How a kitchen table conversation led to a 2000x return.🤖 AI & Jobs: Barry’s prediction on AI replacing venture capitalists and white-collar work.💰 Investing Strategy: Why "price doesn't matter" when betting on winners.🌉 Silicon Valley History: Growing up in the Valley before it was "Silicon Valley."🌍 Global Ecosystems: Why New Zealand reminds him of early Israel.📉 The Anti-Portfolio: The billion-dollar companies Barry passed on (and regrets).Connect with Barry Eggers & Lightspeed:Lightspeed Venture Partners: https://lsvp.com/Barry’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-eggers-3b63692/Connect with NZVC & Hosts:🔗 Learn more about NZVC: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:27 - Growing up in Silicon Valley (Orchards to Tech)05:47 - Learning M&A at Cisco & becoming an investor07:27 - Surviving the Dotcom Crash & starting Lightspeed18:06 - The Legendary Snapchat Story25:41 - Strategy Shift: Concentration vs. Diversification31:06 - The AI Moment: Is it bigger than the Internet?34:58 - Will AI replace VCs and white-collar jobs?41:00 - The "Anti-Portfolio": Missed deals (Splunk, Yelp)53:55 - Why Barry is bullish on New Zealand's ecosystem1:00:46 - Advice to emerging fund managersIf you enjoyed these insights from a Silicon Valley legend, please hit the Like button, Comment with your biggest takeaway, and Subscribe for more conversations with world-class investors and founders!#venturecapital, #startups, #SiliconValley, #investing, #Snapchat, #AI, #business, #entrepreneurship, #Lightspeed, #BarryEggers, #tech, #innovation, #finance, #NZVC, #TechMates, #founders, #futureofwork, #technology, #wealth

Harry Gestetner’s great-great-grandfather invented the photocopier and nail clippers—now Harry is reinventing how the world sleeps after selling his first startup for eight figures at 21.In this episode of TechMates, we sit down with Harry Gestetner, a serial entrepreneur who sold his creator economy startup, Fanfix, for tens of millions while still in college. Harry shares the incredible story of his family's deep legacy in hardware innovation (dating back to the 1880s) and how he turned a simple charity project during COVID into a business that scaled to $120M in revenue post-acquisition.We dive deep into his new venture, Orion, a smart mattress topper designed to democratize sleep optimization and compete with the "Ferrari of sleep," Eight Sleep. Harry breaks down the brutal reality of hardware startups ("a month of software is easier than an hour of hardware" ), his controversial take on why founders are born and not made , and the "80/20 rule" for longevity that actually works. If you're interested in health tech, high-stakes exits, or the future of longevity, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.👴 A 150-year family legacy of invention (photocopiers & ballpoint pens) 💰 Selling a startup for 8 figures at 21 years old 📉 The reality of founder burnout & performance 🛌 Building Orion: The "Tesla of Sleep" vs. Eight Sleep 🧬 The 80/20 rule for longevity (and why you don't need to be Bryan Johnson) 🛠️ Why hardware & brand are the only moats left in an AI world Connect with Harry Gestetner:Orion: https://www.orionsleep.comHarry’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-gestetner-802041a1/Connect with NZVC & Hosts: 🔗 Learn more about NZVC: https://www.nzvc.co.nz Mark Pavlyukovskyy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:56 - The family legacy: Inventing the photocopier & nail clippers09:41 - Are founders born or made?15:13 - Launching Fanfix from a dorm room18:58 - Selling for 8 figures at 21 years old20:32 - Does he regret selling early?28:32 - Founder burnout & discovering longevity32:14 - Taking on Eight Sleep with Orion36:06 - Why hardware is infinitely harder than software42:30 - The 80/20 rule for longevity44:39 - Co-founding with his dad46:52 - Why hardware & brand are the only moats leftIf you enjoyed this deep dive into startups, sleep science, and longevity, please hit the Like button, Comment with your thoughts on sleep tech, and Subscribe for more insights from world-class founders!#startups, #business, #HarryGestetner, #Fanfix, #Orion, #sleeptech, #longevity, #healthtech, #entrepreneurship, #hardware, #founders, #venturecapital, #success, #motivation, #TechMates, #NZVC, #EightSleep, #biohacking

From challenging big banks with a $120M fintech to generating $2.2B in digital collectibles sales—this is how New Zealand founders are conquering the global stage.In this power-packed panel from NZVC Portfolio Day, we sit down with three of New Zealand’s most successful modern founders: Leighton Roberts (Co-founder of Sharesies), David Yu (Co-founder of VeVe), and Penelope Barton (CEO of Crimson Global Academy).They pull back the curtain on what it really takes to scale from "the edge of the world" to global dominance. David Yu reveals how VeVe secured partnerships with Disney and Marvel without a physical headquarters, while Leighton Roberts shares the bold branding strategy of "wearing pink and giving the middle finger" to the big blue banks. Penelope Barton discusses how Crimson turned the COVID-19 crisis into a massive tailwind for online education. From fundraising horror stories (like getting sued by your only investor) to the unique advantage of Kiwi "generalist" talent, this is a masterclass in global scaling.🦄 Hyper-Growth: Scaling to 900k users and $2.2B in sales.🏦 Fintech Disruption: How Sharesies democratized investing.🦸‍♂️ IP & NFTs: VeVe’s journey with Marvel, Disney, and DC.🦠 Crisis Management: Using the pandemic as a catalyst for growth.💸 Fundraising Realities: The difference between NZ, US, and Asian capital.🌏 Remote Culture: Building billion-dollar companies with decentralized teams.Connect with the Guests:Sharesies: https://www.sharesies.nz/VeVe: https://www.veve.me/Crimson Global Academy: https://www.cga.school/Connect with NZVC & Hosts: 🔗 Learn more about NZVC: https://www.nzvc.co.nz Mark Pavlyukovskyy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/ Hendrik Remigereau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/Timestamps:00:37 - Introduction: Leighton Roberts & Sharesies 02:55 - David Yu: Building a $2.2B Business (VeVe) 04:19 - Penelope Barton: Scaling Crimson Global Academy 05:18 - The Biggest Challenges of Scaling from NZ 09:50 - Building a Fully Decentralized Company (No HQ) 13:49 - Turning the COVID Crisis into a Business Tailwind 17:11 - Founder Realities: Early Stage vs. Scale-Up 22:24 - Fundraising: From Getting Sued to Raising $120M 29:21 - Why US Investors View NZ Fintech Differently 36:44 - What’s Next: Launching NZ's First Online Charter School 40:52 - The Power of Community & Becoming an Industry Authority 43:20 - AI in Education: Replacing or Assisting Teachers? 45:23 - How to Build the Next Generation of Founders 47:39 - Sharesies' "Pink Middle Finger" Brand StrategyIf you enjoyed these insights on building global companies, please hit the Like button, Comment with your biggest takeaway, and Subscribe for more content from world-class founders!#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #fintech, #edtech, #NFTs, #VeVe, #Sharesies, #CrimsonEducation, #entrepreneurship, #scaling, #venturecapital, #growthhacking, #investing, #founderstories, #tech, #innovation, #globalbusiness, #NZVC, #TechMates

From early days at Rocket Lab to running global marketing for Les Mills, these founders reveal exactly how to build world-class startups from the edge of the world.In this "Born Global" panel from NZVC Portfolio Day, we explore what it takes to launch a company in New Zealand that is designed to dominate international markets from Day One.We are joined by Jamie France (Founder of Newton Space & early Rocket Lab engineer), Anna Henwood (CEO of Stickybeak & former Les Mills CMO), and Steph Kennard (Co-founder of Bonnet).The conversation cuts through the noise of startup advice, offering real-world truths about fundraising across borders (and why US VCs "divide everything by two"), the scrappy advantage of Kiwi talent, and the surprising reality of balancing a high-growth startup with family life. Whether you are building deep tech, a consumer app, or B2B SaaS, this panel proves that geography is no longer a barrier to building a unicorn.🌍 Global Day 1 Strategy: Why Stickybeak and Bonnet looked offshore immediately.🚀 Deep Tech Fundraising: The reality of raising capital for space tech in NZ vs. the US.💰 The "Divide by Two" Rule: How US investors view Kiwi startup projections.🧠 The Talent Advantage: Why New Zealand’s "scrappy" generalist culture wins.👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parenting & Startups: How having kids can actually make you more ambitious.Connect with the Guests:Anna Henwood (Stickybeak): https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-henwood/Steph Kennard (Bonnet): https://www.linkedin.com/in/steph-kennard/Jamie France (Newton Space): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiefrance/Connect with NZVC & Hosts: 🔗 Learn more about NZVC: Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nz Mark Pavlyukovskyy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/ Hendrik Remigereau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:01 - Meet the Founders: Stickybeak, Bonnet, Newton03:07 - Strategy: Going Global from Day One04:26 - Navigating Global Regulations in Auto Tech06:40 - Fundraising for Deep Tech: NZ vs. US07:58 - The "Divide by Two" Rule for American VCs10:51 - Silicon Valley's Perception of NZ Startups13:40 - Hiring Talent: The "Roll Up Your Sleeves" Culture15:16 - Culture Lessons from Rocket Lab & Les Mills19:12 - Pros & Cons: Moving to the US vs. Building Remotely20:35 - Balancing Kids, Family, and Ambition25:29 - Advice to Early-Stage FoundersIf you enjoyed these insights on building global companies, please hit the Like button, Comment with your biggest takeaway, and Subscribe for more content from world-class founders!#startups, #NewZealand, #globalbusiness, #entrepreneurship, #deeptech, #SaaS, #marketing, #automotive, #spaceindustry, #venturecapital, #fundraising, #founderstories, #womenintech, #RocketLab, #LesMills, #Stickybeak, #Bonnet, #NewtonSpace, #NZVC, #innovation

Harrison Crowe-Maxwell turned a flooded street on his way to work into a robotics startup that just raised seed funding from Sequoia’s Peak XV.In this episode of TechMates, we sit down with Harrison Crowe-Maxwell, co-founder of Puralink, a robotics company building "ferrets" to inspect and repair critical pipe infrastructure from the inside. Harrison takes us from his early days building soccer-playing robots in high school to identifying a massive global problem: 30% of the world's drinking water is lost to leaks.He reveals the engineering secrets behind building robots that can crawl vertically up pipes, the "Apple ecosystem" vision for underground infrastructure, and how he went from bootstrapping with his co-founder to securing backing from top-tier VCs like Peak XV (formerly Sequoia India & SEA). If you're into hard tech, robotics, or just want to know how to turn a real-world frustration into a venture-backed startup, this episode is a must-watch.🤖 From LEGO Mindstorms to industrial robotics💧 Solving the global water crisis with robots🛠️ The "Best Part is No Part" engineering philosophy🚀 Raising capital from Sequoia's Peak XV🔮 The future of humanoid robots & AI in the physical world🇦🇺 Building deep tech startups in AustraliaConnect with Harrison Crowe-MaxwellPuralink: https://www.puralink.com.auHarrison’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrison-crowe-maxwell/Connect with NZVC & Hosts: 🔗 Learn more about NZVC: https://www.nzvc.co.nz Mark Pavlyukovskyy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/ Hendrik Remigereau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction02:00 - Early obsession with robotics & competitions08:51 - Engineering philosophy: "The Best Part is No Part"10:53 - Is there an "LLM moment" for robotics?18:51 - Meeting co-founder Shion at AWS20:52 - The "Flooded Street" moment that started PureLink25:52 - Understanding the complex world of pipe infrastructure36:57 - Engineering a robot that climbs vertical pipes44:14 - From prototype to first commercial traction46:33 - The StartMate experience & raising from Peak XV52:13 - The "App Store" vision for underground robotics59:09 - Robots that repair pipes autonomously1:05:54 - The future of humanoid robots in daily lifeIf you enjoyed this deep dive into the future of robotics and infrastructure, please hit the Like button, Comment with your thoughts on autonomous repair robots, and Subscribe for more insights from world-class founders!#robotics, #startups, #deeptech, #HarrisonCroweMaxwell, #Puralink, #infrastructure, #engineering, #AI, #venturecapital, #Sequoia, #PeakXV, #StartMate, #Australia, #tech, #watercrisis, #innovation, #hardware, #entrepreneurship, #futuretech, #TechMates

What happens when you put a crypto veteran, a Xero co-founder, and a high-stakes lawyer on stage with a robot dog to debate the future of AI? In this special panel from NZVC Portfolio Day, we dive into the "Agentic Future" with three experts operating at very different layers of the AI stack. We are joined by Bradley So (Principal at QCL), who is disrupting the legal billable hour; Philip Fierlinger (Co-founder of Xero and Upstock), who is automating supply chains; and Lane Rettig (Core Dev at NEAR Foundation), who is building the decentralized infrastructure to power it all. From the "Minder, Finder, Grinder" theory of legal work to the 30-year journey of "AI Agents" starting at General Magic in 1992, this conversation cuts through the hype. The panelists debate whether AI is a job-killer or a productivity multiplier, the critical need for community-governed data sovereignty, and why New Zealand’s "scrappy" generalist mindset might be its biggest superpower in the AI era. 🤖 Robot Dogs & Real Tech: Kicking off with live robotics on stage ⚖️ Legal Disruption: Moving from "time billing" to "value billing" with AI 🛒 Supply Chain Agents: Turning messy emails into structured orders in one click ⛓️ Crypto x AI: Why we need community-governed AI infrastructure 📉 Job Market Myths: Why radiologists (and lawyers) are earning more with AI 🥝 The Kiwi Advantage: Why New Zealand is perfectly positioned for the AI revolution Connect with the Guests:Philip Fierlinger (Upstock): https://www.linkedin.com/in/fierlinger/Lane Rettig (NEAR Foundation): https://www.linkedin.com/in/lane-rettig-32904b227/Bradley So (QCL): https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-so-11042424/Connect with NZVC & Hosts: 🔗Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nz Mark Pavlyukovskyy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:48 - Bradley So: AI Disrupting the Legal Industry 07:23 - Philip Fierlinger: From General Magic to Upstock 09:12 - Lane Rettig: NEAR Protocol & AI Infrastructure 14:13 - Is the Future Utopian or Dystopian? 18:14 - Will Lawyers Lose Their Jobs? (Minder, Finder, Grinder) 22:31 - How Upstock Uses AI for Supply Chain 27:27 - How Far Away Are True Autonomous Agents? 32:12 - Are Startups Hiring Less Because of AI? If you enjoyed this deep dive into the future of AI and business, please hit the Like button, Comment with your thoughts on AI agents, and Subscribe for more insights from world-class founders!#startups, #AI, #NewZealand, #artificialintelligence, #business, #tech, #legaltech, #crypto, #NEARProtocol, #Xero, #Upstock, #entrepreneurship, #futureofwork, #venturecapital, #NZVC, #innovation, #SaaS, #blockchain, #technology, #TechMates

Emily Blythe skipped university to launch a quad-bike accessory business, spent years trying to clear airport fog with drones, and eventually pivoted to solve aviation’s biggest headache through data.In this episode of TechMates, we sit down with Emily Blythe, the New Zealand tech entrepreneur and CEO of Pyper Vision. Coming from four generations of pilots, Emily seemed destined for aviation—but instead of flying planes, she’s saving them from being grounded. She shares the incredible story of her first startup "Flatpak," the brutal reality of deep tech R&D, and the gut-wrenching decision to pivot Pyper Vision from fog dispersal (using chemicals and drones) to fog forecasting after discovering a flaw in the fundamental science.This is a masterclass in resilience, "missionary" founder mindsets, and how to build a global deep tech monopoly from New Zealand. If you are interested in aviation, hard pivot stories, or the reality of building hardware and software for high-stakes industries, this episode is for you.✈️ A 4-generation legacy in aviation 🚜 Skipping uni to build "Flatpak" (her first exit) 🌫️ The "Fog Factory" myth & early experiments 🚁 Trying to clear fog with drones & chemicals 📉 The painful pivot: When the science doesn't work 🔮 How Pyper Vision now predicts fog with 84% accuracyConnect with Emily Blythe:Pyper Vision: https://www.pypervision.com/Emily’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-blythe-2b4125156/Connect with NZVC & Hosts: 🔗 Learn more about NZVC: https://www.nzvc.co.nz Mark Pavlyukovskyy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/ Hendrik Remigereau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 01:55 - Emily's deep aviation family history 08:49 - Launching "Flatpak" & skipping university 15:36 - Lessons from bootstrapping a hardware business 20:39 - The "Fog Factory" lie & discovering weather modification 29:15 - How airports & pilots actually handle low visibility 46:37 - Early experiments: Fog chambers & modified leaf blowers53:14 - Testing drones in Australia during COVID 55:09 - The Big Pivot: Why dispersal didn't work 1:00:19 - Shifting to high-accuracy forecasting 1:10:18 - Advice for New Zealand founders going globalIf you found value in this story of resilience and innovation, please hit the like button, leave a comment with your thoughts on deep tech pivots, and subscribe for more conversations with world-class founders!#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #aviation, #deeptech, #entrepreneurship, #EmilyBlythe, #PyperVision, #founders, #pivot, #tech, #innovation, #airlines, #flightdelays, #weathertech, #NZVC, #venturecapital, #success, #motivation, #techmates

Jamie Beaton managed a hedge fund portfolio at Tiger Management while simultaneously taking maximum course loads at Harvard and building a startup that now generates over $300M in revenue.In this episode of TechMates, we sit down with Jamie Beaton, the New Zealand tech entrepreneur and CEO of Crimson Education. Jamie’s story is nothing short of relentless; he breaks down the massive cultural shift from New Zealand’s "tall poppy syndrome" to the "capitalism cubed" ambition of Manhattan. He reveals how he turned a dorm-room consulting hustle into a global education empire, all while working under legendary investor Julian Robertson.We dive deep into the mechanics of scaling a service business to 20+ countries, the controversial truths about elite college admissions, and Jamie's bold take on the future of schooling in the age of AI. Whether you are interested in EdTech, high-stakes investing, or just want to know what it takes to build a unicorn from a corner of the world, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.🇳🇿 New Zealand vs. USA: Ambition & Mindset 🎓 Building a $300M business from a Harvard dorm 🐯 Lessons from Tiger Management & Julian Robertson 📈 Global expansion strategies & hiring "unicorns" 🤖 The role of AI in the future of education 🏫 Launching New Zealand’s first online charter schoolConnect with Jamie Beaton:Jamie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiebeaton/Crimson Education: https://www.crimsoneducation.org/Connect with NZVC & Hosts: 🔗 Learn more about NZVC: https://www.nzvc.co.nz Mark Pavlyukovskyy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/ Hendrik Remigereau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 01:37 - Growing up in a "hustle" household 07:11 - The train ride that changed his life 12:12 - Arriving at Harvard: "Capitalism on Steroids" 17:10 - New Zealand vs. Manhattan Mindset 20:37 - Launching Crimson from a dorm room 23:51 - Doing $300k revenue in Year 1 32:45 - Raising capital from Julian Robertson 37:57 - Working at Tiger Management while studying 46:58 - The formula for Ivy League admissions 51:44 - How to launch a business in 20+ countries 54:29 - Reaching $300M in sales 58:25 - New Zealand’s Online Charter School 01:06:00 - Alpha School, AI, and the future of learning 01:23:24 - Will AI destroy white-collar jobs?Support the Channel: If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the like button, leave a comment with your thoughts on the future of education, and subscribe for more deep dives with world-class founders!#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #JamieBeaton, #CrimsonEducation, #Harvard, #entrepreneurship, #investing, #TigerManagement, #EdTech, #scaling, #growth, #founders, #venturecapital, #education, #success, #motivation, #techmates, #NZVC, #economy

In this live NZVC Portfolio Day panel, Jovan Pavlicevic (Emerge & SquareOne), Dermot Butterfield (Wych), and Steven Zinsli (Extraordinary) join hosts Mark Pavlyukovskyy and Hendrik Remigereau to show what it actually looks like to build fintech in New Zealand. They talk candidly about lobbying for access to ESAS and Payments NZ, designing products around tax law to make public transport salary-sacrifice eligible, and navigating an industry where four Aussie banks still control the vast majority of the market. Along the way you’ll hear very human origin stories—firefighting, Intel R&D, healthcare reform—and why they still think New Zealand is one of the best places on earth to build fintech startups if you’re willing to play the long, regulated game.🔗 Learn more about NZVC: https://www.nzvc.co.nz🔗 Mark Pavlyukovskyy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/🔗 Hendrik Remigereau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/00:00 – Intro: why NZ’s fintech scene is bigger than people think.00:37 – Jovan on SquareOne & Emerge: kids’ banking, business accounts, and launching personal accounts.02:00 – From 6–7 months to 6–7 minutes: fixing business onboarding.03:15 – Dermot on Wych: “plug and socket” for data and payments.04:25 – Steven on Extraordinary: 34k active cards and making public transport tax-free.05:49 – Are regulators friends or enemies for fintech?07:49 – When regulators ask for your “recipe” and why that’s risky.09:14 – Lobbying to build New Zealand’s first digital challenger bank.12:42 – Why it’s so hard to start a new bank in New Zealand.14:14 – Designing NZ’s only pre-tax public transport benefit.17:29 – Unique access to MPs and policy writers in New Zealand.20:15 – Fighting “toll booths” on open banking and unfair pricing.23:29 – Getting bank-grade licenses with a team of one-and-a-half people.25:02 – Why Emerge is focused on New Zealand first, not “world by next week.”27:08 – Founder origin stories: firefighter, Intel engineer, healthcare operator.31:59 – Financial inclusion, socially capitalistic fintech, and lived experience.36:05 – Why SquareOne and Emerge went card-first; prepaid vs debit vs credit.40:09 – How each startup would handle another GFC-style shock.44:39 – What transaction data says about NZ’s real economy.47:17 – Sponsor plans, $4.99 subs, and cost-of-living pressure.49:32 – Closing reflections and applause.If this gave you a new lens on fintech, regulation, and startups in New Zealand, hit 👍, drop your questions or takeaways in the comments, and subscribe for more founder and investor deep-dives from the NZVC ecosystem.#startups, #NewZealand, #business, #fintech, #openbanking, #payments, #regulation, #banking, #SaaS, #NZTech, #futureofmoney, #financialinclusion, #employeebenefits, #cards, #venturecapital, #founders, #australasia, #startupstory, #TechMates, #podcast

Four founders: tackling milk without cows, carbon-free composites, AI farming, and plant-grown proteins—only in New Zealand could this panel exist.This special Portfolio Day panel brings together four New Zealand innovators building companies that literally couldn’t have been born anywhere else: Nicole Freed (Daisy Lab, precision-fermented dairy proteins), Ben Scales (KiwiFibre, high-performance Harakeke composites), Jeremy Bryant (Aimer Farming, AI pasture insights), and Amos Palfreyman (Miruku, plant-based molecular farming).Hosted by Mark Pavlyukovskyy and Hendrik Remigereau of NZVC, the conversation dives deep into why New Zealand’s agricultural legacy, dairy infrastructure, talent pools, native plants, and high-trust ecosystem create uniquely fertile ground for breakthrough agtech and bio-innovation. From barbecued plastic prototypes to growing milk proteins in yeast and plants, this episode shows exactly how Kiwi founders go from grassroots to global.🥛 Dairy without cows — precision fermentation (Daisy Lab).🌿 Harakeke → carbon-free composites — KiwiFibre’s indigenous-led materials.🤖 AI for pasture — Aimer’s farm-scale measurement & insights engine.🌱 Molecular farming in plants — Miruku’s dairy proteins grown via photosynthesis.🇳🇿 Why NZ is uniquely suited for agtech — dairy infrastructure, native plants, talent.🔬 Deep-tech with no shortcuts — labs, pilots, and long R&D cycles.🧪 Origin stories — barbecue prototyping, student-lab MVPs, and prophetic patents.🌍 Global scale — UK/Ireland rollouts, EU materials demand, talent pipelines.🧭 Founder resilience — near-empty payrolls, naivete as superpower, and obsession with the mission.Connect with the Guests:Ben Scales (KiwiFibre): https://www.linkedin.com/in/benscalesNicole Freed (Daisy Lab): https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-nikki-freed-phd-86b63630Jeremy Bryant (Aimer Farming): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-bryantAmos Palfreyman (Miruku): https://www.linkedin.com/in/amos-palfreyman-58841579Learn more about NZVC & Hosts:🔗 NZVC: https://www.nzvc.co.nz🔗 Mark Pavlyukovskyy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/🔗 Hendrik Remigereau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/Timestamps:00:00 — Intro01:10 — Nicole (Daisy Lab): precision-fermented dairy proteins.02:38 — Ben (KiwiFibre): Harakeke composites & NZ’s first industry.04:20 — Amos (Miruku): molecular farming—proteins grown in plants.06:17 — Jeremy (Aimer): AI pasture insights for farmers.07:50 — Why NZ dairy roots shape founder journeys.09:54 — How traditional dairy is reacting to deep-tech.11:31 — Leveraging NZ’s dairy infrastructure for new proteins.13:30 — KiwiFibre: building a new materials industry from zero.15:26 — Talent challenges: wet labs, molecular biology, bioprocessing.17:11 — Attracting overseas scientists to NZ.19:05 — Daisy Lab on using NZ dairy experts in precision fermentation.20:04 — Government subsidies & why tech must stand alone.22:07 — Selling to farmers; NZ reputation abroad.24:47 — KiwiFibre’s stolen snowboard story (Munich).28:01 — Origin stories: barbecues, student labs, prophetic patents.34:11 — Aimer: replacing 8-hour farm walks with AI & camera vision.36:24 — Miruku: founding during COVID & pitching with zero cash.38:10 — Founder resilience: pay-run courage & obsession.40:42 — KiwiFibre: beer experiments, byproduct uses, cultural roots.42:16 — Policy change & gene-tech reform in NZ.43:00 — Closing: Kiwi innovation from soil to global scale.If this expanded your view of what New Zealand startups can build, hit 👍, drop your questions for the founders below, and subscribe for more deep-tech conversations.#startups, #NewZealand, #business, #agtech, #biotech, #dairy, #precisionfermentation, #molecularfarming, #AI, #farmtech, #sustainability, #deeptech, #climate, #materials, #syntheticbiology, #engineering, #NZTech, #venturecapital, #founderstory, #TechMates

SAP’s youngest hire at 19, Dominic Pym went on to build Up—Australia’s first cloud-hosted bank—and sold three companies during COVID.Dominic Pym is an Australia-based, New Zealand-minded tech entrepreneur, builder, and investor behind products used by millions—from Up (the mobile bank he co-created and later sold to Bendigo & Adelaide Bank) to Buildkite (CI/CD rails powering top tech companies). In this episode, Dom unpacks his path from early internet projects at SAP and Toyota kiosks to bootstrapping fintech, scaling a digital bank, and designing hardware + OS for expert builders.We also get Dom’s ecosystem thesis for New Zealand + Australia: keep IP local, go global (“go big, grow home”), and create multi-generational startup “turns” by seeding founder mafias after meaningful exits—exactly what he’s now doing with Euphemia and the Triple Bubble fund.🧒 SAP at 19 → ABAP → SAP Markets “speedboat” for the web.🧰 Early web builds: kiosks at Toyota, MySAP.com → NetWeaver.🎧 Record-label detour → iTunes aggregator → first iPhone apps (WordPress, Lonely Planet).🏦 Up: frustration with banks → infinite activity feed, merchant logos, instant wallets; kept independent post-acquisition.📈 1.5M+ customers, billions in deposits & home loans; why he sold and how staff shared the win.🧱 Buildkite originated inside Pin Payments → now powers teams at companies like Airbnb, Shopify, Slack, Lyft.🌏 NZ as launchpad: meeting Emerge, Dosh; the case for regional fintech and keeping IP at home.🧠 Euphemia & Triple Bubble: backing regulated fintech + secondaries/publics across AU/NZ/Pacific.🖥️ Caligra: new expert OS + hardware (retro-inspired, distraction-free) for engineers & researchers.Connect with the GuestDom Pym — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dompymEuphemia: https://www.euphemia.comTriple Bubble: https://triplebubble.comUp: https://up.com.auLearn more about NZVC & HostsNZVC: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/Timestamps:00:00 — Intro & why Dom’s story matters now01:23 — Early years, curiosity, Apple IIe → DOS → QBasic08:43 — Building PCs after school; first OEM Windows installs09:59 — Meeting Steve Wozniak; a spark for starting up12:12 — SAP: first undergrad hire; youngest at 1916:05 — “Titanic & speedboat”: SAP Markets and the browser era19:36 — Toyota kiosk & early e-commerce UX24:03 — Side projects → CMS → Band Manager31:02 — iTunes aggregator; first iPhone apps (WordPress, LP)37:16 — Clear Interactive → Clear Grain Exchange38:42 — 22 companies built; hits and misses41:11 — Pin Payments → the Buildkite spin-out origin49:51 — Why Up had to exist; building for love & engagement55:20 — Infinite feed, merchant logos, instant wallets58:05 — Up x Bendigo: first cloud-hosted bank in AU59:32 — Selling Ferocia; keeping Up independent01:01:40 — NZ visit: Emerge, Dosh, and the fintech wave01:07:37 — Three COVID-era exits; why timing matters01:12:15 — Euphemia & Triple Bubble: thesis and structure01:17:47 — Caligra: expert OS + retro-inspired hardwareEnjoyed Dom’s playbook for startups and business in and beyond New Zealand? Smash 👍, drop your questions, and subscribe for more founder deep-dives.#startups, #NewZealand, #business, #fintech, #banking, #payments, #Buildkite, #software, #venturecapital, #entrepreneurship, #cloud, #design, #UX, #AI, #Australia, #NZTech, #SaaS, #founderstory, #TechMates, #podcast

How founders, investors, and institutions are shaping the next decade of ANZ innovation.Live on stage with TechMates (hosts Mark Pavlyukovskyy & Hendrik Remigereau), three heavyweight voices dive into the state of the NZ startup ecosystem: Shaun Quincey (rowed the Tasman; now building Simfuni for insurers), Janine Grainger (co-founded Easy Crypto; exited earlier this year), and Jacques Richter (Investment Director at NZ Growth Capital Partners, managing the Aspire seed fund). They get specific on what’s great here—access, trust, regulators who take meetings—and what’s hard: under-capitalization, distance, and the cultural “tall poppy” tax on big ambition.This panel strips out the fluff: how to use New Zealand as a sandbox then go global, why “enterprise infiltration” is a real skill, what investors actually fund at seed, and why exits, mafias, and more diverse founders are the next unlock. You’ll also hear hard numbers on ecosystem growth (6× since 2019) and a challenge to scale from ~1,000 to 5,000 startups in the pipeline.🌏 NZ as incubator → world as market: high-trust access, global translation is the test.🏛️ Regulation: open-door chats vs “regulation by enforcement” overseas.🧭 Enterprise infiltration: find the real buyer, ask for money early.💸 Capital & culture: the comfy $10M plateau, under-capitalization, and fund size reality.🌿 Tall poppy & ambition: cheer louder, tell a bigger story, survive the pivots.👩‍💻 Diversity matters: “stop funding the same founder mold”; women still under-funded.🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Talent & bravery: remote-first teams, culture as hiring edge, lower the barrier for movers.📊 Ecosystem math: 6× EV since 2019; aim for ~5,000 startups, not ~1,000.Connect with the GuestsShaun Quincey — https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-quincey-53548132Janine Grainger — https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-graingerJacques Richter — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacques-richter-a216b324Learn more about NZVC & HostsNZVC: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/If this sharpened your startup/business brain, hit 👍 and subscribe for more New Zealand founder deep-dives.00:00 – Intro02:59 – Would you build again in New Zealand?04:21 – Working with regulators in New Zealand vs. abroad05:18 – Investor perspective on scaling beyond NZ06:28 – Comparison with building companies in Germany06:50 – Pros and cons of building from NZ (Sean on access and ambition)08:17 – The $10M lifestyle business trap in NZ08:40 – Under-capitalization and growth of local VC ecosystem10:12 – The importance of startup “mafias” in NZ11:01 – Janine on exiting and mentoring new founders12:28 – Investor view: learning from exits and spinouts12:52 – Mark and Janine on founder culture in Silicon Valley14:25 – Developing startup culture and access for new founders15:29 – Underselling ambition: the Kiwi mindset16:41 – Sean on Tall Poppy syndrome17:57 – Janine on selling to an Australian company and founder ambitions19:53 – Jacques on VC fund maturity and exit sizes20:46 – How investors decide which founders to back22:19 – What investors look for: meaningful problems and narratives23:18 – What needs to change in the NZ startup ecosystem?23:47 – Sean’s vision: capital, education, and share options reform26:00 – Janine: Stop investing only in “Mark Zuckerberg types”26:53 – Jacques: NZ’s VC growth and what’s next28:22 – Audience question: Where do the best startup ideas come from?30:15 – The role of passion in solving problems31:03 – Human capital and building great workplaces32:00 – Sean on attracting global talent to NZ33:10 – Discussion: Is NZ talent density enough?#startups, #NewZealand, #business, #venturecapital, #founders, #regulation, #talent, #ESOP, #globalexpansion, #womenintech, #innovation, #fintech, #crypto, #AI, #robotics, #ecosystem, #SaaS, #NZTech, #TechMates, #podcast

Five New Zealand–linked founders drop hard-won truths!This highlight episode brings together five New Zealand tech entrepreneurs at very different stages—Shaun Quincey, Liam Kampshof, Nick Damiano, Steven Zinsli, and Anna Henwood. It’s a punchy reel of what actually moves the needle in startups: selling into enterprise, building brutally simple products, and staying alive long enough for the compounding to kick in.You’ll hear why enterprise sales is a “dark art” that starts by finding the real buyer, the founder mindset of “stop what’s not working and don’t die,” the moment a recap turns an engineer into a founder, and why loving uncertainty can keep you in the game for 15 years.🕸️ Enterprise infiltration: map budget cycles, find the true decision-maker, ask for money early.🧰 Prototype grit: shower tests, mastitis milk samples, and a raincoat-and-laptop cowshed setup.🔁 Pivot discipline: “stop doing the wrong thing,” survive, and let time create trust.🧠 Founder trigger: when a recap pushes a product-first engineer to build their own company.🎢 Roller-coaster reality: loving uncertainty, community, and autonomy in startups.🤖 AI & robotics: software-first medtech, simple sensors over dashboards, and pragmatic adoption.💼 Go-to-market: from field demos to enterprise programs that actually close.Connect with the Guests:Shaun Quincey — https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-quincey-53548132Nick Damiano — https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickdamianoLiam Kampshof — https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-kampshofSteven Zinsli — https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-zinsli-💳-aa813184Anna Henwood — https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-henwoodLearn more about NZVC & HostsNZVC: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/Timestamps:00:00 — Intro00:30 — Shaun on “enterprise infiltration” and finding the buyer03:31 — Liam’s prototypes and cowshed data04:32 — Steven: stop what’s wrong, don’t die, play the long game06:26 — Nick: a recap, a product plan, and the founder decision08:00 — Anna: the roller coaster, autonomy, and loving uncertaintyIf this sharpened your startup/business brain, hit 👍, drop your questions for the founders below, and subscribe for more New Zealand founder deep-dives.#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #AI, #robotics, #agtech, #fintech, #insurtech, #SaaS, #venturecapital, #productmarketfit, #founderstory, #enterprise, #B2B, #medtech, #marketresearch, #dairy, #compliance, #innovation, #podcast

🐄 Engineer Liam Kampshof turned an early milking-shed prototype into a simple, low-cost sensor now used on 145+ New Zealand farms, catching mastitis early to protect milk quality and payouts!Liam is a New Zealand tech entrepreneur and founder of Bovonic, makers of QuadSense—a snap-in, battery-powered sensor that measures each teat’s conductivity in real time, compares quarters, and throws a red light in ~30 seconds if mastitis is likely. It retrofits into the short milk tube, has no moving parts, a ~3-year battery life, and costs ~5× less than legacy lab systems—so farmers actually install it. 🐄 Mastitis 101: why manual “stripping” fails at scale and how quarter-level conductivity catches it earlier.📈 Adoption: ~145 farms (≈2% NZ) in year one; near 5% in early regions; hardware + profitability.🧭 NZ edge: no subsidies → ruthless ROI; “number-8 wire” practicality meets biomedical chops.🥛 Macro: NZ = #1 dairy exporter (not producer); EU cell-count standards and antibiotic rules shaping demand. Connect with the Guest:Liam Kampshof — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-kampshofCompany (Bovonic / QuadSense): https://bovonic.comLearn more about NZVC & HostsNZVC: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/00:00 — Intro & NZ dairy roots01:11 — Farm childhood in Waikato & Bay of Plenty07:16 — Choosing Biomedical Engineering at Auckland10:16 — London deep-tech: DNA Electronics sepsis project21:10 — Back to NZ during COVID; MIQ and reset23:41 — The mastitis problem & why manual checks fail31:17 — Why quarter-level conductivity is the unlock37:47 — First prototypes; cowshed raincoat + laptop tests41:07 — Fieldays validation: 110–120 signups; pre-orders45:56 — QuadSense demo: sensor in the short milk tube48:38 — Red-light alerts in ~30s; 3-year batteries; self-install54:22 — 145 farms live; ~2% market; ~5% in early regions01:01:27 — NZ collar adoption shows ROI-driven uptake01:03:41 — Global fit: UK/Ireland → EU → US plan01:10:52 — Founder moving to UK to open markets01:19:02 — NZ: top dairy exporter; 95–96% exportedIf this sharpened your startup/business brain, hit 👍, drop your questions for Liam below, and subscribe for more New Zealand founder deep-dives.#startups, #NewZealand, #business, #AgTech, #dairy, #dairyfarming, #animalhealth, #mastitis, #sensors, #hardware, #biomedicalengineering, #precisionagriculture, #farmtech, #veterinary, #robotics, #AI, #Fieldays, #NZTech, #founderstory, #TechMates

He rowed solo across the Tasman, later sold his BNPL startup—now he’s rebuilding life insurance with AI from New Zealand.Our guest, Shaun Quincey, is a New Zealand tech entrepreneur who went from a 54-day solo ocean row to exiting a services-focused BNPL company—and now leads Simfuni, an AI-first operating platform for life insurers. He breaks down how a payments “wedge” became a full policy-admin + automation stack, and why eight insurers are already on the platform.We go deep on enterprise sales inside legacy insurers, using AI agents for real self-service (move payment dates, policy changes, docs), and the ethics of data, wearables, and genetics in underwriting. Plus: the early NZ accelerator days, a 7-figure exit with an earn-out, and what it really takes to survive 300 metaphorical “uppercuts” in startups.🧭 From Singapore birth & military family → New Zealand childhood → resilience through constant change.🚣 Rowing Australia→NZ solo at 23; 54 days, capsizes, a bestselling book—and startup lessons.💳 BNPL in services (5k merchants) → strategic sale to Latitude; why timing beat ego.🧠 Simfuni: payments wedge → policy admin OS → AI agents for customer ops.🏢 “Enterprise infiltration”: who decides, budget cycles, and asking for money early.🤖 What AI does today: automate common requests, cut FTEs, boost compliance.📈 Eight life insurers live; AU/NZ focus with South Africa interest next.🧬 Wearables & genetics: pricing fairness vs. privacy—where regulation lands.🧱 Founder mindset: pivots, patience, and building for 5–10 years.Connect with the GuestShaun Quincey — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-quincey-53548132Company (Simfuni): simfuni.comLearn more about NZVC & HostsNZVC: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/Timestamps00:00 – Introduction & welcome01:20 – Shaun’s childhood in Singapore and New Zealand03:30 – Growing up with constant change and resilience06:00 – Family background and his father’s solo Tasman row08:40 – Shaun’s own Tasman Sea adventure (rowing from Australia to NZ)12:00 – Storms, setbacks, and pushing through challenges15:00 – Writing a book and lessons learned from the row19:00 – Transition into career and first job at Debit Success28:30 – Exposure to startups and move to San Francisco31:30 – Founding his first fintech startup (buy now, pay later)35:30 – Growth, competition, and acquisition41:00 – Reflections on exiting and lessons from competition43:20 – Coming up with new startup ideas during earn-out46:00 – Entering the insurance industry50:30 – Cracking enterprise sales with insurers53:00 – Building Simfuni: modernizing life insurance systems56:00 – How AI transforms insurance operations59:00 – Understanding life insurance and underwriting1:03:00 – Risk, reinsurance, and margins1:05:30 – The future of AI in insurance1:08:00 – Vision for Simfuni and closing thoughtsIf this sharpened your startup/business brain, hit 👍, drop your questions for Shaun below, and subscribe for more New Zealand founder deep-dives.#startups, #NewZealand, #business, #AI, #insurtech, #lifeinsurance, #enterprise, #SaaS, #automation, #fintech, #BNPL, #payments, #dataprivacy, #actuarial, #regtech, #customerexperience, #founderstory, #productmarketfit, #NZTech, #TechMates

He’s turning an iPad into a surgical cockpit—and launching semi-autonomous surgery from New Zealand to the world.Nick Damiano is a Bay Area deep-tech founder with strong New Zealand ties: after building medtech across pacemakers, tele-presence OR support, and implantables (YC alum twice), he co-founded Andromeda to bring autonomous surgical robotics to market—faster and cheaper than the traditional medtech playbook. The bet: software-first robots that learn like self-driving cars, starting with urology and HOLEP (pioneered in Tauranga), guided on an iPad with “Google Maps for the prostate.”This episode gets real about why most medtech financing is broken, how to avoid co-founder minefields, what the FDA actually cares about, and why New Zealand is a killer launchpad for clinical studies and first-in-market deployments. It’s a masterclass in building deep tech with startup speed—plus bold takes on Intuitive (Da Vinci), disposables-free business models, and taking world-class surgery global.🧠 From surgeon family → Stanford → engineering → startups.🫀 Leadless pacing & ultrasound targeting algorithms at EBR.🛰️ Avail/NewRep: remote OR support and the COVID tailwind.🧩 Co-founder fit, intensity alignment, and conflict habits.🧪 Zenflow (BPH): YC medtech, trials, and NZ clinical beachhead.🤖 Andromeda: software-first surgical robots with iPad control.🗺️ HOLEP + “Google Maps for the prostate” to de-risk learning.🏥 FDA pragmatism, NZ fast-track launches, and global access.💼 Business model: no disposables, subscription + partnerships.🥊 Startups vs incumbents: where Da Vinci stops and autonomy starts.Connect with the GuestLinkedIn (Nick): www.linkedin.com/in/nickdamianoCompany (Andromeda): https://www.andromedasurgical.comLearn more about NZVC & HostsNZVC: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/Timestamps00:00 – Intro01:07 – Nick’s medical family roots02:53 – Stanford & switch from medicine to startups07:38 – Early jobs & pacemaker innovation11:47 – Founding Avail (NewRep)17:39 – Medical device reps explained20:33 – Lessons on co-founders & teams27:29 – Company #2: ZenFlow29:19 – Getting into Y Combinator34:34 – Why MedTech is so hard40:25 – ZenFlow outcome & NZ connection45:15 – Founding Andromeda: autonomous surgery48:19 – What the Da Vinci robot does52:34 – Andromeda’s unique approach57:32 – Starting with prostate surgery (HoLEP)1:00:26 – Navigating FDA approval1:05:45 – Future of autonomous surgeryIf this sharpened your startup/business brain, hit 👍, drop your questions for Nick below, and subscribe for more New Zealand-powered deep-tech stories.#startups, #NewZealand, #business, #robotics, #AI, #medtech, #surgery, #urology, #HOLEP, #FDA, #YC, #YCombinator, #DaVinci, #autonomoussystems, #healthtech, #deeptech, #venturecapital, #founderstory, #Andromeda, #TechMates #healthtech

From 15 clinics and 105,000 patients to a fintech rebrand and a tax ruling with IRD—this New Zealand founder turned “HealthNow” into Extraordinary, a benefits-payments platform winning banks, telcos, and airlines.Steve is a New Zealand tech entrepreneur who scaled an allied-health group to ~$12M revenue at 17–24% EBITDA before exiting at 27, then founded HealthNow—a healthcare BNPL/savings/employer-aid play that evolved into Extraordinary, a modular platform that lets companies control where benefits dollars get spent (travel, meals, gifting, health, more). This episode is a masterclass in ruthless iteration: kill the feature that doesn’t work, follow customer pull, then reprice and reframe until it clicks.What’s wild (and useful): how investor pushback killed the double-sided marketplace, why “breakage” beats “load fees,” and how a binding IRD ruling unlocked pre-tax public transport benefits—turning a compliance headache (FBT/PAYE) into a business moat. We also get candid about the emotional cost of a pivot, Darwinism for founders (“adapt or die”), and going enterprise (yes, sometimes… wear the suit).Key Topics🩺 From clinics to fintech: scaling 15 sites, 120 staff, 105k patients—then exiting to build software.💳 Why BNPL for healthcare didn’t pencil out—and the pivot to employer-funded benefits.🧩 Modular platform & pricing psychology: per-employee + fixed “breakage,” not “card fees.”🧾 Compliance moat: controlling spend categories, FBT vs PAYE, and audit-friendly rails.🚌 IRD binding ruling: pre-tax public transport for employees (and why that matters).🏢 Enterprise sales: telcos, banks, an airline—why credibility (and suits) count.🔁 Founder mindset: grief of a pivot, “persist more than resist,” and 10-15 year time horizons.Connect with the GuestSteve — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-zinsli-💳-aa813184Company (Extraordinary): https://www.extraordinarypay.comLearn more about NZVC & Hosts NZVC: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/Timestamps:00:00 – Intro01:14 – Steve’s upbringing in Auckland04:13 – Childhood experiences shaping healthcare passion06:19 – Early lessons about healthcare costs07:17 – School years and university path10:26 – First steps in healthcare and scaling clinics13:28 – Building a multi-clinic business15:14 – Growing revenue and why Steve exited17:14 – Shift from clinics to fintech in healthcare26:45 – First concept of HealthNow28:23 – Buy Now, Pay Later for healthcare30:28 – Health savings accounts & employer aid34:56 – Core problem: healthcare affordability37:31 – Pivoting from healthcare to broader benefits42:00 – Advice for founders facing pivots45:39 – Startup persistence and survival48:29 – Birth of Extraordinary from customer demand50:01 – Modularizing the platform & pricing learnings53:03 – Breakage and gift card economics55:23 – Public transport benefit opportunity58:41 – Outlook: next 1–5 years for Extraordinary1:02:03 – Market size, competition, and growth potential1:04:34 – Role models and inspiration1:05:31 – Advice for founders in New Zealand1:06:59 – Closing remarksIf this sharpened your startup/business brain, hit 👍, drop your questions for Steve below, and subscribe for more New Zealand founder deep-dives.#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #fintech, #payments, #employeebenefits, #HRtech, #compliance, #FBT, #publictransport, #BNPL, #founderstory, #productmarketfit, #SaaS, #pricing, #B2B, #enterprise, #NZTech, #TechMates, #podcast