Winning hackathons at 16 and launching satellites by 26—meet the founder revolutionizing Australia's space tech.Join us as we chat with Shoaib Iqbal, the dynamic founder behind Esper Satellites, a groundbreaking Australian startup that leverages hyperspectral imaging technology to monitor Earth’s resources and environmental conditions from space. 🛰️ Shoaib’s entrepreneurial journey began as a teenager winning hackathons in Saudi Arabia, eventually propelling him to build a pioneering space tech company in Australia. 🌍Discover how Shoaib transitioned from simple DIY electronics to sophisticated hyperspectral sensors, the critical lessons learned from pivoting use-cases, and how his company is on track to deploy a constellation of satellites designed to significantly impact mining, agriculture, and global climate monitoring. 🌱 This episode offers deep insights into space entrepreneurship, innovation at the cutting edge of Earth observation, and the powerful role young innovators play in shaping the future of technology. 🤖Key Topics:🛰️ Launching a Space Tech Startup🌍 Revolutionizing Earth Observation🔬 Hyperspectral Imaging Technology🚀 Lessons from DIY to Deep Tech🔥 Climate Monitoring Innovations🌱 AgTech and Environmental Solutions🪨 Transforming Mineral Exploration🎯 Achieving Product-Market Fit🤖 Future of AI in Earth Observation📡 Scaling Global Satellite Networks🤝 Connect with Shoaib Iqbal:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shoaib-esper/Website (Esper Satellites): https://www.espersatellites.co🔗 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 & Shoaib’s Background01:40 - Growing Up in Saudi Arabia03:39 - Early Entrepreneurial Experiences05:25 - Shoaib’s First Hackathon Win08:03 - Moving to Australia and Exploring Tech10:19 - Building Innovative Solutions from DIY Tech13:01 - Choosing Australia and Adjusting to a New Life16:55 - Developing the Idea Behind Esper Satellites20:12 - Understanding CubeSats23:03 - Transitioning from Gaming to Satellite Tech28:25 - The Genesis of Hyperspectral Imaging31:17 - Initial Customer Discovery and Early Traction36:49 - Challenges and Lessons in Building Tech for Space40:06 - Future Applications of Hyperspectral Imaging42:57 - Finding Initial Customers and Early Investors48:46 - Australia’s Advantage for Space Tech Startups50:31 - Esper’s Vision for Global Satellite Coverage52:19 - Regulations and Challenges in Space Tech54:02 - The Process of Launching a Satellite55:28 - Use Cases in Mining, Agriculture, and Defense58:49 - Shoaib’s Advice for Young Entrepreneurs🙌 Enjoyed this episode?Hit the like button 👍, comment your key takeaway 💬, and subscribe 📲 for more visionary startup journeys!#️⃣ Hashtags:#startups, #business, #Australia, #SpaceTech, #HyperspectralImaging, #EsperSatellites, #Innovation, #Entrepreneurship, #EarthObservation, #ClimateMonitoring, #SatelliteTechnology, #AgTech, #DeepTech, #TechPodcast, #StartupStories, #FutureTech, #SpaceExploration, #YoungInnovators, #TechInnovation, #Aerospace
From programming on punch cards in rural New Zealand to leading a multi-million dollar EdTech success story. 💻🎧
In this inspiring episode, we speak with Bob Drummond, a visionary New Zealand entrepreneur who navigated from humble beginnings programming with punch cards in a tiny rural school to pioneering Kami, one of the world's leading digital education platforms. 🌐 Bob shares his fascinating journey of early innovation, international entrepreneurial adventures, significant tech breakthroughs, and critical lessons learned from both remarkable successes and challenging setbacks. 📚
Discover how Bob Drummond’s varied experiences—from video stores to billion-dollar software exits—shaped his entrepreneurial philosophy, his thoughts on leveraging AI in education, and his insights into what makes startups succeed or fail. This episode is packed with candid stories, deep reflections on the evolving tech landscape, and powerful advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
🙌 Key Topics:
💻 From Punch Cards to Digital Revolution
🌐 Scaling Global EdTech Success
📚 The Future of Education with AI
📉 Lessons Learned from Business Failures
🚀 Secrets Behind Building Billion-Dollar Startups
🏫 Revolutionizing Classroom Learning
🤝 Importance of Mentors and Advisors🇳🇿 Entrepreneurship and Innovation in New Zealand
🌟 Maintaining Focus in Startups
🔮 Predictions for the AI-Powered Future
🤝 Connect with Bob:
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobdrummond/
Website (Kami): https://www.kamiapp.com
🔗 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 - Introduction & Bob’s Background
02:43 - Early Days Programming with Punch Cards
05:50 - Entrepreneurship Lessons from Video Stores
07:17 - Adventures in Europe: Startup Struggles
09:56 - Building and Scaling a Telecom Software Startup
12:53 - Major Startup Setbacks and Lessons Learned
16:53 - Recognizing the Internet’s Potential Early
21:30 - The Journey Back to New Zealand
25:22 - Pivoting into Education Technology
31:17 - Focusing on Teacher-Driven Product Development
36:15 - Massive Growth During the Pandemic
42:19 - Kami’s Impact and Scaling Strategy
48:40 - Importance of User-Led Adoption
52:33 - AI’s Role in the Future of Education
56:45 - Advice for Young Entrepreneurs
1:06:20 - Choosing Education as a Startup Focus
1:08:45 - Kami’s Competitive Advantages
1:10:33 - Retaining Customers Post-Pandemic
1:13:08 - Kami’s Sales Strategy
1:16:45 - Future of Education with AI
1:18:34 - Advice for EdTech Entrepreneurs
1:22:28 - Kami’s Future Vision
1:25:33 - Reflections on Entrepreneurship Journey
🙌 Enjoyed this episode? Hit the like button 👍, leave your favorite insight 💬, and subscribe 📲 for more inspiring startup journeys!
#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #EdTech, #Kami, #Innovation, #Entrepreneurship, #AI, #Education, #TechPodcast, #StartupLessons, #DigitalEducation, #FutureOfWork, #ClassroomTechnology, #ScalingStartups, #BusinessStrategy, #TechRevolution, #StartupStories, #Leadership, #GlobalEducation
Dropped out of high school after a handshake gone wrong—now he runs a $50M AI-driven language empire.Dive into the extraordinary journey of Finn Puklowski, a New Zealand entrepreneur who transformed personal setbacks into the highly successful Fluency Academy, an AI-powered, creator-led language education platform. Finn candidly shares the rollercoaster ride from bankruptcy in his early 20s to scaling Fluency Academy into a $50 million powerhouse with over 35 million followers globally.Learn how Finn leverages the creator economy, AI technology, and deep market insights to revolutionize how languages are taught, especially in markets like Brazil, and his vision for the future of education and employment in an AI-driven world. This episode is packed with raw truths, inspiring resilience, and invaluable startup lessons.Key Topics:🌍 Revolutionizing Language Learning Globally💡 Leveraging Creator Economy for Massive Scale🤖 AI Integration in Education📉 Lessons from Bankruptcy to Breakthrough🇧🇷 Why Brazil Was the Perfect Market🎓 Innovative Approaches to Teaching🚀 Rapid Scaling & Growth Strategies📱 Future of Digital Education Platforms🌱 Building Impactful Nonprofit Initiatives🧠 Mental Health & Entrepreneurship🤝 Connect with Finn Puklowski:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finn-puklowski/Website (Fluency Academy): https://fluency.io🔗 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 & Finn’s Background01:30 - Growing Up Entrepreneurial in NZ03:40 - Early Business Lessons & Bankruptcy06:13 - Dropping Out of High School15:05 - Moving to Brazil & Finding Opportunities16:23 - Launching Fluency Academy19:21 - Scaling to $10M Revenue Bootstrapped22:35 - Maintaining Quality at Massive Scale25:05 - Secrets Behind Rapid Startup Growth31:04 - Future Vision & AI Integration36:19 - Why Fluency Focuses on B2C39:00 - Future of Language Learning & AI48:05 - Creator Economy & Influencer Strategy52:23 - Leveraging AI for Content & Sales56:45 - Startup Advice for Young Entrepreneurs1:01:17 - Expansive: AI Integration in Business1:02:48 - Jobs Impacted by AI & Automation1:03:27 - Advice to Young Founders🙌 Enjoyed this episode?Hit the like button 👍, comment your favorite insights 💬, and subscribe 📲 for more inspiring startup journeys!#️⃣ Hashtags:#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #EdTech, #AI, #LanguageLearning, #FluencyAcademy, #Entrepreneurship, #CreatorEconomy, #Brazil, #Innovation, #TechPodcast, #StartupLessons, #Resilience, #Scaling, #MentalHealth, #FutureOfWork, #EducationTechnology, #DigitalEducation, #StartupStories
Born in Soviet-era Moscow and now revolutionizing dairy without cows—this entrepreneur is reshaping New Zealand’s future.In this insightful episode, we speak with Irina Miller, founder of DaisyLab, a groundbreaking New Zealand startup utilizing precision fermentation to create dairy-identical proteins without cows. Irina’s remarkable journey begins in Soviet-era Moscow, spans entrepreneurship adventures, and culminates in her pioneering efforts to revolutionize the dairy industry sustainably.
Discover Irina's personal motivations behind DaisyLab, including her eye-opening experiences in Russia’s rapidly changing society, her initial reluctance towards entrepreneurship, and how her passion for animal welfare led to the creation of innovative dairy solutions. Gain unique perspectives on the future of food tech, animal welfare, and how DaisyLab aims to transform traditional dairy production globally.
Key Topics:
🧬 Precision Fermentation Technology
🥛 Disrupting Traditional Dairy Production
🌍 Sustainable Food Innovation
🐄 Animal Welfare and Ethics🇳🇿 Entrepreneurship in New Zealand
🛠️ Scaling a Deep Tech Startup
📈 Challenges of Funding Innovation
🌱 Veganism and Future of Protein
🧪 Biotech and Synthetic Biology
🤝 Collaborating with Traditional Industries
🤝 Connect with Irina Miller:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/🌱-irina-miller-85449b8/
Website: https://www.daisylab.co.nz
🔗 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 - Introduction & Irina’s Background
01:30 - DaisyLab’s Revolutionary Dairy Tech
04:01 - Growing Up in Soviet-Era Moscow
11:03 - Studying Abroad in the US
16:31 - Moving to New Zealand
27:24 - Career & Transition to Entrepreneurship
30:02 - Inspiration for DaisyLab
34:12 - Precision Fermentation Explained
42:00 - Challenges in Protein Production
48:03 - DaisyLab’s Startup Journey
54:58 - Dairy Industry Collaboration
1:01:34 - Animal Welfare & Veganism
1:08:39 - The Future of Alternative Proteins
1:11:32 - New Zealand’s Biotech Opportunity
1:14:11 - Advice for Moving to New Zealand
🙌 Enjoyed this episode? Hit the like button 👍, share your thoughts 💬, and subscribe 📲 for more groundbreaking startup insights!
#️⃣ Hashtags:
#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #foodtech, #biotech, #precisionfermentation, #animalwelfare, #sustainability, #dairyinnovation, #vegan, #alternativeprotein, #techpodcast, #deeptech, #entrepreneurship, #syntheticbiology, #innovation, #futurefoods, #dairyalternatives, #proteintech, #nztech
From failing physics grades to building New Zealand’s groundbreaking fusion reactor startup—meet the entrepreneur rewriting the rules of energy.
Join us in this captivating conversation with Ratu Mataira, founder and CEO of OpenStar, a revolutionary New Zealand startup pioneering fusion technology. Ratu shares his journey from struggling undergraduate physics student to becoming an industry leader determined to solve one of humanity’s most significant challenges: clean, limitless energy through fusion reactors. Discover how OpenStar has rapidly achieved milestones that took others decades, using innovative superconducting magnet technology inspired by Ratu’s deep physics background.
This episode dives deep into Ratu’s compelling backstory—his inspiration from his grandmother's historic efforts in revitalizing the Māori language, his entrepreneurial adventures, and the thrilling science behind levitated dipole fusion reactors. Ratu reveals bold truths about startup innovation, the future of global energy, and why New Zealand is uniquely positioned to lead in groundbreaking technology.
Key Topics:
⚛️ Revolutionizing Fusion Technology
📚 Struggling Student to Tech Pioneer🧲 Breakthrough Superconducting Magnets
🚧 Overcoming Engineering Challenges
🌏 Clean Energy & Climate Solutions
🔬 Levitated Dipole Fusion Reactors Explained
💡 Startup Lessons & Rapid Iteration🇳🇿 New Zealand’s Tech Advantage
📈 Scaling Deep Tech Startups
🌠 Fusion: The Future of Global Energy
🤝 Connect with Ratu Mataira:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ratu-mataira-24648ab2/
OpenStar: https://www.linkedin.com/company/openstar-technologies/
🔗 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 - Introduction & Ratu’s Background
01:26 - Journey from PhD in Superconductivity
03:50 - Inspiration from Grandma’s Māori Revival
09:57 - How Ratu’s Grandmother Saved Te Reo Māori
19:22 - Early Interest in Physics and Science
24:02 - Entrepreneurial Adventures & Early Startups
29:36 - The Path to a PhD in Superconductivity
37:20 - Fusion Technology & the Levitated Dipole Reactor
45:55 - Milestone: Achieving First Plasma at OpenStar
54:40 - Why Levitated Dipole Fusion is Unique
59:30 - Rapid Development & Startup Iteration
1:02:13 - Timeline for Fusion Commercialization
1:05:28 - Fusion’s Vision: Energy Abundance
1:11:15 - AI, Fusion & The Future of Abundance
1:18:25 - Funding & Fusion’s Billion-Dollar Pathway
1:22:08 - Why Build Deep Tech Startups in NZ🙌
Enjoyed this episode?
Hit like 👍, comment your thoughts 💬, and subscribe 📲 for more groundbreaking startup stories and tech innovations!
#️⃣ Hashtags: #startups, #business, #NewZealand, #fusion, #energy, #deeptech, #OpenStar, #superconductors, #innovation, #climatechange, #techpodcast, #cleanenergy, #entrepreneurship, #science, #NZTech, #futuretech, #sustainability, #physics, #fusionreactor, #renewableenergy
Meet the Kiwi entrepreneur who made history aboard Blue Origin!
In this thrilling episode, we talk to Mark Rocket, a groundbreaking New Zealand tech entrepreneur and aerospace pioneer. Mark recently soared into space on Blue Origin's NS-32 mission, becoming the first New Zealander to experience suborbital spaceflight. He shares firsthand details about his extraordinary journey—from rigorous training to the awe-inspiring moment he floated weightlessly above the Earth.
Dive deep into Mark's entrepreneurial adventures—from founding Rocket Lab and launching the Southern Hemisphere’s first private rocket, to leading Kea Aerospace, revolutionizing environmental monitoring and telecommunications with innovative stratospheric drones. Don't miss Mark's unique insights into the future of aerospace, startup challenges, and what it truly feels like to gaze back at our planet from space.
Key Topics:
🚀 Becoming New Zealand’s First Space Traveler
🌍 Blue Origin NS-32 Mission Insights🧑🚀 Rigorous Spaceflight Training
🌌 Emotional Impact of Space Travel
🌠 Personal Reflections on Space
⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:40 - Blue Origin Spaceflight Experience
02:09 - Preparing for Space Travel
03:16 - Training and Safety Protocols
05:29 - Feelings Before Launch
06:03 - Launch Day Excitement
07:05 - Takeoff and Acceleration
07:55 - Zero Gravity Experience
08:49 - Viewing Earth from Space
10:08 - Emotional Reflections from Space
11:29 - Descent and Landing
12:21 - First Moments Back on Earth
13:17 - Future Space Travel Plans
🤝 Connect with Mark Rocket:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mark-rocket-8727353
Kea Aerospace: https://www.keaaerospace.com
🔗 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/🙌 Enjoyed this episode?Hit the like button 👍, leave your thoughts 💬, and subscribe 📲 for more inspiring startup journeys and groundbreaking tech stories!
Hashtags:#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #aerospace, #BlueOrigin, #RocketLab, #KeaAerospace, #SpaceTravel, #entrepreneurship, #innovation, #techpodcast, #suborbital, #NZTech, #spaceflight, #technology, #environment, #stratospheric, #futuretech, #spaceindustry, #firstinspacenz
All additional videos and photos from Blue Origin. Credit: Blue Origin.
She turned a $3,000 Bitcoin curiosity into one of New Zealand’s biggest crypto exits.Meet Janine, founder and CEO of Easy Crypto, who successfully navigated the turbulent crypto market—overcoming regulation hurdles, market crashes, and intense skepticism—to build and exit one of New Zealand's most notable crypto startups.
From early challenges of securing banking relationships to eventually selling to Australia's SwiftX, Janine candidly shares the rollercoaster journey, valuable insights into fintech innovation, and the future of digital currencies.
In this episode, you'll hear surprising truths about running a crypto business, why banks initially turned her away, and how the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reshaped crypto adoption. Plus, discover Janine's bold predictions on stablecoins, digital currencies, and the future of decentralized finance.
Key Topics:
💰 Building and Exiting a Crypto Startup
⚖️ Navigating Regulation and Banking Challenges
📉 Surviving Crypto Market Volatility
🌍 International Expansion & Mergers
🔗 Why Stablecoins Matter
🚨 Avoiding Crypto Scams
💡 Future of Crypto & Blockchain
🤝 Power of Networks in Entrepreneurship
🚀 Resilience & Lessons for Startup Founders
🌐 Crypto Adoption & Global Trends
🤝 Connect with Janine:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-grainger/
Easy Crypto: http://easycrypto.com/
🔗 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 - Introduction & Easy Crypto Exit
02:12 - Overcoming Crypto Market Crashes
03:14 - What Easy Crypto Actually Does
05:11 - Early Customers & Product Evolution
09:40 - Janine’s Personal Crypto Journey
11:17 - Navigating Crypto Volatility
19:12 - Regulatory and Banking Challenges
28:30 - Launching NZ Dollar Stablecoin
38:10 - Early Career & Path to Crypto
41:10 - Starting a Crypto Business While at a Bank
46:42 - Decision to Go Full-Time on Easy Crypto
48:51 - Fundraising Insights & Challenges
51:45 - What's Next After the Exit?
53:03 - Industries Janine is Excited About
54:13 - Lessons for Startup Founders
55:48 - Building a Startup in New Zealand
57:39 - Global Trends in Crypto Adoption
🙌 Enjoyed this episode? Hit like 👍, drop your thoughts 💬, and subscribe 📲 for more startup insights and crypto trends!
#️⃣ Hashtags:#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #crypto, #blockchain, #EasyCrypto, #entrepreneurship, #innovation, #fintech, #stablecoins, #CryptoMarket, #StartupLessons, #TechPodcast, #DigitalCurrency, #NZTech, #Acquisition, #BankingChallenges, #GlobalExpansion, #FounderInsights, #CryptoAdoption
He changed his name to Rocket, launched New Zealand's first private space vehicle, and became the first Kiwi in space 🚀
Meet Mark Rocket, a pioneering New Zealand entrepreneur who transitioned from playing in rock bands to launching the Southern Hemisphere’s first private rocket into space with Rocket Lab 🛰️.
Now leading Kea Aerospace, he's innovating in stratospheric drone technology. In this episode, Mark dives deep into his unconventional journey—from growing up in a grungy Christchurch, making groundbreaking strides in aerospace 🌌, and achieving his lifelong dream 🌠 as the first Kiwi to journey into space aboard Blue Origin's suborbital rocket 🚀.
Mark shares candid insights on overcoming skepticism, navigating co-founder dynamics, and how his passion for space technology led him to invest in and co-found Rocket Lab alongside Peter Beck. Discover how Kea Aerospace is revolutionizing environmental monitoring 🌱, telecommunications, and disaster response from the stratosphere. Also, hear Mark’s bold truths about balancing entrepreneurship with personal well-being, and what it means to be New Zealand's first citizen astronaut 👨🚀.
Key Topics:
🚀 Launching the Southern Hemisphere's First Private Rocket
🌏 From Busking in Europe to Aerospace Entrepreneurship
🤝 Co-founding Rocket Lab & Navigating Early Challenges
✈️ Innovating with Stratospheric Drone Technology
🌌 Why New Zealand is a Unique Aerospace Hub
🛠️ Entrepreneurship: Making It Happen Against All Odds
🛰️ First Kiwi in Space with Blue Origin
🔮 Future Vision for Kia Aerospace & Global Expansion
🤝 Connect with Mark Rocket:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mark-rocket-8727353
Kea Aerospace: https://www.keaaerospace.com🔗 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 - Introduction & Growing Up in Christchurch
07:42 - Early Life & Travels in Post-Cold War Europe
14:34 - Discovering the Internet & Early Career
19:12 - Starting New Zealand's First Internet Marketing Firm
29:04 - Selling a Company & Investing in Aerospace
30:36 - Meeting Peter Beck & Founding Rocket Lab
38:30 - Launching Kia Aerospace & Stratospheric Innovation43:22 - Applications of Stratospheric Drones
49:54 - Transitioning Views on Defense Tech
55:03 - The Future of Aerospace in New Zealand
58:54 - Entrepreneurship Advice & Key Traits
1:03:08 - Personal Vision & Kia Aerospace’s Future
#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #aerospace, #RocketLab, #KeaAerospace, #space, #innovation, #entrepreneurship, #technology, #stratosphere, #EarthObservation, #telecommunications, #defensetech, #founderstories, #NZtech, #drones, #globalbusiness, #spaceindustry, #techpodcast
He turned frustration with clunky academic tools into a million-dollar deep tech startup.
👉 Youtube - https://bit.ly/3Rwqaur
👉 Spotify – https://spoti.fi/4is21QI
👉 Apple Podcasts – https://apple.co/42KZ2x1
Meet Axton, a New Zealand tech entrepreneur who went from severe childhood asthma and tinkering with remote-controlled aircraft to founding Litmaps, a pioneering startup transforming academic research through AI-powered citation mapping.
In this episode, Axton dives deep into overcoming early challenges, pivoting from medical aspirations to technology entrepreneurship, and scaling Litmaps to 400,000 global users and a recent $1M ARR milestone.
You'll hear candid insights about the struggles of academia, innovation in AI-driven research tools, and what it takes to navigate a co-founder departure, an acquisition, and the relentless world of deep tech startups. If you’re fascinated by how AI is reshaping research and startups, this episode is your roadmap.
🔑 Key Topics:
🛠️ Building a Deep Tech Startup from Scratch
🚑 Childhood Challenges & Resilience
📚 Why Academic Research Needs Innovation
🤖 AI & the Future of Research
💸 Growing from Prototype to $1M ARR
👥 Handling Co-Founder Exits & Team Building
🌏 Building Globally from New Zealand
💡 Disrupting Citation Networks & Academia
🧠 The Psychology of Entrepreneurship
📈 Future Vision for Litmaps & Beyond
🤝 Connect with the Guest:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/axtonpitt/
Website: https://www.litmaps.com
🔗 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 - Introduction & Childhood Challenges
05:00 - Early Influences & Remote-Controlled Aircraft
09:12 - University & Early Career Struggles
11:28 - Birth of Litmaps & Initial Frustration
28:55 - Prototype, Feedback & Pivoting
32:31 - Taking the Leap to Full-Time Entrepreneurship
43:22 - Scaling to $1M ARR & Global Reach
43:54 - Co-Founder Departure & Growing as CEO
47:02 - Recent Fundraise & Acquisition
47:24 - Long-Term Vision & Future Plans
51:48 - Competing with AI & ChatGPT
57:35 - Impact of Geopolitics on Innovation
1:01:36 - Building Globally from New Zealand
🙌 Enjoyed this episode?
Smash the like button, leave your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe for more startup insights!
#️⃣ Hashtags:
#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #Litmaps, #deeptech, #AI, #academia, #research, #entrepreneur, #innovation, #scaling, #funding, #technology, #founderlessons, #startupgrowth, #techtrends, #globalbusiness, #productivitytools, #venturecapital, #kiwitech
He flipped a coin on a café table and accidentally rewired how New Zealand invests.
🎧 Listen on:
👉 Spotify – https://spoti.fi/4is21QI
👉 Apple Podcasts – https://apple.co/42KZ2x1New Zealand entrepreneur Leighton — co-CEO of Sharesies, ex-Army trumpeter and accidental brewery founder — walks us through the wild arc from $50 teenage investment clubs to running an 800-thousand-user wealth platform. You’ll hear how a three-week basic-training stint, a coin toss, and a missed $2 000 Ethereum buy shaped a mission to “create one million millionaires.”
Beyond the fintech origin story, Leighton drops candid takes on democratizing wealth, AI’s takeover of customer support, and why luck (plus ruthless execution) still beats perfect strategy. If you like your startup talk seasoned with brass-band anecdotes and beer-keg logistics, this one’s for you.
Key Topics:
🥇 $50 to Financial Freedom — teen investment clubs & compounding power
🎺 Army Band to Boardroom — leadership lessons from marching drills
🏦 Building Sharesies — fractional shares, regulation hacks & 3 co-CEOs
🤖 AI & Customer Care — 85 % of support now LLM-powered
📊 Democratizing Wealth — S&P-500 dominance, KiwiSaver gaps
🍺 Waitoa Beer Pivot — scaling a brewery during COVID lockdowns
🔮 Macro & Geopolitics — optimism, over-indexing and the US angst
🔧 Founder Tactics — dollar-cost averaging, hiring through call-centres
💡 Future Trends — why “problem first, tech second” still wins
🤝 Connect with Leighton
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leightonroberts/
🔗 Learn 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
00:00:00 – Intro & Hawera childhood
00:05:12 – Dreaming of pilot wings and trumpets
00:10:30 – Army band life & leadership lessons
00:17:45 – $50 investment club genesis
00:24:20 – The coin-flip that led to KiwiBank
00:31:50 – Founding Sharesies: six co-founders, one vision
00:42:05 – AI takes over 85 % of support tickets
00:48:40 – Democratizing wealth vs “Robinhood gambling”
00:55:15 – Waitoa Beer, COVID pivots & side hustles
01:03:00 – AI, robotics and the next 5 years of startups
01:10:45 – Closing thoughts on luck, family & tech futures
If this chat lit a spark, smash Like, hit Subscribe, and drop your biggest takeaway in the comments—let’s build those million millionaires together!
#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #fintech, #AI, #robotics, #entrepreneurship, #wealth, #investing, #Sharesies, #KiwiTech, #startupstory, #VC, #innovation, #techpodcast, #founder, #bootstrapping, #leadership, #futureofwork, #financialfreedom
Daniel Batten's life is anything but conventional. He grew up off-grid on the wild beaches of New Zealand, studied philosophy and drama, became an actor, then accidentally launched one of NZ’s first angel-funded tech startups—without writing a single line of code or knowing much biology.
Today, he’s a climate tech investor, startup coach, and one of the most vocal voices on why Bitcoin could help solve climate change.
In this episode, Daniel shares his journey from surf to startups—and why most people (including his former self) misunderstand the true power of Bitcoin mining. Spoiler: it’s not about Lambos.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ Why self-awareness is the ultimate founder superpower✅ What coaching can unlock that advice never will✅ How Bitcoin mining could mitigate methane and accelerate renewable energy✅ The “Power to Weight Ratio” trick for perfect startup pitches✅ What most people (and media) get wrong about Bitcoin & climate
Why This Episode Might Change How You Think About Startups (and Bitcoin):🧠 The science of scaling people, not just products🗣️ Communication strategies that win investors and top-tier talent🌱 How crypto can actually help the planet—no, seriously🎭 The unexpected parallels between acting and entrepreneurship
🔗 Connect with Daniel:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielsbatten/
🔗 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/
🎯 Tags:#TechMatesPodcast #BitcoinForGood #StartupCoach #ClimateTech #FounderLife #AngelInvesting #BitcoinMining #MethaneMitigation #PowerToWeightPitch #ScalingPeople #DanielBatten #DeepTech #SustainableInnovation #GreenCrypto #NZStartups
Stefan Powell transitioned from early rocketry experiments to co-founding Dawn Aerospace, a company pioneering rapid, reusable spaceflight. As CEO and CTO, he's leading the development of the Mk-II Aurora—a rocket-powered aircraft designed to fly to space twice in a single day, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional launch systems. And yes, Elon Musk is watching. 👀
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How aircraft-like operations are revolutionizing space access
✅ The business model enabling multiple daily flights without toxic emissions
✅ Dawn's approach to competing with established players like SpaceX
✅ Insights into scaling a deep-tech startup from prototype to global impact
Why This Episode Will Change Your Perspective on Aerospace:
🌍 Exploring sustainable practices in spaceflight
📈 Understanding the economics of rapid, reusable launch systems
🚀 The evolving landscape of the space industry beyond traditional giants
🔗 Connect with Stefan Powell:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/spowell111/
🔗 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 – Introduction: From early experiments to aerospace innovation
06:22 – Founding Dawn Aerospace and early challenges
13:15 – Development of Mk-II Aurora and its unique capabilities
23:40 – The importance of green propulsion in modern spaceflight
38:10 – Competing in the aerospace industry without massive funding
46:55 – Building a hardware company in New Zealand
58:00 – Advice for aspiring deep-tech entrepreneurs
🔔 Subscribe for in-depth conversations with pioneers in technology and innovation.
#TechMatesPodcast #AerospaceInnovation #SustainableSpaceflight #StartupJourney #GreenTech #DawnAerospace #FutureOfFlight #NewSpace
David Inggs went from catching snakes in South Africa to building robots that Fortune 500 companies rely on. As co-founder of Rocos (acquired by DroneDeploy), he cracked the code on how to remotely control robot fleets at scale—and now he’s revealing what most AI robotics startups get dangerously wrong.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ The "gold rush" trap – Why most robotics startups fail (and how Rocos survived)
✅ Shocking truth about humanoid robots – Why Boston Dynamics’ tech is both overhyped and underrated
✅ How to sell to enterprises – The playbook for landing oil/gas, mining, and defense clients
✅ Silicon Valley vs. New Zealand – Why building deep tech outside the Bay Area is an advantage
✅ Acquisition secrets – How Rocos got bought without ever pitching to investors
Why This Episode Will Change Your Mind About AI & Robotics:
🤖 "Robots are still dumb" – David’s brutal take on why AI won’t fix robotics anytime soon
🛑 The hidden risk – Why cloud providers (AWS, Google) could wipe out startups overnight🇳🇿 Underdog advantage – How a NZ company out-engineered global competitors
⚡ The next big wave – What’s coming after drones and warehouse bots
🔗 Connect with David Inggs:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/david-inggs
🔗 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/
🔔 Subscribe for unfiltered founder stories and tech insights!
#TechMatesPodcast #Robotics #AI #StartupJourney #Entrepreneurship #DeepTech #DroneDeploy #BostonDynamics #FutureOfWork
From backyard experiments to securing defense contracts, David Moodie, founder of Foundry Lab, is revolutionizing how industries prototype and produce metal parts. By combining 3D printing with microwave technology, his team is making metal casting faster, cheaper, and more accessible than ever before.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:✅ How frustration with traditional casting led to an industry-changing innovation.✅ The wild journey of melting metal in a microwave to create rapid casting.✅ Why automotive and defense industries are betting big on this breakthrough.✅ The challenges of scaling deep tech and winning over investors.✅ Lessons on resilience, risk-taking, and building a hardware startup from scratch.Why This Episode Will Change Your Perspective:🔥 Disrupting an 8,000-year-old industry with a radically new approach.🚀 How a startup from New Zealand landed on the radar of global giants.💡 The future of metal manufacturing—no factories, no delays, just instant casting.
🔗 Learn more about Foundry Lab:Website: https://www.foundrylab.comDavid Moodie – LinkedIn
🔗 Learn more about NZVC:Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy – LinkedInHendrik Remigereau – LinkedIn
🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories and deep tech insights!
#TechMatesPodcast #StartupJourney #ManufacturingInnovation #Entrepreneurship #DeepTech #FoundryLab #MetalCasting #IndustrialDesign
Philip Fierlinger co-founded Xero, a global accounting powerhouse, but his journey didn’t stop there. Now, he's reshaping the B2B wholesale industry with Upstock, a platform transforming how businesses order supplies.
Hosted by Mark Pavlyukovskyy, a Silicon Valley success story, and Hendrik Remigereau, a former leader in Europe’s largest AI ecosystem turned venture capitalist, TechMates dives into the game-changing strategies behind some of Australasia’s most ambitious startups.
🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:✅ How Xero disrupted an industry and went public with almost no revenue.✅ The bold strategy that made Xero the darling of accountants and the enemy of MYOB.✅ Why Peter Thiel’s "go big or go home" approach clashed with Xero’s guerrilla growth strategy.✅ How Upstock is quietly building a Shopify-like marketplace for wholesale.✅ The key to creating a product so good that customers refuse to use anything else.
Why This Episode Will Change Your Perspective:📈 Scaling Lessons: When rapid hiring turned from an advantage to a liability.🌍 The Future of AI & Design: Why the best AI products won’t even tell you they use AI.💡 The Next Big Thing: How Philip’s new venture is solving a trillion-dollar inefficiency in supply chains.🔗 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/🔗 Learn more about Philip:https://www.linkedin.com/in/fierlinger/
🔗 Learn more about Upstock:
https://www.upstock.app
🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories and startup insights!
#StartupJourney #TechEntrepreneur #Xero #FounderStory #B2BSaaS #WholesaleTech #BuildFast #AIInnovation
Philip Fierlinger has always been ahead of his time. As a kid, he built his first CRM on a Radio Shack computer. By his 20s, he was designing mobile devices before smartphones even existed. He worked at the legendary General Magic, pioneered VR for the Beastie Boys, and helped turn Xero into a billion-dollar SaaS giant.
Hosted by Mark Pavlyukovskyy, a Silicon Valley success story, and Hendrik Remigereau, a former leader in Europe’s largest AI ecosystem turned venture capitalist, TechMates uncovers the game-changing ideas and counterintuitive strategies behind the world's top entrepreneurs.
🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:✅ Growing up in a creative immigrant household and early tech obsession.✅ How a chance email to the Beastie Boys led to groundbreaking VR innovation.✅ The bold moves that helped Xero revolutionize accounting from New Zealand.✅ Why he believes design, not engineering, drives the best tech products.
🚀 Why This Episode Will Change Your Perspective:💡 The Vision: “If you want to build something great, start with the dream, not the details.”🔗 The Growth Hack: How faking prototypes opened doors to million-dollar deals.🌏 The Future: “The best products aren’t built in Silicon Valley—they’re built by those who think differently.”
🔗 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/🔗 Learn more about Philip:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fierlinger/
🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories and startup insights!
#Fintech #StartupJourney #Xero #PhilipFierlinger #TechEntrepreneur #FinanceInnovation #ProductDesign #FounderStory
🔥 The Story You Won’t Believe: At 7, Luke Campbell was mastering World of Warcraft while his peers barely had internet access. By 17, he was struggling academically, battling scoliosis, and dreaming of space.
Today, he’s the founder of VXT—a SaaS tool automating workflows for 500+ law firms globally and processing 100,000+ calls weekly.
🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✅ Why 5,000+ hours in World of Warcraft shaped his leadership.
✅ The bold pivot that transformed routine legal tasks into billable gold.
✅ Automating 50% of lawyers’ paperwork with voice tech.
✅ Insider tips on turning failure into unstoppable success.Why This Episode Will Change Your Perspective:
🌌 The Vision: “If you’re not embarrassed by your first product, you’ve launched too late.”
📈 The Growth Hack: Cold-calling lawyers to uncover a $2 trillion industry’s biggest pain point.
🤖 The Future: “The phone isn’t the product—it’s the gateway to killing busywork forever.”
🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories and startup insights!
#StartupJourney #TechEntrepreneur #VXT #FounderStory #GamingToStartup #BuildFast #B2BSaaS #LegalTech
From a $10K Debt to Building 20+ Startups – Sam Kim’s Unstoppable Journey
What does it take to go from crashing a Maserati to launching a global startup school? Sam Kim’s path is anything but ordinary. From hustling to pay off debt to founding an accelerator that helps first-time entrepreneurs launch their businesses, his story is packed with lessons on resilience, execution, and thinking big.
Join hosts Mark Pavlyukovskyy and Hendrik Remigereau as they dive into Sam’s wild startup journey—covering everything from cold emailing investors to launching over 20 products before finding success.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
🚀 How a $10K debt pushed Sam into entrepreneurship.
📧 The cold email strategy that landed him a $1M investment.
💡 Why most startups fail—and how to avoid it.
🔥 How he built a startup school that accepts EVERY founder.
Why This Story Will Change How You See Startups:
⚡ The Vision: A startup school that gives anyone a shot at success.
💻 The Hustle: Launching 20+ products with no coding skills.
🛠 The Execution: "Fail fast, launch faster. The only way to learn is by doing."
🔗 Connect with Sam & his startup school:
Website: https://www.zerobase.ca
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skim714/
🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories and startup deep dives!
#TechMatesPodcast #StartupSuccess #Entrepreneurship #NoCode #FounderJourney #BuildFast #StartupSchool
From the frozen plains of Siberia to the cutting edge of space tech—Max Arshavsky, founder of Zenno Astronautics, is rewriting the rules of the cosmos. Born in the USSR, he grew up near a Soviet space monument, dropped out of university, and bet everything on a radical idea: superconductors as the backbone of future space missions.Join hosts Mark Pavlyukovskyy and Hendrik Remigereau—seasoned entrepreneurs with deep roots in Silicon Valley and Europe—as they dive into Max’s incredible journey. From dropping out of university to pioneering superconducting tech for satellites, his story is a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and thinking big.
In this episode, you'll learn:
🚀 How a Soviet space monument sparked a lifelong obsession with the stars.
🔬 Why Max walked away from a scholarship to forge his own path in New Zealand.
💡 The 7-year grind to develop the world’s first superconducting magnet for space.
🌌 His bold vision for expanding AI consciousness into deep space—without humans.
Why This Story Will Blast Off Your Feed:
🌌 The Vision: Enabling AI to colonize space—without humans.
🔋 The Tech: World’s first commercial superconducting magnet in orbit.
🔥 The Grit: "In space, failure isn’t an option. You work with truth—and zero bullshit."🔗 Learn more about NZVC:
Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nz
Mark Pavlyukovskyy – LinkedIn
Hendrik Remigereau – LinkedIn
🔗 Connect with Max & Zenno Space:
Zenno Space Website: https://www.zenno.space
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-arshavsky/
🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories and deep dives into the future of space tech!
#TechMatesPodcast #ZennoSpace #SpaceTech #DeepTech #StartupJourney #FutureOfSpace #Innovation
New Zealand’s banking system is one of the most profitable in the world—but also one of the most outdated. Jovan Pavlicevic, CEO of Emerge, is on a mission to change that. From volunteering as a firefighter to building a game-changing neobank, his journey is packed with bold moves, high risks, and lessons every entrepreneur should hear.
Join hosts Mark Pavlyukovskyy and Hendrik Remigereau—leveraging their expertise from building successful companies in Silicon Valley and Europe—as they uncover the inspiring stories of entrepreneurs shaping Australasia.
💡 In this episode, you'll learn:
🚀 How Jovan launched a fintech startup in the middle of a lockdown
💰 Why big banks are untouchable—and how Emerge is breaking in
🏆 The secret to starting a business with zero connections or capital
🌍 How he balances a startup, family, and a dream of sailing around the world
This isn’t just a startup story—it’s a blueprint for taking on giants and winning.
💡 Why Emerge Matters:
NZ’s first neobank: Built to challenge the “cozy oligopoly” of Aussie-owned banks.
Square One: Teaching 200,000+ kids financial literacy through gamified banking.
Global ambition: Proof that Kiwi startups can punch way above their weight.
🔗 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/🔗 Connect with Jovan & Emerge:
Emerge Website: https://www.emerge.nz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jovanpavlicevic🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories & fintech insights!
#TechMatesPodcast #EmergeNZ #Fintech #StartupJourney #DisruptBanking
