AI-Led Growth in 2025: Transforming GTM for Efficiency and Competitive Edge

Plus Sunrise pre parties, Rocket Lab nabs Biden funding and the latest instalment of our new 'Beyond Borders' column with Heather Gadonniex

Welcome to Wednesday!

I didn’t even need the free hit of Caffeine from the #1 coffee cart on site at Sunrise yesterday…what a buzz! So great to get out in person with 500 of the greatest across NZ’s startup world. I have no voice, a bunch of new friends, a whole lot of new stories to tell, and my founder mode is more fired up than ever so I’d call it a great day. Massive shout out to Katie and the incredible Blackbird team, you aced it guys. Don’t forget to cash in your Caffeine subscription gifts for onsite attendees only [if you missed the deal, email us now]. For the rest of you, our new besties at Good Fortune gave us this epic coffee pack. FIRST person to sign up for a paid sub today and its yours [also, we might keep this going huh? Bag of beans in exchange for a sub? Coming soon 👀☕]

We’ll have a full round up of the Sunrise highlights & photos over the next few days but for today, here’s the rest of your Daily Shot news you won’t want to miss.

• Party pics from our Espresso Martini night with Airwallex; and Vanta’s Opening Film Night ahead of Sunrise

• Beyond Borders column from Heather Gadoniex: AI-Led Growth in 2025: Transforming GTM for Efficiency and Competitive Edge

• Rocket Lab Breaks Records with Dual Launches, Secures Biden Administration Funding

• Canva’s Head of Design Shares the Secret to Building Global Success: Staying Small While Thinking Big

• SolarZero placed in liquidation

• Google and Department of Justice make closing arguments in adtech monopoly case

Not to be presumptive, but if ever there was a day to subscribe and your finger has been hovering over that ‘upgrade to paid’ button, today might just be it!

Lauren & the Caffeine team

Martinis & Meat Platter Mixer | Library Bar, Wellington

On Monday night, we teamed up with Airwallex to host an Espresso Martini Mixer in Wellington ahead of Sunrise, celebrating the launch of their game-changing Airwallex for Startups programme in New Zealand. 🎉 Airwallex is a financial platform now empowering over 100,000 businesses globally. For Kiwi founders, Airwallex is bringing that same entrepreneurial spirit to New Zealand with Airwallex for Startups—a free programme designed to help local startups grow, scale, and thrive. Airwallex for Startups offers tools, resources, and perks to simplify financial challenges and connect founders to a global network. Highlights include:

• $50,000 fee-free foreign exchange and 1% cashback on international card transactions.

• Partnerships with companies like Upcover and Cake Equity for discounts on essential services like insurance and equity management.

• A focus on building a collaborative ecosystem with access to mentors, investors, and tools to accelerate growth.

Airwallex knows the unique energy of New Zealand’s startup ecosystem, which is already competing on the global stage. From Wellington to Christchurch to Auckland, they’re committed to creating meaningful connections and empowering Kiwi founders to tackle the world while staying true to their roots. Thank you to everyone who joined us to toast to what’s next for Kiwi startups! Check out the photos below 🍸☕ and a huge thanks to Good Fortune for the epic coffee fuelling our martinis!

Espresso Martini Mixer @ Library Bar, Wellington

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Startup Movie Night with Vanta | Official Sunrise Opening Event

Vanta delivered the official Sunrise opening event on Monday night, attracting over 200 guests to Te Papa Museum where they were treated to two inspiring documentaries. How did a university student's idea to simplify graphic design turn into Canva, a $40 billion company? And how did an insurance fraud investigator from Townsville build a workplace safety app [SafetyCulture] used by global giants? Guests soaked up these founders' journeys—their challenges, victories, and everything in between, along with networking, drinks, nibbles and spot prizes AND after the films were treated to an in-person Q&A with Blackbird Co-Founder Rick Baker as well as Special Guest Speaker Pia Lange from NZ’s own Sharesies. Incredible way to kick off a huge 24 hours!