Alimetry Raises $18M USD [$30m NZD] to Advance Wearable for Diagnosing Gastric Disorders
News from the NZ startup ecosystem, straight to your inbox.
Welcome to a new short week, Caffeinators.
Hope you’re feeling refreshed after a long weekend.
We’ve got a packed edition of news this morning! Alimetry's $18M USD [$30m NZD] funding supports a wearable transforming gastric health diagnostics while Rocket Lab’s new Neutron launch site positions NZ at the cutting edge of space. Pushpay’s CEO is doubling down on the Kiwi advantage in tech innovation, Sprinklr CEO Kimberley Gilmour explains why people are the biggest opportunity for startups, and we’ve got insights from last week’s Movac Wellington Growth Jam offering fresh strategies for startups going global.
Not to mention an awesome Founders in 5 with Halter CEO, Craig Piggott.
Plenty here to fuel your week ahead!
Lauren & the CAFFEINE team
Alimetry Raises $18M USD [$30M NZD] to Advance Wearable for Diagnosing Gastric Disorders: New Zealand-based medtech startup Alimetry has raised $18 million USD in a Series A funding round led by VC firm GD1. The investment aims to advance Alimetry's development of a non-invasive, wearable device designed to diagnose gastric disorders by detecting electrical activity in the stomach. This innovative approach seeks to offer a more efficient and less invasive alternative to current diagnostic methods. For more information, read the full article on TechCrunch
Pushpay CEO Champions NZ as 'Superpower' in Global Tech Landscape: Pushpay CEO Molly Matthews highlights New Zealand's unique talent as a "superpower" for the company, despite its private equity ownership shift. With operations still rooted in NZ, Pushpay is leveraging a hybrid work model, supporting innovative sectors like church tech, cryptocurrency donations, and AI-enhanced tools. Matthews emphasises that retaining a strong NZ presence provides a competitive edge in talent diversity and operational flexibility. More from Chris Keall here.
The biggest opportunity for startups? PEOPLE! Although the biggest spending line for most startups is people, most startups don’t get serious about people until they get pretty big. Doing so earlier might just be the biggest lever startups can pull to increase their chances of making it in the long run, and making the journey along the way as smooth as possible. Kimberley Gilmour is one of New Zealand’s most experienced people leaders, having been instrumental in the scaling and operations of Icebreaker, Groov and Vend. Now the founder and CEO of Sprinklr, a new “people operations” company that is partnering with early-stage companies to help them grow, Kimberley joins Business is Boring podcast host Simon Pound to discuss her story, the origins of Sprinklr, and the two main pillars of great people management that she swears by. A must listen here.
Wellington Growth Jam: Insights for Thriving Abroad – From Local Teams to "Lighthouse" Clients: The Movac Wellington Growth Jam delivered sharp insights for tech startups eyeing international markets last week. Key takeaway? Success abroad demands a local-first mindset: think of your entry team as a startup, empower them with autonomy, and build authentic relationships. Whether it's meme marketing or finding the right in-country talent, connecting on a human level can turn challenges into footholds. For more reflections and to sign up for their marketing jam in two weeks on 12th November, more here.
Rocket Lab's Neutron Rocket Launch Site Unveiled at NASA's Wallops Facility: Rocket Lab’s new Launch Complex 3 on Virginia’s Wallops Island is taking shape, with infrastructure built for the upcoming medium-lift Neutron rocket. Key features include an 86-metre water tower and three-story launchpad designed for sound suppression and reusability. The site, close to where its smaller Electron rocket launches, positions Rocket Lab to compete with SpaceX by increasing payload capacity. The Neutron rocket's first flight is expected in 2025. Read more from Madison Reidy’s personal tour here.
This week we’re chatting with Craig Piggott — Engineer, early Rocket Lab and CEO and Founder of Halter. Born and bred on a dairy farm, outside of work he loves running and spending time with his Border Collie Billie and partner Hannah. For a great deep dive, Chris Keall ran an ‘untold story’ on him a few months ago here.
What do you wish you had known before becoming a founder?
It’s hard work and never gets easier, but it’s also incredibly fun and rewarding.
What's the most useful advice you've ever received [and followed]?
"Figure out whose advice to follow and whose to let slide. Everyone’s got something to teach you—you just need to know what’s worth picking up."
And the worst? [Followed or not]
"If you’re working hard, you’re doing it wrong", or that you need to hire professional directors and executives to succeed.
What do we need to do to take the NZ startup ecosystem to the next level?
Build better relationships with the US—both online and by hopping on a plane more often. We need more local wins to show what’s possible. And we’ve got to aim bigger—most people are content building a small business, when it's not much more difficult to build a large one.
What's the hardest thing about being a founder?
My role changes all the time (which is also one of the most fun parts!)—sometimes every few months. As priorities shift, so does where I spend my time, whether it’s hiring, scaling, or sharing the vision.
BusinessFirstNZ – Thinking About the Future | Join BusinessFirstNZ at Massey Business School for their 20th workshop, focusing on strategic roundtable discussions on future business challenges and opportunities. This interactive session offers a unique chance to collaborate with business leaders, brainstorm real-world issues, and shape the direction of future events. For more info, visit Humanitix.
Date & Time: Wednesday, October 30, 2–5 PM NZDT
Location: The Refectory, Massey University, Palmerston North
Extras: Refreshments and free parking provided
IoT Showcase: Driving Innovation in NZ's Transport Sector | This IoT Alliance event in Auckland explores how IoT technology is transforming New Zealand's transportation, from smart infrastructure to connected vehicles. Key industry figures, including Mark Heine (EROAD) and other leaders, will discuss sustainability, innovation, and showcase new solutions in transport. For more details, visit Humanitix.
Date & Time: Thursday, October 31, 5–7 PM NZDT
Location: GridAKL, Auckland CBD
Leading with Empathy for Startups | Hosted by Startup Aotearoa, this online session on November 1 dives into leadership with a focus on empathy. Led by Mr. G, the workshop shares insights from diverse sectors, providing startup leaders with tools to improve team engagement and drive meaningful impact. For more details, visit Humanitix.
Date & Time: Friday, November 1, 8:00–9:00 AM NZDT
Location: Online (link provided after registration)
That’s it for today, thanks for reading. Want to get in touch with a news tip, a slice of feedback or just to chat? Email hello@caffeinedaily.co