Five questions with NZ startup leader Cecilia Robinson.
News from the NZ startup ecosystem, straight to your inbox.
Welcome to a new week, Caffeinators!
Let’s get right into it.
Today the work from home debate rages on as we reveal the survey that says almost half of Kiwis would consider quitting if their WFH days were cut; Google has threatened to remove links to NZ news over the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill; the Kiwi startup promising to save you over $1k on your annual power bill; the health startup using NZ blackcurrants and collagen to help type 2 diabetes sufferers; Kiwi startup legend Cecilia Robinson is with us for Founders in 5; we want to know how you’re feeling about the economic climate heading into the last quarter of the year; and we’ve got the hot ticket list of all the events you won’t want to miss this week.
Here’s to a great week ahead.
Lauren & the CAFFEINE team
Is Remote Work Non-Negotiable? 45% of Kiwi Workers Might Quit Without It: A new survey shows nearly half of Kiwi office workers would consider quitting if their work-from-home days were cut. The 2023 Census also revealed a 60% increase in people working remotely between 2018 and 2023, with the biggest jumps in Auckland and Wellington. Flexible work has become a critical factor, with 38% of respondents calling it a "deal breaker" when job hunting. Would you reconsider your job if remote work was reduced? Find out more here.
Google Threatens to Remove Links to New Zealand News Over Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill: Google has warned it may remove New Zealand news links from its platforms if the Government passes the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill, which would require tech giants to pay publishers for their content. Google argues the Bill introduces a "link tax," while the News Publishers Association has accused the company of corporate bullying. The Bill, supported by New Zealand's media industry, aims to create fair negotiations between tech companies and news publishers. Google’s stance has raised concerns over the future of news access and the impact on smaller media outlets. Read more here.
Kiwi Startup Basis Raises $38M for Smart Panel Revolution, Promising Up to $1000 Savings on Power Bills: Kiwi startup Basis has raised $38 million to fund its new smart switchboard, which integrates hardware and software to manage home energy use more efficiently. Co-founded by Danny Purcell and Julyan Collett, the Basis Smart Panel offers advanced features at a fraction of traditional costs, with the potential to save homeowners up to $1000 annually on power bills. The product, compatible with solar panels and EVs, will launch in early 2025, with 5300 units already pre-sold. Basis aims to expand into Australia, the UK, and Asia, with plans for global expansion. More here.
Health tech startup identifies ‘golden goose’ opportunity: Health tech company ‘The cGP Lab’ has identified a gap in the market for type 2 diabetes support. A clinical study identified people with type 2 diabetes found taking cyclic glycine-proline [cGP] orally for three months significantly reduced symptoms of peripheral neuropathy [nerve damage in hands and feet]. cGP Chief Executive and Neuroscientist Amanda Wiggins tells NBR its “our golden goose opportunity that’s going to drive significant growth in the company.” Using NZ blackcurrants and NZ produced collagen, The cGP Lab has become the world’s first and only manufacturer and marketer of natural cGP. Read more here.
This week we’re chatting with Cecilia Robinson for our Founders in 5 series — five questions with NZ’s startup leaders. Cecilia is the co-founder and Co-CEO of Tend Health, one of New Zealand’s largest primary healthcare providers with 140,000 enrolled patients. Alongside her husband James, she previously co-founded My Food Bag and Au Pair Link, both highly successful ventures. Cecilia has been recognised with numerous accolades, including the 2024 Innovator of the Year award and the Supreme Woman of Influence title in 2017. Through Tend, Cecilia is dedicated to improving healthcare for future generations in Aotearoa. She’s a Mum to three gorgeous kids and gets her caffeine hit from tea, either good old fashioned gumboot or peppermint.
What do you wish you had known before becoming a founder?
That it will take longer but be more worthwhile than you can imagine. In particular for Tend, that we can solve some of the most complicated problems facing our communities, which is hugely exciting but equally challenging.
What's the most useful advice you've ever received [and followed]?
To just do it, an idea is 1% but execution is 99%.
And the worst? [Followed or not]
That My Food Bag would never be successful, and that if people wanted to shop online for food they would be. It was bad advice and obviously we didn't take it.
What do we need to do to take the NZ startup ecosystem to the next level?
To elevate the New Zealand startup ecosystem to the next level, it's crucial to foster a culture of supporting local innovation and businesses. This means actively choosing to buy from and invest in Kiwi-owned companies. For instance, prioritising purchases from your local green grocer and butcher over larger chains strengthens community ties and local economies. An other good example is to opt for My Food Bag—a New Zealand-owned business—over foreign competitors like the German-owned HelloFresh, this helps keep profits within the country, supporting local employment and encouraging the growth of homegrown enterprises. By collectively backing Kiwi startups and businesses, we can build a more resilient and thriving ecosystem that benefits all New Zealanders.
What's the hardest thing about being a founder?
I think it can be lonely for some people although I haven't personally experienced that as I am lucky to work alongside my husband. Also I guess that success doesn't happen overnight even when people think that it does.
🌎 UC Entrepreneurship Centre and Red Bull Basement Partner for Global Innovation Challenge | Tues 8 Oct | 5-7pm | UC Centre for Entrepreneurship, Level 6, Rehua, University of Canterbury: The UC Centre for Entrepreneurship and Red Bull Basement are teaming up to offer students in Ōtautahi the chance to participate in the Red Bull Basement Global Innovation Challenge. On Tuesday, 8th October, a speaker session and workshop will feature tech startup founders and futurists, including Nathan Taylor (Partly), Elle Archer (Māori Tech Association), and Lucy Pink (Contented AI). The event aims to spark ideas on how AI can solve real-world problems and create meaningful impact. Students will also learn how to enter the Red Bull Basement challenge. More info and register here.
❤️ Celebrate Ada Lovelace Day 2024 with STEM Wana Trust and NDY | Wed 9 Oct | 730am with breakfast served from 7am | The Commercial Bay Meeting & Event Suites, PwC Tower, Level 2, 15 Customs Street West, Auckland: STEM Wana Trust and Norman Disney & Young invite you to an exclusive breakfast panel event on Wednesday, 9th October 2024, in Auckland to celebrate Ada Lovelace Day. The event will feature a live stream from the official Ada Lovelace Day Live in London and a panel discussion with Aotearoa’s leading women in STEM, including Janet Van Jenkins, Shalini Guleria, Annie Vella, Reneé Young, and Hinke Osinga. The event aims to highlight the achievements of women in STEM and inspire the next generation of girls to pursue STEM careers. Tickets are $5 (free for students), and a light breakfast will be provided.
🛫 AANZ Wellington Runway: A Day of Insights and Networking for Startups and Investors | Wed 16 Oct | 930am-6pm | Central Wellington: On October 16, 2024, AANZ Wellington Runway will bring together early-stage startups and investors for a full day of sessions covering topics like investment navigation, U.S. market entry, and alternative funding. Industry experts, including Evan Henshaw-Plath and Y-Vonne Hutchinson, will share insights, and the event concludes with a speed-dating pitch session and networking drinks. Tickets are available from $90-$250. More here.
💡Celebrating 21 Years of Innovation: University of Auckland’s Start-up the Future Event | Wed 16 Oct | 6-830pm | Sir Owen G Glenn Building: Join the University of Auckland for Start-up the Future, marking 21 years of the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). The event will feature key speakers such as Naomi Ballantyne (Partners Life) and Alex Kendall (Wayve), highlighting successes in entrepreneurship and innovation. Attendees will learn the winners of the Velocity $100k Challenge and hear how CIE continues to shape New Zealand's future in innovation. More here.
"An entrepreneur is someone who jumps off a cliff and builds a plane on the way down."
~ Reid Hoffman, Co-Founder LinkedIn
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.