Tradify: The Anatomy of a Successful Startup

Plus Google unveils mind-boggling new tech, scams up but losses down and lenders optimistic about 2025.

Welcome to Wednesday!

Second to last week of the year for Caffeine and we hope you’re keeping some positive momentum heading into the summer break. First up today our most prolific scribbler Serge has another fantastic column for you, breaking down one of the biggest startup success stories of the year - Tradify.

Here’s the rest of your Daily Shot news you won’t want to miss.

• Google unveils 'mind-boggling' quantum computing chip

• National Cyber Security Centre reports jump in incidents but fall in financial losses to scams

• Specialist Lenders optimistic about 2025 recovery

• OpenAI releases Sora, website immediately overwhelmed

It’s Christmas. Become a paid subscriber and we promise you won’t regret it. Also Santa called and said if you subscribe he’ll put you on the nice list for life, no questions asked. He’s a big fan of startups, apparently.

Finn & the Caffeine team

Are you a founder looking to unlock your growth goals this year? Airwallex want to help!

Time is running out to enter the draw to win a $10k Business Acceleration Grant, an exclusive benefit for the Airwallex for Startups programme. Hurry - entries close on 15 December!

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.

How can you enter?
To be in the running for the grant, you need to join the Airwallex for Startups programme by simply hitting the ‘Apply Now’ button and filling out the form. As part of your application, you’ll answer the question; “How could a $10k grant help you tackle your biggest growth challenge?” This is your entry to win the Business Acceleration Grant.

Tell me more about the Airwallex for Startups programme
Airwallex has been hard at work designing what they believe is one of the most powerful and generous startup programmes in the country. When you join, you won’t just go in the running to win the Business Acceleration Grant, you’ll also unlock high-impact member benefits.

Our resident columnist Serge Van Dam is back this week with a must-read deep dive anatomy into the Tradify story from his back seat view observing the journey, almost end-to-end.