Many innovative New Zealand startups are pioneering groundbreaking impacts on the global stage. This article explores 25 visionary Kiwi startups, each carving their own path in various industries worldwide, reshaping our world with innovative solutions. From cost-effective satellite launches that revolutionise space travel to cloud-based innovations that transform small business accounting, these visionary Kiwi innovators are not just changing the game but redefining it, showcasing a blend of ingenuity and ambition that transcends borders and setting new standards in innovation.
1. Rocket Lab
Specialising in small satellite launches, Rocket Lab has made space more accessible. Its Electron rocket and Photon spacecraft platform offer rapid and cost-effective satellite deployment, which is crucial for space research and commercial activities. The company’s pioneering work in reusable rocket technology is also significant for sustainable space exploration.
- Founded: 2006
- Founder: Peter Beck
2. Xero
Xero revolutionised small business accounting by shifting it to the cloud. Their software simplifies financial management for businesses globally, making accounting accessible and user-friendly. Its impact is seen in its over 2 million subscribers worldwide, transforming how small businesses manage their finances.
- Founded: 2006
- Founder: Rod Drury
3. LanzaTech
This biotech company’s process of converting industrial waste gases into biofuels and chemicals is groundbreaking. It addresses critical environmental issues like waste management and carbon emissions, offering sustainable alternatives to traditional fuels.
- Founded: 2005
- Founders: Sean Simpson and Richard Forster
4. Pushpay
Pushpay provides a digital donation platform primarily for churches and non-profits. It’s notable for simplifying and encouraging digital giving, facilitating seamless transactions that aid organisations in fundraising and engagement.
- Founded: 2011
- Founders: Chris Heaslip and Eliot Crowther
5. Vend (now Lightspeed)
Vend revolutionised retail operations as a pioneer in cloud-based point-of-sale and retail management software. It enables small to medium-sized retailers to manage inventory, sales, and customers efficiently, competing with larger enterprises. Lightspeed acquired Vend in March 2021.
- Founded: 2010
- Founder: Vaughan Rowsell
6. Soul Machines
This company’s creation of lifelike digital humans using artificial intelligence is groundbreaking. Their customer service, entertainment, and education applications represent a significant stride in human-machine interactions.
- Founded: 2016
- Founders: Greg Cross and Mark Sagar
7. GreenButton
GreenButton offered cloud computing services that facilitated access to a lot of computational power before Microsoft bought them in 2014. Their technology was vital for industries requiring high-performance computing, like digital content creation and scientific research.
- Founded: 2006
- Founder: Scott Houston
8. PowerbyProxi
Specialising in wireless power solutions, PowerbyProxi was a leader in wireless charging technology before its acquisition by Apple in 2017. Their technology influences the evolution of wireless charging applications for consumer electronics.
- Founded: 2007
- Founders: Fady Mishriki and Greg Cross
9. 8i
This company stands out for its technology that captures and reproduces lifelike 3D human figures for virtual and augmented reality. Their advancements in holographic content are significant for the future of immersive media.
- Founded: 2014
- Founders: Linc Gasking and Joshua Feast
10. Auror
Auror’s crime intelligence software aids retailers, and law enforcement in preventing and solving retail crime. Their data-driven approach changes how communities address crime, making them noteworthy in the security sector.
- Founded: 2013
- Founders: Phil Thomson, Tom Batterbury, and Brenton O’Brien
11. Timely
Specialising in appointment booking and scheduling, Timely supports service-based businesses globally. Its software improves efficiency and customer experience, making it a crucial tool for businesses in various industries.
- Founded: 2011
- Founders: Andrew Schofield, Ryan Baker and William Berger
12. StretchSense
They produce wearable sensors and soft robotics, impacting industries like VR/AR, healthcare, and sports. Their technology offers precise motion capture and feedback, essential for next-generation wearables.
- Founded: 2012
- Founders: Ben O’Brien, Todd Gisby, and Iain Anderson
13. Tracksuit
Tracksuit offers real-time insights into brand perception, empowering businesses with crucial data on their market performance. With a user-friendly interface and immediate data analysis, Tracksuit transforms how companies understand and respond to market dynamics. In today’s evolving business landscape, Tracksuit is an invaluable asset for brands looking to stay competitive and responsive to consumer trends.
- Founded: 2020
- Founders: Sam Minnée and Abi Fawcett
14. CricHQ
This digital platform transforms cricket administration and fan engagement. It provides scoring, administration, and analytics tools, making it a valuable resource for cricket communities globally.
- Founded: 2010
- Founders: Simon Baker, Brendon McCullum, and Stephen Fleming
15. SwipedOn
SwipedOn offers a sleek visitor management system for businesses. Its user-friendly interface and functionality streamline the visitor check-in process, enhancing security and professionalism in corporate environments.
- Founded: 2013
- Founder: Hadleigh Ford
16. Figured
Figured is an innovative online farm financial management software. It helps farmers and their advisors manage financial records and planning, which is crucial in the agricultural sector’s financial management.
- Founded: 2013
- Founders: Paul Reid and David Marshall
17. Mint Innovation
This biotech company focuses on recovering valuable metals from electronic waste. Their environmentally friendly approach to e-waste management is significant for sustainability and urban mining.
- Founded: 2016
- Founders: Will Barker and Ollie Crush
18. Sharesies
Sharesies democratises investing by making it accessible and easy for anyone, regardless of the amount they have to invest. This approach is transforming personal investment, making it inclusive and widespread.
- Founded: 2016
- Founders: Brooke Roberts, Sonya Williams, Leighton Roberts, Martyn Smith, Richard Clark, and Ben Crotty
19. AskNicely
This customer feedback software helps businesses improve their customer experience through real-time feedback. Its emphasis on customer satisfaction and engagement is essential for businesses looking to grow and retain their customer base.
- Founded: 2014
- Founders: Aaron Ward and John Ballinger
20. Kami
Kami transforms any existing document into an interactive learning experience. It’s widely used in education, enhancing student engagement and collaboration.
- Founded: 2012
- Founders: Hengjie Wang, Alliv Samson, and Jordan Thoms
21. Partly
Partly’s PartsPal platform revolutionises the automotive industry by simplifying the process of finding and selling compatible auto parts online. This innovative tool streamlines the identification and transaction of auto parts, resulting in enhanced efficiency and accuracy in a traditionally challenging industry.
- Founded: 2016
- Founders: Levi Fawcett and Nathan Taylor
22. Seequent
Specialising in software for geosciences, Seequent’s solutions are vital for understanding subsurface geology and managing geological risks. Their impact is significant in the mining, civil engineering, and environmental science industries.
- Founded: 2004
- Founder: Shaun Maloney
23. Avertana
They develop processes to extract essential raw materials from industrial waste, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional mining methods. This approach is crucial for environmental sustainability and resource conservation.
- Founded: 2012
- Founders: Sean Molloy and James Obern
24. Hnry
Hnry provides an online service that automates tax and financial administration for freelancers. This solution addresses the unique challenges faced by freelancers, simplifying their financial management.
- Founded: 2017
- Founders: James Fuller, Claire Fuller, and Richard Freestone
25. Orion Health
A global provider of healthcare information technology, Orion Health’s software solutions are used to manage patient data and improve healthcare delivery. Their work is instrumental in advancing health informatics and patient care.
- Founded: 1993
- Founder: Ian McCrae
These New Zealand startups embody the Kiwi’s innovative spirit and address global challenges in various sectors. Their founders’ market insights and achievements demonstrate how innovative ideas can lead to impactful global solutions, driving technological progress, sustainability, healthcare, finance, and more.
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