Nathan Taylor

Nathan Taylor is a New Zealand technology entrepreneur and co-founder of Partly, the Christchurch-based platform digitising the global auto parts industry using artificial intelligence.

Taylor grew up in rural North Canterbury and studied computer science and IT management at the University of Auckland. Before Partly, he co-founded AllGoods, an online marketplace that helped more than 1,000 New Zealand small-to-medium businesses sell online, an idea sparked by time living in China, where he saw how far ahead Asian e-commerce had moved.

In 2020, Taylor co-founded Partly alongside childhood friend Levi Fawcett, Mark Song and Evan Jia. The company builds the world’s first centralised global auto-parts database, structuring complex fitment data so manufacturers, distributors and marketplaces can buy and sell parts online. Taylor served as chief operating officer for six years before moving into the chief data officer role.

Partly’s growth has been exceptional: the company raised New Zealand’s largest-ever Series A at $37 million with a $180 million valuation, backed by investors including Rocket Lab founder Peter Beck. The platform now serves customers in more than 13 countries. Taylor was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2023 and was a finalist for the Minister for Manufacturing’s Emerging Leader of the Year.

Taylor now also runs First Cut, Icehouse Ventures’ community for young founders and operators in Aotearoa. His profile is noteworthy because he brings a rare combination of marketplace experience, data expertise and ecosystem commitment, building a global company from Christchurch while investing in the next generation of New Zealand founders.

Sources: Blackbird VC · Ministry of Awesome · NZ Herald