New Zealand has always been a hub for creativity and innovation, producing entrepreneurs whose groundbreaking ideas have reshaped industries locally and globally. From leveraging sustainability to championing accessibility, these leaders have valuable lessons for aspiring and established entrepreneurs alike. This article dives into the inspiring stories of some of New Zealand’s most innovative entrepreneurs, sharing their secrets to success and actionable insights to help you on your journey.

What Makes an Entrepreneur Innovative?

Innovation involves introducing new ideas, methods, or products that challenge the status quo and create value. In New Zealand, innovation often reflects the country’s unique strengths: a commitment to sustainability, a strong sense of community, and the ability to think globally while acting locally.

Some of New Zealand’s Most Innovative Entrepreneurs

These entrepreneurs have reshaped their industries with groundbreaking ideas, setting benchmarks, and offering inspiration and actionable lessons for everyone.

1. Brianne West, Founder of Ethique

When Brianne West founded Ethique in 2012, her vision extended far beyond creating a beauty brand. She set out to revolutionise the industry by eliminating plastic waste through the creation of innovative, solid beauty bars. This bold approach has not only reshaped personal care but also prevented over 25 million plastic bottles from entering landfills. Today, Ethique’s products are sold in over 20 countries, embodying a global movement toward zero-waste living.

Businesses need to have a mission beyond making money if they want to stand out in this day and age. To me, a brand that wants to truly futureproof itself actually has to care about people and the planet
Brianne West, Founder of Ethique

Key Achievement: Ethique has eliminated the need for over 25 million plastic bottles.
Lesson for Entrepreneurs: Building sustainability into your business model can attract environmentally conscious consumers.

2. Mike Casey, Founder of Forest Lodge Orchard

Mike Casey, Founder Of Forest Lodge Orchard

Mike Casey transformed Forest Lodge Orchard into New Zealand’s first fully electrified commercial orchard, setting a new standard for electrification in farming. By eliminating the use of fossil fuels in its operations, Casey has significantly reduced carbon emissions, demonstrating the economic viability of electrification in agriculture.

I’m an orchardist, so I love low-hanging fruit, and on-farm and household electrification is the low-hanging fruit of emissions reduction. By electrifying everything, we’ve reduced our emissions by around 60 tonnes per year.
Mike Casey, Founder of Forest Lodge Orchard

His efforts go beyond the orchard. As the CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, Mike is at the forefront of advocating for a fossil fuel-free future, working to promote and facilitate the widespread electrification of New Zealand’s industries and communities. He aims to inspire businesses and individuals to transition to sustainable, electrified practices.

Key Achievement: Leading sustainable agriculture with a fully electrified orchard.
Lesson for Entrepreneurs: Innovating within traditional industries can yield immense environmental and economic benefits.

3. Vaughan Fergusson, Founder of Vend

Vaughan Fergusson

Vaughan Fergusson founded Vend (now Lightspeed) in 2010, introducing one of the first cloud-based point-of-sale systems. His innovative approach revolutionised retail operations, offering businesses worldwide efficient and scalable solutions. Under his leadership, Vend grew into one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing tech startups, earning a spot on the Deloitte Fast 50 for three consecutive years and winning multiple New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards. The company’s global expansion has reshaped the retail technology landscape, serving thousands of retailers around the world.

Do what you can, with what you’ve got, where you are.
Vaughan Fergusson

Key Achievement: Pioneered cloud-based point-of-sale technology, revolutionising retail operations for businesses globally.
Lesson for Entrepreneurs: Solving real-world problems with scalable solutions can create lasting global impact.

4. Eric Laakmann, CEO of Vessev

After a career at Apple, Eric Laakmann brought his expertise to Vessev, a marine startup focused on developing energy-efficient hydrofoil vessels. By integrating advanced engineering and innovative design, Vessev has achieved a 90% reduction in fuel costs while significantly minimising environmental impact. Laakmann’s work is transforming the marine industry, with Vessev making waves in the global superyacht market as a leader in sustainable marine technology.

The development and commercialisation of the VS-9 unlocks entirely new possibilities on the water, enabling a shift toward more efficient, more reliable, and more comfortable marine transport.
Eric Laakmann, CTO of Vessev

Key Achievement: Revolutionising marine transport with sustainable, energy-efficient solutions.
Lesson for Entrepreneurs: Applying cross-industry expertise can lead to transformative innovation.

5. Peter Beck, Founder of Rocket Lab

Peter Beck founded Rocket Lab in 2006 with a bold vision to make space more accessible through cost-effective satellite launch services. His company’s Electron rocket has successfully launched numerous missions, positioning New Zealand as a significant player in the global space industry. By pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for smaller nations, Beck has firmly established New Zealand as a spacefaring nation, redefining its role on the global stage.

It takes the same amount of pain and grit to build a little company as it does a big company. So you might as well just build a big company and go after the really big problems
Peter Beck, Founder of Rocket Lab

Key Achievement: Making space launches more frequent and affordable for businesses globally.
Lesson for Entrepreneurs: Ambitious vision combined with technical expertise can position even small players on the global stage.

Key Lessons You Can Apply to Your Own Journey

Embrace Sustainability: Align your business with environmental goals to differentiate yourself and attract eco-conscious consumers.
Leverage Technology: Use technology to disrupt traditional industries and create innovative solutions.
Democratise Access: Breaking down barriers in your market can help you engage broader audiences.
Think Globally, Act Locally: Entrepreneurs like Peter Beck and Brianne West started in New Zealand but thought big, positioning their businesses for global success.
Cross-Industry Innovation: Applying knowledge from one field to another, as Eric Laakmann has done, can unlock untapped potential.

How New Zealand’s Unique Market Drives Innovation

New Zealand’s focus on sustainability and its strong sense of community provide fertile ground for innovation. Entrepreneurs here have a knack for identifying global problems and developing solutions that are both practical and scalable.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, understanding these local dynamics can provide an edge. Whether you’re starting a tech startup, a sustainable business, or a creative endeavour, New Zealand offers a supportive ecosystem for growth.