Top 20 Startups in New Zealand: Innovating on the Edge of the World

 Top 20 Startups in New Zealand: Innovating on the Edge of the World

New Zealand, often recognized for its breathtaking landscapes, is also home to a thriving startup ecosystem. With its supportive business environment, rich talent pool, and robust infrastructure, New Zealand is nurturing some of the most innovative startups. Here’s a look at the top 20 startups in New Zealand, covering various industries, their founders, the year of foundation, and their valuations.

1. Xero

Industry: Fintech
Founders: Rod Drury
Year of Foundation: 2006
Valuation: $11 billion

Xero is a cloud-based accounting software platform for small and medium-sized businesses. It provides accounting solutions that help companies manage their finances more effectively.

2. Rocket Lab

Industry: Aerospace
Founders: Peter Beck
Year of Foundation: 2006
Valuation: $4.8 billion

Rocket Lab is a private American aerospace manufacturer and small satellite launch service provider. It specializes in developing lightweight, cost-effective rockets for launching small satellites into space.

3. Vend

Industry: Retail Tech
Founders: Vaughan Rowsell
Year of Foundation: 2010
Valuation: $60 million

Vend provides cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) software for retail businesses. It enables retailers to manage their sales, inventory, and customer data seamlessly.

4. Halter

Industry: AgriTech
Founders: Craig Piggott
Year of Foundation: 2016
Valuation: $100 million

Halter develops a smart cow collar that allows farmers to guide and monitor their herds remotely, improving farm management and animal welfare.

5. Sunfed

Industry: Food Tech
Founders: Shama Sukul Lee
Year of Foundation: 2015
Valuation: $50 million

Sunfed creates plant-based meat alternatives that are healthy, sustainable, and delicious, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of traditional meat production.

6. Parkable

Industry: Mobility
Founders: Toby Littin, Warwick Russ, Brody Nelson
Year of Foundation: 2015
Valuation: $10 million

Parkable is a parking management platform that connects people with underutilized parking spaces, providing a convenient solution for finding and managing parking.

7. Timely

Industry: Software
Founders: Ryan Baker, Will Berger
Year of Foundation: 2011
Valuation: $70 million

Timely offers appointment scheduling software for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, helping them manage their bookings, clients, and staff more efficiently.

8. Crimson Education

Industry: EdTech
Founders: Jamie Beaton, Sharndre Kushor
Year of Foundation: 2013
Valuation: $500 million

Crimson Education provides personalized education and consulting services to help students gain admission to top universities around the world.

9. Soul Machines

Industry: Artificial Intelligence
Founders: Mark Sagar, Greg Cross
Year of Foundation: 2016
Valuation: $200 million

Soul Machines creates lifelike digital avatars powered by AI, offering innovative solutions for customer service, education, and entertainment.

10. AskNicely

Industry: Software
Founders: Aaron Ward, John Ballinger
Year of Foundation: 2014
Valuation: $20 million

AskNicely provides a customer feedback platform that helps businesses measure and improve customer satisfaction through Net Promoter Score (NPS) surveys.

11. UneeQ

Industry: Artificial Intelligence
Founders: Danny Tomsett
Year of Foundation: 2010
Valuation: $50 million

UneeQ develops AI-powered digital humans for various industries, providing personalized and engaging customer interactions.

12. Cogo

Industry: Fintech
Founders: Ben Gleisner
Year of Foundation: 2016
Valuation: $15 million

Cogo is a platform that helps businesses and consumers measure, reduce, and offset their carbon footprint, promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility.

13. Sharesies

Industry: Fintech
Founders: Leighton Roberts, Brooke Roberts, Sonya Williams, Richard Clark, Ben Crotty
Year of Foundation: 2017
Valuation: $45 million

Sharesies is an investment platform that makes it easy for anyone to invest in stocks and funds, democratizing access to investment opportunities.

14. Hnry

Industry: Fintech
Founders: James Fuller, Claire Fuller
Year of Foundation: 2017
Valuation: $20 million

Hnry is an all-in-one financial management service for freelancers and contractors, handling invoicing, payments, expenses, and tax filings.

15. My Food Bag

Industry: Food Tech
Founders: Cecilia Robinson, James Robinson
Year of Foundation: 2012
Valuation: $130 million

My Food Bag delivers meal kits with fresh ingredients and recipes to customers' doors, making home cooking convenient and enjoyable.

16. Tradify

Industry: Software
Founders: Curtis Bailey
Year of Foundation: 2010
Valuation: $20 million

Tradify provides job management software for tradespeople, helping them manage quotes, invoices, scheduling, and customer communication.

17. Auror

Industry: Security
Founders: Phil Thomson, Tom Batterbury
Year of Foundation: 2013
Valuation: $40 million

Auror is a crime prevention platform that helps retailers reduce theft and fraud by connecting them with law enforcement and sharing intelligence.

18. 90 Seconds

Industry: Media
Founders: Tim Norton
Year of Foundation: 2010
Valuation: $50 million

90 Seconds is a cloud video production platform that connects brands with creators, simplifying the process of creating high-quality video content.

19. Hatch

Industry: Fintech
Founders: Kristen Lunman, Natalie Ferguson
Year of Foundation: 2018
Valuation: $30 million

Hatch provides a platform for New Zealanders to invest in the US stock market, offering access to thousands of US-listed shares and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

20. Melodics

Industry: EdTech
Founders: Sam Gribben
Year of Foundation: 2014
Valuation: $10 million

Melodics is an app that teaches users to play musical instruments through interactive lessons, making learning music fun and engaging.

Conclusion

New Zealand’s startup ecosystem is dynamic and diverse, with innovative companies across various industries making significant impacts both locally and globally. From fintech and food tech to AI and education, these top 20 startups are leading the way in innovation, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit and creativity that New Zealand has to offer. Keep an eye on these trailblazers as they continue to grow and shape the future of their respective industries.