Business Is Boring

Robbie Paul, CEO of Icehouse Ventures, talks about the state of VC, Icehouse's recent $10m raise, and the impact of VC on the NZ economy. They discuss the growing startup ecosystem in NZ and the benefits of fundraising. They also highlight the evolution of Icehouse Ventures as a transformative investor, their focus on different fund structures, and the importance of networking in the VC world.

Don’t underestimate the power of the pelvic floor. That’s the advice of Dr Jenny Kruger when it comes to combatting urinary incontinence, an issue affecting up to one in three women that is common but not normal. The correct exercises can - in about 80% of cases - help stop leakage, and her company Junofem has created the revolutionary Femfit in order to help users ensure their exercises are working. Listen to hear how their company is helping combat the systemic underfunding of women’s health and technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicola O'Rourke, the legend behind Aotearoa's favorite brands, discusses her career and offers vital advice for building brands and businesses. Topics include the value of a great product in marketing and branding, the growth of Lewis Road Creamery through collaboration and strategic decision-making, supporting New Zealand's food and beverage industry, the challenges of capital in FMCG, and the importance of advisory boards and rotating skills in organizations.

Business is Boring is taking a break over summer. We'll be back soon with new episodes but, until then, here's one of our favourites from 2023: Xero has defined the SaaS ecosystem here. Although an accounting company, it stood out as a delightful experience and brand, and much of that spirit is thanks to Philip Fierlinger, co-founder and design leader for Xero. He's behind the reconciliation feature and the Do Beautiful Business idea. Today, he is co-CEO and founder at Upstock, a hospo wholesale ordering app building out another change to an industry. Philip shares the stories behind the work anyone that's used Xero knows, and his next mission at Upstock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Business is Boring is taking a break over summer. We'll be back soon with new episodes but, until then, here's one of our favourites from 2023: Te Kahukura Boynton is on a mission to give more Māori financial independence. Through her Māori Millionaire media and financial literacy platform she has empowered thousands of rangatahi to take control of their finances. Hear how she shares her wealth journey, investment resources, podcasts and education, to leading a conversation about financial literacy, independence and sovereignty, especially for Māori. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Business is Boring is taking a break over summer. We'll be back soon with new episodes but, until then, here's one of our favourites from 2023: Shane Marsh and James McEniery discovered New Zealand is well behind the rest of the world when it comes to transferring money between banks when they were living in Singapore. They decided to create Aotearoa’s first real time payment mobile wallet. They aim to bring banking in New Zealand into the 21st century, and they chat with Simon about how they plan to do it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this crossover episode, podcasters from the Spinoff Podcast Network engage in intense discussions about government policy, the meaning of 'skibbity' in a meme, the bleakness in news, the New Zealand first approach in politics, and their heroes and villains of the year. They also explore the unexpected success of the TV show 'After the Party' and its departure from generic content.

New investment platform Goldie is allowing people to own fractionalised slices of real assets like gold and, into the future, art and collectables. They buy gold bars, and then issue shares in them at the global spot price, which you can then choose to sell or hold. It’s a new idea, trekking a similar track to what Sharesies was able to achieve for international shares. Co-founder Cam Maclachlan joins Simon Pound to chat the three-year journey of sleeping on couches and navigating regulation to help change the face of investing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unyoked provide busy city people access to just-secluded-enough getaways, where the carefully art-directed cabins let people disconnect from modern life and connect to nature. Having already established itself in Australia, New Zealand and the UK, Unyoked has raised around $30m to expand into Europe. Co-founder Chris Grant joins Simon Pound to discuss what it takes to make an ideal retreat, Unyoked’s journey so far and what’s next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Entrepreneur Justin Kamine discusses his family business's innovative ventures in carbon reduced chicken farming, bioplastics from seaweed, clean energy, and plant-based healthcare. He emphasizes the need for large-scale solutions and the importance of scientific validation.