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The Caffeine Podcast
Sharing how a founder has brought their idea to life with the support of investors and ecosystem support programmes.
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3. Seed to Success Episode 3: Hale Animal Health’s Leila de Koster on funding female founders
35:58||Season 1, Ep. 3The Caffeine Podcast’s first series, ‘Seed to success: Building and backing Kiwi startups’, showcases Kiwi startups with high-growth potential across different sectors, giving insights into what it takes to build a successful company from New Zealand – and just how much of a slog it can be. Sponsored by New Zealand Growth Capital Partners (NZGCP), this episode features host Fiona Rotherham and guests Leila de Koster, CEO and founder of Hale Animal Health, and Marian Johnson, former CEO of Ministry of Awesome and chair of the Electrify Programme. The discussion revolves around the challenges and opportunities of being a startup founder, particularly for women in the industry.
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2. Seed to Success Episode 2: OpenStar founder: Why mission matters
49:54||Season 1, Ep. 2Sponsored by New Zealand Growth Capital Partners (NZGCP), this episode features host Fiona Rotherham and guests Ratu Mataira, CEO/CTO of OpenStar Technologies; NZGCP investment manager Byron van Vugt; and Professor Rod Badcock, deputy director at the Robinson Research Institute.The conversation covers the unique challenges of commercialising innovative technologies, like fusion energy, the support and investment landscape in New Zealand, and offers lessons on dealing with uncertainty and risk.1. Seed to Success Episode 1: Simplifying Microsurgery with Avasa
48:22||Season 1, Ep. 1The Caffeine Podcast’s first episode, “Seed to Success: Building and Backing Kiwi Startups,” showcases Kiwi startups with high-growth potential across different sectors, giving insights into what it takes to build a successful company from New Zealand – and just how much of a slog it can be. Sponsored by New Zealand Growth Capital Partners (NZGCP), this episode features host Fiona Rotherham and guests Dr Nandoun Abeysekera, founder and CEO of healthtech startup Avasa; Kate de Ridder, Bridgewest Ventures’ senior portfolio investment manager; and Darsel Keane, director of University of Auckland’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The episode underscores the challenges and opportunities in New Zealand’s startup landscape, focusing on collaboration, continuous learning, and resilience. It also emphasises the importance of aligning vision, fun, and community support for startup success.Introducing Seed to Success
00:41|Coming soon the first season of The Caffeine Podcast: Seed to Success.