TechMates

• Why Sam Altman Backed This Kiwi Startup

  From programming on punch cards in rural New Zealand to leading a multi-million dollar EdTech success story. 💻🎧 In this inspiring episode, we speak with Bob Drummond, a visionary New Zealand entrepreneur who navigated from humble beginnings programming with punch cards in a tiny rural school to pioneering Kami, one of the world's leading digital education platforms. 🌐 Bob shares his fascinating journey of early innovation, international entrepreneurial adventures, significant tech breakthroughs, and critical lessons learned from both remarkable successes and challenging setbacks. 📚Discover how Bob Drummond’s varied experiences—from video stores to billion-dollar software exits—shaped his entrepreneurial philosophy, his thoughts on leveraging AI in education, and his insights into what makes startups succeed or fail. This episode is packed with candid stories, deep reflections on the evolving tech landscape, and powerful advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. 🙌 Key Topics:💻 From Punch Cards to Digital Revolution🌐 Scaling Global EdTech Success📚 The Future of Education with AI📉 Lessons Learned from Business Failures🚀 Secrets Behind Building Billion-Dollar Startups🏫 Revolutionizing Classroom Learning🤝 Importance of Mentors and Advisors🇳🇿 Entrepreneurship and Innovation in New Zealand🌟 Maintaining Focus in Startups🔮 Predictions for the AI-Powered Future🤝 Connect with Bob:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobdrummond/Website (Kami): https://www.kamiapp.com🔗 Learn more about NZVC:Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy – https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau – https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Bob’s Background02:43 - Early Days Programming with Punch Cards05:50 - Entrepreneurship Lessons from Video Stores07:17 - Adventures in Europe: Startup Struggles09:56 - Building and Scaling a Telecom Software Startup12:53 - Major Startup Setbacks and Lessons Learned16:53 - Recognizing the Internet’s Potential Early21:30 - The Journey Back to New Zealand25:22 - Pivoting into Education Technology31:17 - Focusing on Teacher-Driven Product Development36:15 - Massive Growth During the Pandemic42:19 - Kami’s Impact and Scaling Strategy48:40 - Importance of User-Led Adoption52:33 - AI’s Role in the Future of Education56:45 - Advice for Young Entrepreneurs1:06:20 - Choosing Education as a Startup Focus1:08:45 - Kami’s Competitive Advantages1:10:33 - Retaining Customers Post-Pandemic1:13:08 - Kami’s Sales Strategy1:16:45 - Future of Education with AI1:18:34 - Advice for EdTech Entrepreneurs1:22:28 - Kami’s Future Vision1:25:33 - Reflections on Entrepreneurship Journey🙌 Enjoyed this episode? Hit the like button 👍, leave your favorite insight 💬, and subscribe 📲 for more inspiring startup journeys!#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #EdTech, #Kami, #Innovation, #Entrepreneurship, #AI, #Education, #TechPodcast, #StartupLessons, #DigitalEducation, #FutureOfWork, #ClassroomTechnology, #ScalingStartups, #BusinessStrategy, #TechRevolution, #StartupStories, #Leadership, #GlobalEducation

  --------  

  1:32:01

  --------

  1:32:01
• How AI Is Revolutionizing Language Learning

  Dropped out of high school after a handshake gone wrong—now he runs a $50M AI-driven language empire.Dive into the extraordinary journey of Finn Puklowski, a New Zealand entrepreneur who transformed personal setbacks into the highly successful Fluency Academy, an AI-powered, creator-led language education platform. Finn candidly shares the rollercoaster ride from bankruptcy in his early 20s to scaling Fluency Academy into a $50 million powerhouse with over 35 million followers globally.Learn how Finn leverages the creator economy, AI technology, and deep market insights to revolutionize how languages are taught, especially in markets like Brazil, and his vision for the future of education and employment in an AI-driven world. This episode is packed with raw truths, inspiring resilience, and invaluable startup lessons.Key Topics:🌍 Revolutionizing Language Learning Globally💡 Leveraging Creator Economy for Massive Scale🤖 AI Integration in Education📉 Lessons from Bankruptcy to Breakthrough🇧🇷 Why Brazil Was the Perfect Market🎓 Innovative Approaches to Teaching🚀 Rapid Scaling & Growth Strategies📱 Future of Digital Education Platforms🌱 Building Impactful Nonprofit Initiatives🧠 Mental Health & Entrepreneurship🤝 Connect with Finn Puklowski:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finn-puklowski/Website (Fluency Academy): https://fluency.io🔗 Learn more about NZVC:Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy – https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau – https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Finn’s Background01:30 - Growing Up Entrepreneurial in NZ03:40 - Early Business Lessons & Bankruptcy06:13 - Dropping Out of High School15:05 - Moving to Brazil & Finding Opportunities16:23 - Launching Fluency Academy19:21 - Scaling to $10M Revenue Bootstrapped22:35 - Maintaining Quality at Massive Scale25:05 - Secrets Behind Rapid Startup Growth31:04 - Future Vision & AI Integration36:19 - Why Fluency Focuses on B2C39:00 - Future of Language Learning & AI48:05 - Creator Economy & Influencer Strategy52:23 - Leveraging AI for Content & Sales56:45 - Startup Advice for Young Entrepreneurs1:01:17 - Expansive: AI Integration in Business1:02:48 - Jobs Impacted by AI & Automation1:03:27 - Advice to Young Founders🙌 Enjoyed this episode?Hit the like button 👍, comment your favorite insights 💬, and subscribe 📲 for more inspiring startup journeys!#️⃣ Hashtags:#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #EdTech, #AI, #LanguageLearning, #FluencyAcademy, #Entrepreneurship, #CreatorEconomy, #Brazil, #Innovation, #TechPodcast, #StartupLessons, #Resilience, #Scaling, #MentalHealth, #FutureOfWork, #EducationTechnology, #DigitalEducation, #StartupStories

  --------  

  1:06:39

  --------

  1:06:39
• Dairy Without Cows: The Science Changing Food Forever

  Born in Soviet-era Moscow and now revolutionizing dairy without cows—this entrepreneur is reshaping New Zealand’s future.In this insightful episode, we speak with Irina Miller, founder of DaisyLab, a groundbreaking New Zealand startup utilizing precision fermentation to create dairy-identical proteins without cows. Irina’s remarkable journey begins in Soviet-era Moscow, spans entrepreneurship adventures, and culminates in her pioneering efforts to revolutionize the dairy industry sustainably.Discover Irina's personal motivations behind DaisyLab, including her eye-opening experiences in Russia’s rapidly changing society, her initial reluctance towards entrepreneurship, and how her passion for animal welfare led to the creation of innovative dairy solutions. Gain unique perspectives on the future of food tech, animal welfare, and how DaisyLab aims to transform traditional dairy production globally.Key Topics:🧬 Precision Fermentation Technology🥛 Disrupting Traditional Dairy Production🌍 Sustainable Food Innovation🐄 Animal Welfare and Ethics🇳🇿 Entrepreneurship in New Zealand🛠️ Scaling a Deep Tech Startup📈 Challenges of Funding Innovation🌱 Veganism and Future of Protein🧪 Biotech and Synthetic Biology🤝 Collaborating with Traditional Industries🤝 Connect with Irina Miller:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/🌱-irina-miller-85449b8/Website: https://www.daisylab.co.nz🔗 Learn more about NZVC:Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy – https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau – https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Irina’s Background01:30 - DaisyLab’s Revolutionary Dairy Tech04:01 - Growing Up in Soviet-Era Moscow11:03 - Studying Abroad in the US16:31 - Moving to New Zealand27:24 - Career & Transition to Entrepreneurship30:02 - Inspiration for DaisyLab34:12 - Precision Fermentation Explained42:00 - Challenges in Protein Production48:03 - DaisyLab’s Startup Journey54:58 - Dairy Industry Collaboration1:01:34 - Animal Welfare & Veganism1:08:39 - The Future of Alternative Proteins1:11:32 - New Zealand’s Biotech Opportunity1:14:11 - Advice for Moving to New Zealand🙌 Enjoyed this episode? Hit the like button 👍, share your thoughts 💬, and subscribe 📲 for more groundbreaking startup insights!#️⃣ Hashtags:#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #foodtech, #biotech, #precisionfermentation, #animalwelfare, #sustainability, #dairyinnovation, #vegan, #alternativeprotein, #techpodcast, #deeptech, #entrepreneurship, #syntheticbiology, #innovation, #futurefoods, #dairyalternatives, #proteintech, #nztech

  --------  

  1:15:33

  --------

  1:15:33
• Why Fusion Energy is Closer Than Ever

  From failing physics grades to building New Zealand’s groundbreaking fusion reactor startup—meet the entrepreneur rewriting the rules of energy. Join us in this captivating conversation with Ratu Mataira, founder and CEO of OpenStar, a revolutionary New Zealand startup pioneering fusion technology. Ratu shares his journey from struggling undergraduate physics student to becoming an industry leader determined to solve one of humanity’s most significant challenges: clean, limitless energy through fusion reactors. Discover how OpenStar has rapidly achieved milestones that took others decades, using innovative superconducting magnet technology inspired by Ratu’s deep physics background.This episode dives deep into Ratu’s compelling backstory—his inspiration from his grandmother's historic efforts in revitalizing the Māori language, his entrepreneurial adventures, and the thrilling science behind levitated dipole fusion reactors. Ratu reveals bold truths about startup innovation, the future of global energy, and why New Zealand is uniquely positioned to lead in groundbreaking technology.Key Topics:⚛️ Revolutionizing Fusion Technology📚 Struggling Student to Tech Pioneer🧲 Breakthrough Superconducting Magnets🚧 Overcoming Engineering Challenges🌏 Clean Energy & Climate Solutions🔬 Levitated Dipole Fusion Reactors Explained💡 Startup Lessons & Rapid Iteration🇳🇿 New Zealand’s Tech Advantage📈 Scaling Deep Tech Startups🌠 Fusion: The Future of Global Energy🤝 Connect with Ratu Mataira:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ratu-mataira-24648ab2/OpenStar: https://www.linkedin.com/company/openstar-technologies/🔗 Learn more about NZVC:Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Ratu’s Background01:26 - Journey from PhD in Superconductivity03:50 - Inspiration from Grandma’s Māori Revival09:57 - How Ratu’s Grandmother Saved Te Reo Māori19:22 - Early Interest in Physics and Science24:02 - Entrepreneurial Adventures & Early Startups29:36 - The Path to a PhD in Superconductivity37:20 - Fusion Technology & the Levitated Dipole Reactor45:55 - Milestone: Achieving First Plasma at OpenStar54:40 - Why Levitated Dipole Fusion is Unique59:30 - Rapid Development & Startup Iteration1:02:13 - Timeline for Fusion Commercialization1:05:28 - Fusion’s Vision: Energy Abundance1:11:15 - AI, Fusion & The Future of Abundance1:18:25 - Funding & Fusion’s Billion-Dollar Pathway1:22:08 - Why Build Deep Tech Startups in NZ🙌 Enjoyed this episode?Hit like 👍, comment your thoughts 💬, and subscribe 📲 for more groundbreaking startup stories and tech innovations!#️⃣ Hashtags: #startups, #business, #NewZealand, #fusion, #energy, #deeptech, #OpenStar, #superconductors, #innovation, #climatechange, #techpodcast, #cleanenergy, #entrepreneurship, #science, #NZTech, #futuretech, #sustainability, #physics, #fusionreactor, #renewableenergy

  --------  

  1:25:27

  --------

  1:25:27
• Inside Blue Origin's Latest Space Trip

  Meet the Kiwi entrepreneur who made history aboard Blue Origin!In this thrilling episode, we talk to Mark Rocket, a groundbreaking New Zealand tech entrepreneur and aerospace pioneer. Mark recently soared into space on Blue Origin's NS-32 mission, becoming the first New Zealander to experience suborbital spaceflight. He shares firsthand details about his extraordinary journey—from rigorous training to the awe-inspiring moment he floated weightlessly above the Earth.Dive deep into Mark's entrepreneurial adventures—from founding Rocket Lab and launching the Southern Hemisphere’s first private rocket, to leading Kea Aerospace, revolutionizing environmental monitoring and telecommunications with innovative stratospheric drones. Don't miss Mark's unique insights into the future of aerospace, startup challenges, and what it truly feels like to gaze back at our planet from space.Key Topics:🚀 Becoming New Zealand’s First Space Traveler🌍 Blue Origin NS-32 Mission Insights🧑‍🚀 Rigorous Spaceflight Training🌌 Emotional Impact of Space Travel🌠 Personal Reflections on Space⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:40 - Blue Origin Spaceflight Experience02:09 - Preparing for Space Travel03:16 - Training and Safety Protocols05:29 - Feelings Before Launch06:03 - Launch Day Excitement07:05 - Takeoff and Acceleration07:55 - Zero Gravity Experience08:49 - Viewing Earth from Space10:08 - Emotional Reflections from Space11:29 - Descent and Landing12:21 - First Moments Back on Earth13:17 - Future Space Travel Plans🤝 Connect with Mark Rocket:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mark-rocket-8727353Kea Aerospace: https://www.keaaerospace.com🔗 Learn more about NZVC:Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/🙌 Enjoyed this episode?Hit the like button 👍, leave your thoughts 💬, and subscribe 📲 for more inspiring startup journeys and groundbreaking tech stories!Hashtags:#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #aerospace, #BlueOrigin, #RocketLab, #KeaAerospace, #SpaceTravel, #entrepreneurship, #innovation, #techpodcast, #suborbital, #NZTech, #spaceflight, #technology, #environment, #stratospheric, #futuretech, #spaceindustry, #firstinspacenzAll additional videos and photos from Blue Origin. Credit: Blue Origin.

  --------  

  14:17

  --------

  14:17

Mais podcasts de Negócios

Podcasts em tendência em Negócios

Sobre TechMates