Category: NZ

From pea and insect proteins to synthetic milks and alternative “meats,” the food technology revolution is well underway. Is New Zealand ready to take part in this movement? How can we sustainably feed our planet’s rapidly-growing population (8.5 billion by 2030)? How can we innovate to create New Zealand’s future agricultural and food industries? Are plant-based protein solutions part of the answer?

To address the above questions, Lincoln Hub and Creative HQ teamed up with the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR), AgMARDT & Callaghan Innovation to invite tech innovators, entrepreneurs, food technologists, scientists, and those passionate about transforming the future of food to the Feed the World 2030: Power of Plants Hackathon in Christchurch.

The weekend kicked off with a special screening of Food Evolution, exploring the complexities of science, public discourse and genetic engineering in food. Then teams were formed, ideas hatched and developed, and solutions pitched in front of a live panel of judges — all to shape the future of what we eat and what we grow.

I was privileged to be part of the Creative HQ team to deliver this event, continuing work in the foodtech space that began with Fonterra’s internal innovation program, Disrupt. (And embarrassingly enough, I was recently on the airwaves as part of Fonterra’s Made By Many campaign, sharing some of the work that Creative HQ does with Fonterra.)

Based on the overwhelming interest and participation, the hackathon will hopefully be a stepping stone to a full-blown acceleration program that focuses on exponential technologies in foodtech and agtech. Stay tuned.

In March, private sector entrepreneurs and public sector changemakers teamed up to embark on a challenging 3-month journey — one that combined intensive mentorship, lean startup methodologies, and heaps of inspiration. Eight teams flourished in the third iteration of the R9 Accelerator, a unique model of GovTech innovation born right here in New Zealand.

It was such a pleasure to guide these passionate and energized teams through the acceleration process (my second accelerator in the GovTech space), and I’m proud of what they accomplished in such a short time. The recent R9 Demo Day showcased the customer-centric approaches, the many ups and downs (“pivots”), and new solutions that can transform how government functions in the business and social impact sectors. We’re honored to have received attention and exposure across the globe, as well as a number of visitors from distant corners such as Estonia, Singapore, Bangladesh and more.

Teams from the third R9 cohort are now securing funding to enter a special post-acceleration support program (PASP) at the beginning of the month. I invite you to join the R9 journey and get involved with these startups that endeavor to change the world — together we can go far.

More background and insights on the program can be found via the R9 Accelerator channel on YouTube »

Before relocating to Wellington, I came very close to starting a co-working space + maker lab in central Austin. I had my eye on a fantastic property and was putting the finishing touches on the business model. Then just before pulling the proverbial trigger, the opportunity arose to move overseas and guide startups through the first hardware accelerator in New Zealand.

As one can imagine, I was thrilled to see our efforts with Lightning Lab Manufacturing evolve into a new prototyping and community space in Lower Hutt, named 1st Assembly (or “1-A” for short).

It was a pleasure to provide creative direction, branding and initial identity work for the talented teams at Creative HQ and Five and Dime for 1st Assembly.

Why 1st Assembly? The name at once evokes a community gathering, a manufacturing process, and one’s very first build. With the number of churches in the area, we felt it was provocative in just the right way — encompassing a hipster quality along the likes of Church of the SubGenius. A cult of sorts for the hardware community, 1st Assembly invites those unfamiliar to ask questions and get engaged. Type nerds will also recognize Hoefler & Co’s Vitesse as the slab-serif.

A huge thanks to the entire team at Hutt City Council for their continued support of such an impactful community space.

For more on all the happenings at 1st Assembly, visit 1-a.co.nz.

This past August, eight teams dared to begin a challenging journey — one that combined intensive mentorship with innovation fundamentals and prototyping resources. Seven startups thrived in Lightning Lab Manufacturing, the first-ever startup acceleration program for physical products in New Zealand. I’m proud of what these ventures accomplished in such a remarkably short time, harnessing the “no. 8 wire” attitude and spirit of invention so prevalent here in the Wellington region.

None of this would have been possible without the amazing community that came together to share their creativity, time, energy and expertise. Thanks to all the support from founding investors, sponsors, partners, mentors and speakers — I’m so grateful to have played a part in the adventure.

For these promising startups, the journey is just beginning. And I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.