Business Is Boring

By The Spinoff

What's Business Is Boring about?

Think business is boring? This podcast proves it's anything but. Join Simon Pound as he talks to everyone from accidental entrepreneurs to industry leaders about their business journeys and what propelled them to where they are today. Made in partnership with Spark Lab.

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Business Is Boring episodes:

04.22.2024
The new Aotearoa lead of Australasia’s biggest VC firm
Blackbird VC recently netted $800m from a sale of a portion of their holding in Canva. They are, by some distance, the largest and one of the most successful VC firms in Australasia. In Aotearoa they have backed Tracksuit, Veve,...
04.15.2024
Has the AR/VR moment arrived?
Jessica Manins is a Kiwi pioneer in the Augmented and Virtual Reality space. Her studio, Beyond, makes games, experiences and virtual worlds for immersive entertainment and storytelling. They are one of the first developers to be releasing a game for...
04.08.2024
David Yu: 2023 EY entrepreneur of the year with Aotearoa’s fastest growing company
David Yu’s company VeVe has sold more than 10 million digital collectables licensed from some of the world’s leading IP owners like Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, Lamborghini, and James Bond. As leaders in this fast growing space they have grown...
04.01.2024
How Albert Cho went from IG influencer to Ponsonby restaurateur
Albert Cho burst onto Aotearoa’s food scene in 2017 with Eat Lit Food, an Instagram account that dishes out forthright (and often profane) food reviews to an ever-expanding audience. What started as an attempt to redefine a problematic relationship with...
03.25.2024
Improving the food system, one wonky box at a time
The first seeds for Wonky Box were planted when Angus Simms and Katie Jackson were fruit picking and saw how much wasted produce was caused by an unseasonal hail storm. The fruit was perfectly edible but aesthetically imperfect, so it...
03.18.2024
The AI tools every business should already be using
AI is the biggest topic in business, but where do you even begin? Mark Laurence, founder of Ten Past Tomorrow, is a local expert helping businesses get at the front of the AI curve. He joins Simon Pound to chat...
03.11.2024
Designing a te ao Māori agency
Run is a local design and creativity business led with a te aō Māori and treaty partnership view. Their approach to inclusion is changing up how the industry looks at diversity at both a local and international level, making waves...
03.04.2024
How to grow NZ Inc
Simon Robertson has had a huge career in finance. In New York, for Goldman Sachs, he led up international and pan-Asian equities, before coming back to New Zealand to lead a large project for Rank Group, the private company of...
02.26.2024
Redefining the menstrual experience with Endosoothe
Like so much of women’s health, natural and normal issues around periods are chronically underfunded, under-discussed and under-addressed. One local brand is working to change this. Endosoothe offers products, support and awareness building to empower and educate people who have...
02.19.2024
How Powrsuit is changing the face of leadership
In Aotearoa only 10% of corporate CEOs and 29% of board members are women. Powrsuit co-founders Kristen Lunman and Natalie Ferguson believe this represents the largest potential to improve NZ business. Powrsuit is a self-described "leadership playbook", offering courses, podcasts...
02.12.2024
The company making sustainable practice fashionable
Pangaia sell clothes in order to keep improving the methods of retail and production. Eva Kruse, Chief Global Engagement Officer at Pangaia, talked to us as part of Spark’s Future State series. Eva is a pioneer in sustainable fashion, spearheading...
02.05.2024
Setting the right sustainability strategy for your business
Recorded live at the Spark Innovation Studio in Auckland's CBD, Leela Gantman (Corporate Relations and Sustainability Director at Spark NZ) and Rachel Brown (CEO at the Sustainability Business Network) join us to discuss how companies of all sizes can bake...
01.29.2024
The VC firm that raised like a founder
Icehouse Ventures invests in and supports more companies than any other in Aotearoa, so naturally CEO Robbie Paul gets a good view of what makes a great company, founder and ecosystem. He joins us to talk about the state of...
01.22.2024
The solvable problem affecting up to one in three women
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...
01.15.2024
The legend behind Aotearoa's favourite brands
Nicola O’Rourke led Lewis Road Creamery into America and is now helping companies like Pals, Compostic, Comvita, Cleanery and Grater Goods as they take on the world. She discusses all aspects of her career and gives vital advice for anyone...
01.08.2024
Summer reissue: Meet the brain behind Xero and Upstock
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...
01.01.2024
Summer reissue: Fixing your finances with the Māori Millionaire
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...
12.25.2023
Summer reissue: The app making it easier to share your Dosh
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...
12.18.2023
The Spinoff presents SUPERPOD 2023
SUPERPOD is back! Hosted by Gone By Lunchtime's Toby Manhire and featuring Jane Yee and Alex Casey from The Real Pod, Duncan Greive from The Fold, Gone By Lunchtime's Annabelle Lee-Mather, Simon Pound from Business Is Boring, Bernard Hickey from...
12.11.2023
Goldie wants to help you own your own slice of luxury
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...
12.04.2023
Why Unyoked thinks we should disconnect
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...
11.27.2023
How can you change the world at scale?
Justin Kamine’s family business is a significant infrastructure player in the States, and they have used their scale to change up a number of huge industries - from carbon reduced chicken farming at Do Good Foods, to bioplastics made from...
11.20.2023
Meet one of the Champions of the Earth
International circularity and sustainability expert Dr. Leyla Acaroglu believes that we can change the world with our actions if we care enough to do so. She joins Simon Pound in connection to the Spark Lab Future State series to discuss...
11.06.2023
Critical's solution to plastic-packed landfills
We send around 330,000 tonnes of used plastics to landfill every year. Critical are out to change this. They make table and bench tops, partitions and other feature materials for building from plastic waste. Upcycling rubbish into beautiful, low carbon and...
10.30.2023
The zero-alcohol beer hero
State of Play is a 100% non-alcoholic brewery - part of a growing movement looking at how we drink, and providing options for healthier relationship with booze. Founder Grant Caunter spent 25 years building beer brands and growing the craft...
10.23.2023
Reimagining customer testing with Stickybeak
It’s fast, cost effective, engaging and being used by big and small brands all over the world. Stickybeak is creating a unique form of consumer testing that customers actually want to engage with. CEO Anna Henwood joins Simon Pound to...
10.16.2023
How Ministry of Awesome gives hope to start-ups
Marian Johnson has been a key part of Christchurch becoming one of the fastest growing ecosystems for start-up success. As the CEO of Ministry of Awesome, Marian works to increase start-up diversity in all senses, with partnerships and leading the...
10.09.2023
OpenStar's nuclear solution to solve clean energy
It’s been called the most ambitious startup in Aotearoa and a company that truly has the potential to change the world. OpenStar CEO and founder Dr Ratu Mataira shares his journey with Simon Pound, from starting his company, where he's at...
10.02.2023
Squirrel Mortgages is revolutionising the mortgage broker
John Bolton started Squirrel Mortgages during the height of the 2008 global financial crisis with an aim to bring the process of buying your first home into the 21st century. Now, he's one of the largest operating mortgage brokers in...
09.25.2023
Anna Mowbray is creating Tinder for finding jobs
As one of the leaders who grew Zuru to billions in trade, Anna Mowbray is one of the most successful entrepreneurs Aotearoa has produced. She led culture, systems and operations as the company grew across the world -and now is...
09.18.2023
Slice is bringing home ownership back within reach
After working hard to get into her first home, Amy Stevens felt there had to be an easier way. So she founded Slice, a platform that makes it easier for first home buyers and co-owners to get on the property...
09.11.2023
Mark Adams from Vice on how brands can reinvent themselves
What a guest! Head of innovation for Vice Media Mark Adams has been part of some of the world’s most successful campaigns, and built the profiles of Hollywood A-list stars. He was in town for the SparkLab Future State: New...
09.04.2023
How Almighty grew into an international success
Ben Lenart, CEO and founder at Almighty Drinks joins Simon Pound to chat innovation in beverages, caffeinated sparkling waters, and their current capital raise to expand internationally. Plus, Ben stages a coup and asks Simon some questions of his own. Learn...
08.28.2023
How Frankie manages property management
After helping scale Uber in the UK, Frankie founder George Fenwicke decided to tackle a bigger challenge, streamlining the process to manage commercial property. We talked her journey, systems thinking and turning property management into something fresh! Learn more about your...
08.21.2023
How Indigital is decolonising digital spaces
Descending from the Dharug speaking Nations of Sydney, Mikaela Jade is the founder and CEO at Indigital – Australia’s first Indigenous edutech company. In town for Future State, a Spark Lab and Semi Permanent event, she joined Simon Pound to...
08.14.2023
OnBoard: Improving diversity in startup boards
OnBoard is on a mission to improve diversity of thought for startup and growth company boards. Founder Cassie McAdams and Program Director Sophie McLernon join Simon Pound to talk about the work they do to get more perspectives onto boards...
08.07.2023
Kate Sylvester is celebrating 30 years in fashion
For Kate Sylvester, 2023 marks 30 years of design, helping make New Zealand’s reputation in the fashion industry across the globe. Kate joins Simon Pound to talk creating the brand, growing the sector, and her work as a founder of...
07.31.2023
Woolchemy's answer to plastic-filled nappies
Woolchemy is a local wool technology company with a patented approach to creating a woven, absorbent fabric layer for use in nappies and other hygiene products. Founder and CEO Derelee Potroz-Smith has pioneered the science, industry partnerships, and closed a...
07.24.2023
Meet the team behind the 2022 NZ House of the Year
Pac Studio are one of NZ’s top architecture studios, who work to bring fun, colour and a personal feel to every project. Last year their beautiful project, Waimataruru, won Here magazine House of the Year and National housing gong at...
07.17.2023
What the past tells us about the future of AI
The pace at which generative AI is advancing is rapidly accelerating, giving rise to a sense of uncertainty among many individuals regarding its impact on society. Dr Jonnie Penn, a scholar from the University of Cambridge and Harvard, is an...
07.10.2023
Derek Handley's new non-bank bank for aspiring homeowners
Aera is a new financial institution aimed at people who earn good money but are locked out of the housing market because they cannot afford extremely high deposits. Its founder, Derek Handley, grew one of the world's first mobile-focused technology...
07.03.2023
Meet the brain behind Xero and Upstock
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...
06.26.2023
Angel Food is bringing vegan cheese to the mainstream
Alice Shopland is a pioneer in the dairy-free cheese space in Aotearoa. Her company, Angel Food, has been at the forefront of distributing vegan cheeses since the early 2000s. With her products stocked in 350 stores and a range that...
06.19.2023
Danielle Krettek on bringing soul to Google's AI
Founder of Google's Empathy Lab and Grandmother—a nonprofit that brings diverse voices and perspectives into solving big problems—Danielle Krettek is a trailblazer in empathetic design. She has played pivotal roles as a member of the team behind the iPhone, iPad,...
06.12.2023
Sam Conniff's journey to embracing uncertainty
Here for the Spark Lab Future State: New Realities, Sam Conniff is a British expert in uncertainty and author of the 2018 book 'Be More Pirate'. His new creation is the world’s first interactive documentary that up-skills people in dealing...
06.05.2023
Fixing your finances with the Māori Millionaire
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...
05.29.2023
Dr. Johnson Witehira's mission for more Māori design
As an artist, designer, and co-founder at Indigenous Design and Innovation Aotearoa (IDIA), Dr. Johnson Witehira works with organisations like Auckland Airport and Waka Kotahi to bring Māori culture to the urban environments we live, work, and travel through. He...
05.22.2023
Dennisson Techologies' quest for universal mobility
When Anvil Bañez created Dennison Technologies, he had a dream of helping his father to walk again. Now, the team at Dennison has developed a new actuator material capable of exerting a force 10,000 times its weight. In a conversation...
05.15.2023
Is Cleanery the future of sustainable home care?
In a 2022 report Stuff tested the major local eco-cleaners, Cleanery's just-add-water sachets of cleaning concentrate were named as the clear favourite. Now sold in over 1,500 stores across the Tasman, Cleanery is beginning to fully roll out into New Zealand supermarkets. Co-founder...
05.08.2023
Simon Moore on his game-changing golf club
Why does playing golf continue to require carrying around a heavy bag full of clubs? In this episode, Simon Pound speaks to Simon Moore, the founder and CEO of Q Golf, a company that aims to revolutionize the way we...

What's Business Is Boring about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Business Is Boring episodes:

The new Aotearoa lead of Australasia’s biggest VC firm

Has the AR/VR moment arrived?

David Yu: 2023 EY entrepreneur of the year with Aotearoa’s fastest growing company

How Albert Cho went from IG influencer to Ponsonby restaurateur

Improving the food system, one wonky box at a time

The AI tools every business should already be using

Designing a te ao Māori agency

How to grow NZ Inc

Redefining the menstrual experience with Endosoothe

How Powrsuit is changing the face of leadership

The company making sustainable practice fashionable

Setting the right sustainability strategy for your business

The VC firm that raised like a founder

The solvable problem affecting up to one in three women

The legend behind Aotearoa's favourite brands

Summer reissue: Meet the brain behind Xero and Upstock

Summer reissue: Fixing your finances with the Māori Millionaire

Summer reissue: The app making it easier to share your Dosh

The Spinoff presents SUPERPOD 2023

Goldie wants to help you own your own slice of luxury

Why Unyoked thinks we should disconnect

How can you change the world at scale?

Meet one of the Champions of the Earth

Critical's solution to plastic-packed landfills

The zero-alcohol beer hero

Reimagining customer testing with Stickybeak

How Ministry of Awesome gives hope to start-ups

OpenStar's nuclear solution to solve clean energy

Squirrel Mortgages is revolutionising the mortgage broker

Anna Mowbray is creating Tinder for finding jobs

Slice is bringing home ownership back within reach

Mark Adams from Vice on how brands can reinvent themselves

How Almighty grew into an international success

How Frankie manages property management

How Indigital is decolonising digital spaces

OnBoard: Improving diversity in startup boards

Kate Sylvester is celebrating 30 years in fashion

Woolchemy's answer to plastic-filled nappies

Meet the team behind the 2022 NZ House of the Year

What the past tells us about the future of AI

Derek Handley's new non-bank bank for aspiring homeowners

Meet the brain behind Xero and Upstock

Angel Food is bringing vegan cheese to the mainstream

Danielle Krettek on bringing soul to Google's AI

Sam Conniff's journey to embracing uncertainty

Fixing your finances with the Māori Millionaire

Dr. Johnson Witehira's mission for more Māori design

Dennisson Techologies' quest for universal mobility

Is Cleanery the future of sustainable home care?

Simon Moore on his game-changing golf club