Your brand is the ngākau, or heart, of your business. On this episode of NZTE’s Investment Fix we look at the importance of getting it right, particularly when you’re entering the crowded US market. Join US-based Kiwi and brand building expert Kirsty Traill, and Eva Goicochea of maude – one of the most successful and VC-backed sexual wellness companies in the world. They explore how to build a global brand, the role it plays in raising capital, and how companies from Aotearoa can make their brand stand out in the US.

Exporting from NZ to the US takes careful planning and a whole lot of mahi, but it can also open a world of opportunities. On this episode of NZTE’s Investment Fix podcast we talk to Executive Board Director & Consultant Roz Buick and Parkable CEO Toby Littin about what it takes to build a business in the US. A Kiwi who’s worked in the US for 20+ years, Roz shares her insights on doing business in the US, while Toby gives us an honest look at the challenges of growing a company there – including advice and lessons learnt.

In this very special bonus episode of NZTE's Investment Fix podcast, we talk to Silicon Valley legend, Randy Komisar. Randy is an investor at American venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins, a founding director of TiVo and co-founder of Claris Corporation. His impressive 40+ year career has seen him act as CEO of LucasArts Entertainment and Crystal Dynamics, 'virtual CEO' for companies such as Global Giving and WebTV, and senior legal counsel for Apple and LucasArts.

Randy is also very involved in New Zealand's investment economy. He's an advisor to NZGCP, and works closely with Kiwi investors, entrepreneurs and policy makers with the aim of building an innovation hub here in Aotearoa. He joins us to share his vast experience and knowledge, his insights into the opportunities for New Zealand on a global stage, and what lessons we might learn from Silicon Valley.

Aotearoa is seeing a groundswell of Māori investment activity, spanning far-reaching business activities and a diverse asset base. In this episode of NZTE's Investment Fix podcast we talk to Rachel Taulelei, Chair of Moana NZ, Sky Stadium, director, and co-founder of business and brand strategy agency Oho, cultural design agency, former CEO of world-leading Māori-family-owned food and beverage business, Kono; and founder of sustainable seafood company, Yellow Brick Road. We're also with Jamie Tuuta, respected Iwi leader, investor, director, and chairperson of Tourism NZ, Māori Television, and Venture Taranaki. Jamie and Rachel lift the lid on what Māori investment is all about, what Māori are looking for in an investment opportunity, and the best way to access this type of funding.

Aside from access to million-dollar investment funds, international venture capital can bring invaluable global connections and experience. In this episode of NZTE's Investment Fix podcast, we hear from SafeStack CEO and founder Laura Bell and Andrea Gardiner, CEO and founder of Australian venture capital firm Jelix Ventures. They talk about the path to securing overseas investment, the importance of 'fit', and how having the right international partner on your side can help drive your global ambitions.

In this episode of NZTE's Investment Fix podcast it's the 'Insider's Guide' to private equity with Neil Hinton, CEO of Natural Pet Food Group, and Craig Styris, partner at Pioneer Capital. Private equity firms have much larger pools of funding on offer, so they're often looking for a majority stake in a company – going on to provide support right through to an eventual exit. Neil and Craig share their journey from investment to successful sale, offering tips and advice for international growth along the way.

Because they're bringing their own money to the table, angels will have a vested interest in the success of your business – but they're also likely to get more involved. In this episode of NZTE's Investment Fix podcast, we're talking angel investment with Narrative Muse CEO and founder Brough Johnson and Angel Association New Zealand executive chair Suse Reynolds. They tell us about the importance of partnership between founder and angel, and how your investors can be your biggest cheerleaders when times get tough.

On this episode of NZTE's Investment Fix podcast, we get the lowdown on venture capital with Will Barker, CEO and founder of cleantech company Mint Innovation and David Beard, partner at NZ venture capital firm Movac. VC investors can bring substantial funds, specialised skills and growth expertise, but they'll take a stake in your company in return. Will and David give us an insight into the crucial investor/investee relationship, the challenges of growing a deep tech company versus a SaaS one, and the different approaches you should take for each funding round.

Private Equity can provide companies with the runway they need for growth but it often comes with high investor expectations. In this episode of NZTE’s Investment Fix podcast we talk to Calocurb founder and CEO Sarah Kennedy and Laybuy co-founder and managing director Gary Rohloff about securing private equity, funding hypergrowth, the value of experience and confidence, and riding out the tough times. 

Aside from access to million-dollar investment funds, securing International Venture Capital can bring vital global connections and experience. In this episode of NZTE’s Investment Fix podcast we talk to Dexibit founder and CEO Angie Judge and Robotics Plus CEO and chair Steve Saunders about what it takes to close a Series A funding round, the value of employee share programmes and the importance of getting to know your investors.