In a country known for its “number 8 wire” mentality and innovative spirit, New Zealand has produced some remarkable business success stories. From tech unicorns to luxury jewellery designers, Kiwi entrepreneurs have consistently punched above their weight on the global stage. What’s particularly fascinating is that many of these success stories remain relatively unknown to New Zealanders themselves, despite achieving international acclaim and creating significant value worldwide.
This blog explores ten inspiring Kiwi businesses that overcame challenges to build thriving enterprises. Their journeys showcase what’s possible when innovative thinking meets determination and a willingness to take calculated risks.
Before diving into specific success stories, it’s worth noting what sets New Zealand businesses apart. According to the Startup Genome Global Startup Ecosystem Report, Auckland now ranks among the top 30 emerging startup ecosystems globally. This recognition highlights the growing potential and support for Kiwi entrepreneurs.
The New Zealand government has played a crucial role in fostering innovation through initiatives like Callaghan Innovation and the R&D Tax Incentive. These programmes provide valuable support to startups across various sectors, helping them navigate early challenges and scale internationally.
But perhaps the most defining characteristic of successful Kiwi businesses is their global mindset from day one. Due to New Zealand’s small domestic market, ambitious local companies must think internationally early in their journey.
Founded in 2006 by Rod Drury in Wellington, Xero set out to transform small business accounting. What began as a cloud-based accounting solution grew into a global powerhouse that listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange in 2007 and eventually reached a market capitalisation exceeding NZ$20 billion by 2021.
Xero’s success lies in its user-friendly approach to accounting and early expansion into international markets, particularly Australia and the UK. Rod Drury emphasised the importance of thinking globally from day one: “We knew we had to build a global company from New Zealand. We couldn’t just be a local success story.”
The company’s growth trajectory is impressive by any standard, from reaching 100,000 paying customers in 2012 to surpassing 1 million subscribers globally by 2018. Xero exemplifies how a Kiwi tech company can compete and succeed on the world stage by focusing on solving real problems for small businesses.
Rocket Lab is another extraordinary Kiwi success story that has literally reached for the stars. Founded by Peter Beck in 2006, the company has transformed access to space for small satellites from its launch site on the Māhia Peninsula.
The company achieved its first successful orbital launch in 2017 and began commercial operations the following year. In 2021, Rocket Lab listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange, further cementing its position as a global player in the space industry.
What makes Rocket Lab’s success particularly noteworthy is that it operates in a highly complex and capital-intensive industry traditionally dominated by government agencies and large defence contractors. Yet through innovative approaches, including 3D-printed engines and a focus on small satellite launches, the company has disrupted the space industry.
Peter Beck attributes part of the company’s success to New Zealand’s unique position: “Being in New Zealand gave us the freedom to innovate without the constraints of established space industries.”
Co-founded by New Zealander Tim Brown and American Joey Zwillinger in 2014, Allbirds has revolutionised the footwear industry with its focus on sustainable materials and minimalist design. Brown, a former professional footballer, was inspired by New Zealand’s merino wool industry to create comfortable, environmentally friendly shoes.
Allbirds launched its first wool runner shoe in 2016 and quickly gained popularity for its commitment to sustainability and comfort. The company expanded into brick-and-mortar retail in 2018, achieved B Corp certification in 2020, and went public on NASDAQ in 2021.
Tim Brown credits New Zealand’s clean, green image for inspiring Allbirds’ ethos: “Growing up in New Zealand, you’re surrounded by natural beauty. It instils a sense of responsibility to protect the environment.” This connection to New Zealand’s environmental values has resonated with consumers globally, helping the brand stand out in a crowded market.
Christchurch-based software firm Seequent became New Zealand’s first unicorn when it was acquired for $1.4 billion in 2021 in the biggest technology deal for a privately-held company to come out of the country. Yet most New Zealanders would have never heard of this remarkable success story.
Spun out of the University of Canterbury’s engineering department, Seequent was founded by Bruce McCallum and Rick Fright, who met in London’s Hyde Park and decided around 1995 to write software to solve complex problems. The company specialises in software that helps organisations understand what’s underground, used in everything from infrastructure projects to mining operations.
Today, Seequent’s software is used in 150 countries by more than 700 staff based in 20 locations worldwide. Its technology has been pivotal to major infrastructure projects, including the Queen Elizabeth rail line in London, Transmission Gully, and the Auckland City Rail Link.
Founded by Dr. Sean Simpson in Auckland in 2005, LanzaTech has pioneered technology that converts waste carbon into valuable products. The company’s innovative approach not only reduces carbon emissions but also creates economic value from what would otherwise be pollution.
LanzaTech’s first commercial plant opened in China in 2018, and the company has since partnered with major brands like Unilever and L’Oréal. In 2022, LanzaTech went public via a SPAC merger and has continued to expand into sustainable aviation fuel production.
Dr. Simpson emphasises the role of Kiwi ingenuity in LanzaTech’s journey: “New Zealand’s isolation forces you to think creatively and do more with less. This mindset was crucial in developing our technology.”
Luxury jeweller Jessica McCormack is another Kiwi running a hugely successful business overseas that many New Zealanders may not be familiar with. Christchurch-born McCormack is based in London, where her customers include celebrities like Zoe Kravitz, Meghan Markle, Victoria Beckham, and Dakota Johnson.
McCormack moved to London at 25 and initially interned at Sotheby’s before establishing her namesake brand 16 years ago. Her approach to making diamonds more wearable and less formal has resonated with customers seeking versatile luxury pieces that can be worn with everyday attire.
According to the Financial Times, the business has tripled in size to almost £30 million (NZ$62 million) in the past three years. The brand believes it will reach £100 million in sales in the next five years – remarkable growth for a luxury jewellery business founded by a Kiwi entrepreneur.
Founded in Auckland in 2011 by Chris Heaslip and Eliot Crowther, Pushpay has become a leader in digital giving solutions, particularly for faith-based organisations. The company was listed on the NZX in 2014 and expanded operations to the United States in 2016.
By 2020, Pushpay was processing over US$5 billion in donations, and in 2022, it was acquired by Sixth Street for NZ$1.6 billion. The company’s success demonstrates the potential for Kiwi startups to dominate niche markets globally, with a focus on user experience and customer support.
Chris Heaslip reflects on the company’s journey: “We started with a simple idea to make giving easier. The fact that we’ve grown from a small Auckland office to serving thousands of organisations worldwide is a testament to Kiwi innovation.”
Georgia Rippin, co-founder and chief executive of Kold Open, is a Kiwi entrepreneur based in New York who has carved out a unique niche in the entertainment industry. Originally from Auckland, Rippin moved to New York at age 23 after producing the award-winning mid-form web series Dislawderly.
Kold Open specialises in mid-form video content – longer than a TikTok but shorter than a TV episode – providing a platform for mini TV shows created by independent content creators. The company helps Hollywood studios discover promising mid-form content that could be developed into full-length productions.
Despite being relatively new, Kold Open is already being used by more than 35 top Hollywood studios and production companies to find their next big stories to adapt. The company is making tens of thousands in revenue per month through licensing fees when mid-form shows get brokered to long-form productions.
Podcast production firm Super Mix, co-founded by New Zealander Xavier English, has quickly established itself in the competitive world of tech podcasts. The business is making over $1 million in revenue annually despite being less than two years old.
Based in Melbourne but started in New York, Super Mix produces podcasts for influential figures in Silicon Valley. The company’s first customer was Lenny Rachitsky, who sold his company to Airbnb and now shares insights on product management and growing tech companies.
English secured this first client through an unconventional approach – creating free promotional content and sending it directly to Rachitsky. This strategy of proving value upfront has led to word-of-mouth referrals that have fuelled the company’s growth.
While less well-known than some of the other businesses mentioned, Fabrum has made significant strides in cryogenic technology. The company develops solutions that convert gases to liquids at very low temperatures, with applications in various industries, including clean energy.
Fabrum has secured contracts in Ethiopia and India, demonstrating the global demand for its innovative technology. The company’s success highlights New Zealand’s potential in the cleantech sector and the opportunities available for businesses addressing global challenges like sustainable energy.
New Zealand startups have proven they can compete and succeed on the global stage across diverse industries. From Xero’s cloud-based accounting revolution to Rocket Lab’s space innovations, these success stories demonstrate five key lessons for aspiring Kiwi entrepreneurs:
As we look to the future, the “Kiwi startup to global success” story is far from over. With a supportive ecosystem, innovative mindset, and determination to tackle global challenges, New Zealand startups are well-positioned to continue making their mark on the world stage.
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