Tech founders dream big - Kia Ora Mag

Air New Zealand Dream Seats fuel ambition.

PLUNGING INTO ICY alpine lakes, four-wheel driving and flying across the water in foil boats aren’t typical ways to grow a business. But for Nicole Retter, founder of Personal Admin Manager app PAM, these South Island adventures provided more than just a thrill – they also powered up PAM’s global potential.

The Wellington mum and startup founder recently participated in Far Out, a week-long road trip-style programme created by Silicon Valley mogul (and now New Zealand resident) Rob Coneybeer. The initiative connects founders and tech companies with international investors, and Retter reckons it’s been game changing.

“I’ve been introduced to US investors, brainstormed growth strategies with overseas founders and built friendships with people who understand the startup journey. It’s opened up an entire network of people I can call on,” says Retter, whose family-focused app reduces mental load by turning emails, screenshots, voice, newsletters and messages into family plans.

Retter, alongside three other founders, attended Far Out with the help of Air New Zealand’s Dream Seats – an initiative that supports ambitious Kiwi by removing travel barriers standing between them and significant opportunities. Fellow participant Sam Broadhead says Air New Zealand’s backing has “helped unlock the next chapter” for his tech startup, Sence, which builds data-driven software to help businesses better understand their customers and boost engagement, sales and marketing.

“It means a lot to have the support of one of New Zealand’s largest and most iconic brands,” he says. “Without that, I simply wouldn’t have been able to attend. It unlocked opportunities and connections that money couldn’t buy, and I’m incredibly grateful to have their backing as we grow.”

Air New Zealand is passionate about supporting entrepreneurship and innovation, and Dream Seats is igniting exciting opportunities for our greatest emerging talent. Talent like Ben Taylor, who together with co-founder Jason Shore, launched Frond Space Systems, a business that designs deployable spacecraft technology to improve satellite efficiency and reduce space debris.

“The Far Out experience has really encouraged me that we’re on to something good,” says Taylor. “I was struck by the level of respect the US contingent have for the tech sector in New Zealand. We’re a small country with an economy the size of Iowa, but there’s recognition that exciting stuff is happening here that’s a bit different to the rest of the world. I was also impressed that our stop in Wellington included lunch with the PM and other members of Cabinet, alongside Labour MPs. That proximity to policy makers is a key enabler in tech innovation for us as a country.”

Aucklander Nick Hutchins aspires to become a global player in engineering simulation through his startup FlowDeck, a cloud-based platform enabling engineers to run fast, accessible fluid and airflow simulations online.

“We want to be the fluid dynamics software everyone wishes they were using,” he says.

Thanks to Dream Seats and Far Out, he’s now one step closer. “Far Out is unique. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to spend that much time with that many successful US tech entrepreneurs and investors any other way. FlowDeck will need to be global to be successful and the relationships I’ve built will be positive far into the future.”