TechMates

• How AI Is Revolutionizing Language Learning

  Dropped out of high school after a handshake gone wrong—now he runs a $50M AI-driven language empire.Dive into the extraordinary journey of Finn Puklowski, a New Zealand entrepreneur who transformed personal setbacks into the highly successful Fluency Academy, an AI-powered, creator-led language education platform. Finn candidly shares the rollercoaster ride from bankruptcy in his early 20s to scaling Fluency Academy into a $50 million powerhouse with over 35 million followers globally.Learn how Finn leverages the creator economy, AI technology, and deep market insights to revolutionize how languages are taught, especially in markets like Brazil, and his vision for the future of education and employment in an AI-driven world. This episode is packed with raw truths, inspiring resilience, and invaluable startup lessons.Key Topics:🌍 Revolutionizing Language Learning Globally💡 Leveraging Creator Economy for Massive Scale🤖 AI Integration in Education📉 Lessons from Bankruptcy to Breakthrough🇧🇷 Why Brazil Was the Perfect Market🎓 Innovative Approaches to Teaching🚀 Rapid Scaling & Growth Strategies📱 Future of Digital Education Platforms🌱 Building Impactful Nonprofit Initiatives🧠 Mental Health & Entrepreneurship🤝 Connect with Finn Puklowski:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finn-puklowski/Website (Fluency Academy): https://fluency.io🔗 Learn more about NZVC:Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy – https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau – https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Finn’s Background01:30 - Growing Up Entrepreneurial in NZ03:40 - Early Business Lessons & Bankruptcy06:13 - Dropping Out of High School15:05 - Moving to Brazil & Finding Opportunities16:23 - Launching Fluency Academy19:21 - Scaling to $10M Revenue Bootstrapped22:35 - Maintaining Quality at Massive Scale25:05 - Secrets Behind Rapid Startup Growth31:04 - Future Vision & AI Integration36:19 - Why Fluency Focuses on B2C39:00 - Future of Language Learning & AI48:05 - Creator Economy & Influencer Strategy52:23 - Leveraging AI for Content & Sales56:45 - Startup Advice for Young Entrepreneurs1:01:17 - Expansive: AI Integration in Business1:02:48 - Jobs Impacted by AI & Automation1:03:27 - Advice to Young Founders🙌 Enjoyed this episode?Hit the like button 👍, comment your favorite insights 💬, and subscribe 📲 for more inspiring startup journeys!#️⃣ Hashtags:#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #EdTech, #AI, #LanguageLearning, #FluencyAcademy, #Entrepreneurship, #CreatorEconomy, #Brazil, #Innovation, #TechPodcast, #StartupLessons, #Resilience, #Scaling, #MentalHealth, #FutureOfWork, #EducationTechnology, #DigitalEducation, #StartupStories

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  1:06:39
• Dairy Without Cows: The Science Changing Food Forever

  Born in Soviet-era Moscow and now revolutionizing dairy without cows—this entrepreneur is reshaping New Zealand’s future.In this insightful episode, we speak with Irina Miller, founder of DaisyLab, a groundbreaking New Zealand startup utilizing precision fermentation to create dairy-identical proteins without cows. Irina’s remarkable journey begins in Soviet-era Moscow, spans entrepreneurship adventures, and culminates in her pioneering efforts to revolutionize the dairy industry sustainably.Discover Irina's personal motivations behind DaisyLab, including her eye-opening experiences in Russia’s rapidly changing society, her initial reluctance towards entrepreneurship, and how her passion for animal welfare led to the creation of innovative dairy solutions. Gain unique perspectives on the future of food tech, animal welfare, and how DaisyLab aims to transform traditional dairy production globally.Key Topics:🧬 Precision Fermentation Technology🥛 Disrupting Traditional Dairy Production🌍 Sustainable Food Innovation🐄 Animal Welfare and Ethics🇳🇿 Entrepreneurship in New Zealand🛠️ Scaling a Deep Tech Startup📈 Challenges of Funding Innovation🌱 Veganism and Future of Protein🧪 Biotech and Synthetic Biology🤝 Collaborating with Traditional Industries🤝 Connect with Irina Miller:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/🌱-irina-miller-85449b8/Website: https://www.daisylab.co.nz🔗 Learn more about NZVC:Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy – https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau – https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Irina’s Background01:30 - DaisyLab’s Revolutionary Dairy Tech04:01 - Growing Up in Soviet-Era Moscow11:03 - Studying Abroad in the US16:31 - Moving to New Zealand27:24 - Career & Transition to Entrepreneurship30:02 - Inspiration for DaisyLab34:12 - Precision Fermentation Explained42:00 - Challenges in Protein Production48:03 - DaisyLab’s Startup Journey54:58 - Dairy Industry Collaboration1:01:34 - Animal Welfare & Veganism1:08:39 - The Future of Alternative Proteins1:11:32 - New Zealand’s Biotech Opportunity1:14:11 - Advice for Moving to New Zealand🙌 Enjoyed this episode? Hit the like button 👍, share your thoughts 💬, and subscribe 📲 for more groundbreaking startup insights!#️⃣ Hashtags:#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #foodtech, #biotech, #precisionfermentation, #animalwelfare, #sustainability, #dairyinnovation, #vegan, #alternativeprotein, #techpodcast, #deeptech, #entrepreneurship, #syntheticbiology, #innovation, #futurefoods, #dairyalternatives, #proteintech, #nztech

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  1:15:33
• Why Fusion Energy is Closer Than Ever

  From failing physics grades to building New Zealand’s groundbreaking fusion reactor startup—meet the entrepreneur rewriting the rules of energy. Join us in this captivating conversation with Ratu Mataira, founder and CEO of OpenStar, a revolutionary New Zealand startup pioneering fusion technology. Ratu shares his journey from struggling undergraduate physics student to becoming an industry leader determined to solve one of humanity’s most significant challenges: clean, limitless energy through fusion reactors. Discover how OpenStar has rapidly achieved milestones that took others decades, using innovative superconducting magnet technology inspired by Ratu’s deep physics background.This episode dives deep into Ratu’s compelling backstory—his inspiration from his grandmother's historic efforts in revitalizing the Māori language, his entrepreneurial adventures, and the thrilling science behind levitated dipole fusion reactors. Ratu reveals bold truths about startup innovation, the future of global energy, and why New Zealand is uniquely positioned to lead in groundbreaking technology.Key Topics:⚛️ Revolutionizing Fusion Technology📚 Struggling Student to Tech Pioneer🧲 Breakthrough Superconducting Magnets🚧 Overcoming Engineering Challenges🌏 Clean Energy & Climate Solutions🔬 Levitated Dipole Fusion Reactors Explained💡 Startup Lessons & Rapid Iteration🇳🇿 New Zealand’s Tech Advantage📈 Scaling Deep Tech Startups🌠 Fusion: The Future of Global Energy🤝 Connect with Ratu Mataira:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ratu-mataira-24648ab2/OpenStar: https://www.linkedin.com/company/openstar-technologies/🔗 Learn more about NZVC:Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Ratu’s Background01:26 - Journey from PhD in Superconductivity03:50 - Inspiration from Grandma’s Māori Revival09:57 - How Ratu’s Grandmother Saved Te Reo Māori19:22 - Early Interest in Physics and Science24:02 - Entrepreneurial Adventures & Early Startups29:36 - The Path to a PhD in Superconductivity37:20 - Fusion Technology & the Levitated Dipole Reactor45:55 - Milestone: Achieving First Plasma at OpenStar54:40 - Why Levitated Dipole Fusion is Unique59:30 - Rapid Development & Startup Iteration1:02:13 - Timeline for Fusion Commercialization1:05:28 - Fusion’s Vision: Energy Abundance1:11:15 - AI, Fusion & The Future of Abundance1:18:25 - Funding & Fusion’s Billion-Dollar Pathway1:22:08 - Why Build Deep Tech Startups in NZ🙌 Enjoyed this episode?Hit like 👍, comment your thoughts 💬, and subscribe 📲 for more groundbreaking startup stories and tech innovations!#️⃣ Hashtags: #startups, #business, #NewZealand, #fusion, #energy, #deeptech, #OpenStar, #superconductors, #innovation, #climatechange, #techpodcast, #cleanenergy, #entrepreneurship, #science, #NZTech, #futuretech, #sustainability, #physics, #fusionreactor, #renewableenergy

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  1:25:27
• Inside Blue Origin's Latest Space Trip

  Meet the Kiwi entrepreneur who made history aboard Blue Origin!In this thrilling episode, we talk to Mark Rocket, a groundbreaking New Zealand tech entrepreneur and aerospace pioneer. Mark recently soared into space on Blue Origin's NS-32 mission, becoming the first New Zealander to experience suborbital spaceflight. He shares firsthand details about his extraordinary journey—from rigorous training to the awe-inspiring moment he floated weightlessly above the Earth.Dive deep into Mark's entrepreneurial adventures—from founding Rocket Lab and launching the Southern Hemisphere’s first private rocket, to leading Kea Aerospace, revolutionizing environmental monitoring and telecommunications with innovative stratospheric drones. Don't miss Mark's unique insights into the future of aerospace, startup challenges, and what it truly feels like to gaze back at our planet from space.Key Topics:🚀 Becoming New Zealand’s First Space Traveler🌍 Blue Origin NS-32 Mission Insights🧑‍🚀 Rigorous Spaceflight Training🌌 Emotional Impact of Space Travel🌠 Personal Reflections on Space⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:40 - Blue Origin Spaceflight Experience02:09 - Preparing for Space Travel03:16 - Training and Safety Protocols05:29 - Feelings Before Launch06:03 - Launch Day Excitement07:05 - Takeoff and Acceleration07:55 - Zero Gravity Experience08:49 - Viewing Earth from Space10:08 - Emotional Reflections from Space11:29 - Descent and Landing12:21 - First Moments Back on Earth13:17 - Future Space Travel Plans🤝 Connect with Mark Rocket:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mark-rocket-8727353Kea Aerospace: https://www.keaaerospace.com🔗 Learn more about NZVC:Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/🙌 Enjoyed this episode?Hit the like button 👍, leave your thoughts 💬, and subscribe 📲 for more inspiring startup journeys and groundbreaking tech stories!Hashtags:#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #aerospace, #BlueOrigin, #RocketLab, #KeaAerospace, #SpaceTravel, #entrepreneurship, #innovation, #techpodcast, #suborbital, #NZTech, #spaceflight, #technology, #environment, #stratospheric, #futuretech, #spaceindustry, #firstinspacenzAll additional videos and photos from Blue Origin. Credit: Blue Origin.

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  14:17
• How I Built & Sold NZ's #1 Crypto Startup 🚀

  She turned a $3,000 Bitcoin curiosity into one of New Zealand’s biggest crypto exits.Meet Janine, founder and CEO of Easy Crypto, who successfully navigated the turbulent crypto market—overcoming regulation hurdles, market crashes, and intense skepticism—to build and exit one of New Zealand's most notable crypto startups. From early challenges of securing banking relationships to eventually selling to Australia's SwiftX, Janine candidly shares the rollercoaster journey, valuable insights into fintech innovation, and the future of digital currencies.In this episode, you'll hear surprising truths about running a crypto business, why banks initially turned her away, and how the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reshaped crypto adoption. Plus, discover Janine's bold predictions on stablecoins, digital currencies, and the future of decentralized finance.Key Topics:💰 Building and Exiting a Crypto Startup⚖️ Navigating Regulation and Banking Challenges📉 Surviving Crypto Market Volatility🌍 International Expansion & Mergers🔗 Why Stablecoins Matter🚨 Avoiding Crypto Scams💡 Future of Crypto & Blockchain🤝 Power of Networks in Entrepreneurship🚀 Resilience & Lessons for Startup Founders🌐 Crypto Adoption & Global Trends🤝 Connect with Janine:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-grainger/Easy Crypto: http://easycrypto.com/🔗 Learn more about NZVC:Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Easy Crypto Exit02:12 - Overcoming Crypto Market Crashes03:14 - What Easy Crypto Actually Does05:11 - Early Customers & Product Evolution09:40 - Janine’s Personal Crypto Journey11:17 - Navigating Crypto Volatility19:12 - Regulatory and Banking Challenges28:30 - Launching NZ Dollar Stablecoin38:10 - Early Career & Path to Crypto41:10 - Starting a Crypto Business While at a Bank46:42 - Decision to Go Full-Time on Easy Crypto48:51 - Fundraising Insights & Challenges51:45 - What's Next After the Exit?53:03 - Industries Janine is Excited About54:13 - Lessons for Startup Founders55:48 - Building a Startup in New Zealand57:39 - Global Trends in Crypto Adoption🙌 Enjoyed this episode? Hit like 👍, drop your thoughts 💬, and subscribe 📲 for more startup insights and crypto trends!#️⃣ Hashtags:#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #crypto, #blockchain, #EasyCrypto, #entrepreneurship, #innovation, #fintech, #stablecoins, #CryptoMarket, #StartupLessons, #TechPodcast, #DigitalCurrency, #NZTech, #Acquisition, #BankingChallenges, #GlobalExpansion, #FounderInsights, #CryptoAdoption

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  1:21:41

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