TechMates

The former London financier who funded Harry Potter now controls the single biggest lever in New Zealand’s startup ecosystem—and he’s on a mission to deploy billions.In this episode of TechMates, we sit down with James Pinner, the Chief Investment Officer of New Zealand Growth Capital Partners (NZGCP). James isn't your typical government official. After spending 15 years in London’s cutthroat capital markets (including financing the early Harry Potter films) and managing dynastic wealth for the 150-year-old Todd Corporation, he stepped into the public sector with a massive mandate: architecting the future of New Zealand's venture ecosystem.James drops bold truths on the state of the market, including why New Zealand has a "zombie startup" problem, his highly contrarian take on why Kiwi AgTech actually struggles to scale globally, and the urgent need to wake up the $120 billion "sleeping giant" of KiwiSaver funds. From navigating dual-use defense technology to doubling down on the booming aerospace sector, this conversation is an absolute masterclass for founders looking to raise capital and anyone interested in the macroeconomic machinery of venture capital.🧟‍♂️ The "Zombie Startup" Problem: Why funding companies for too long traps top talent.💰 Unlocking KiwiSaver: How shifting just 1% of a $120B pool could transform the VC landscape.🚀 Deep Tech Dominance: Why space, clean tech, and medtech are New Zealand's true superpowers.🚜 The AgTech Illusion: A controversial take on why NZ's pastoral farming innovations struggle to scale globally.🎬 From Hollywood to Hardware: Lessons learned from financing blockbuster films and managing a multi-generational family office.⚔️ Defense & Dual-Use Tech: How shifting global alliances are forcing VCs to rethink defense investing.Connect with the Guest:NZGCP Website: https://www.nzgcp.co.nz/James Pinner's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-pinnerConnect with NZVC & Hosts:🔗 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 to James Pinner & NZGCP02:24 - From London Capital Markets to Financing Harry Potter04:31 - Lessons from Todd Corporation (150-year-old family wealth)11:37 - Does the "Number 8 Wire" mentality hurt Kiwi ambition?14:43 - New Zealand's "Zombie Startup" problem explained18:15 - Waking up the $120 Billion KiwiSaver sleeping giant25:05 - Why the government must be the highest-risk investor27:07 - NZ's biggest opportunities: Space, Clean Tech, MedTech32:15 - A controversial take on New Zealand AgTech42:00 - Geopolitics, defense tech, and shifting global alliances52:32 - How to pitch New Zealand to the rest of the world59:31 - Quick Fire: Overhyped trends, underfunded sectors, and founder mistakesIf you found value in this deep dive into the mechanics of venture capital, please hit the Like button, Comment with your thoughts on the "zombie startup" problem, and Subscribe for more high-impact conversations with tech leaders!#startups, #venturecapital, #NewZealand, #NZGCP, #investing, #deeptech, #spacetech, #entrepreneurship, #KiwiSaver, #governmentfunding, #innovation, #techpodcast, #founderjourney, #cleantech, #medtech, #startupfunding, #TechMates, #NZVC, #HarryPotter, #globalmarkets

From his daughter’s kitchen table tip about a new app called Snapchat to building a $300 billion venture empire—legendary VC Barry Eggers reveals how he spots the next big thing.In this episode of TechMates, we sit down with Barry Eggers, founding partner of Lightspeed Venture Partners, one of the most iconic venture firms in Silicon Valley history. Barry takes us inside the legendary "Snapchat Moment" in 2012, where noticing his teenage daughter using a disappearing photo app led to Lightspeed becoming the first investor in Snap Inc.—a bet that turned $500k into billions.
We dive deep into the evolution of Silicon Valley from apricot orchards to the epicenter of AI, why Barry believes "concentration" is the new diversification, and his candid take on AI replacing white-collar jobs (including his own). Whether you're a founder looking to raise capital or an investor trying to spot the next unicorn, this conversation is packed with 28 years of wisdom from a VC who has seen it all.Key Topics:
👻 The Snapchat Story: How a kitchen table conversation led to a 2000x return.
🤖 AI & Jobs: Barry’s prediction on AI replacing venture capitalists and white-collar work.
💰 Investing Strategy: Why "price doesn't matter" when betting on winners.
🌉 Silicon Valley History: Growing up in the Valley before it was "Silicon Valley."
🌍 Global Ecosystems: Why New Zealand reminds him of early Israel.
📉 The Anti-Portfolio: The billion-dollar companies Barry passed on (and regrets).
Connect with Barry Eggers & Lightspeed:
Lightspeed Venture Partners: https://lsvp.com/
Barry’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-eggers-3b63692/
Connect with NZVC & Hosts:
🔗 Learn more about NZVC: https://www.nzvc.co.nz
Mark Pavlyukovskyy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/
Hendrik Remigereau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/
Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction
01:27 - Growing up in Silicon Valley (Orchards to Tech)
05:47 - Learning M&A at Cisco & becoming an investor
07:27 - Surviving the Dotcom Crash & starting Lightspeed
18:06 - The Legendary Snapchat Story
25:41 - Strategy Shift: Concentration vs. Diversification
31:06 - The AI Moment: Is it bigger than the Internet?
34:58 - Will AI replace VCs and white-collar jobs?
41:00 - The "Anti-Portfolio": Missed deals (Splunk, Yelp)
53:55 - Why Barry is bullish on New Zealand's ecosystem
1:00:46 - Advice to emerging fund managers
If you enjoyed these insights from a Silicon Valley legend, please hit the Like button, Comment with your biggest takeaway, and Subscribe for more conversations with world-class investors and founders!
#venturecapital, #startups, #SiliconValley, #investing, #Snapchat, #AI, #business, #entrepreneurship, #Lightspeed, #BarryEggers, #tech, #innovation, #finance, #NZVC, #TechMates, #founders, #futureofwork, #technology, #wealth

Harry Gestetner’s great-great-grandfather invented the photocopier and nail clippers—now Harry is reinventing how the world sleeps after selling his first startup for eight figures at 21.
In this episode of TechMates, we sit down with Harry Gestetner, a serial entrepreneur who sold his creator economy startup, Fanfix, for tens of millions while still in college. Harry shares the incredible story of his family's deep legacy in hardware innovation (dating back to the 1880s) and how he turned a simple charity project during COVID into a business that scaled to $120M in revenue post-acquisition.
We dive deep into his new venture, Orion, a smart mattress topper designed to democratize sleep optimization and compete with the "Ferrari of sleep," Eight Sleep. Harry breaks down the brutal reality of hardware startups ("a month of software is easier than an hour of hardware" ), his controversial take on why founders are born and not made , and the "80/20 rule" for longevity that actually works. If you're interested in health tech, high-stakes exits, or the future of longevity, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.
👴 A 150-year family legacy of invention (photocopiers & ballpoint pens)
💰 Selling a startup for 8 figures at 21 years old
📉 The reality of founder burnout & performance
🛌 Building Orion: The "Tesla of Sleep" vs. Eight Sleep
🧬 The 80/20 rule for longevity (and why you don't need to be Bryan Johnson)
🛠️ Why hardware & brand are the only moats left in an AI world
Connect with Harry Gestetner:Orion: https://www.orionsleep.comHarry’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-gestetner-802041a1/Connect with NZVC & Hosts:
🔗 Learn more about NZVC:
https://www.nzvc.co.nz
Mark Pavlyukovskyy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/
Hendrik Remigereau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
01:56 - The family legacy: Inventing the photocopier & nail clippers
09:41 - Are founders born or made?
15:13 - Launching Fanfix from a dorm room
18:58 - Selling for 8 figures at 21 years old
20:32 - Does he regret selling early?
28:32 - Founder burnout & discovering longevity
32:14 - Taking on Eight Sleep with Orion
36:06 - Why hardware is infinitely harder than software
42:30 - The 80/20 rule for longevity
44:39 - Co-founding with his dad
46:52 - Why hardware & brand are the only moats left
If you enjoyed this deep dive into startups, sleep science, and longevity, please hit the Like button, Comment with your thoughts on sleep tech, and Subscribe for more insights from world-class founders!
#startups, #business, #HarryGestetner, #Fanfix, #Orion, #sleeptech, #longevity, #healthtech, #entrepreneurship, #hardware, #founders, #venturecapital, #success, #motivation, #TechMates, #NZVC, #EightSleep, #biohacking

From challenging big banks with a $120M fintech to generating $2.2B in digital collectibles sales—this is how New Zealand founders are conquering the global stage.
In this power-packed panel from NZVC Portfolio Day, we sit down with three of New Zealand’s most successful modern founders: Leighton Roberts (Co-founder of Sharesies), David Yu (Co-founder of VeVe), and Penelope Barton (CEO of Crimson Global Academy).
They pull back the curtain on what it really takes to scale from "the edge of the world" to global dominance. David Yu reveals how VeVe secured partnerships with Disney and Marvel without a physical headquarters, while Leighton Roberts shares the bold branding strategy of "wearing pink and giving the middle finger" to the big blue banks. Penelope Barton discusses how Crimson turned the COVID-19 crisis into a massive tailwind for online education. From fundraising horror stories (like getting sued by your only investor) to the unique advantage of Kiwi "generalist" talent, this is a masterclass in global scaling.
🦄 Hyper-Growth: Scaling to 900k users and $2.2B in sales.
🏦 Fintech Disruption: How Sharesies democratized investing.🦸‍♂️ IP & NFTs: VeVe’s journey with Marvel, Disney, and DC.🦠 Crisis Management: Using the pandemic as a catalyst for growth.
💸 Fundraising Realities: The difference between NZ, US, and Asian capital.
🌏 Remote Culture: Building billion-dollar companies with decentralized teams.
Connect with the Guests:
Sharesies: https://www.sharesies.nz/
VeVe: https://www.veve.me/
Crimson Global Academy: https://www.cga.school/
Connect with NZVC & Hosts:
🔗 Learn more about NZVC: https://www.nzvc.co.nz
Mark Pavlyukovskyy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/
Hendrik Remigereau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/
Timestamps:
00:37 - Introduction: Leighton Roberts & Sharesies
02:55 - David Yu: Building a $2.2B Business (VeVe)
04:19 - Penelope Barton: Scaling Crimson Global Academy
05:18 - The Biggest Challenges of Scaling from NZ
09:50 - Building a Fully Decentralized Company (No HQ)
13:49 - Turning the COVID Crisis into a Business Tailwind
17:11 - Founder Realities: Early Stage vs. Scale-Up
22:24 - Fundraising: From Getting Sued to Raising $120M
29:21 - Why US Investors View NZ Fintech Differently
36:44 - What’s Next: Launching NZ's First Online Charter School
40:52 - The Power of Community & Becoming an Industry Authority
43:20 - AI in Education: Replacing or Assisting Teachers?
45:23 - How to Build the Next Generation of Founders
47:39 - Sharesies' "Pink Middle Finger" Brand Strategy
If you enjoyed these insights on building global companies, please hit the Like button, Comment with your biggest takeaway, and Subscribe for more content from world-class founders!
#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #fintech, #edtech, #NFTs, #VeVe, #Sharesies, #CrimsonEducation, #entrepreneurship, #scaling, #venturecapital, #growthhacking, #investing, #founderstories, #tech, #innovation, #globalbusiness, #NZVC, #TechMates

From early days at Rocket Lab to running global marketing for Les Mills, these founders reveal exactly how to build world-class startups from the edge of the world.
In this "Born Global" panel from NZVC Portfolio Day, we explore what it takes to launch a company in New Zealand that is designed to dominate international markets from Day One.
We are joined by Jamie France (Founder of Newton Space & early Rocket Lab engineer), Anna Henwood (CEO of Stickybeak & former Les Mills CMO), and Steph Kennard (Co-founder of Bonnet).The conversation cuts through the noise of startup advice, offering real-world truths about fundraising across borders (and why US VCs "divide everything by two"), the scrappy advantage of Kiwi talent, and the surprising reality of balancing a high-growth startup with family life. Whether you are building deep tech, a consumer app, or B2B SaaS, this panel proves that geography is no longer a barrier to building a unicorn.
🌍 Global Day 1 Strategy: Why Stickybeak and Bonnet looked offshore immediately.
🚀 Deep Tech Fundraising: The reality of raising capital for space tech in NZ vs. the US.
💰 The "Divide by Two" Rule: How US investors view Kiwi startup projections.
🧠 The Talent Advantage: Why New Zealand’s "scrappy" generalist culture wins.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parenting & Startups: How having kids can actually make you more ambitious.
Connect with the Guests:
Anna Henwood (Stickybeak): https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-henwood/
Steph Kennard (Bonnet): https://www.linkedin.com/in/steph-kennard/
Jamie France (Newton Space): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiefrance/
Connect with NZVC & Hosts:
🔗 Learn more about NZVC:
Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nz
Mark Pavlyukovskyy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/
Hendrik Remigereau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/
Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction
01:01 - Meet the Founders: Stickybeak, Bonnet, Newton
03:07 - Strategy: Going Global from Day One
04:26 - Navigating Global Regulations in Auto Tech
06:40 - Fundraising for Deep Tech: NZ vs. US
07:58 - The "Divide by Two" Rule for American VCs
10:51 - Silicon Valley's Perception of NZ Startups
13:40 - Hiring Talent: The "Roll Up Your Sleeves" Culture
15:16 - Culture Lessons from Rocket Lab & Les Mills
19:12 - Pros & Cons: Moving to the US vs. Building Remotely
20:35 - Balancing Kids, Family, and Ambition
25:29 - Advice to Early-Stage Founders
If you enjoyed these insights on building global companies, please hit the Like button, Comment with your biggest takeaway, and Subscribe for more content from world-class founders!
#startups, #NewZealand, #globalbusiness, #entrepreneurship, #deeptech, #SaaS, #marketing, #automotive, #spaceindustry, #venturecapital, #fundraising, #founderstories, #womenintech, #RocketLab, #LesMills, #Stickybeak, #Bonnet, #NewtonSpace, #NZVC, #innovation