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Ep13 - Sasha McLeod (DoseBuddy) on "Building in Public", getting funded in 3 hours, and her masterclass in authentic marketingisode
On this episode of the Funding Files we’re interviewing Sasha McLeod who recently raised $20k in three hours to fund the first production run of her re-usable liquid medicine syringe.Sasha, a mother and digital marketing professional, created DoseBuddy because of her own shitty experiences using single-use medicine syringes. She partnered with a product developer found on Instagram to design and prototype the product. Initial funding came from personal savings from her and her husband, followed by a successful loan from Kiwibank after preparing a detailed business plan. Sasha recently launched a crowdfunding campaign on PledgeMe, raising over $48,000 so far, supported by a strong pre-launch marketing strategy including building a 4,000-person waitlist and authentic storytelling on social media. The product is currently only available in New Zealand due to medical device regulations, with plans to expand internationally after obtaining the required approvals. Sasha chats about the emotional journey of entrepreneurship, the importance of focusing on marketing alongside product development, and advises founders to build a supportive crowd before launching. She’s a huge supporter of “Building in Public” and shares a masterclass of how to launch a crowdfunding campaign.Her campaign is still live on PledgeMe until 4 November 2025, so check it out here: https://pledgeme.co.nz/projects/8602-a-syringe-that-doesn-t-suck-- Kia ora and welcome everyone to THE FUNDING FILES, where we explore the highs, lows and cashflows of funding a business in Aotearoa New Zealand. Huge thanks to the founders for sharing their stories, to our board for inspiring us to make this pod, and to Rory Harnden for making our design and intro string.
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Ep 12: Simone Woodland (Circle Living) on “Farmer Finance”, the benefits of community, and managing emotions in hard times
In this episode of the Funding Files, Simone Woodland from Circle Living shares her journey from architecture and social entrepreneurship in the UK to founding a co-housing community in Golden Bay, New Zealand. After securing a 14.5-hectare site from a local farmer with a 10% deposit and a promise they’d figure out how to fund the rest in 9 months, Simone went on to develop 34 homes with a focus on community, sustainability, and land regeneration. Over the course of the development Simone raised “Farmer Finance” (or vendor finance), loans from future residents at competitive interest rates, and multiple bank mortgages. After their first development, the founders decided to start Circle Living, to expand co-housing projects across New Zealand, using a limited company structure to secure land and manage developments with investment from residents and external investors. They are currently raising capital through equity crowdfunding, with the campaign closing Tuesday, 29 October 2025 at 8pm NZ. Learn more here: https://www.pledgeme.co.nz/investments/619-circle-living-ltdChallenges included managing emotions and financial risks in a post COVID world, especially amid rising interest rates during construction. The project exemplifies sustainable development preserving land and fostering intergenerational support, with ongoing capital raising to fund further neighborhoods. Simone highlights the social benefits of co-housing, including shared care, community meals, and diverse age groups living together, promoting connection and support.-- Kia ora and welcome everyone to THE FUNDING FILES, where we explore the highs, lows and cashflows of funding a business in Aotearoa New Zealand. Huge thanks to the founders for sharing their stories, to our board for inspiring us to make this pod, and to Rory Harnden for making our design and intro string.
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Ep 11: Jessica Manins (Beyond) on relationship based raising, surviving the lows of COVID, and Snoop Dog
In this episode of the Funding Files, Jessica Manins, co-founder of Beyond Studios, shares the rollercoaster journey of her gaming business 🎢 From COVID shutting down her interactive VR arcade game weeks after it launched in the US through to later paying out dividends to shareholders.She shares how she got into tech, from her early work at Star Now and community building at Biz Dojo, through to founding Beyond.Beyond began as a service company in the augmented reality space, later developing their own product, Oddball, a multiplayer VR arcade game which they licensed to Two Bit Circus in LA. Her first funding came through a personal friendship with Xero co-founder Rod Drury, followed by angel rounds in New Zealand. The COVID-19 pandemic forced layoffs and a reckoning for the business - could they even survive? They decided to keep going and pivot to consumer VR games for home use, supported by further investment. Beyond also collaborated on virtual worlds, including a project linked to Snoop Dogg's team. They also diversified into VR fitness programs for schools and VR therapy for people with breast cancer. Highlights include showcasing their game at Apple's WWDC for the Vision Pro headset and paying dividends to early investors. Jessica focuses on the importance of validated products, strong investor relationships, and the resilience needed in the funding (and business) journey.-- Kia ora and welcome everyone to THE FUNDING FILES, where we explore the highs, lows and cashflows of funding a business in Aotearoa New Zealand. Huge thanks to the founders for sharing their stories, to our board for inspiring us to make this pod, and to Rory Harnden for making our design and intro string.
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Ep 10: Jamie Cashmore (twiice) on trying to fix the single use plastic cup problem with a tasty alternative
In this episode of the Funding Files we interview Jamie Cashmore from twiice. Jamie and his family started twiice to address environmental concerns around single-use cups, creating tasty edible cups. They've sold 350,000 edible cups across 26 countries and are now pivoting to selling their patented technology. In this episode we hear more about Jamie's background, including his training as an audio engineer and how the idea for twiice came about. We learn more about the growth plans for the company, their highs and lows in funding their business, and the importance of B-Corp and brand.If you'd like to learn more about their current capital raise, head here: https://www.pledgeme.co.nz/investments/618-twiice-new-zealand-ltd-- Kia ora and welcome everyone to THE FUNDING FILES, where we explore the highs, lows and cashflows of funding a business in Aotearoa New Zealand. Huge thanks to the founders for sharing their stories, to our board for inspiring us to make this pod, and to Rory Harnden for making our design and intro string.
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Ep 9: Joerg Henkenhaf (Broken Heart Spirits) on making the world's best vodka & bringing sustainability into spirits
In this pod, we interview Joerg from Broken Heart Spirits, a multi-award-winning spirits manufacturer based in Queenstown. Joerg shares his journey from being an electronic engineer and airline pilot to becoming a master distiller. Originally from Germany's Rhine Valley, he discovered New Zealand during his time flying commercial planes here and eventually purchased a vineyard in 2001. He started distilling in 2004 after noticing unused grape skins in local wineries and wanting to do something about that waste. The company name "Broken Heart" comes from the tragic loss of his business partner, Berndt. The discussion covers their current equity crowdfunding campaign to build a new facility combining a distillery and tasting room, their sustainable initiatives including innovative pouch packaging, and their numerous international awards, including being named the world's best vodka in 2022.If you'd like to learn more about their raise, head on over to: https://www.pledgeme.co.nz/investments/620-- Kia ora and welcome everyone to THE FUNDING FILES, where we explore the highs, lows and cashflows of funding a business in Aotearoa New Zealand. Huge thanks to the founders for sharing their stories, to our board for inspiring us to make this pod, and to Rory Harnden for making our design and intro string.
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