In this episode of Startup Theatre, we sit down with Sam Kidd, co-founder and CEO of Lawvu, the pioneering legal operations platform that's transforming how in-house legal teams operate around the globe. Sam shares the journey of turning a bold idea from Tauranga, New Zealand in to a global SaaS company trusted by enterprise legal departments worldwide.We dive into:The pain points in legal ops that inspired LawvuLessons learned scaling a startup in a niche (and often overlooked) industryThe mental resilience needed to lead through hypergrowth and headwindsWhy building company culture and customer trust go hand-in-handThe future of legal tech and where Lawvu is headed nextWhether you're an early-stage founder, a SaaS junkie, or just love hearing how great ideas become global businesses, this one’s packed with insights you don’t want to miss.🎧 Tune in now – and take notes. Sam doesn’t hold back.This podcast was brought to you by our amazing sponsor in Vanta 🙌🏻Get USD $1000 off Vanta using the link https://www.vanta.com/startuptheatre.
--------
1:42:26
--------
1:42:26
This AI startup knows everything about you
Ever wondered what your colleagues really think about you? In this episode, we sit down with Aaron Ward, co-founder and CEO of Huckleberry, the global startup turning workplace feedback on its head.Aaron isn’t new to shaking up the world of work. He previously co-founded AskNicely, a customer feedback SaaS that grew to Series B and raised over USD $50m, helping companies around the world rethink how they measure and act on customer experience. With Huckleberry, he’s now bringing that same obsession with feedback and growth to the way we understand ourselves at work.Huckleberry is the world’s first voice-based 360 feedback platform, designed to strip out the clunky surveys, save 90% of the time, and put your professional reputation in your pocket. Think of it as the LinkedIn of feedback, a shareable profile that captures your strengths, work style, and how your team actually sees you.In our conversation, Aaron shares how his team is reinventing one of the most broken parts of work: feedback. We explore the psychology of reputation, why most companies get it wrong, and how AI can transform the way we understand ourselves and grow our careers.If you’ve ever wanted a no-BS view of your office reputation....This episode is for you.
--------
55:38
--------
55:38
This is why founders SUCCEED OR FAIL
In this episode, we chat with "Global growth exec" Chris Teeling. For two decades, he has held global leadership roles in high-growth technology companies, where he has built and led world-class teams, shaped strategy, scaled internationally, and delivered lasting results. 🚀 At Xero, he had the privilege as a member of the global ELT to help drive the company’s global expansion, scaling from 70,000 customers to over 1.5 million. He led and shaped strategy, growth, capital markets, corporate development, product, and operations. Breaking through the biggest barriers and cutting a path to $10s of billions in value was impressive. Still, for himself, he's most proud of the incredible people he helped grow along the way and the incredible things they are achieving on the world stage today.📈 Over the last few years, he has been applying his experience scaling three successful global tech companies to help founders and leaders accelerate growth by uniting their people and harnessing AI tailwinds to turbocharge the journey.🌏 On a broader mission, Chris committed to helping Kiwis prosper. Whether by working with great businesses to grow New Zealand's export economy or by improving people's retirement choices as an Independent Director of a major superannuation fund, his goal is to leave a lasting positive impact.💡 Chris also announces his next new CEO role with a very successful Wellington SaaS company.
--------
1:45:42
--------
1:45:42
Revolutionising Food: The Future of Alternative Proteins
In this episode of Startup Theater, host Serge Van Dam engages in a dynamic conversation with female founders Irina Miller from Daisy Lab and Mrinali Kumar from Eat Kinda. These amazing founders are pioneering the alternative protein sector in New Zealand. On this episode, you will hear them discuss their journeys, the challenges of scaling their startups, and the importance of innovation in the food industry. Irina shares insights about Daisy Lab's mission to create dairy alternatives using precision fermentation, while Milli talks about her experience launching cauliflower-based ice cream with Eat Kinda. The conversation also touches on the broader plant-based market landscape, the role of female founders in startups, and the importance of vulnerability and collaboration in entrepreneurship.This podcast was brought to you by our amazing sponsor in Vanta 🙌🏻Get USD $1000 off Vanta using the link https://www.vanta.com/startuptheatre.
--------
58:00
--------
58:00
The Intersection of Science and Entrepreneurship
In this episode, host Serge van Dam engages in a deep conversation with Axton Pitt from LitMaps and David Moide from Foundry Lab. They explore the intersection of science and entrepreneurship, discussing how science-based startups can drive innovation and have a positive impact. Axton shares how LitMaps accelerates scientific research by helping users navigate academic papers. David discusses Foundry Lab's mission to rebuild metal casting in the West. The conversation also touches on the challenges of leadership, the importance of creativity in science, and the geopolitical landscape affecting scientific research. The episode concludes with rapid-fire questions and highlights of other science-centric startups.This podcast was brought to you by our amazing sponsor in Vanta 🙌🏻Get USD $1000 off Vanta using the link https://www.vanta.com/startuptheatre.
Exploring the wins, challenges, & lessons from startups. Honest conversations, real insights, and everything in between.
Troy Hammond & Serge van Dam, with deep roots in the startup ecosystem in New Zealand and beyond, explore the world of startups, tech, markets, and media. They break down industry trends, uncover the realities of scaling companies, and share expert insights through candid conversations. Each episode features top founders, operators, investors, and innovators, offering lessons, perspectives, and stories from the frontlines of business and technology.
New Zealand