July, August & September 2020
Startup News Asia’s third quarter 2020 round-up of New Zealand’s startup news from July, August and September.
Each news headline listed below details a tech or startup news item from Q3 2020 connected with an aspect of New Zealand’s startup ecosystem; a New Zealand startup announcing a new service, product or VC investment, or an article covering something affecting New Zealand’s startup ecosystem in some way, such as a government or corporate startup investment program, for instance.
The focus is obviously on New Zealand’s startups, but technology and startup news headlines are included from the wider region and the world beyond where useful to provide points-of-reference, food for thought, and wider industry knowledge.
September 2020 | August 2020 | July 2020
New Zealand startup news: September 2020
- New Zealand: Sustainable Foods alternative protein startup to launch hemp-based meat high in protein and fibre and minimally processed in early 2021
- New Zealand: Thirdweb takes 1st prize at national finals of Entrepreneurship World Cup with single, unified subscription for online news sources
- New Zealand: A brief look at CH4 Global, turning sustainable red seaweed into livestock feed supplement to reduce methane emissions by up to 90%
- New Zealand: Centrapay digital asset and payment platform gains backing from Coca-Cola’s Amatil X venture firm
- New Zealand Police continue to take major steps with facial recognition software in CCTV analysis and passport control scenarios
- New Zealand Government-backed $300M Elevate NZ Venture Fund makes first investment, placing $21.5M into Australia’s Blackbird Ventures
- New Zealand: PlayBook ‘smart meetings’ platform launches, aiming to streamline agenda scheduling and collaboration
- New Zealand: A brief intro to the ArcAngels Fund, aiming to invest in up to 20 early-stage female-led NZ startups
- New Zealand: Startup Weekend Taranaki set for November 13-15
- New Zealand: First AML raises NZ$8M Series A with anti-money laundering compliance technology
- New Zealand: Inaugural RemoteTogetherNZ festival set for Queenstown, from November 2-13, providing a deep dive into all aspects of remote working
- New Zealand: Advertising Standards Authority reveals strict new guidelines for social media influencers – “consumers should know it is advertising at their first interaction…”
- New Zealand: A brief look at Chnnl, app promoting wellbeing by monitoring workplace stress and bullying
- New Zealand: Vxt startup secures $600K with smart voicemail app that converts voicemails to text for users to read via app or email
- Australia/New Zealand: Women In AI Awards applications and nominations open September 14th, aiming to recognise female entrepreneurs in artificial intelligence
- Australia’s Startmate unveils latest startup intake, alongside its first New Zealand cohort
- An intro to 6 packaging startups focused on combating plastic waste, including innovations from Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand
New Zealand startup news: August 2020
- New Zealand: Emrod startup claims world-first development and launch of high-power, wireless power transmission as alternative to existing copper line tech
- New Zealand: Emrod startup has developed safe method for wireless transmission of electric power across long distances without need for traditional copper wiring
- New Zealand: Momentum Investment Committee launches 5th branch in Palmerston North, focusing on university science and tech staff and student entrepreneurs
- New Zealand: Startup Dunedin, Otago University, Otago Polytechnic and Callaghan Innovation to partner for startup ecosystem research and development
- New Zealand: An intro to MedSalv, aiming to help medical system save $100M each year with sterilization process preventing 1700 tonnes of waste going to landfills
- Global Entrepreneurship Network in New Zealand unveils Entrepreneurship Manifesto, touching on policy, networks, education, funding and immigration
- New Zealand Stock Exchange hit by 4th daily cyber-attack, halting trading; Security Bureau to investigate offshore source of attacks
New Zealand startup news: July 2020
- New Zealand to host 2021 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum as a virtual summit due to border restrictions created by the coronavirus pandemic
- New Zealand: An intro to LandEscape, renewable energy-focused ecotourism startup combining the splendour of Central Otago with the mobility of electric bikes
- New Zealand: Soul Machines partnered by World Health Organisation to use AI-enabled digital assistant to combat misinformation around COVID-19
- New Zealand: Narrative photography software startup raises $2.58M with tools including AI-driven shot selection and website builder
