Kia ora there,

Startups are increasingly being recognised as a source of employment, skills development and economic growth in economies around the world, with the World Bank estimating they contribute as much as 90 percent to new job growth. They increase tax revenue and help diversify a country’s economy.

And now more than ever, that’s what New Zealand needs.

Startups have a role across many sectors to stimulate the innovation needed to help lift the country out of recession and our big primary powerhouses, such as the dairy sector, also have key roles to play.

News then that Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) is launching the AgCelerator fund for early stage fund investment in dairy innovation, is a big plus for seeding new agritech businesses.

It's just one initiative behind Crunchbase identifying the A/NZ region as one to watch in a tight global market for VC funding…

In other news this week:

Visa schemes target high net worthers, but do they spell tech growth?
Sex-tech comes out from under the covers
The ‘secret’ to winning at B2C
Epicor’s SaaS-y new owners – and cloud future
Zag builds e-commerce practice

Nga mihi,

Heather Wright
Editor
editor@istart.co.nz

VENTURE FUNDING

Sperm bank bullish on agritech

LIC fund adds impetus to 50 percent growth in A/NZ venture funding…

Livestock Improvement Corp venture funding

In the face of a global downturn in venture funding, New Zealand’s Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) has launched a new early-stage investment fund for dairy innovation.

“It’s important NZ retains its leading dairy reputation and investing in new innovations and technology is central to ensuring that.”

[Read more]

VISA SCHEMES

Govts on the hunt for global tech talent

Closed borders are opening (just a bit) in order to tempt talent Downunder…

“Do you lead a top tier business, or are you a highly skilled professional looking to invest your success and talents in a new location?

Whether prioritised processing and higher service standards could be enough to tempt such a high-value business to actually relocate is another matter.

[Read more]

SEX-TECH

Sex-tech: Ready to explode

But is it all just digital junk?…

Thanks to the isolating qualities of the global Covid-19 lockdowns, the popularity of ‘sex-tech’ devices is all the way up, says Juniper.

There may even be a real knock-on effect of reducing the demand for human trafficking.

[Read more]

RETAIL

B2C commerce: Vast, fast and relentless

Forrester’s view of the new consumer buying era…

If you’re in a consumer facing business, listen up: You’re entering the most frenzied phase of innovation you’ve ever been in, and consumers won’t be letting you rest anytime soon.

“If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that sometimes even large capital expenses carefully invested in over the years need to be re-evaluated.”

[Read more]

ACQUISITION

Epicor looks to cloud, further deals under new owners

CD&R buys in to SaaS challenges…

A renewed cloud focus may be on the cards for Epicor after the ERP vendor was acquired by private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) in a deal valued at US$4.7 billion.

“This will allow Epicor to develop a focused set of products in an SaaS model.”

[Read more]

ROAD TO RECOVERY

LEADERSHIP

Zag boosts e-commerce leadership

Seasoned SAP architect bolsters capability…

Leading SAP specialist, Zag, has announced a new leadership appointment to support its award-winning e-commerce practice.

“After all, this is where the magic happens."

[Read more]

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