How being a female tech founder is different
Just over three years ago I started a company called Posse, a business idea that required technology. I never thought I was doing anything extraordinary, and was shocked to learn that only 3% of Australians who launch technology companies are…
Can startups create a culture that competes with Google?
When I closed my first round of funding for Posse, I asked one of the lead investors – what’s the first thing you think I should focus on? His response: culture. Culture? Surely I should focus on hiring smart people,…
One of the worst things you can do in business and in life, and we all do it all the time.
I caught up with one of our investors in Auckland a few weeks ago – Peter, a wise chap who’s had a lot of success. Our conversation drifted from a company update to general advice and on to a deep…
What I’ve learnt about outsourcing so far
Startups with limited resources may be tempted into outsourcing to cheaper places. I’m sure you’ve heard horror stories of entrepreneurs who spent a fortune building an idea in India only to discover a rat’s nest of badly written code that…
Why New Zealand is the perfect place to startup
I admit I’m biased. I grew up in New Zealand and I love the place. The landscape is stunning, streets are safe, people are friendly and life is easy. But lately I’ve come to love New Zealand for a different…
Why you should raise money yourself and not hire a corporate advisor
Hang around a few startup events and it’s likely you’ll bump into someone who’s interested in becoming your ‘corporate advisor’. Most likely, this person will be male, aged 40 – 50, dressed in a suit and — impressive. He’ll know…
Sole founder vs. co-founders
Posse is my first tech startup and I’m the sole founder. I’ve worked hard to establish the company for more than two years and, as you can probably gauge from my earlier blogs, it hasn’t been easy. Before starting Posse…
How to get the right first 10,000 fans
When launching a band, web platform or any kind of product, one challenge we all face is – how to find the first 10,000 fans? There are many different approaches – some smart but difficult, some easy but expensive. The…
What entrepreneurs can learn from extreme sports athletes
I’m not much of a conference goer, but in the past month I’ve attended two startup events – MaiTai in Maui and ‘On Cue’ in Boston. Both were hosted by dynamic VCs – Bill Tai is a cofounder of MaiTai…
