Shane Smith: Co-Founder of Education Perfect

Host Paul Spain sits down with Shane Smith, co-founder of Education Perfect, as they dive into Shane's journey of co-founding a startup in his parents' garage with his brother Craig. The conversation traces how Education Perfect evolved from a simple vocabulary learning tool into an adaptive, curriculum-wide online platform now used by 1.8 million students across Australasia. Shane talks about the pivotal moments and challenges faced, from winning their first business competition and building trust with schools, to scaling a company with limited resources and ultimately achieving a major acquisition valued at over NZ$450 million. Shane shares insights on growing a high impact edtech business, working alongside his brother, navigating funding and commercialisation, and transforming educational outcomes with innovative technology. The New Zealand Business Podcast is brought to you by One NZ and Gorilla Technology.

Host Paul Spain sits down with Claudia Batten, a respected voice in technology and entrepreneurship. From her childhood in Karori to her pivotal role in selling her tech firm Massive to Microsoft for over $200 million, Claudia Batten shares her unconventional journey through business, law, and leadership; moving from a law career to the heart of the New York tech scene, co-founding industry-shaking companies, navigating mergers and acquisitions, and being comfortable with discomfort. Claudia opens up about the essential role of resilience, lifelong learning, and team alignment, the power of curiosity, and what it means to be a disruptive thinker in today’s world.Special thanks to our show partners One NZ and Gorilla Technology.

Host Paul Spain sits down with Sam Vye, founder and CEO of Syos Aerospace - a New Zealand and United Kingdom business that has moved with remarkable speed pioneering world-class autonomous uncrewed vehicles, ranging from helicopters to advanced maritime and land platforms, serving both civil and defence sectors around the globe. Sam Vye’s journey is packed with adventure, resilience, and remarkable lessons in leadership. Discover how his early passion for problem-solving led him through geophysics, exploration roles across continents, and eventually into the world of drone and unmanned vehicle technology. Hear insider stories about a last-minute Arctic rowing expedition, building drones for the Galápagos and unexpected contract wins. Get ready for insights on adaptability, leadership, fostering fast paced innovation and building a business on the global stage.The New Zealand Business Podcast is brought to you by One NZ and Gorilla Technology.Book your Cyber Risk Reduction Review session now (limited availability): https://gorillatechnology.com/cyber-rrr

Lachlan Murray, Founder and CEO of Robomate shares his journey building Robomate from a small robotics idea into a nationwide home‑automation leader. Lachlan founded Robomate in 2018 and bootstrapped the company through early setbacks, refining the model through relentless problem‑solving and customer focus. His determination helped Robomate become one of New Zealand’s fastest‑growing companies, ranking 5th in the 2025 Deloitte Fast 50 with 408% revenue growth over 3 years. Lachlan shares insights on scaling up, building resilient teams, and how serving people and discipline are at the heart of Robomate’s success.Book your Cyber Risk Reduction Review session now (limited availability)https://gorillatechnology.com/cyber-rrrSpecial thanks to our show partners One NZ and Gorilla Technology.

Host Paul Spain sits down with Sam Kidd, Co founder and CEO of LawVu, for a look at what it takes to build a global legal tech company from New Zealand.Sam shares about assembling an exceptional team, maintaining culture across continents, navigating remote work, and the personal highs and lows that come with building something meaningful. This episode delivers practical insights, honest reflections, and inspiration for anyone growing a company in a rapidly changing world.The New Zealand Business Podcast is brought to you by One NZ and Gorilla Technology.Book your Cyber Risk Reduction Review session now (limited availability): https://gorillatechnology.com/cyber-rrr

Host Paul Spain sits down with Rob Woolner, Managing Director of Autex Acoustics. Discover Rob’s fascinating journey from his childhood in England and early years in the police, to leading a global manufacturing company shaping sustainable buildings in New Zealand and beyond. You’ll hear how this New Zealand company started as a humble textile manufacturer and transformed into a global leader in sustainable acoustic solutions, supplying major clients like Google, Amazon, and Disney.Rob shares candid stories about his own personal growth, the pivotal moments that shaped his career, and the company’s commitment to innovation, people, and culture, and a surprising connection to the Warriors rugby league team! Listen in for insights into Kiwi business success, sustainability, and leadership.The New Zealand Business Podcast is brought to you by One NZ and Gorilla Technology.

In this episode, Paul Spain sits down with Bowen Pan, a technology leader, advisor and investor.Bowen shares about his family's early immigrant experiences, launching his first startup as a university student, and the pivotal moments that shaped his career—including being a key force behind Facebook Marketplace. Hear behind-the-scenes tales of innovation at Facebook, lessons learned from his time at Trade Me and Stripe, and why he’s passionate about helping New Zealand’s tech sector reach new heights. Packed with relatable anecdotes and valuable insights, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in business, technology, and the Kiwi entrepreneurial spirit.The New Zealand Business Podcast is brought to you by One NZ and Gorilla Technology.Book your Cyber Risk Reduction Review session now (limited availability): https://gorillatechnology.com/cyber-rrr

Join host Paul Spain in this retrospective Interview recorded in November 2020 with Jamie Beaton, founder and CEO of Crimson Education. From starting the company at just 18 to leading a global team and launching New Zealand’s first online high school, Jamie Beaton shares his fascinating journey through entrepreneurship, scaling internationally, and redefining what’s possible for Kiwi students. Listeners will get an inside look at the Crimson story, from the early days of educational hustle to navigating funding rounds, leadership challenges, and expansion into new markets. Get ready for an inspiring conversation packed with insights on ambition, innovation, and the future of education.Thanks to our show partners One NZ and Gorilla Technology

Paul Spain sits down with Kiwi entrepreneur Aaron Ward for a conversation about his journey pioneering tech companies like AskNicely and his latest venture, Huckleberry. Aaron Ward shares insights about embracing risk, learning from setbacks and the impact of positive feedback on both employees and customers. Packed with honest reflections, practical lessons, and a peek into the future of voice AI feedback, this interview is a must-listen for anyone passionate about innovation, leadership, or starting their own business in New Zealand and beyond.The New Zealand Business Podcast is proudly sponsored by One NZ and Gorilla Technology.

Host Paul Spain sits down with Janine Grainger, co-founder of Easy Crypto, to explore her remarkable journey from early ventures and corporate roles at PwC, Westpac, and Air New Zealand, to building one of New Zealand’s leading crypto platforms. Janine shares insights into navigating compliance, managing explosive growth and achieving a successful exit. Her story is packed with lessons on resilience, adaptability, and innovation. This conversation offers practical advice and stories that reveal what it takes to build a successful business from scratch.Special thanks to our show partners One NZ and Gorilla Technology