Shutterspeed has been selected for investment by leading global pre-seed venture capital firm, Techstars. Out of the 4,400 companies that have worked with Techstars, it is only the third New Zealand company to be backed by the US global startup network and it’s US$116B portfolio market cap.
Shutterspeed is developing a cutting-edge AI-powered business assistant for content creators and creative professionals. This investment highlights the growing recognition of New Zealand as a hub of technology innovation.
“Henry and I have deep, specialist industry knowledge in production, and an equally large understanding of the struggles that owners in the space have,” says Freddie McKenzie, Co-founder, Shutterspeed. “Production companies need to a better way to understand how time is spent, who is spending it on what, what resources are in use, and what client needs to be billed for it all, so we decided to build Shutterspeed.”
Shutterspeed’s selection for this year’s highly competitive cohort marks a significant win for New Zealand technology on the global stage.
The first tool of its kind Co-founders Freddie Mckenzie and Henry Collinson designed Shutterspeed with a desire to help content creators and creative professionals remove the burden of administrative tasks and focus on what they do best: creating.
Shutterspeed is the first performance metrics tool that automatically tracks time across different stages of the production process without any manual input from users. It was developed to accommodate the unique and volatile workflows of modern digital creators.
Powered by Contextual Conversational AI, Shutterspeed allows creative professionals to see real-time data on their project timelines, profit margins and productivity, empowering efficient project management.
Key features include:
Automatic time tracking: Tracks production, post-production and revision time seamlessly.
Real-time budget tracking: Provides live updates on production budgets, ensuring creators never go over their allocated costs.
Deadline management: Helps professionals meet project deadlines across all projects with real-time notifications and dashboard tracking.
Specifically developed for creative professionals, Shutterspeed integrates with popular industry-standard tools like Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro and Audition. More integrations will be available soon for Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, Lightroom and more.
Empowering creatives with data Shutterspeed demonstrates the power of collaboration and innovation within New Zealand’s growing technology sector.
Mckenzie and Collison, who were originally neighbours, bonded over their shared passion for technology and innovation, which eventually led to the development of Shutterspeed. Born out of an existing Auckland-based production company called VIVID Creative, Shutterspeed was officially launched in early 2023 under the fitting company name Nextdoor Technologies.
“Creativity thrives on instinct, but when powered by data, it charts a clear pathway to success. We’ve all under quoted and underestimated a project before, and eating into your own profit margin is never nice. With Shutterspeed being fully automatic, you can simply set and forget the tracker and focus on your creative endeavours,” says Henry Collison.
“We designed Shutterspeed to streamline workflows and improve pricing strategy for creative professionals and content creators. It’s a great honour to be selected by Techstars, and it’s an exciting moment for Kiwi tech startups to be recognised on the global stage. Our country is fast becoming a hub of innovation, and Shutterspeed is proud to be part of that movement.”
Shutterspeed is now in its pre-alpha stage. Creative professionals are invited to book free demo sessions at https://shutterspeed.io/book-a-demo to explore Shutterspeed’s capabilities firsthand.
About Shutterspeed Shutterspeed is an AI-driven tool designed to help creatives manage their projects more efficiently. By automatically tracking time, budgets and deadlines without manual input, Shutterspeed provides real-time insights into project performance and profitability. Integrated with industry-standard creative tools, Shutterspeed empowers users to focus on creativity while optimising project management. Visit www.shutterspeed.io or follow us onLinkedIn and Instagram.
Americarna and Steam Incorporated are excited to announce the addition of a heritage rail experience for Americarna 2025.
A festival first for Americarna, this unique opportunity will provide visitors with a novel travel opportunity as part of this annual celebration of American car-culture. Steam Inc. will operate a special train journey from Wellington to Taranaki in February, offering a nostalgic rail experience alongside the 2025 Americarna event, and the many other stand-out community events and celebrations taking place over the four-day event, 19th - 22nd February.
Departing 20th February 2025, the train will take passengers through the heart of the North Island, allowing them to soak in the scenery before arriving in Taranaki for a weekend of classic American cars, street parades, and lively festivities.
In addition to out-of-region visitors, Taranaki locals will also get the chance to ride the heritage train on the Saturday of the Festival, with short trips departing from New Plymouth’s iconic Wind Wand throughout the day. This provides a unique opportunity for the community to experience vintage rail travel right in their backyard.
John Rae, who founded Americarna in 2007, is extremely pleased that Steam Incorporated is bringing this additional experience to Supercheap Auto Americarna 2025, and says, "Bringing additional people to our region via the rail experience as well as giving locals the opportunity to join in on Americarna is unique. Ride the train Friday, down to Stratford and Hāwera, returning to New Plymouth for the Friday night cruising in the CBD. Locals having the chance to ride the train Saturday morning is a first, I believe this will be hugely popular so do book your Supercheap Auto Americarna 2025 unique rail experience thanks to Steam Incorporated and Venture Taranaki".
"We’re thrilled to see Americarna continuing to evolve its event offering, and thinking of unique and interesting ways to develop their event for locals, and visitors alike. Encouraging out-of-town visitation is important for our region, bringing much-needed support to our accommodation, hospitality, and retail sectors, so we’re thrilled to see the addition of this heritage rail experience, and look forward to welcoming its passengers in February 2025," added Brylee Flutey, General Manager Destination at Venture Taranaki.
"This also serves as a reminder that we’re in for a busy summer, with an influx of visitors across multiple major events like Te Matatini, which kicks off right after Americarna. We encourage locals and businesses to seize this exciting opportunity-be open, stock up, staff up, and showcase the Taranaki manaakitanga we’re famous for," says Flutey.
"Americarna serves as a fantastically unique addition to our excursion programme for 2025," Steam Incorporated’s Tommy Secker said. "We are proud to be bringing our train north as part of the Americarna festival, and to also showcase Taranaki as a region. It is an untapped part of our rail network, and we are excited at the offerings available for the Taranaki community and those coming from other parts of the country."
Key Details of the Americarna Rail Journey:
Dates: February 20th - 23rd, 2025
Departure: From Paraparaumu, with stops in Levin, Palmerston North, and Whanganui en route to Taranaki
Tour Bookings: Contact Steam Inc. at 0800 783 264 or email admin@steaminc.org.nz
More information:
https://www.steaminc.org.nz/book-train-trip/the-americarna-rail-experience/
https://www.steaminc.org.nz/book-train-trip/taranaki-like-no-other-rail-experience/
Bookings for short train trips from the Wind Wand on Saturday 22 February will be available from late October.
About Americarna: Americarna is New Zealand’s premier celebration of American car culture, drawing hundreds of classic, vintage, and custom vehicles to the streets of Taranaki every year. Held annually since 2007, the festival attracts car enthusiasts from across the country and beyond. In 2025, Americarna will again run in Taranaki, 19-22 February, with a series of events around the mountain showcasing the manaakitanga of our communities big and small. www.americarna.com
About Steam Incorporated: Steam Incorporated operates heritage train tours throughout New Zealand, offering passengers the chance to experience the golden age of rail travel on vintage locomotives and carriages that are restored inhouse at their Paekakariki workshops. Led by a passionate team, driven by the desire to share NZ’s rail history with the general public.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the first-ever Americarna heritage rail adventure. Secure your seats now for an unforgettable journey to Taranaki.
For more information and to book your place on the train heading to Taranaki, visit www.steaminc.org.nz
Defence Minister Judith Collins today welcomed the first of five new C-130J-30 Hercules to arrive in New Zealand at a ceremony at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base Auckland, Whenuapai.
“This is an historic day for our New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and our nation. The new Hercules fleet is a significant Government investment in our ability to respond to national and international events, anytime and anywhere,” Ms Collins says.
“In an increasingly volatile world, where NZDF will be called upon more often, it is essential the next generation of personnel is equipped to keep New Zealanders safe, using modern, efficient and fit-for-purpose assets.
“The new Hercules will be a mission critical capability for NZDF and a national asset. It can fly further and faster than its predecessor, and can carry more combat capable personnel, equipment and life-saving aid to communities, whether they be in New Zealand, the Pacific or further afield.”
The remainder of the fleet of five aircraft is scheduled to touchdown in New Zealand by the end of the year. They replace the existing fleet of C-130H Hercules, which have collectively conducted more than 97,000 flights since first being deployed in the 1960s.
“Much like its predecessor, the new Hercules will be the workhorse of the NZDF, regularly deploying combat capable personnel on operations, humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions, and search and rescue deployments.”
The C-130H fleet will be retired early next year after nearly 60 years’ service. In recent years it has been involved in numerous major NZDF operations, such as the evacuation of hundreds of people from Kabul, Afghanistan, the delivery of aid and equipment to communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle, and the transport of troops and military aid to the United Kingdom in support of Ukraine.
“The new fleet ensures our ongoing interoperability with international partners. Many of our partners use this aircraft for similar transport missions, including our ally Australia, and partners such as the United States, Canada, France and Germany,” Ms Collins says.
“New Zealand crews have spent the past 18 months in the United States learning how to operate and maintain the Hercules.
“This intensive training programme has further strengthened our relationship with the United States Air Force.”
The new fleet will be operated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No. 40 Squadron and be based at Base Auckland, Whenuapai.
Source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/
Checkmate, the fast-growing provider of comprehensive pre-employment screening solutions, is thrilled to announce the successful completion of its Seed funding round, securing over $1.6 million USD from Wavemaker Partners, Southeast Asia’s leading early-stage VC investing in B2B, Deep Tech, and Sustainability startups. This investment marks a pivotal moment in Checkmate’s journey, enabling the company to expand into new markets and enhance its platform, delivering even greater value to its clients.
Founded in 2019, Checkmate tackles critical challenges in HR and recruitment, including lengthy and inefficient hiring processes, high-risk hiring decisions, and the complex compliance requirements of various legal standards.
The company has positioned itself as a leader in HR tech by seamlessly aggregating all pre-employment background checks and reference verifications into a single, fast, and simple experience for all stakeholders.
“At Checkmate, we’ve made it our mission to turn what is typically an unenjoyable and cumbersome task, such as police vetting, into a streamlined and efficient process,” said Scott Inglis, CEO and Founder of Checkmate. “Our solution significantly reduces the time-to-hire and enhances the candidate experience, ultimately helping businesses acquire top talent more effectively.”
Andy Hwang, General Partner at Wavemaker Partners, said: “Checkmate is advancing the HR industry with a platform that integrates pre-employment screening, compliance checks, onboarding, and AI-driven reference checking. This comprehensive solution accelerates hiring, reducing time-to-hire from weeks to a mere three days, while also enhancing compliance and fraud prevention. Additionally, by leveraging referral data for personalized onboarding, Checkmate improves the overall candidate experience–an often overlooked aspect of the process. With over 500 enterprise clients across nine countries, Checkmate enables HR teams to focus on strategic priorities. We are pleased to support the company as they continue to expand to more markets.”
The Seed funding will be used to fuel Checkmate’s expansion into existing and new markets, including Australia, as well as US and Southeast Asia. The funds will also support improvements in the company’s technological capabilities and user experience as more organisations seek reliable and efficient pre-employment screening.
“We are excited to have secured this funding from Wavemaker,” said Inglis. “They have been incredibly supportive of our vision, and this investment enables us to continue building a solution that our clients love. With Wavemaker’s backing, we are poised to scale our operations, deepen our impact, and continue innovating to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”
Source: https://www.checkmate.tech/
An Amazon MGM Studios production is coming to Aotearoa, with Auckland announced as the primary shooting location for the star-studded project.
The Wrecking Crew will be directed by award-winning film-maker Ángel Manuel Soto and feature an impressive cast including Aquaman’s Jason Momoa, Guardians of the Galaxy’s Dave Bautista, and New Zealand’s own Temuera Morrison and Frankie Adams.
The production will carry a significant economic impact, says Tātaki Auckland Unlimited chief executive Nick Hill, with more than 1400 local cast, crew and extras expected to be employed. As well as contributing to Auckland’s $1.7 billion screen sector, the project will inject a healthy boost into local businesses, including in sectors such as accommodation, hospitality, construction and transportation.
The action-comedy will see Momoa and Bautista star as two half-brothers - one a loose-cannon cop (Momoa) and the other a disciplined Navy Seal (Bautista). After 20-odd years of bad blood, they must work together to unravel the conspiracy behind their father’s murder in Hawaii.
Speaking to the Herald, Hill says he believes the production will be the largest to come to Aotearoa’s shores since Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
“I’m thrilled. It’s setting an extremely strong pipeline for international film productions here in New Zealand,” he says. “Post-Covid and its impacts on tourism, hospitality, the film industry and local business, these opportunities and investment are a real shot in the arm.”
Filming is expected to begin around the Auckland region from October and will take at least a “couple of months”, say Hill.
It’s currently uncertain whether filming will take place in other regions across Aotearoa, with Hill stressing the project will primarily be based in Auckland’s CBD and locations outside of the city.
“The Wrecking Crew will be filmed in iconic locations around the region, transforming public spaces, roads and tunnels into cinematic backdrops,” says Hill.
“Auckland has become an A-grade destination for film-making and this project will highlight its iconic places - people want to go to the locations they see in movies, making this really valuable for Auckland tourism. It really drives the profile of the city.”
The impact of the project on local economy will be “meaningful”, Hill adds, injecting a significant boost not only into the region’s growing screen sector, but local accommodation; an industry that has struggled due to the seasonal drop in tourists. Location costs and services will also benefit local businesses such as hospitality venues, transportation providers, and construction.
“It’s really meaningful,” he says. “Auckland’s film industry is growing - it’s now valued at $1.7b and employs around 8400 people. It’s injecting money into the region, employing people, and is really valuable for the city’s profile.”
Screen Auckland, the region’s film office and a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, says it will provide support throughout filming by facilitating film permits and ensuring smooth operations for the production, local businesses and community organisations.
As the project will not be filmed in-studio, there may be some disruption to the public; however, Hill stresses a number of measures will be taken to minimise any disturbances, including communication with potentially affected businesses.
“We look forward to welcoming Amazon MGM Studios and the entire production to Tāmaki Makaurau, and to ensuring they have a special and memorable experience in our vibrant and thriving region.”
The imminent arrival of the project comes three years after Amazon decided to move production of future seasons of The Lord of the Rings to the United Kingdom, cutting thousands of jobs and raising concerns about the impacts on local economy and tourism. An earlier document released under the Official Information Act had warned the franchise would potentially leave New Zealand “should another destination ‘closer to home’ (for example the UK) deliver the same value proposition”, despite Aotearoa’s long-standing reputation as the “home of Middle-earth”.
The news was seen as a nightmare scenario for Aotearoa’s tourism industry, with officials at the time warning the decades of investment funnelled into The Lord of the Rings could evaporate if another country became associated with the franchise.
Meanwhile, Momoa has become something of an “ambassador” for Aotearoa, Hill says, with the action hero often speaking of his love for the country. In April, the Aquaman star shared a heartwarming tribute to New Zealand after filming wrapped for the upcoming Minecraft movie, writing on Instagram: “I love this country. Aotearoa New Zealand, you are magical. Mahalo for letting me film here.”
Momoa had been spotted at various spots across the country earlier this year, popping into Rotorua’s Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa in March and taking co-star Jack Black for dinner at Tanuki’s Cave in Auckland.
Last month, Momoa had a successful gig at Auckland venue the Tuning Fork with his band Oof Tatata, comprising Momoa himself and long-time friends Mike Hayes and Kenny Dale. The band’s merch was stocked at Ponsonby Rd vintage outlet Search and Destroy, a store Momoa called his “favourite place in Aotearoa” on Instagram.
Momoa later announced on the platform that Oof Tatata will be back to play at least nine shows throughout New Zealand later this year, with the gigs slated for weekends off from filming The Wrecking Crew.
The upcoming production marks Momoa’s third in New Zealand in recent years, beginning with the Apple TV+ series Chief of War in 2023 and A Minecraft Movie, alongside Jack Black, last summer.
Frankie Adams, who has been filming the live-action version of the Disney movie Moana in Atlanta alongside fellow Kiwis Rena Owen and John Tui, told her Instagram followers she was grateful to be joining the project, while Once Were Warriors star Temuera Morrison has recently wrapped filming the swashbuckler action drama The Bluff with Priyanka Chopra and Karl Urban on the Gold Coast.
Ángel Manuel Soto, a Puerto Rican filmmaker, is best known for directing the 2023 American superhero flick Blue Beetle, the 14th film in the DC extended universe.
Earlier this year, Wednesday actress Jenna Ortega and a cast of extras were spotted being directed by New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi for the upcoming science-fiction film, Klara and the Sun, on High St in Auckland’s CBD. Filming had initially taken place in the Queenstown area, according to reports, while several local businesses told the Herald the filming process was smooth and disruption was minimal.
Source: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/
Technology companies are among the startups which will benefit from increases to current thresholds of exempt employee share schemes, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Revenue Minister Simon Watts say.
Tax exempt thresholds for the schemes are increasing as part of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024-25, Emergency Response, and Remedial Measures) Bill, which has had its first reading in Parliament.
The Bill proposes increasing the thresholds relating to exempt employee share schemes to recognise the effect of past inflation and to provide a buffer against future inflation.
“The changes adjust for inflation and lift the tax exempt thresholds of these schemes, which could boost recruitment and help early-stage companies, including startups, to succeed,” Ms Collins says.
“This is the first step towards meeting our commitment of supporting startups by looking at changes to the tax system.
“We are committed to rebuilding the economy, and this is one of the many levers we will use to achieve that.”
New Zealand’s tech sector contributed $22.56 billion to GDP in 2023, employing nearly 119,500 people in 25,500-plus businesses.
“The Bill proposes lifting the maximum value of shares offered to employees under the scheme from $5000 to $7500 a year, and raising the maximum discount an employer can provide on the market value of those shares from $2000 to $3000,” Mr Watts says.
Employee share schemes are arrangements where shares in an employer company are provided in whole or in part in return for services.
They are a tool employers use, particularly in the startup and tech sector, to align employees’ work incentives with the economic goals of their employers.
“We are also looking into aspects of the Foreign Investment Funds regime as we work to grow economic investment and productivity. Public feedback on this will be considered as the Government reviews the Tax and Social Policy Work Programme,” Mr Watts says.
Notes to Editors:
Exempt Employee Share Schemes allow employers to provide exempt benefits to employees. Strict eligibility criteria under section CW 26C of the Income Tax Act 2007 includes, among other things, the following conditions:
In recognition of the impact of inflation since the thresholds were last set, and to provide a buffer against future inflation, the proposed amendments in the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024-25, Emergency Response, and Remedial Measures) Bill would increase:
The proposed amendment would be effective for offers of shares made under exempt employee share schemes on and after 1 April 2025.
Associate Minister of Finance David Seymour is encouraged by significant improvements to overseas investment decision timeframes, and the enhanced interest from investors as the Government continues to reform overseas investment.
“There were about as many foreign direct investment applications in July and August as there was across the six months prior. This is an encouraging start to the work being done to bring more investment to New Zealand and grow the economy,” says Mr Seymour.
“On 6 June 2024 I issued a new ministerial directive letter to Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) to make consent processing timeframes faster under the Overseas Investment Act. The directive letter contains an expectation that 80 per cent of consent applications will be processed in half the statutory timeframe.
“This means applicants can expect timeframes for most consent applications to be cut down to between 5 and 50 working days, depending on the application type.
“In order to have a strong growing economy New Zealand needs to be more welcoming to investment. I recognised that long waiting times for applications was creating uncertainty and impacting the attractiveness of investing in New Zealand. This affected New Zealand businesses that rely on overseas investment for capital or for liquidity.
“Since delegating most decision-making to LINZ and directing officials to focus on realising the benefits of overseas investment, there has been a significant improvement in processing times.
“Every consent decision received after the directive letter came into effect has been decided in under half of the statutory timeframe. Between 24 November 2021 and 14 April 2024, only 13 per cent of consent decisions were being made in half the statutory timeframe.
“There has been a large boost in foreign direct investment applications, totalling 16 across July and August, compared with 17 over the previous 6 months at an average of 2.8 per month.
“This Government is introducing a principle that we welcome investment. In order for New Zealand to retain world class public services it needs to be the preferred destination for ideas, investment, talent. This is just one way we’re achieving this; we will also be rewriting the Overseas Investment Act.
“While it is early days, I am confident that this positive trend will continue. I am also pleased to see that decisions not covered by my directive, such as variations and exemptions, are also moving faster.
“Every variation application received since the letter has also been decided in half the timeframe. Before this only 40 per cent were.
“Feedback from investors has been overwhelmingly positive, and they have welcomed the changes to make the application process more efficient, while still giving the right level of scrutiny to high-risk transactions.
“LINZ still has the full statutory timeframe to process 20 per cent of consent applications, which will allow them to manage complex and higher-risk applications.
“Reduced barriers to investment from people and businesses means greater prosperity for Kiwis. If we want world-leading businesses and public services, we need the money to pay for them. We’re making this happen.” Note to editors: The directive letter is available on the LINZ website: https://www.linz.govt.nz/our-work/overseas-investment-regulation/legislation-ministers-and-delegated-powers/new-ministerial-directives
A link to summary of decisions is here https://www.linz.govt.nz/our-work/overseas-investment-regulation/decisions
Nashville, TN/Auckland, NZ. (Aug 26, 2024) –Ranqxa fully digital small business lending platform announced today that Washington State Employees Credit Union (WSECU) headquartered in Olympia, Wash. has made an initial investment into Ranqx through their holding company, One Washington Financial. Their commitment includes an agreement to implement the Ranqx platform for a community-impacting pilot. This investment will help further the research and development work Ranqx is doing to help credit unions drive community prosperity by ensuring that small and medium sized business have access to the working capital they need to succeed.“The best way to help communities thrive is to help small and medium sized businesses thrive,“ said Seth Brickman, President of Ranqx.Brickman went on to share that research performed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau notes that, 'Small businesses are the engines of growth in our communities, driving wealth creation and upward financial mobility. When small businesses succeed, our economy is stronger, more equitable and more resilient."Brickman said, “Providing working capital to SMB’s in a digital experience with decisioning in 5 minutes instead of the typical 2 week manual process will change the way SMB’s interact with credit unions.”Credit unions are currently only receiving about eight percent of SMB lending and the majority of it is from commercial real estate loans. The ability to provide working capital loans, business credit cards and lines of credit will not only help small and medium-sized businesses thrive but will also drive depository relationships back to the credit union.”“We are excited to partner with Ranqx to help the small and medium sized businesses that make up our communities, said Scott Daukas, Principal of One Washington Financial, WSECU’s holding company. “We want to provide capital to these organizations with an easy, streamlined experience, so that members can stay focused on growing their businesses. Ranqx will help us deliver on that vision while also providing the responsible lending practices that are expected of a world-class lender.”Ranqx offers business lenders the world’s best fully digital, compliant loan origination, decisioning (using banking data, accounting data, and over 1200 API driven data points) and monitoring platform. Ranqx focuses on delivering the best customer application experience possible. Ranqx supports lenders to digitally transition your organization with all the speed, revenue growth and cost saving benefits that it delivers as you positively impact community prosperity.
Source: https://ranqx.com/
Aerospace New Zealand has today announced generous support from the Embassy of the United States will enable the organisation’s Aotearoa Aerospace Academy (AAA) to host a “Mission to Space” Camp in Ōtautahi Christchurch in November. The camp is designed to provide transformative aerospace experiences for Māori and Pasifika rangatahi.
The grant marks a significant milestone in Aerospace New Zealand’s ongoing mission to promote diversity and inclusivity within the aerospace sector.
“A key part of building a globally recognised aerospace nation is identifying the high-value skills of the future, promoting industry diversity, and establishing strong pathways into Aotearoa’s most exciting aerospace companies.
The U.S. Embassy in New Zealand is excited to support the ‘Mission to Space’ Camp through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. The program will provide insights into aerospace pathways and connections between New Zealand and the United States, bringing this knowledge back to students and schools around Aotearoa. This contribution underscores a commitment to advancing aerospace education and promoting diversity by providing underrepresented students and educators with valuable opportunities in the field”
— Victoria Harman, Operations Manager at Aerospace New Zealand
About the Camps
The “Mission to Space” Camp aims to inspire and equip students from underrepresented communities with the skills and experiences needed to pursue careers in aerospace. The camp will offer a range of engaging activities, including workshops on robotics and rocketry, site visits to leading aerospace organisations, facilitated networking and mentorship connections and hands-on experiences designed to ignite curiosity and ambition among participants.
The camp is designed for 18 Māori and Pasifika rangatahi, as well as nine educators. Advisors are being consulted to identify eligible schools and candidates. Flights and accommodation will be covered for those students who travel from outside Ōtautahi Christchurch.
About Aotearoa Aerospace Academy
Since its inception in 2023, the Aotearoa Aerospace Academy has been dedicated to nurturing the next generation of aerospace professionals. The AAA has successfully delivered over 13 aerospace pathways events, providing students and educators with essential resources to explore the industry.
About Aerospace New Zealand
Aerospace New Zealand is dedicated to advancing the nation's aerospace capabilities across aviation, space flight, manufacturing, and education. With a vision to establish New Zealand as a prominent space-faring nation, Aerospace New Zealand collaborates with individuals and organisations to drive economic growth and innovation within the aerospace sector.
Source: https://www.aerospace.org.nz/
New Zealand-founded property software company Re-Leased has announced an oversubscribed US$12.5m raise led by Movac, with participation from Icehouse Ventures and existing investors. The raise will enable Re-Leased to boost the use of AI within its software (which it has built out with the launch of its AI-tool Credia) and give early investors liquidity. The capital will also assist in funding its continued expansion in the UK and US.
Re-Leased repositioned during the Covid pandemic to achieve ‘break even’ by focusing on capital efficiency, and has since maintained strong growth rates and unit economics which has attracted high investor interest in a challenging global investment market.
“Our vision is to help our customers run a better real estate business. The global real estate industry is facing significant headwinds and a cyclical downturn, and in this challenging environment we’re seeing more property professionals recognise that automation and AI gives them a distinct advantage in the market,” explains Tom Wallace, Founder of Re-Leased.
Over the past 12 months, Re-Leased has focussed on capital and operating efficiency and investment into its product. This strategy has paid off to the tune of 1,400 customers with 350,000 tenants and a rent roll of US$7.5 billion as well as high investor interest.
Movac’s General Partner Jason Graham says “Re-Leased is not a 'nice-to-have' but the core operating system of their customers. As a result, it has been embedded across some of the largest real estate companies globally and is perfectly positioned to leverage its AI technology into real value for its customers.”
Re-Leased has focused its use of AI on a very niche set of challenges that are specific to commercial real estate.
“In real estate there are endless tasks that are necessary, yet low value and repetitive - so the opportunity for AI innovation is huge. We want to enable our customers to get back to what they love: building relationships and engaging in creative, value-add work,” says Wallace.
Launched in June, Credia (the AI-powered ‘brain’ of Re-Leased) acts on a user's behalf to supercharge productivity. For example, Re-Leased has integrated AI with email to read maintenance requests from tenants and take actions such as sending out requests for quotes, creating work orders and writing emails.
“Repetitive jobs that previously took 5-6 minutes now take 30 seconds. Credia acts as the best intern you’ve ever had," explains Wallace, adding “It’s AI - but not just ‘for the sake of it’.” Wallace says he sees this as just the beginning of Re-Leased’s journey with AI and is working on an AI 'Agent' which promises end-to-end automation of entire business functions such as compliance and data extraction which he believes will "Completely transform the industry as we know it and the experience of the people who work in it."
Aside from liquidity and product investment, the capital will also be put to work to grow the go-to-market team in the UK and US. Re-Leased has achieved a step-change in users through large partnerships that include a soon-to-be announced seven figure enterprise deal in the UK with a publicly listed real estate business.
“Re-Leased is proud to have led the way for cloud technology in commercial real estate and we are excited and determined to be the leaders of the AI era. Having turned industry challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation, we remain focused on delivering tangible value to our customers and investors by developing software that creates better real estate businesses,” concludes Wallace.
ENDS
About Re-Leased
Re-Leased exists to help its customers run a better real estate business. The commercial-first property management platform empowers customers to thrive in a digital-first world by integrating the intelligence and capabilities of Credia AI with their property, tenant, lease and accounts information—all in one place. With offices in Auckland, Dallas, London, Melbourne and Napier, Re-Leased's technology manages over 350,000 leases globally. Source: https://www.re-leased.com/
© American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand Inc • Site by HighlandCreative.com.au
