Starting up with Asia series
22 March 2022
From indigenous fashion collaborations to rapid tech developments to innovations in sustainability, there's plenty going on in the Asia-New Zealand start-up scene.
In the second series of Asia Insight, we take a look at the work being done by the Asia New Zealand Foundation to promote and foster young business talent in New Zealand and Asia.
Episode 1 profiles two talented and inspiring wāhine, who are weaving indigenous connections through fashion. In the first part of a two-part discussion we talk to Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, of fashion and design house Rags2Riches (R2R), which works with community artisans in the Philippines, and Māori fashion designer, weaver and artist Kiri Nathan, about their remarkable collaboration.
Episode 2 continues Adam McConnochie's discussion with Kiri Nathan and Reese Fernandez-Ruiz on doing business in Asian fashion markets and the best way for Kiwi companies to be engaging with Asia.
Episode 3 In this episode, Adam McConnochie speaks with Thai coffee entrepreneur Fuadi Pitsuwan, co-founder of specialty coffee company Beanspire, and Tesh Randall, founder of Raglan Food Co, currently supplying coconut yogurt into over 750 outlets across Asia. It's a breakfast match made in heaven! Both are hugely successful business owners, with high-quality products, and a strong commitment to sustainability.
Episode 4: Adam McConnochie talks Asia and tech with two experts in the field: Bradley Scott and Cris Tran. Both are serial entrepreneurs with huge experience across a range of tech businesses in the region. Brad's in Auckland, and Chris is in Vietnam. How do you succeed in Asia in the tech world, and where are the new challenges coming from?
Episode 5: In this episode, the Asia New Zealand Foundation's Alexis Allen speaks with Indonesian entrepreneur Adi Reza of Mycotech, and New Zealand entrepreneur Veronica Harwood-Stevenson of Humble Bee Bio, who are both creating innovative solutions in sustainability. Leather from mushrooms, and bioplastics from bees, it's all part of a sustainable future being built right now.
