Startup Theatre Podcast

Is software engineering already dead?In this episode of Startup Theatre, Troy & Serge sit down with Nik Wakelin the co-founder of Sterling.They unpack what AI is actually doing to engineering, startups, and how work gets done.This isn’t the usual “AI will replace everyone” narrative.Nik breaks down why we’re not seeing job collapse — we’re seeing something far more important: task collapse.We get into:• why software engineering is already changing• what “task collapse” actually means• why highly capable people are still doing low-value work• how AI creates massive leverage for builders• why the best operators will get exponentially better• what founders and engineers should be doing right nowIf you’re in tech, building a startup, or thinking about how AI impacts your role, this episode will change how you think about the future of work.Startup Theatre explores the real shifts happening in startups, technology, and how companies are being built today.Checkout Sterling 👉🏻 https://histerling.com/

AI is changing how startups are built.In this episode of Startup Theatre, Troy Hammond sits down with Toby Cox, founder of Geodde and former Partner & CTO of Paloma (Dovetail), to talk about why he walked away from leading large engineering teams to build an AI startup completely solo.After years scaling companies and managing teams of more than 100 engineers, Toby is now running an experiment: building a company with almost no team and using AI agents to do much of the work.We discuss:• Why experienced CTOs are leaving leadership roles to build with AI• How AI coding agents are replacing the work of junior engineers• Whether “solo unicorn” companies are now possible• How startups can influence what ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini say about their business• Why venture capital may not be required to start a company anymoreToby also shares the thinking behind Geodde, a platform helping companies monitor and shape how their brand appears inside AI tools.If you're a founder, builder, investor, or curious about where startups are heading next, this conversation explores how AI may reshape how companies are built.Startup Theatre explores the real stories behind startups, founders, and the evolving tech ecosystem.

Alexander Fala is the kind of leader who has seen the best and worst of startup life up close, and learned how to keep moving anyway.In this episode of Startup Theatre, Troy Hammond sits down with Alex, former Vend CEO, Rhodes Scholar, ex McKinsey, and a trusted coach to CEOs across Aotearoa. They unpack what happens when the stakes get real: a capital raise nearly collapsing, lawsuits landing mid deal, revenue shocks that threaten liquidation, and the loneliness that comes with being the person ultimately accountable.Alex shares hard-earned lessons on board dynamics, making the “right decision not the easy one”, building talent density, sharpening strategy after product-market fit, and why writing is still one of the most underrated leadership tools. They also talk about purpose, identity, and how we tell a better story about tech so more Māori and Pacific talent can see themselves in it.If you’re building, scaling, raising, or simply trying to lead with clarity under pressure, this one’s for you.

A New Zealand insuretech startup thought they’d cracked the US market, until a Fortune 500 incumbent sued them “out of the blue”.In this episode of Startup Theatre, Serge Van Damme speaks with former Montoux co-CEOs Shelley Cox and Klaas Stijnen about what it’s like to be hit with major IP allegations in the US, how quickly litigation can choke a startup’s ability to sell or raise, and why their realistic options became: fight, sell, or liquidate. They share the moment they discovered the filing, the impact on customers and staff, the decision to appoint a liquidator in New Zealand, and what’s happening now in the High Court, including the dispute over whether the liquidator can sell assets while proceedings continue.You’ll also hear practical lessons for founders going into litigious markets: understanding incumbent behaviour, thinking about legal risk as a board-level issue, and why insurance and jurisdiction matter more than most startups assume.You will hear:The moment Shelley found out through an email offering representation, nearly marked it as spam, then googled and saw “FIS versus Montoux” had been filedWhy a US lawsuit is an incredibly effective way to stifle a startup, regardless of motivation, because defence costs and commercial impact hit at the same timeWhat Montoux actually built for life insurers, why actuarial models matter, and what it felt like when they believed they had “cracked it” with major customer momentumThe three brutal options they had: fight, sell, or liquidate, and why “fight” became financially non-viable fastHow staff reacted to being implicitly accused of wrongdoing, and what it is like to have no playbook for something this seriousWhat liquidation actually means, what a liquidator is required to do, and why the timeline moved so quicklyThe NZ High Court injunction hearing over whether the liquidator can sell assets while the case continues, and why it felt so cold and detached from the humans behind the businessHard lessons for founders entering litigious markets: treating legal risk as a board-level topic, reviewing insurance properly, and researching an incumbent’s litigation posture before you enter their spaceStartups in the Spotlight: three Kiwi insuretechs going global, PolicyCheck, Simfuni, and Javln.Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Vanta. If you are starting or scaling your security programme, Vanta automates compliance for ISO 27001, SOC 2, and more.Get USD $1,000 off at: ⁠vanta.com/startuptheater⁠This episode discusses allegations and an ongoing legal dispute. We’re sharing the guest’s perspective and our commentary. Any claims mentioned are allegations only, not findings of fact. Nothing in this episode is legal advice, and we’ll avoid speculating on matters before the courts.

Goodnature CEO Dave Shoemack has had one of the more unusual startup careers you will hear about. From big beer at Heineken HQ, to helping turn VanMoof into the “Tesla of e-bikes” in Amsterdam, to leading Wellington trap-maker Goodnature and living with a founder at home through natural perfume brand Abel.In this episode of Startup Theatre, Troy and Serge sit down with Dave to talk about building global hardware companies from tiny teams, dealing with bankruptcy and rebirth, and why focus and courage matter more than almost anything else.You will hear:The inside story of VanMoof’s rise, the brave anti-car ad that was banned in France, and what it felt like to watch the company go bankrupt after he leftHow Dave walked away from a cushy global role at Heineken, battled crippling imposter syndrome, and learned to love “lobster moments” where growth only comes from discomfortWhy VanMoof eventually doubled down on one bike, one audience, and one moment, and how that extreme focus translated directly into brand powerThe move back to Wellington, joining Goodnature’s board then stepping up as CEO, and what it is really like to manufacture smart, humane traps 100 metres from the Basin Reserve and ship them to the worldDinner-table startup life with his wife Frances, founder of natural perfume house Abel, and the difference between pioneers who start things and settlers who grow themHow Goodnature keeps “founder chaos” alive in a 20-year-old company, and why Kiwi companies should stop selling out too earlyIn a new “Behind the Curtain” explainer segment, Serge also breaks down ESOPs and share options:What ESOP and options actually are, and why most employees do not receive real shares up frontHow vesting, cliffs, good leaver and bad leaver provisions work in New ZealandWhat happens to your options if the company sells early, or you leaveWhen tax hits, how net settlement usually works, and whether ESOP is really “worth it”Practical advice on negotiating salary first, then treating options as upside rather than your base payFinally, Troy and Serge answer audience questions, talk through the new Behind the Curtain segment, and explain how you can be in the draw for a $1,000 Prezi card as they work towards the 100th episode.Sponsor:This episode is brought to you by Vanta. If you are starting or scaling your security programme, Vanta automates compliance for ISO 27001, SOC 2, and more.Get USD $1,000 off at: vanta.com/startuptheaterLinks from this episode:Goodnature: https://goodnature.co.nzVanMoof: https://www.vanmoof.comAbel fragrance: https://abelodor.com

In this episode of Startup Theatre, host Troy Hammond sits down with serial founder and engineer Nimo Naamani—a man who’s lived through the chaos of founding blockchain companies, building developer tools, getting acqui-hired by Twitter, and now taking on one of the hardest industries of all: healthcare.Nimo shares wild stories—from building Horizon State, to selling his startup to Twitter, to launching Propagator, a platform aiming to connect every health transaction in New Zealand. Along the way, we unpack the mindset of a “zero to one” founder, what makes a 10x engineer (or a 100x one), and why he thinks clarity is more important than speed.Plus, you’ll hear about:Building tech under Jack Dorsey and Elon MuskWhy he believes every system leaks and how Propagator builds around thatThe surprising cult-like spirit inside TwitterThe infamous swamp origin story (yes, it involves a cowboy costume and actual sh*t)If you’re a startup builder, healthtech nerd, or just love hearing from people who do the hard stuff, this is one for the queue.🎧 Tune in now – and take notes. Nimo knows how to build a product and scale. 🔑 Topics CoveredThe swampy origin story that shaped Nimo’s love of chaos and hard problemsWhat happens inside a Twitter acqui-hire — and why they paid top dollar for his teamHow Propagator is fixing healthcare by doing the hardest thing first and not storing your dataWhy most startups fail at integration — and what it actually takes to connect legacy systemsThe messy truth about co-founders, clarity, and leading when you're not a natural CEO🔥 SoundbitesSpeed without clarity is just noise.I don’t want to store your data. I want to move it — fast and safely.I’ve been surrounded by bullsh!t since I was four. I’m used to chaos.I never wanted to be CEO. I just want to fix things.You don’t need a cult to build a great company. You need adults.A startup is not a family. I’ve got kids — I don’t need more at work.I’ll take the swamp every time. That’s where the real work is.Most people start with the easy. We started with the hard.The best founders aren’t the loudest. They’re the most convicted.Every system leaks. So prepare, don’t panic.This podcast was brought to you by our amazing sponsor in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Vanta⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🙌🏻Get USD $1000 off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Vanta⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ using the link ⁠⁠https://www.vanta.com/startup⁠

In this episode of Startup Theatre, Troy Hammond sits down with Michael "Koz" Koziarski, a veteran software engineer, startup founder, and open source contributor, to talk about the messy, real, and rewarding side of building software and leading teams.From his early work in Ruby on Rails and open source to his leadership roles at Vend and Southgate Labs, Koz shares the honest truths about engineering in high-growth environments.You’ll hear how great leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about building trust, hiring well, and raising the performance bar.This conversation delves into what it truly takes to lead technical teams, navigate outages, transition from consulting to product development, and why there are no silver bullets—just consistent, hard, and deliberate work.Whether you're an engineer stepping into leadership or a founder trying to build a high-performing team, Koz’s lessons on product understanding, trust, AI expectations, and crisis management will resonate.🔑 Topics Covered:​The evolution of open source and Ruby on Rails​Why understanding product is non-negotiable for engineering leaders​The real differences between consulting and building product​Transitioning from coder to leader—and doing it well​Navigating business reality vs. startup fantasy​Raising the performance bar and letting your team fail​Leadership in the age of AI​Outages, crisis comms, and how to keep calm under fire🔥 Soundbites:​“There are no silver bullets in business... hard work is key.”​“You’ve got to be able to call bullsh!t.”​“Engineers need to stop sitting in ball pits."🎧 Tune in now – and take notes. Koz doesn’t hold back.This podcast was brought to you by our amazing sponsor in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Vanta⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🙌🏻Get USD $1000 off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Vanta⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ using the link https://www.vanta.com/startup

Ever wondered what your colleagues really think about you? In this episode, we sit down with Aaron Ward, co-founder and CEO of Huckleberry, the global startup turning workplace feedback on its head.Aaron isn’t new to shaking up the world of work. He previously co-founded AskNicely, a customer feedback SaaS that grew to Series B and raised over USD $50m, helping companies around the world rethink how they measure and act on customer experience. With Huckleberry, he’s now bringing that same obsession with feedback and growth to the way we understand ourselves at work.Huckleberry is the world’s first voice-based 360 feedback platform, designed to strip out the clunky surveys, save 90% of the time, and put your professional reputation in your pocket. Think of it as the LinkedIn of feedback, a shareable profile that captures your strengths, work style, and how your team actually sees you.In our conversation, Aaron shares how his team is reinventing one of the most broken parts of work: feedback. We explore the psychology of reputation, why most companies get it wrong, and how AI can transform the way we understand ourselves and grow our careers.If you’ve ever wanted a no-BS view of your office reputation....This episode is for you.

In this episode of Startup Theater, host Serge Van Dam engages in a dynamic conversation with female founders Irina Miller from Daisy Lab and Mrinali Kumar from Eat Kinda. These amazing founders are pioneering the alternative protein sector in New Zealand. On this episode, you will hear them discuss their journeys, the challenges of scaling their startups, and the importance of innovation in the food industry. Irina shares insights about Daisy Lab's mission to create dairy alternatives using precision fermentation, while Milli talks about her experience launching cauliflower-based ice cream with Eat Kinda. The conversation also touches on the broader plant-based market landscape, the role of female founders in startups, and the importance of vulnerability and collaboration in entrepreneurship.This podcast was brought to you by our amazing sponsor in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Vanta⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🙌🏻Get USD $1000 off ⁠⁠⁠⁠Vanta⁠⁠⁠⁠ using the link https://www.vanta.com/startuptheatre.

With the amazing Electrify Aotearoa conference behind us, we wanted to share some of the amazing people who presented and attended. In this special episode of the Startup Theatre podcast, we shine a spotlight on the remarkable women who are leading the charge in entrepreneurship. Recorded live at the Electrify Aotearoa event, this episode features insightful conversations with inspiring female founders who are breaking barriers and redefining success in their respective fields.Join host Adrienne Muir as she sits down with Marian Johnson, MNZM, the founder of Electrify Aotearoa, who shares her vision for growing the women's founder pipeline and creating opportunities for high-growth startups. Alliv Samson co-founder of Kami, discusses her journey from a university competition to building a successful edtech company used by millions of students and teachers worldwide. Kristen Lunman and Natalie Ferguson from Powrsuit, talk about the importance of risk-taking and redefining success for women in leadership roles. Lucy Pink and Hannah Hardy-Jones from Contented, explore the power of capturing meaningful conversations and the role of AI in transforming business insights.Throughout the episode, these trailblazing women share their personal stories, challenges, and triumphs, offering valuable insights and inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs. Tune in to discover how they are not only transforming industries but also paving the way for future generations of women in business.This podcast was brought to you by our amazing sponsor in ⁠⁠⁠Vanta⁠⁠⁠ 🙌🏻Get USD $1000 off ⁠⁠Vanta⁠⁠ using the link https://www.vanta.com/startuptheatre.

Nick Lissette is the founder and CEO of Black Pearl Group, a New Zealand-born SaaS company generating over $12.5M in ARR from the US market and he’s just getting started. With a relentless drive and a famously no-BS approach to business, Nick has been scaling startups since he was 24, when he bought his first company for $1, walked into an office with a server, a car park, and no clue what he was doing and figured it out the hard way.Since then, he’s built and sold multiple businesses, survived the brutal cycles of SaaS, and taken Black Pearl public on the NZX, with plans now underway for a dual listing on the ASX. Under his leadership, Black Pearl has launched a suite of products that use real AI, not vaporware, to help SMEs in the US find and close more customers. Nick doesn’t just talk about AI—his team builds it, deploys it, and uses it to scale faster with fewer people. And yes, he thinks Elon might’ve had a point about Twitter headcount.Nick is as authentic as they come. He tells it like it is, about fundraising, hiring tough operators, managing burnout, building billion-dollar visions, and grinding through hill runs with his teenage son to stay mentally sharp. Whether he’s cold-calling from a Taco Bell in Arizona or closing deals face-to-face in the US, Nick plays to win, and he’ll either succeed or “die trying.”This podcast was brought to you by our amazing sponsor in ⁠Vanta⁠ 🙌🏻Get USD $1000 off Vanta using the link https://www.vanta.com/startuptheatre.

For nearly two decades, Heather has worked across strategy, operations, product marketing, revenue, and executive go-to-market roles in 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 startups and multinational companies.On this episode, we discuss the impact of AI on business and the importance of 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗜 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 to stay competitive. Heather shares her insights on the future of work, the necessity of adapting to new technologies, and the 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗔𝗜. "𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘢𝘩𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵." ~ Heather GadonniexIn this engaging conversation, Heather shares her insights on the evolving landscape of startups, the impact of AI on productivity, and the importance of 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗼-𝗧𝗼-𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀. "That's mind-blowing." ~ Adrienne MuirThis podcast was brought to you by our amazing sponsor in Vanta 🙌🏻Get USD $1000 off Vanta using the link https://www.vanta.com/startuptheatre.