FKA 😇 Advice, Connections and Funding for NZ Startups

Another FKA Friday ● 18 April 2025#10

22/4/2025


	18 April 2025 #10		829+542

OMG, investors love big TAM but as Auckland experiences heavy rain and wind from Cyclone Tam our editor has suffered a power cut since returning home after ADI.Clinic last night. Hence this edition hits you from a local cafe. Power company estimates power will be back at 17:30 today. Happy Easter, everyone! □

Lucy gave a brief update on Tuesday. Our NEXT GEN angels are spreading their wings. They have made two first investments and passed on one other.

□ Email Lucy to find out more!

On Tuesday, Chris Jagger gave a pleasing update on the AV Gaming Fund!

Eight360 is already in the FKA stable. Cornelius reckons there should be room for BestSeat360 too. More from CEO Liam next week.

Jason has made a miraculous aka hard work recovery with Spoke since the recap last year. That was a great highlight on Tuesday!

A while back we were looking for a central angel admin and found Tyler. Now, Colin at Catalist, being prudent with his cash flow scenarios, is looking for extra buffer from a flat round.

Investors can see more HERE!

POST PITCH EASTER DRINKS, this Saturday, join us from 16:00 in Auckland.

Flying Kiwi Angels started with a dirty dozen in 2014. Kitea Health has just clocked 12 patients. Whilst many have chips on the brain, these12 have the Kitea chip in their brain. F#$%ING AWESOME INTERVIEW!

Great to see how FKA leading the Kai's Education round has raised nearly $2.5m for the company to go big in the US. PRESS HERE!

Wednesday, 23rd April, 15:30 □ REGISTER for this webinar!

Ronel Schodt from Kai’s Education as “The EdTech founder who has just raised”
Bob Drummond from Kami as “The EdTech founder who has successfully exited”
Dave Moskovitz from Think Tank as “The OG EdTech investor”
Lane Litz from Founder VC as “The EdTech VC investor”
Rudi Bublitz from Flying Kiwi Angels as “The EdTech angel investor”

Another FKA Friday ● 13 December 2024#47

13/12/2024


	13 December 2024 #47		837+497

We don't know if Kitea Health #37 will pick up breakneck speed after gaining FDA Breakthrough Device Designation. But it will certainly help! MORE—see the open round HERE!

From breakneck to ultrafast (not broadband). It is deep tech and Glen did ask many of the smart questions in this Q&A. He still likes it!??—see the open round HERE!

Indus—DD in progress and to compete before Xmas!

A big shout out to the superheroes who usually participate in the weekly ADI dance, helping founders with advice and connections. Andy Harwood, Ashley Smout, David Eldor, Ewart MacLucas, Glen Harris, Jeff Skidmore, Juan Aguilera, Lucy Law, Mark Robinson, Mike Evans, Olivia Yeo, Rudi Bublitz, Seth Wells.

Hindsight is 20/20, but foresight is a good thing too. You can already book your slot for the Startup Governance Workshop in February with Debra and Greg. HERE

2024 was FKA's 10th anniversary, and on balance, it has been a great year, with some wipeouts and some great returns. The longest Xmas dinner table yet last night. This is the last newsletter edition for 2024. See you back in 2025!

Still some open rounds and one DD about to close. We will follow up separately.

Another FKA Friday ● 6 December 2024#46

6/12/2024


	6 December 2024 #46		835+459

Olivia has been a super FKA supporter at KMPG, and we're sad to see her go. But we're pleased she will still be rooting for FKA in her new role at Kai's Education. Going from KPMG blue to literally more colour. Go, Olivia!

Another super FKA supporter is Lucy. She will co-ordinate the activities of the next generation of angel investors, making her the Chief Kitten Herder. See more!

Data goes down better with investors than coffee! READ ON

This studio session called for the orange suit. LinkedIn / Podcast

Now, Rudi wants to take the learnings from his own startup and other startups he has worked with to Kai's Education.

We are glad to have Flying Kiwis who think and have been thinking deeply about AI. Alan is one such candidate and was on the above Team121 journey. READ

We do prefer a more diligent class of co-investors. If you are then you can see more background on our open rounds at fka.nz/deals ??

"The conventional venture model relied on the power law to rationalize overly concentrated portfolios, and 'hot deal chasing' when basic portfolio management theory emphasizes (non-systematic) risk management through diversification."

AN INTERESTING READ ??

So true! READ and LEARN ???

All seats are taken for next Thursday night. But Katheren may be open to bribes! ??

Another FKA Friday ● 29 November 2024#45

29/11/2024


	Black Friday 2024 #45		<="">

We now have a Chief Kitten Herder for the NEXT GEN Fund. This is succession planning. Our next generation of angels can learn by doing in a safe collaborative space. Any young person under 35 (paired for compliance only with a wholesale investor, most likely a parent) can join the program.

Commit $5,000 for 5 startup investments and be part of this collective learning and decision-making process. The first 10 entrants will receive a $1,000 bonus from an angelic sponsor. AMA Lucy! • Nikita Bublitz is in!

This dinner is with angels, not for angels only! First come first serve, so RSVP??

Two Flying Kiwis - built a chatbot, not like peas in a pod, they are now battling for podcast supremacy. One is getting into cars, the other is getting out—looking for exits. Timbo pod ?????? Joshie pod

Interesting observation! HERE

Carta data—the average number of founders per startup has trended down.

Ben Affleck, no affliction, on air, on AI ?? WATCH!

OMG! AI is fraught with fraudsters, HERE! However, no AI and no fake astronomical numbers with Kai's Education and Bonnet!

Buy the best startup shares on Black Friday only at fka.nz/deals!

The Global Entrepreneurship Network NZ has announced this year's winners. 125 nominations, 21 judges across 10 award categories. And the winners are...

Another FKA Friday ● 25 October 2024#40

25/10/2024


	25 October 2024 #40		835+459

FMCG is tough, ask Vince #38, but it can be a high-rewards industry, as it was for Daniel Lubetzky and his early 5,000x investors.

Debra is representing Mindhive #41 as part of an NZ trade delegation to São Paulo, Brazil. See her "Biggest learning"!

After working with numerous willing sheep and pigs Kitea Health #37 has successfully completed its first-in-human trial. FDA approval is next and Kitea is raising $10m, with Pacific Channel and Icehouse Ventures leading.

When an experienced founder gives positive feedback on ADI.Clinic we take it!

This is the second of the two-part series on climate investing. Lachlan, still hot from leading the Hot Lime Labs #13 round, shares his take on climate investing.

When you tame cats you get invited to a panel with the Wild Things. □
For now, keep the date 13 November at GridAKL!

GEN NZ Awards 2024! Last chance! to nominate the people who make a difference in your opinion. Give'em some names, GO!!!

It's a hyperbolic example but a good lesson. But children don't do this at home, don't do this to your parents. Founders use it sparingly in your investor updates. MORE!

Kodak invented the digital camera but didn’t launch it, fearing it would undercut its successful film business. That was 1975. Fifty years on Runway and other AI image generators bring disruption. Read & watch.

Another FKA Friday ● 20 September 2024#35

20/9/2024


	20 September 2024 #35		840+421

Bad weather on Tuesday made for light attendance, angels don't like to get their wings wet. Still, Ju from Formus and Tijs from Hot Lime Labs gave a pleasing progress update. Kieran from Venu pitched a white-labelled loyalty program with a compelling twist. HERE □

Josh is the Flying Kiwi who keeps on smiling like the Madagascar penguins □ Also, smiles go well on a magazine cover. Smiles all around!

There is plenty of other startup stuff in it too □

A bit more than a month ago, Bending Spoons announced their acquisition of WeTransfer, an Amsterdam-based company. Now it's reported that the new owner will lay off 75% of the staff. READ ON!