Blog Posts

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!

This is why the US does tech innovation 100x better than the UK! Standup comedy hits it on the nail. Where do you put NZ on this spectrum?

Some pivots take you from bad to worse. Anti-examples □

We're doing DD on Kai's Education. The founders are embracing their target market, they know how to dress to impress Texas! More at #nzentrepreneur!

Cowboy/girl hats? The US can do better, eat cats! A real earworm!

Also, on LinkedIn and over 2,000 FKA GIFs on GIPHY.

Another FKA Friday ● 13 September 2024#34

13/9/2024


	13 September 2024 #34		840+421

CHH stumbled into the Show her the money! screening at GridAKL last night. He was one of two guys with another 98 women in the room. It was eye-opening to feel what it means to be the minority! And this was with everyone being very welcoming.

FKA's August pitch night had 3 pitches from 3 female founders!

September pitch night? When? Already next Tuesday, 18:30! KPMG is rolling out the proverbial red carpet to host another startup night to remember!
If you haven't been before □ 18 Viaduct Harbour Ave, Auckland.

Last but not least we have Peter knocking on FKA's doors. He has the full support of his wife Debra and Pip his daughter, both are Flying Kiwis already. But that is not exactly peer review. His LinkedIn profile speaks of stiff, not flying angels.□ He has a wine cellar to be locked up in, and/but was with ASB for 23 years.

Special situations call for special measures. Debra should invite a group of Flying Kiwis to one of Peter's wine tastings to secure the legendary three ticks from that group. Peter has already been the other half of Debra's investment decisions and wants to get involved in 4FF.

Old org, new tricks! Promo video □ Going live in October, hopefully, it will make it easier for founders to forage in the funding forest of NZ government agencies. Interesting discussion in the comments HERE.

Lachlan runs boutique fund Motion Capital "investing in founders doing good business by helping the world decarbonise". Nek minnit, he leads the Series A round for our beloved Hot Lime Labs #13. Another dark horse is Matt, a Flying Kiwi who helped with HLL DD on the quiet.

Bet the jockey, not the horse. Better know the jockey you bet on. See more.

The patience of Flying Kiwis is legendary. We prove that every week at ADI.Clinic, and Alan, one of our UK-based angels, proves that in his conversation with an airline chatbot. HERE!

The Mystery of the cover letter according to the Economist. Read and chuckle!

Not big, bear hugs but BHAGs, says Josh. Success tips.

The World Summit Awards are looking for NZ nominations. If you have developed a digital solution with strong social impact in NZ you should apply HERE.