Former software developer turned meat industry innovation manager, Ben Nally, never set out to launch a tech company. But when faced with clunky off-the-shelf systems and overpriced custom builds, he rolled up his sleeves and built his own solution, without writing a line of code. That experiment grew into AppyKiwi, a business dedicated to helping small and mid-sized companies solve everyday problems with bespoke, affordable apps. With mentoring from COIN South’s Fran, Ben is now mapping out a five-year plan to scale his impact while keeping the focus on creative problem-solving.  

What was meant to be a quiet test of the waters at New Zealand’s largest gift fair turned into the ultimate green light for Romene. With a tiny Kickstarter stand, a handful of samples, and plenty of nerves, founders Megan and Alice came home not only with orders from high-end retailers but also with a new confidence in their pricing, their product, and their place in the market. Now they’re scaling up production, preparing to launch into stores before summer, and realising that their “soft launch” was actually the starting gun.

Map My Mouth Ltd, founded by Georgina Welsh, is revolutionising oral health care by providing accessible and equitable dental screening and triaging services. With a focus on Māori, Pasifika and low-income adults, Map My Mouth aims to reduce waiting times and improve resource utilisation in dental clinics, starting in Southland. Join us in creating healthier communities and a brighter future for oral health in New Zealand.

At The Ferment Kitchen, Geraldine Pene brings the ancient art of fermentation to life through engaging workshops and personalised fermenting chats. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned fermenter, Geraldine's approachable, no-fuss methods make it easy and enjoyable to create your own healthy, fermented foods at home. Follow The Ferment Kitchen to discover the simplicity and joy of fermentation and be part of a community that celebrates tradition, health, and creativity.

The Clutha District is embarking on a mission to build a vibrant startup ecosystem. This initiative, driven by Clutha Development with support from COIN South, aims to provide budding entrepreneurs, business owners, and innovators with the resources, support, and connections they need to turn their ideas into successful ventures.

Electrify Aotearoa, a conference dedicated to empowering women founders, was a transformative experience for Megan Seator, a startup founder from Southland, New Zealand. Here are her top four takeaways

Nathan McKenzie, founder of Hopsession Brewing, crafts beers to embody what he thinks makes Southland, Southland.

As we talk to Southland businesses we are often asked about the role of Generative AI in innovation. Brian has loaded up with coffee and hit the keyboard to share his insights on the topic.

The true power of innovation lies not just in the answers we find but in the questions we ask. It's about fostering a culture where creativity and collaboration lead the way to groundbreaking solutions. Let's keep asking the right questions – that's where real innovation begins.

We are excited to announce our expansion to deliver innovation services to existing businesses and support for the wider innovation ecosystem across the Southland region.

We got the COIN South team to dive into their notes app and pull out their key takeaways from Sunrise Aotearoa Festival 2023.

Something we have been discussing a lot over the last few weeks is the importance of building a culture of innovation, and naturally, when we talk about innovation, we have to talk about failure and, more importantly, failing fast.