Diaspora.nz

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Diaspora.nz

Around 20% of New Zealanders live outside of New Zealand. This is our “Diaspora” — and it’s one of the world’s largest, per capita. Not only is it large, it's insanely talented… early in their lives and careers, many of New Zealand’s most ambitious individuals realise— if they want to make a dent in the universe, they need to get out there… to study abroad, get the experience, build relationships to help them win on a global stage. Today, those estimated ~1M expats include some of our finest talent. They are founders, top operators/execs at industry leading companies. They are scientists and researchers working at the frontiers of science: artificial intelligence, synthetic biology; global leaders in business, culture, and society… entrenched in all corners of the world, walks of live… largely “heads down”, doing their thing. https://www.diaspora.nz Disapora is part of the Day One network. Day One helps founders & operators make better business decisions more often.

  1. S3 | E7 - Xavier Collins (CEO at Wonder) on AI’s creative revolution, building thriving marketplaces, and reshaping the film industry

    17 APR

    S3 | E7 - Xavier Collins (CEO at Wonder) on AI’s creative revolution, building thriving marketplaces, and reshaping the film industry

    Episode SummaryXavier Collins, London-born and New Zealand-raised, is no stranger to building marketplaces that scale. After early days at Uber, Xavier joined Nexus Notes before launching Deliveroo into dozens of UK cities and spearheading Turo’s growth across Europe. Now he’s applying his marketplace magic to the film industry with Wonder, an AI-native creative studio backed by Blackbird, LocalGlobe, and a host of world-class angels. In today’s episode, Xavier takes us deep into the creative frontier of AI and storytelling, exploring how technology can unlock new levels of creativity, reshape entertainment financing, and give more filmmakers a voice. We cover: • How AI is redefining storytelling and enabling more scripts to reach production • Lessons from building successful marketplaces at Uber, Deliveroo, Turo, and Nexus Notes • The keys to marketplace success: seeding liquidity, focusing on quality supply, and defining user experience • Why the entertainment industry is overdue for disruption (and how Wonder is leading the charge) • How filmmakers and creatives can harness AI to amplify their vision We also dive into Xavier’s unique journey—from narrowly missing a consulting career to hustling his way through startups, and the unforgettable Cannes moment that launched Wonder. Time Stamps02:49 The Cannes moment: Realising AI will reshape filmmaking 07:18 Using AI to rescue stories that wouldn’t otherwise be told 10:56 The life-changing phone call that sent Xavier into startups 19:37 Early lessons on marketplace liquidity from Deliveroo and Turo 25:52 Price, selection, and service: The three pillars of marketplace success 32:16 Services vs SaaS: Rethinking business models in the AI age 41:05 Financing films 101: Inside Xavier’s other venture, Lumiere Ventures 48:26 Xavier’s advice to young people: Lean into AI now Resources🙋🏻‍♂️ Xavier Collins’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xaviercollins/ ✨ Wonder – AI-native creative studio: https://www.wonder.inc Diaspora.nz is part of Day One.Day One helps founders and startup operators make better business decisions more often. To learn more, join our newsletter to be notified of new Diaspora.nz episodes and upcoming shows.

    55 min
  2. S3 | E6 - Anton Jackson Smith (b.next) on building synthetic cells, programmable biology, and the future of biotech

    10 APR

    S3 | E6 - Anton Jackson Smith (b.next) on building synthetic cells, programmable biology, and the future of biotech

    Episode SummaryAnton Jackson Smith is a synthetic biologist, Stanford PhD, and founder of b.next—a startup building synthetic cells from scratch to make biology truly programmable. Think of it as rewriting life’s codebase, with applications ranging from cancer treatments and diagnostics to lab-grown foods and smart crops. In today’s episode, Anton breaks down what synthetic cells actually are (and why they matter), how his open-source platform Nucleus is changing the way biology is engineered, and why the future of medicine, agriculture, and climate tech might be written in DNA. We also dig into his journey, from coding in Queenstown and law school in Otago, to cutting-edge research in Silicon Valley, and how a random article on programmable E. coli changed everything. In this conversation, we cover: • How synthetic cells could power the next generation of therapeutics and diagnostics • Why biology needs its own “AWS moment” and how open source can unlock it • The real business model behind synthetic biology (and why it's not just science) • How Kiwi strengths in agriculture and biotech could shape a global future • What New Zealand needs to do to retain and return its brightest minds Anton also shares his vision for a safer, more ethical bio-economy, and how we can build powerful new tools without repeating the mistakes of the past. Time Stamps01:21 What is a synthetic cell—and why should you care? 06:44 How Anton fell into biology (thanks to an E. coli article in Vietnam) 11:12 Why modifying real cells isn’t enough—and what BNext is doing differently 16:30 The near-term use cases: cancer, diagnostics, and food 22:47 How Nucleus is creating the open-source toolkit for biology 30:14 Three phases of BNext’s business model: Boot → Build → Bazaar 37:10 The big vision: programmable biology that saves lives 44:18 What New Zealand’s biotech future could look like 47:30 Returning talent, building bridges, and bringing brains back home Resources🙋🏻‍♂️ Anton Jackson Smith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonjacksonsmith 🧬 b.next : https://www.bnext.bio Diaspora.nz is part of Day One.Day One helps founders and startup operators make better business decisions more often. To learn more, join our newsletter to be notified of new Diaspora.nz episodes and upcoming shows.

    52 min
  3. S3 | E5 - From Law School to Leading the Future of Creator Platforms: How Georgia Rippin (Kold Open) Is Building the Next Wave of Mid-Form Video, and Sneaking Into Hollywood

    3 APR

    S3 | E5 - From Law School to Leading the Future of Creator Platforms: How Georgia Rippin (Kold Open) Is Building the Next Wave of Mid-Form Video, and Sneaking Into Hollywood

    Episode SummaryGrowing up in Wellington, New Zealand, with parents in the police force and government, a career in film and TV wasn’t exactly on the radar for Georgia Rippin. But after studying law and Māori at Vic, she made a bold leap to New York, armed with only a suitcase, a dream, and a few blocks of Whittaker’s chocolate that she used to slip into mailrooms of the biggest studios on the planet. That scrappiness paid off: Georgia wound up producing mid-form shows (those 10- to 20-minute episodic pieces that can eventually scale into full series), teaming up with major networks, and ultimately founding Kold Open, a platform reshaping how creators monetise their IP and get discovered. In this episode, Georgia digs into the pitfalls of legacy media, why YouTube fails episodic creators, and how AI-driven product placement might unlock new revenue streams for independent filmmakers. She also shares the real story of how she broke into the industry, from dressing like an assistant to cold-knocking on studio doors, and why she believes being just the right amount of naïve can be an entrepreneur’s superpower. Finally, she offers insights for fellow Kiwis eager to chase creative careers on the world’s biggest stages. Time Stamps00:00 – Intro 02:16 – From legal briefs to scripts: Why she picked New York over LA 04:18 – Mid-form explained: How shows like Workaholics and It’s Always Sunny began 08:01 – Why YouTube’s algorithm hurts episodic creators—and how Kold Open fixes it 10:20 – Cracking the first big studio deal: Lessons in hustle, grit, and chocolate bribes 14:19 – Being ‘productively naïve’: Georgia on forging a path without industry connections 18:07 – AI’s silver lining for indies: New tools that help with coloring, sound, and distribution 25:37 – Rise of FAST channels: Why “free TV” is the next frontier for content creators 31:53 – The founder journey: Building a startup in NYC and hitting sustainable revenue 35:54 – AI-driven ad placement: Adding a digital Pepsi cup post-production (and getting paid) 40:48 – Advice for aspiring Kiwi creators: Collaboration, comedic storytelling, and never giving up Resources- Kold Open – Georgia’s mid-form platform: https://www.koldopen.com - Georgia Rippin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-rippin/ - Viva La Dirt League (NZ’s comedy YouTubers mentioned): https://www.youtube.com/c/VivaLaDirtLeague

    42 min
  4. S3 | E4 - Bowen Pan (Common Room) on launching Facebook Marketplace, spotting hidden opportunities, and mastering the art of product

    27 MAR

    S3 | E4 - Bowen Pan (Common Room) on launching Facebook Marketplace, spotting hidden opportunities, and mastering the art of product

    Episode SummaryBowen Pan’s career is a playbook on turning hidden opportunities into global products. Currently the VP of Product at Common Room (a $52M Series B startup backed by Greylock and Index Ventures), Bowen previously shaped major products at Facebook and Stripe. At Facebook, he discovered latent buying and selling behaviour buried in groups, leading to the creation of Facebook Marketplace, now serving over 500 million people worldwide. Later, at Stripe, Bowen built their apps platform, creating an ecosystem empowering small businesses around the globe. Bowen’s product philosophy hinges on ruthless curiosity, finding underserved markets, and cultivating teams focused on impact, not visibility. From his formative days at Trade Me in New Zealand, through launching ambitious new verticals at Facebook, to redefining payments at Stripe, Bowen shares how Kiwi generalism laid the foundation for his product-led approach. In today’s episode, we cover: • How Bowen uncovered and scaled Facebook Marketplace from a simple SQL query • Why high-impact, low-visibility projects are career superchargers • How New Zealand shaped Bowen’s holistic view of product building • The secret to spotting hidden user behaviour that others overlook • The skills you should build (and ignore) to be an exceptional product leader • Why truth-seeking is the greatest career skill of all • How Common Room is reinventing go-to-market by putting people first We also explore Bowen’s thoughts on investing in passionate founders, the future of product management amidst AI-driven tools, and how Kiwi companies can better leverage global opportunities. Time Stamps00:32 Bowen’s journey from Trade Me to Facebook, Stripe, and Common Room 02:27 Spotting hidden opportunities: the power of latent user behaviour 09:45 Building Facebook Marketplace from scratch 21:00 How Bowen validated Marketplace’s potential 28:43 Stripe’s mission and building a platform for SMBs 35:43 What defines excellent product management? 47:26 The future of product leadership in the age of AI 55:18 How New Zealand shaped Bowen’s global career 59:25 Using New Zealand as a global testing ground 01:03:55 Investing philosophy: finding founders with secret insights ResourcesBowen Pan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bowenpan/ Common Room - Reinventing go-to-market software: https://www.commonroom.io

    1h 11m
  5. S3 | E3 - Joel Little (Grammy-winning producer) on making Royals with Lorde, creative collaboration, and why startups are like hit songs

    20 MAR

    S3 | E3 - Joel Little (Grammy-winning producer) on making Royals with Lorde, creative collaboration, and why startups are like hit songs

    Episode SummaryJoel Little is one of the world's top music producers, quietly shaping global hits behind the scenes - from co-writing Lorde’s breakthrough "Royals" to producing massive tracks for artists like Taylor Swift, Imagine Dragons, and Khalid. Despite Grammys, multi-platinum records, and billions of streams, Joel remains remarkably down-to-earth, bringing a uniquely Kiwi sensibility to Hollywood and beyond. In this special live episode, Joel flips roles with early Trade Me engineer and investor Rowan Simpson, uncovering the striking similarities between creating hit songs and building startups. They dive into the art of discovering and shaping raw talent, how Kiwi humility can be a secret weapon (and sometimes a weakness), and the critical role that producers, mentors, and early supporters play in global success stories. In today’s episode, we cover: • Joel’s wild ride from recording Royals in two days to topping global charts, winning Grammys, and producing some of the decade’s biggest songs • What music producers actually do, and why creative collaboration often feels like therapy • Why Joel sold his song catalogue (and how that’s like a startup “exit”) • The parallels between startups and music: from finding product-market fit, to pivoting when something’s not working, to knowing how to scale authentically • How Kiwi humility can be both a superpower and a stumbling block on the world stage • The backstory of Joel’s non-profit Big Fan, building studios and stages for the next generation of Kiwi artists We also hear about Joel’s own personal growth, from musician in Goodnight Nurse to world-renowned producer, and Rowan’s perspective from the early days of Trade Me and Xero, reflecting on how creativity and business blend in unexpected ways. Time Stamps00:00 Intro 01:19 Meet Joel Little: Grammy-winning Kiwi producer behind Royals, Taylor Swift, Khalid, and more 03:07 What does a producer actually do? Joel breaks down his creative process 10:22 The making of Royals: how a song recorded in two days became a global hit 15:58 Life after Royals: from struggling musician to Grammy-winning producer 19:08 Working with global superstars: Imagine Dragons, Khalid, Taylor Swift 22:04 How Joel avoided the classic rockstar pitfalls (and stayed authentically Kiwi) 23:12 Why Kiwi humility is both Joel’s secret weapon and greatest challenge 28:00 Early days at Trade Me - Rowan shares his journey from scrappy startup to Kiwi tech icon 30:16 What Joel looks for in creative collaborators—and how startups can learn from his approach 42:12 Selling his catalogue: Joel’s version of a startup “exit” 46:30 Big Fan: Joel’s nonprofit building studios and stages for the next generation of artists ResourcesJoel Little’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjoellittle Rowan Simpson's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowansimpson/ Big Fan – Joel’s nonprofit for emerging Kiwi artists: https://bigfan.co.nz Royals by Lorde (Grammy-winning single produced by Joel Little): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlcIKh6sBtc Young Dumb & Broke by Khalid (Joel’s biggest streaming hit): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPfJnp1guPc

    50 min
  6. S3 | E2 - Kathryn Zealand (Skip) on robotic exoskeletons, mobility for life, and spinning out of Google X

    13 MAR

    S3 | E2 - Kathryn Zealand (Skip) on robotic exoskeletons, mobility for life, and spinning out of Google X

    Episode SummaryKathryn Zealand founded Skip to help people stay active and independent through aging and injury, inspired by her grandmother’s painful fall and the inadequate technology available at the time. Skip's flagship product, the MoGo, is an innovative, lightweight robotic exoskeleton that acts like an e-bike for walking, offering just the right amount of assistance, whether hiking up mountains or standing from a chair. Kathryn brings her unique perspective as a physicist-turned-founder and former project lead at Google X, Alphabet’s moonshot factory, where she learned the art of rapid prototyping and building breakthrough technologies. In this conversation, Kathryn shares Skip’s journey from idea to hardware startup, the nuances of building consumer robotics, navigating FDA approval, and tackling the manufacturing challenge of moving from prototype to scale. In today’s episode, we cover: • How a personal mission became a company, and why mobility impacts mental health as much as physical well-being • What Skip’s MoGo exoskeleton is and how it empowers people to reclaim active lives • Behind the scenes at Google X: spinning out projects, rapid prototyping, and taking big bets • Navigating the complex hardware funding landscape: equity, grants, pre-orders, and venture debt • The art and science of robotic mobility: why understanding user intent matters • Why Skip chose outdoor brands like Arc'teryx as their first partners, and what’s next in consumer robotics • The skills Kat had to learn (and unlearn) to become a successful CEO and founder We also talk about Kat’s unconventional career path, from astrophysics to humanitarian law to deep-tech entrepreneurship, and her advice to aspiring founders looking to change the world with impactful technology. Time Stamps00:41 Meet Kat Zealand: Founder, physicist, and former Googler making robotic exoskeletons 02:07 How a grandmother’s fall became Skip’s origin story 03:32 Introducing MoGo: “An e-bike for walking” 05:11 Why mobility technology impacts mental health and quality of life 07:50 Partnering with Arc'teryx: From mountain trails to everyday use 08:44 Preparing to scale: From 50 handcrafted prototypes to 10,000 units 10:23 Navigating FDA approval and the medical vs consumer hardware divide 12:53 The robotics software challenge: Predicting user intent accurately 15:58 Behind the scenes at Google X: How Alphabet’s moonshot factory works 22:34 Spinning out from Alphabet: Lessons from Skip’s journey 24:00 Funding hardware startups: Venture capital, non-dilutive grants, and customer pre-orders 34:37 Leadership lessons Kat had to unlearn as a Kiwi CEO in Silicon Valley ResourcesKathryn Zealand’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-zealand/ Skip website and MoGo rentals & pre-orders: https://www.skipwithjoy.com Google X (Alphabet’s moonshot factory): https://x.company Founders, Inc – SF-based startup community: https://f.inc

    39 min
  7. S3 | E1 - Jamie Beaton (Crimson Education) on scaling a global education empire, the future of universities, and AI’s role in learning

    6 MAR

    S3 | E1 - Jamie Beaton (Crimson Education) on scaling a global education empire, the future of universities, and AI’s role in learning

    Episode SummaryWhen Jamie Beaton co-founded Crimson Education, his goal was simple: help ambitious students get into the world’s best universities. Fast forward ten years, Crimson has 800+ staff, global offices, and a suite of education platforms spanning admissions coaching, an international online high school, and AI-powered study tools. Jamie’s personal journey is just as remarkable—Harvard undergrad, four master's degrees, a JD from Yale, a PhD from Oxford, a Rhodes Scholar. His expertise? Elite admissions, scaling global businesses, and the changing economics of education. In today’s episode, we cover: • Why the traditional university model is broken and which institutions will survive • How AI is making elite education accessible (and why most schools aren’t ready) • Why New Zealand’s smartest students need to get out—and when to return • The right way to build a world-class company, from hiring to leadership • How top universities actually admit students (hint: it’s not just grades) We also hear about Jamie’s biggest mentors, his leadership lessons, and the future of Crimson Education after its recent Series D. Time Stamps01:11 The wildest education history: Harvard, Yale, Oxford & beyond 03:40 Crimson’s 10-year journey from a bold pitch to a global business 06:48 How the real college admissions process works (and what most Kiwis get wrong) 09:52 Buying vs. building: How Jamie makes big bets on acquisitions 14:55 The myth of online education and why self-motivation changes everything 18:08 How Crimson finds the next generation of ambitious Kiwis 25:17 The AI revolution: Private tutoring for everyone—at 1% of the cost 35:53 Is there a reckoning coming for the long tail of higher education? 44:02 Why Kiwis need to get out—and when to do it 56:06 The biggest leadership lessons Jamie had to unlearn ResourcesJamie Beaton’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiebeaton/ Crimson Education – Global admissions and education platform: https://www.crimsoneducation.org/ Crimson Global Academy – Online international high school: https://www.crimsonglobalacademy.school/ Revision Village – IB study resource platform: https://www.revisionvillage.com/ Need-Blind Financial Aid at Harvard – How top universities fund students: https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid

    1h 3m
  8. S2 | E13 — Rhys Darby and Rosie Carnahan-Darby on championing Kiwi humour around the world, Tall Poppy syndrome, losing creative jobs to AI, and "going direct" with your fans to survive social media.

    26/09/2024

    S2 | E13 — Rhys Darby and Rosie Carnahan-Darby on championing Kiwi humour around the world, Tall Poppy syndrome, losing creative jobs to AI, and "going direct" with your fans to survive social media.

    Listen/subscribe on  * Apple podcasts * Spotify  He’s been Murray Hewitt, Psycho Sam, Norman from Yes Man, Guy Mann, Hypno-Potamus, a stand-up comedian, a sit-down band manager, a children’s book author, a soldier… and now Binkle-bonk the Tree Goblin in upcoming “Badjelly the Witch” 🤩 In this week’s Diaspora pod, legendary Kiwi comedian Rhys Darby joins us - live from L.A - to talk through his rise from Canterbury to Edinburgh to Hollywood in a career that’s seen him star in multiple comedy specials, voice over countless animated shows and co-star with everyone from Jim Carrey to Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.  Rhys hasn’t made the journey alone: also joining us is his incredible wife & long-time manager, Rosie Carnahan Darby, who talks about her career in entertainment management, production, writing comedy, how comedians can get ahead, how entertainers can be devastated by changes in AI and tech… and shares the creative projects of their two sons in this very funny family.  In today’s episode, we discuss * Rosie and Rhys’s entwined journeys over 25 years in the global comedy industry, dating back to Rhys's "Dad's Army"-inspired entry into the NZ Army, and Rosie's rise as one of the most sought after comedy club managers in NZ. * The business of comedy: how they think about new opportunities, structure and finance their ventures... and what the future holds. * Tall poppy syndrome in NZ, and imposter syndrome in the U.S... how NZ's (over?) orientation towards equality and "fairness" actually holds back our highest achievers, and can drive them offshore. * Raising a family in L.A. vs. NZ, finding balance and getting the best of both cultures. * How some projects Rosie and Rhys write together don’t succeed, though the pair focus on creating future opportunities for other projects.  * How Rhys found the next phase of his career after Flight of the Conchords finished. * Why and how Rhys is now using Substack to build a direct connection with fans * Advice on how to break out as a comedian and what managers like Rosie are looking for — comparing finding emerging creative talent with seeing talent in startups, from the POV of a talent manager/agent vs. venture capitalist. * Whether AI might be able to help actors and voice actors, and whether AI is taking human jobs in a future in which screen entertainment might be created by robots Make sure you head on over to Rhys’s substack and subscribe! — Also - quick shout-out from me: Blackbird’s Sunrise festival is coming up soon — November 26th in Wellington, NZ. As we like to say, this is our love letter to startups and the people building them … a one-day festival that brings together ~500 tech founders, operators, policy people and ecosystem supporters to be inspired, challenged and entertained.  Tickets are half gone and won’t be around for long… IF you’ve been looking for an excuse to get back to Wellington, this is it! Head over to thesunrise.live for more info + tickets! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.diaspora.nz

    1h 13m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Around 20% of New Zealanders live outside of New Zealand. This is our “Diaspora” — and it’s one of the world’s largest, per capita. Not only is it large, it's insanely talented… early in their lives and careers, many of New Zealand’s most ambitious individuals realise— if they want to make a dent in the universe, they need to get out there… to study abroad, get the experience, build relationships to help them win on a global stage. Today, those estimated ~1M expats include some of our finest talent. They are founders, top operators/execs at industry leading companies. They are scientists and researchers working at the frontiers of science: artificial intelligence, synthetic biology; global leaders in business, culture, and society… entrenched in all corners of the world, walks of live… largely “heads down”, doing their thing. https://www.diaspora.nz Disapora is part of the Day One network. Day One helps founders & operators make better business decisions more often.

Information

  • Creator
    DayOne.fm
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © David Booth - Copyright 2025
  • Show Website
    Diaspora.nz

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