Global Entrepreneurship Week

Global Entrepreneurship Week: The New Faces Are Making An Impact Through Business

To celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week this week, Kiwi Connect is hosting an online conversation around the New Faces of Entrepreneurship - our young people under 30.

“We have so much young talent in New Zealand, who are quietly getting moving the needle” said Yoseph Ayele of Kiwi Connect.

“Global Entrepreneurship Week is an opportunity to tell the stories of these inspiring young entrepreneurs to the world, and showcase how young Kiwis are forging new approaches towards business today.”

After taking nominations from around the country throughout September, Kiwi Connect interviewed five leading young Kiwi entrepreneurs, and will be telling their stories over the course of the week on their blog. They are also inviting widespread participation in the online conversation on Twitter and Facebook, using the hashtags #NewFaces #GEW2015

Like many millennial entrepreneurs, each of the people that were interviewed have embedded social or environmental impact at the core of their operations. Distinct from the model of corporate social responsibility, impact entrepreneurship or social entrepreneurship seeks to build a business around the core purpose of doing good.

Brianne West, founder of Ethique, is removing plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles from the equation, with a range of solid hair and skin care bars. Ethique uses biodegradable paper packaging, and is the first beauty company in the world to produce an entirely solid product range.

“The beauty industry produces massive volumes of waste that are so unnecessary. That seems ridiculous to me, it always has, and this just seemed a small area in which I could make an impact,” said Brianne.

“I care because I do and I always have. I was brought up to care.”

Sam Kerse, founder of Notifr is embedding active feedback into learning, helping teachers to understand how their students are faring in class. He explains that two-way learning between teachers and students is the future of education.

“At the heart of every amazing classroom is a great teacher. If we can grow the teacher, we grow the students as a result,” said Sam.

“We’re aiming to really change mindsets towards education to incorporate feedback.”

Dmitry Selitskiy is the founder of Thought-Wired, a company making software to help severely disabled people communicate through the use of brain sensing hardware. He explained that seems a natural thing for him to embed impact into business.

“The number one motivation for us is to apply technology for good, to really create impact with technology,” said Dmitry.

“If you can create impact and do positive things while being financially sustainable, then I don't see a reason why not to do it.”

Kendall Flutey, co-founder of Banqer, set out to improve financial literacy with an educational app for use in classrooms.

“I realised that lack of financial literacy is a massive problem for many in our society. It weaves its way into so many facets of our lives,” said Kendall.
“We have seen a lot of positive externalities from Banqer, such as improving kids’ interpersonal skills. We're breaking down some of those peer group silos.”

Shay Wright is co-founder of Te Whare Hukahuka, an organisation set up to assist Māori businesses and community groups operate more effectively. Utilising learning experiences around innovation, strategy, coaching and training workshops, Shay is passionate about improving social wellbeing for Māori.

“We're noticing a number of trends in the Māori economy, one of which is prioritising businesses that generate cash flow to fund more social and cultural initiatives,” said Shay.

“We have a desire to be remarkable and to step the game up for Māori, creating a new benchmark of success, that begins with the leaders and can filter down through communities.”

Global Entrepreneurship Week is a worldwide celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit, with over 160 countries taking part in various events to mark the week.

ENDS

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