Soda Founders & Startups
Soda has worked with some wonderful founders to grow their startups. Founders get a perfectly matched successful entrepreneur as their mentor, who gets their thinking right, builds their confidence and opens their networks to help them get to where they need to be faster. Here is a selection of founders and startups we've worked with.
Simone Stewart
As an avid reader and researcher of business material, she enjoys learning from the world’s most successful leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs. Startup podcasts and business books have helped significantly with her own entrepreneurial journey.
Venture
Founder
MUMABOOST
In 2016, Simone began the development of a unique health supplement for women. With a background in Exercise Science and Marketing, and as a Mother of four children, she noticed a gap in the supplement market. With a clear vision, Simone has spent the last two years on R&D and business planning. She is now working with Peter Lehrke on a commercial formula and an entry to market strategy. Find out more about Simone here.
Frances Anderson
Frances Anderson has a love of design and textiles, interwoven with elements from her career of manufacturing, logistics and project management; an ideal grounding for a design-led start-up to help combat snoring.
Venture
Founder
PATNEY
Patney is non-invasive, comfortable and individually customised to support the sleeper’s weight and height. Patney supports the head, neck, jaw and shoulders, thereby promoting an open airway so the user can breathe freely. Patney launched March 2018 and is quickly growing. Find out more at patney.com
Susan Wheeler
Dr Susan Wheeler, founder of Hop Revolution, is on a mission to supply New Zealand-grown hops directly to local and international craft brewers.
Venture
Founder
HOP REVOLUTION
With global consumption of craft beer at record levels, discerning drinkers are not showing any signs of easing up. By 2025, global craft beer sales are projected to reach US$500 billion.
This is good news for New Zealand because our spray-free aroma hops are highly sought after by craft brewers for the unique flavours they impart in beer. The challenge is that New Zealand’s current production is nowhere near enough to meet the demand. Hop Revolution is changing that. Find out more here.
Michele & Roy Connell
Hamilton couple Roy & Michele Connell have launched a website to take holidaymakers off the beaten track and into rural accommodation.
Venture
Founders
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
With so much of our beautiful country in private ownership, Off The Beaten Track is all about sharing. Sharing the best of what New Zealand has to offer and providing people with never before access to the most fantastic places to stay. Led by Michele and Roy Connell, OTBT connects lovers of the great outdoors with undiscovered locations and unique NZ experiences that are privately owned. Find out more at offthebeatentrack.co.nz
Darren Bainbridge
Now passionate about beekeeping and bees. Darren started MyApiary to put his skills towards making a real social and technological change in the industry.
Venture
Founder
MY APIARY
MyApiary’s vision is to enable companies within the apiculture industry achieve greater success. Their mission is to provide tools that enable beekeepers to make informed management decisions from accurate record keeping, whilst also removing many of the complexities involved with the day-to-day running of their business.
Maggie Mitchell
Fair to say if you’re looking for a traditional casket, you’re in the wrong place. But if you’re seeking a way to express something more individual, more natural, more human… DLC can can help you.
Venture
Founder
DEPARTURE LOUNGE CASKETS
With consumers driving customisation, Maggie & Andy Mitchell saw a gap in the funeral market and developed Departure Lounge Caskets. DLC offer families a premium casket range that can be customized with memorable images. Tragically Andy passed away last year but courageously, Maggie is persevering with the business and it’s growing fast. Find our more at departureloungecaskets.com
Some more Startups we've supported
