The Fizz | News & Stories

News & Stories

At Soda, we’re excited by companies that have the potential for exponential growth, companies that will contribute to lifting and diversifying New Zealand’s economy. Check out a few from our Soda community.

October 18, 2021

Hitch Aims to Change how Kiwis Travel

Hitch won Soda's latest Seed Grant so we asked this promising new startup a few questions.

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October 13, 2021

Sol + Sea Skincare Range Good For Your Skin and the Ocean

Glen Stephen's startup has created an ocean-friendly skincare range.

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October 11, 2021

Soda Seed Grant Winners

Soda's latest Seed Grant awarded $10,000 cash to four innovative NZ startups.

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October 5, 2021

Off the Beaten Track

This online accommodation business is the place to go for one-of-a-kind rural accommodation experiences.

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September 30, 2021

Meet our Rise Up Finalists: Billie Jo Hohepa

Rise Up finalist, Billie Jo Hohepa, founder of BDÉT, shares some of her entrepreneurial journey.

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September 26, 2021

Kaffelogic breaks into global markets

Where are they now? We chat to Soda alumni Kaffelogic to find out their latest news.

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September 23, 2021

EC8 saves time and waste for construction industry

Christopher Staal’s start-up has developed technology to supply pre-cut plasterboard to building sites.

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September 12, 2021

BOOST programme lifts off

Soda's new BOOST programme lifts off with founders EC8, Sol + Sea and Pickl.

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September 6, 2021

Meet our Rise Up finalists: Wendy Quach

Rise Up finalist, Wendy Quach, founder of & Again, shares some of her entrepreneurial journey.

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August 23, 2021

The Fizz About Biz

Check our the podcasts - The Fizz About Biz - where we speak with founders about their entrepreneurial journey.

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August 19, 2021

BOOST programme helps startups create a Capital Raise Strategy

Find out how this new programme will help your business take on the world!

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August 17, 2021

Meet our Rise Up finalists: Chloe Van Dyke

Rise Up finalist, Chloe Van Dyke, founder of Chia Sisters, shares some of her entrepreneurial journey.

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August 15, 2021

Meet the Judges: Kim Hill

Rise Up judge, Kim Hill, shares some insights into her life and career.

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August 11, 2021

Meet our Rise Up finalists: Dr Angela Lim

Rise Up finalist, Dr Angela Lim, founder of Clearhead, shares some of her entrepreneurial journey.

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August 9, 2021

Meet our Rise Up finalists: Gaelle Thieme

We ask our first Rise Up finalist, Gaelle Thieme of Dust & Glow, a few questions about her entrepreneurial journey.

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August 9, 2021

Meet the Judges: Dil Khosa

We ask Rise Up judge and Athena X founder, Dil Khosa, a few questions about being a female founder in NZ.

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August 5, 2021

Finalists Announced for Soda’s Rise Up Competition

Five female finalists will vie for $10,000 in Soda Inc's inaugural Rise Up competition.

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July 27, 2021

Meet the judges: Max Thompson from Callaghan Innovation

Rise Up judge, Max Callaghan from Callaghan Innovation, shares his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

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July 17, 2021

Business workshops invaluable for Alivate Activewear founder

Alice Barrett activates her activewear brand with the help of Soda's Co.STARTERS programme.

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July 13, 2021

Laundry service reducing waste, one nappy at a time

Kendell Terrill launches Baby Addictions, a sustainability initiative encouraging the use of reusable nappies.

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July 8, 2021

CO.STARTERS helps Evagrow flourish

Nic Tauroa's latest venture, Evagrow, has real potential to grow into a thriving enterprise.

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July 1, 2021

Grants announced for female entrepreneurs

Soda’s new seed grant competition invites New Zealand’s female founders to Rise Up.

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June 30, 2021

MenuAid set to make meal planning a breeze for Kiwis

Feeding Kiwis and starting a business from scratch. It's all in a day's work for Seed Grant winner, MenuAid.

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June 29, 2021

YouChange on the right track with help from CO.STARTERS

A passion for saving and budgeting was the catalyst for YouChange founder Min McKay.

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June 28, 2021

PowerUp Ideas Competition Winner Sol+Sea takes home $10,000

Environmentally-conscious lifestyle brand, Sol+Sea, takes out top spot in PowerUp Ideas Competition.

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June 27, 2021

Plant-based ice-cream business licking good with help from mentor

Soda mentor, Kate O'Leary, shares the sweet experience of mentoring Kinda Ice-Cream start-up.

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June 26, 2021

CO.STARTERS course puts sisters on the right path for Dizzie success

Taranaki sisters, Alice and Cindy Walter, have a bright business future with their clothing label, Dizzie.

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June 25, 2021

A passion for sustainability makes this mentor a perfect match

Soda mentor, Latesha (Tesh) Randall of Raglan Food Co, shares her passion for mentoring entrepreneurs.

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June 25, 2021

Pickl Mortgages plan on getting you out of a pickle!

Auckland-based finance technology company, Pickl, wins $5,000 Seed Grant to boost business.

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June 24, 2021

Turning a hopping good idea into a bunny business

Pet owner, Claire Wilkinson, creates natural food range for her beloved bunnies.

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June 23, 2021

Soda mentors play key role in PowerUp Competition

Animals Like Us co-founder, Rob Achten, gives his insight into successful mentoring.

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June 22, 2021

Chive Charities: Doing good with Business blog #3

Chive Charities founders, Stephen and Alice, continue to share their start-up success journey.

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June 21, 2021

Chive Charities: Doing good with Business blog #2

Starting, failing, and starting again... Chive Charities founders share insight into entrepreneurial life.

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June 20, 2021

Chive Charities: Doing good with Business blog #1

Chive Charities is Aotearoa's first charity directory built by givers, for givers.

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June 19, 2021

Soda Seed Grant Winners Announced

Soda announces winners from its latest Seed Grant round with a prize pool of $9,000.

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June 18, 2021

Mote and the Chocolate Factory

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work at a chocolate factory? Then read on....

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June 18, 2021

Have your Best Monday!

Best Monday founder, Madeleine Patel, launches perfume range for different personality and mood types.

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April 7, 2021

MyApiary creates a buzz for beekeepers

A buzzing start-up, MyApiary helps beekeepers simplify their business management.

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February 25, 2021

Soda Co-Worker: Tim Eiao - GJ Gardner

The Soda team sat down with Tim to welcome him to our space and get to know him better.

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February 25, 2021

Soda Co-Worker: Steve Jenkins - GJ Gardner

We sat down with Steve to learn more about his position, experiences and what drove him to join a co-working space.

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January 15, 2021

Soda Dragons Den Profile - Trina Pohatu-McQueen

The newest addition to Team Soda is Trina Pohatu-McQueen. Get to know her more.

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December 21, 2020

Rachel Adams Says Goodbye To Soda Inc. after 10 years & 10 months

2020 has been a year of change & challenge, with the farewell of Rachel Adams being a big part of this change.

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December 21, 2020

Soda Dragon's Den Profile - Aubrey Te Kanawa

The newest addition to Team Soda is Aubrey Te Kanawa. Get to know him more.

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November 25, 2020

Graduation's In The Bag for ZAY

Zay Bags, a brand encouraging customers to be more sustainable, graduated from Soda's Lift Lite programme this month.

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November 25, 2020

Bluetide Aqua Culture Claim $2,000 Seed Prize

Scott Harvey, one of the business directors gave us insight into Bluetide Aquaculture and its future plans.

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November 25, 2020

EC8 - Digitizing the Building Industry

Soda caught up with EC8 Founder, Christopher Staal for all the details on his business.

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November 25, 2020

Lynk Solution Take Out $5,000 Soda Seed Grant

Lynk was awarded 1st place in the November round of Soda's seed grant.

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November 25, 2020

New graduate from Sodas Co.Starter Business Fundamental Course - Amélie

Amélie Hendrickx recently graduated from the Co.Starters business fundamentals course.

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November 12, 2020

WRAPT in success - Soda Graduate

November marked graduation for Soda's Lift Lite Client Brooke Moore, founder of WRAPT.

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October 14, 2020

Soda Dragons Den Profile: Lucy Bird

Get to know our panel of business legends. Introducing ASB Business Manager Lucy Bird.

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September 30, 2020

Co-Working Profile - Kelly Pilkington

Kelly joined Soda's co-working space last month. Learn more about her background and business.

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September 28, 2020

Soda Dragons Den Profile: Vanessa Williams

Get to know our panel of business legends. Introducing Vanessa, team leader at Hamilton Central Business Association.

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September 17, 2020

Soda Dragons Den Profile: Geoff Day

Get to know our panel of business legends. Introducing Geoff, director at Safety Apparel Ltd and Learning Works.

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September 17, 2020

Soda Dragons Den Profile: Steve Gow

Get to know our panel of business legends. Introducing Steve Gow, a director at Deloitte with broad business experience.

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September 2, 2020

Seed Grants To Grow Startups

If you have an innovative and unique idea or start-up business, tell us about it and you could win up to $5,000.

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August 31, 2020

Soda's Seed Judges

Meet our panel of Seed judges who provide you with an abundance of detailed advice and support moving forward.

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August 29, 2020

Staff Profile: Niamh Given

Niamh thrives on growing businesses and breaking new ground, making her the perfect fit for our Startup Community role.

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August 25, 2020

Let's Talk Business with Alex Miller

Alex Miller, Lead Developer of Banqer, talks about his role at one of New Zealand's largest FinTech startups.

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August 24, 2020

KoruKabl Takes out Third-Seed Grant

KoruKabl placed 3rd in our Seed Grant event with an innovative idea, looking to develop into something bigger.

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August 20, 2020

Robbie's Onions Claim $2,000 Seed Grant

Robbie's won 2nd place for Soda's Seed Grant with its famous original recipe pickled onions and gourmet sauces.

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August 19, 2020

Seed Grant awarded to Quashed.co.nz

Quashed were the winners of Soda's first Seed Grant event last week, with ideas set to change the future of insurance.

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August 13, 2020

Co-Working Profile - Rebekah Holmes

Intern Tayla sat down with one of Soda's newest co-workers, Rebekah Holmes to learn more about her and her business.

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August 13, 2020

Co-Working Profile: Anneliese Van Wijk

Intern Tayla caught up with Anneliese to hear about her background, her current role and how COVID-19 led her there.

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July 29, 2020

Soda Dragons Den Profile: Simon Graafhuis

Get to know our panel of business legends. Introducing Simon Graafhuis, CFO of Gallagher Group.

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July 24, 2020

Soda Alumni Kaffelogic Take on the World, One Coffee at a Time

Kaffelogic is a bench top coffee roasting system for the coffee enthusiast who wants to roast their own beans at home.

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July 24, 2020

From Super Rugby to Startup

Intern Tayla recently caught up with Chiefs player, Ryan Coxon, about his business, Coxy's Lawns.

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July 24, 2020

Staff Profile: Taylah Graham

The latest addition to the Soda team is our intern Tayla, who will be responsible for creating upcoming Soda content.

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July 13, 2020

Let's Talk Business with Julian So

Julian So is an active investor with a passion for entrepreneurs and new technologies. Find out what he has to say.

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July 2, 2020

Soda is Set to Plant Seeds for Growth

Got an innovative idea that needs a little funding to make it bloom? Soda's need seed grants might be your answer.

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July 2, 2020

Friendly dragon profile: Ryan Hamilton

Get to know our panel of business legends. Introducing Ryan, director of Grime Off Now Ltd, founder of inspire and more.

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June 29, 2020

Let's Talk Business with Doug Wilson: Part Two

In part two of this guest blog, Doug discusses how to find and engage with the optimal investors for your business.

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June 23, 2020

Staff Profile: Samina Tapia

Our newest member, Soda intern Samina Tapia, brings a strong background in sales, IT and digital strategy to the team.

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June 16, 2020

Staff Profile: Richard Upperton

Richard Upperton is the newest member of the Soda team, bringing with him vast experience in start-up companies.

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May 25, 2020

Let's Talk Business with Doug Wilson: Part One

In part one of this guest blog, we hear from Doug about getting your business ready for investment.

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May 13, 2020

Graduation Around the Corner for Soda Client: Hey Mama Movement

Our client Hey Mama Movement is graduating this month! Get to know the founder Dairne Burns and her mentor Tara Lorigan.

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April 29, 2020

Introducing Soda Inc's Newest Startup Client: Zay

Nicola Todd is the latest to be accepted into our Lift Lite Programme. Get to know her and her mentor Brianne West.

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April 22, 2020

Let's Talk Business: What Does Covid-19 Mean For My Kiwisaver Account?

Maria Heslop answers some commonly asked questions about how COVID-19 situation could affect your KiwiSaver account.

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April 20, 2020

Over 950 innovators United Over the Weekend to Hack the Covid-19 Crisis

Soda Inc. pulled off NZ's largest collaborative online startup event in collaboration with Callaghen Innovation.

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April 15, 2020

Waikato Support Organisations at the Forefront of Hack the Crisis NZ Initiative

Soda Inc. is collaborating with Callaghen Innovation and startup centres, solving real problems nationwide post-COVID.

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March 26, 2020

Soda's Working from Home Tips

Struggling with lockdown? Find out what has been working for us while working from home.

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