The Founders’ Clinic

Sean is a highly skilled Chartered Accountant with a passion for helping entrepreneurs. His technical expertise and personable approach make him the perfect partner for businesses looking to take their financial management to the next level. With a can-do attitude, Sean creates a supportive environment where entrepreneurs can ask questions and receive guidance without judgement. He is committed to uncomplicating the world of numbers, making it accessible and manageable for all.

David is a navigator based in Auckland who works with inventors, scientists, and engineers to help turn ideas into successful ventures. Driven by a desire to boost New Zealand’s economic wellbeing by creating better jobs, David’s supported companies that now employ 20–50 people in high-quality roles. In 2020 alone, he secured $10 million in R&D funding for more than 80 ventures, enabling $20 million in total investment.

Brendan is an experienced public relations consultant who’s worked with tech companies and organisations including Microsoft, Gen-i, Technology Investment Network, and Worldline. He combines deep communications expertise with a passion for innovation, helping businesses tell their stories effectively while navigating the path from R&D to commercial success. Brendan is also a skilled writer, creative strategist, cartoonist, and startup mentor, with a strong belief in the power of storytelling to drive growth and impact.

Rudi is an Auckland-based angel investor, business advisor, and independent director. He has invested in more than 30 Kiwi startups and led a collaborative, no?fees investment model that has generated significant returns and ecosystem impact. As the driving force behind ADI (Angel Drop In) clinics, Rudi has given thousands of founders expert advice, combining lean startup methodology, funding strategy, governance guidance, and candid industry commentary.

Keren Phillips is the ecosystem coordinator and lead advisor for Startup Aotearoa’s Auckland branch. She also works within the Auckland Council team designing support programmes and initiatives for the startup community. Previously, she was the co-founder and VP Marketing of HRTech software, Weirdly. Her experience spanning SME and startup leadership, brand, and business strategy development across a range of industry sectors helps inform her coaching work with NZ’s most exciting cohort of emerging founders.

Calvin specialises in corporate law and has extensive experience in private equity and venture capital mergers and acquisitions. He advises on corporate transactions such as business sales and acquisitions, corporate restructures, capital raisings, joint ventures, shareholder agreements and employee share schemes.

Craig has a strong background in the commercialisation of R&D, with experience as both an engineer and R&D manager, as well as a business improvement consultant specialising in LEAN and Agile methodologies. He has supported innovative companies to access government support and has a proven track record in science and innovation, including new product development for technology firms and funding organisations.

Ed lives and breathes tech and leverages his qualifications and experience to provide technical, commercial and legal advice. Passionate about giving back to the industry, Ed holds and has held board positions for the NZ Software Association, NZ Game Developers Association, and The Law Association Technology Law Committee. Ed is also a judge for the NZ Hi-Tech awards.

Jonathan is a Senior Investment Analyst at GD1, a venture capital firm, working closely with founders on fundraising, pitch refinement, and business strategy. With prior experience in Business Advisory and Corporate Finance, he brings expertise across finance, accounting, and operations, supporting portfolio companies as a versatile, hands-on partner through growth.

Richard is creator of Startup NZ Entrepreneurs Programme, and Founder and Editor of NZ Entrepreneur Magazine and APAC Innovator, through which he helps inspire, inform and educate thousands of Kiwi startup founders and SME business owners every month. Richard launched his first small software business at the age of 23 and got his first glimpse into the growing New Zealand startup community when working with one of the first startups at Auckland’s Icehouse incubator in 2002. He has experience across industries including recruitment and HR, software, sales training, digital media, advertising, PR and online education.