Show Notes
In this episode, Paul Spain sits down with Bowen Pan, a technology leader, advisor and investor. Bowen shares about his family's early immigrant experiences, launching his first startup as a university student, and the pivotal moments that shaped his career—including being a key force behind Facebook Marketplace. Hear behind-the-scenes tales of innovation at Facebook, lessons learned from his time at Trade Me and Stripe, and why he’s passionate about helping New Zealand’s tech sector reach new heights. Packed with relatable anecdotes and valuable insights, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in business, technology, and the Kiwi entrepreneurial spirit. The New Zealand Business Podcast is brought to you by One NZ and Gorilla Technology. Book your Cyber Risk Reduction Review session now (limited availability): https://gorillatechnology.com/cyber-rrr
More from NZ Business Podcast - Paul Spain
How do you build a New Zealand technology company that competes on the global stage? Darrin Grafton, co-founder and CEO of Serko, shares the story behind building one of New Zealand's most successful software companies. Darrin discusses entrepreneurship, international expansion, acquisitions, company culture, resilience through crises, and why AI is creating the biggest opportunity of his career. He also shares lessons on leadership, innovation, and playing the long game in business. Special thanks to our show partners: One New Zealand, Outrun Global and Gorilla Technology
In this episode of the New Zealand Business Podcast, Paul Spain sits down with Greg Balla, CEO of AoFrio, to explore the leadership, innovation, and transformation lessons behind building successful organisations. From his early years at 3M and Orion Health through to leading AoFrio's shift from hardware manufacturing to a global IoT and software business, Greg shares practical insights on change management, innovation culture, values-based leadership, and why technology success is ultimately about people, not technology. Thanks to our show partners One NZ, Outrun Global and Gorilla Technology.
Paul Spain speaks with Stephen Phillips, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at Gorilla Technology, about the risks facing New Zealand organisations, from identity theft and convincing phishing messages to deepfakes and vulnerabilities in software. Stephen shares lessons from telecommunications, banking and cloud technology. He explains why every organisation needs to understand its risk appetite, prioritise resilience and recovery and protect identities. They also discuss how smaller businesses can access effective security protections without the budgets of large enterprises, and why security awareness, careful technology selection and regular testing matter more than ever. The New Zealand Business Podcast is brought to you by One NZ, Outrun Global and Gorilla Technology.
Host Paul Spain speaks with Lachlan Nixon, founder and managing partner of Motion Capital, a New Zealand venture capital fund focused on climate tech. Lachlan explains why New Zealand’s climate tech sector is gaining momentum. He shares lessons from funding startups, taking products global, validating customer demand early, and managing the high-risk maths of venture capital, including Motion Capital’s 15-company portfolio strategy and standout investments. Special thanks to our show partners: One New Zealand, Outrun Global and Gorilla Technology
Join Paul Spain as he sits down with Strahan Wallis, one of Aotearoa’s top marketing, communications, and public relations leaders. From his humble beginnings on a Raglan farm to leading agencies in London, Los Angeles, and New Zealand, Strahan Wallis shares pivotal lessons from working with global brands, crisis management, and leading transformations at companies like Clemenger Group and Porter Novelli. This candid conversation explores values-based leadership, navigating career cliffs and how Kiwi grit can power international success. Whether you’re a business owner or aspiring leader, this episode offers rare insight into world-class campaigns, building resilient teams, and leading with integrity through change. Thanks to our show partners One NZ, Outrun Global and Gorilla Technology.