Scaling Success: Techweek and Airwallex collaborate to help Kiwi companies conquer the world

New Zealand's tech ecosystem continues to punch above its weight on the world stage. From Rocket Lab's space services to Xero's accounting revolution, Kiwi innovation has proven it can compete globally. For many growing tech companies, the journey from local to global success comes with complex challenges that require strategic financial infrastructure and cross-border expertise.

 

For Techweek25, we're excited to introduce our new content pillar: Scaling Success. Developed in partnership with Airwallex, this pillar explores how New Zealand businesses can navigate the complexities of scaling their businesses to reach their maximum potential.

 

The Power of New Zealand's SaaS Sector

 

According to the 2024 KiwiSaaS report, New Zealand's Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) sector has become a significant economic force, generating $3.6 billion in largely export revenue in 2023. Despite being relatively young, the sector has demonstrated impressive growth with a 15% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) since 2016.

Over the past twenty years, New Zealand's export sector has grown at an inflation-adjusted rate of 3.4% overall. By comparison, the inflation-adjusted rate for the SaaS sector is two and a half times higher, at 8.7%.

 

Breaking Down Barriers to Global Growth

 

The path to scale is rarely straightforward. Kiwi businesses face unique hurdles as they grow, especially beyond our borders – from managing multi-currency transactions and navigating different regulatory environments to adapting to regional market conditions.

What makes SaaS businesses particularly well-positioned for global expansion is their digital nature. Unlike traditional export industries constrained by physical or environmental limitations, SaaS companies can deliver their products globally via the internet without incurring the costs and complexities associated with physical shipping.

 

Financial Agility in Uncertain Times

 

Global economic fluctuations have become the new normal. For New Zealand businesses looking to scale internationally, building resilience through strategic financial tools is essential.

The KiwiSaaS report highlights that only 10% of New Zealand's 743 revenue-earning SaaS companies currently belong to the 'high-growth' club (those generating more than $10m in Annual Recurring Revenue). These companies produce 68% of the sector's total revenue, demonstrating the significant economic impact of successful scaling.

Modern fintech solutions are enabling Kiwi companies to move money across borders efficiently, manage currency risk, and maintain visibility across their global operations. This tech-enabled agility allows businesses to respond quickly to market changes and seize opportunities as they arise.

Airwallex, a global fintech leader, has recently expanded into New Zealand to empower local businesses with seamless cross-border payment solutions. Recognizing New Zealand's thriving tech ecosystem and the potential of its emerging 'soonicorns', they’re here to help Kiwi companies scale globally by removing traditional financial barriers and providing innovative payment infrastructure.

NZ Lead Lowry Gladwell says, "Our partnership with NZTech for Techweek is about backing Kiwi technology to compete on the global stage. As New Zealand tech grows into one of the country's largest export sectors, Airwallex's ambition is to empower those businesses even further by removing financial borders. We're stoked to support the Kiwi technology businesses turning great ideas from Aotearoa into solutions with global impact."

 

Learning from Success Stories

 

Recent fundraising successes demonstrate the global appeal of New Zealand's SaaS innovations, and we look to sharing more of these stories of scaling success during Techweek25:

• Auror, a retail crime intelligence platform, secured an impressive $82 million (NZD) Series C funding round in 2024 to accelerate its global expansion. Already serving major retailers across New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, and North America, this investment will fuel Auror's mission to make communities safer through its public safety technology. The company's platform is now used by over 1,000 retailers with more than 100,000 users across 80,000 store locations globally.

• Tracksuit, a brand tracking platform, raised $22.5 million (AUD) in Series A funding in 2024 to support its international growth. Already operating in New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and the US, Tracksuit has experienced remarkable growth, expanding its team from 3 to 70 employees in just three years while serving over 500 brands globally. Their success demonstrates how Kiwi SaaS companies can rapidly scale internationally with the right product and strategy.

• Partly, a Christchurch-based company transforming the auto parts industry, raised $37m (NZD) in 2023 and is valued at $180m – the largest Series A raise ever in Aotearoa at that time. Their solution processes an impressive US$150m in auto parts monthly, growing at 30% per month.
  

 

The Economic Opportunity for Scaling Success

 

According to the 2024 KiwiSaaS report, SaaS added-value is expected to be bigger than New Zealand's top food exporting industries like dairy and meat, by 2030.

NZTech CEO Graeme Muller says, "we're delighted to have Airwallex supporting this powerful new pillar of the Techweek25 programme. Their expertise in helping companies scale globally aligns perfectly with Techweek's mission of building capability within our tech ecosystem to scale its impact, for the benefit of everyone in Aotearoa. New Zealand's digital companies, and SaaS in particular, have immense potential to drive economic growth, and partners like Airwallex are instrumental in unlocking that potential on the world stage."

 

Join the Conversation at Techweek25

 

We look forward to bringing you the Scaling Success pillar at Techweek25 alongside Airwallex. Whether you're just starting to think about scale or already managing the complexity of global operations, we know this programme will provide valuable insights for your growth journey.

Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, industry experts, and potential partners who can help your business reach new heights. Together, we'll explore how New Zealand's tech sector can continue to expand its global footprint and create sustainable success stories during Techweek25.