PETER GRIFFIN: Tech start-ups well placed to weather Covid chill

PETER GRIFFIN: Tech start-ups well placed to weather Covid chill
Peter Griffin
For tech startups attempting to avoid the fallout of covid-19 and instead treat it as an opportunity, timing is everything. Soul Machines, the Auckland-based developer of AI-powered digital avatars and assistants, revealed on Jan. 8 it had secured US$40 million in series B investment.  “With the timing of our last funding round, it does mean we are well prepared to meet that opportunity,” Soul Machines chief executive Greg Cross told me. The company is now helping its clients, including banks, airlines and retailers scale up their digital...

More Economy

BNZ looks to economic uptick supporting its full year 2026 outturn
Finance

BNZ looks to economic uptick supporting its full year 2026 outturn

BNZ is the latest bank to cautiously spruik GDP growth in 2026.

Andy Macdonald 07 Nov 2025
RBNZ says risks linked to new mortgage lending contained
Economy

RBNZ says risks linked to new mortgage lending contained

House prices near the top of RBNZ's range of sustainable estimates.

Staff reporters 06 Nov 2025
‘Remarkable growth’: Fulton Hogan posts higher profit
Economy

‘Remarkable growth’: Fulton Hogan posts higher profit

Fulton Hogan paid a total dividend of $180.4m for 2025.

Duncan Bridgeman 05 Nov 2025
NZ's financial stability risks higher than in recent years
Finance

NZ's financial stability risks higher than in recent years

The RBNZ says global uncertainty and underperformance are key factors.

Staff reporters 05 Nov 2025