Collaboration between startups in different countries can be a game-changer for the growth and success of these companies. In this regard, the partnership between startups in New Zealand and Singapore is worth noting due to the similarities between the two markets.

In an interview with e27, New Zealand Trade Commissioner Maggie Christie reveals the similarities between tech startup communities in the two countries, starting from their geographical characteristic and market size.

“Because both Singapore and New Zealand have the need to export. We need to export to grow, and there’s a lot of government support for Singapore and New Zealand companies,” she explains.

The New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) has been instrumental in helping grow New Zealand businesses getting into Singapore and Southeast Asia. The organisation’s primary role is to help New Zealand companies understand the Singapore market better and connect them with potential partners. It has been working closely with Enterprise Singapore to facilitate the expansion of Singaporean companies into New Zealand, particularly in the tech industry.

For New Zealand startups, popular sectors include foodtech, cleantech, and health tech–and there are already several collaborations between startups in these sectors with Singapore.

Also Read: French accelerator ZEBOX opens APAC hub in Singapore

One of the existing collaborations between startups in New Zealand and Singapore is the MOU signed between Foodbowl – SIT– Food and Plant Ltd. It was forged to allow multi-project cooperation between the parties to accelerate Singapore and/or New Zealand business enterprise outcomes within specific food innovation and manufacturing areas.

There are also other New Zealand companies that collaborate with businesses and organisations in Singapore in various sectors. For example, medical software The Clinician partners with SingHealth to improve communication between the doctor and patient.

In the greentech sector, Cogo allows banks to provide customers with carbon tracking associated with their spending, raising awareness and helping people to reduce their carbon footprint.

Then there is also Xero, the cloud-based accounting software.

“Our tech ecosystem is very tight, much smaller than Singapore. We are spread out throughout the country, but about fifty per cent of that is focused in Auckland, our largest city,” Christie says.

“The ingenuity that gets started by one company or one entrepreneur then starts getting connected within that broader ecosystem. So, there’s a lot of sharing and collaboration. And I do see that in Singapore as well. I think the slight difference is that in New Zealand, it is generally Kiwis working together, whereas, in Singapore, you tend to get lots of different nationalities working together.”

Also Read: Going solo: Legal considerations for starting a small business in Singapore

Beyond technologies

The partnership between Singapore and New Zealand is not limited to the tech industry. They have also been working together to create sustainable initiatives, such as green lanes for flights powered by sustainable fuels between the two countries and a platform for offsetting carbon emissions. The focus is on creating something to help each other and the world.

This can be seen in the statistics itself:

• New Zealand is Singapore’s closest/most important strategic economic partner, largest trading partner in Southeast Asia, and 4th largest trading partner globally.
• The two countries saw a total of NZ$10,407 million in two-way trade in the year ended December 2022, contributing to their 4th place in two-way trade rank.

In the future, the areas of health and wellness, creative services, and edutech are identified as potential areas for growth in Singapore.

Networking and promoting events in a post-COVID-19 world has been challenging for many organisations, including New Zealand tech companies that are looking to enter Singapore. This stresses the importance of keeping the dialogue going and showcasing new companies.

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Echelon Asia Summit 2023 is bringing together APAC’s leading startups, corporates, policymakers, industry leaders, and investors to Singapore this June 14-15. Learn more and get tickets here.

Echelon also features the TOP100 stage, where startups get the chance to pitch to 5000+ delegates, among other benefits like a chance to connect with investors, visibility through e27 platform, and other prizes. Join TOP100 here.

Image Credit: New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

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