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Techday NZ
4 days ago
- Business
- Techday NZ
ThinkGo launches to guide New Zealand SaaS startups to scale
Auckland-based SaaS startup ThinkGo has been launched to provide growth diagnostic tools tailored for early-stage software companies in New Zealand. ThinkGo is the brainchild of Devin Deen, a former US Marine and Silicon Valley executive who has now settled in New Zealand. Drawing on his international experience, Deen aims to address what he describes as "the messy middle" – the stage in a startup's journey that occurs after product launch but before substantial traction has been achieved. Reflecting on the typical path of early-stage SaaS companies, Deen commented on the challenges faced by founders as they navigate this uncertain period. "It's not the product that kills momentum, often it's the chaos around it," says Deen. "ThinkGo is about helping founders focus on what matters, when it matters." ThinkGo offers a practical system to shift founders from confusion to clarity. Deen explained, "It's that point where you've launched something, you've got a few customers, and now the real work begins. Suddenly, you need structure but not too much. You need strategy but not a 60-page slide deck. That's where most founders get stuck." The toolset leverages established frameworks from organisations such as Strategyzer, The Chasm Group, and Lean Startup. "There are plenty of smart models out there," says Deen. "The trick is making them usable by real people, under real pressure." From military to SaaS Deen's background includes graduating from the US Naval Academy and serving as a communications officer in the US Marine Corps. He credits his military experience with instilling discipline and a systems-based approach, which has proven relevant in the unpredictable world of startup growth. After leaving the military, Deen entered the technology sector, joining a SaaS startup in San Jose during the dot-com boom. Reflecting on this period, he said, "I've been around technology pretty much my whole life – though more on the application of technology side. At that startup, I led the customer success team, onboarding new clients, and that's when I really saw how critical customer experience is - especially with early adopters." This insight has become foundational to ThinkGo's development philosophy. "The product's one side, but it's the stuff around it that really counts and helps you attract and retain customers. Marketing, sales, pricing, customer care. And more than that, it starts with people and culture." Bringing global experience to New Zealand After relocating to New Zealand, Deen became active in the country's tech ecosystem, supporting the growth of several consultancies and software companies. Notably, he assisted in the international expansion of which saw its headquarters move to Austin, Texas. He also played a role in the sale of a local tech firm to an Australian company, which was subsequently absorbed by a multinational. "We had about 170 people in our New Zealand business, around 30 of those were in my team. The Aussie acquisition made sense strategically - both companies had similar growth ambitions and cultures. But when our still-forming company was absorbed by the multinational, these were so different it dampened the fire of growth." This experience reinforced Deen's belief in the importance of structure and culture as growth drivers, principles which are now embedded into ThinkGo's approach. Advice for startup founders With a career spanning over 25 years in startups, SaaS, and consulting, Deen encourages founders to focus on clarity over complexity. "Start with product-market fit, then move to go-to-market fit," he says. "That progression is where the real traction happens." He also advises caution against premature optimisation and overengineering. "Especially in software. Your early adopters are giving you the clearest signals. You've got to build with them, listen to them, and iterate fast." Deen highlighted the necessity of reviews and changes as startups scale. "Tools that help get from zero to USD $1 million in revenue, he notes, don't always take you to USD $30 million. When you feel the speed wobbles in your tools, replace them," he says. "But up to that point, my goal is to help founders get there with more confidence and less chaos." The future for ThinkGo ThinkGo represents the culmination of Deen's global experience in startups and his systems-based approach to business growth. With New Zealand's technology sector undergoing continual development, he intends for ThinkGo to assist local founders in scaling their companies whilst maintaining clarity and cultural cohesion.
Associated Press
04-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Reinvention Summit 2025 Coming to Ireland
The conference brings together global trailblazers plus industry and thought leaders to craft actionable strategies for navigating a hyper-disrupted world. DUBLIN, IRELAND, February 4, 2025 / / -- Reinvention Summit 2025, a strategic leadership event named by Forbes as one of the top five leadership events to attend this year, is coming to Ireland April 29-30, 2025. The conference is dedicated to empowering organizations and leaders to navigate the complexities of leading through a future filled with disruption and uncertainty. Attendees will gain insights from renowned global trailblazers and powerhouse industry and thought leaders including Rita McGrath, one of the world's foremost strategy and innovation experts, Charles Conn, Chairman of Patagonia, Alexander Osterwalder, CEO of Strategyzer and Creator of The Business Model Canvas, Kim B. Clark, former Dean of Harvard Business School, marketing visionary Seth Godin, author of 'From Incremental to Exponential' Ismail Amla, author of 'Unstoppable' Victoria Pelletier and corporate business veteran and author of 'The Emergent Approach to Strategy,' Peter Compo, 'In an era where traditional business models are becoming obsolete, this event aims to equip leaders and organizations with the strategies and tools necessary to become accustomed to disruption and thrive amid profound economic, geopolitical, and technological shifts,' explains Rita McGrath, a C-Suite Strategist, best-selling author and the founder of Valize and who will serve as a keynote speaker and CEO advisor at the events. Reinvention Summit 2025 will feature global strategy and innovation practitioners from other top companies including Mastercard, Diageo, Paypal, Estee Lauder, Red Wing Shoe Co, BNP Paribas, Siemens Healthineers, Outthinker, and many more. In addition to the keynote address and workshops with McGrath, attendees will be exposed to: - Interactive Sessions: The summit will introduce a groundbreaking format focused on immediate, relevant management solutions through hands-on sessions designed for actionable outcomes. Part workshop, part theatrical experience, it will be an immersive experience featuring workshops, panels, and breakout sessions crafted to inspire both action and reflection. - Networking Opportunities: Participants will connect with like-minded professionals dedicated to driving change and innovation within their organizations. - Executive Leadership offerings: The Summit will include an invite-only workshop for CEOs as well as workshop opportunities for C-suite level executives to receive one-on-one coaching, attend working sessions and to network together. 'This isn't your standard corporate conference. It's a transformative space designed to spark fresh thinking, reimagine how we engage with education, and help leaders and organizations develop actionable strategies to turn challenges into opportunities,' explains Aidan McCullen, a transformation consultant and host of the Innovation Show who founded the Reinvention Summit and will be a keynote speaker. McCullen says the event will help organizations: CONNECT: Network with CEOs, industry pioneers, and experts who use reinvention as a core strategy to stay ahead. LEARN: Gain access to elite-level strategies, tools, and insights typically reserved for boardrooms and top institutions. ACT: Leave equipped with actionable insights to make an immediate impact on your career. 'Our speakers are globally recognized experts in strategy and innovation and they won't just be presenting. They are coming to be active participants in meaningful conversations,' McCullen continues. 'This interactive event encourages attendees to be inspired, collaborate with peers, and engage directly with thought leaders to create strategic action plans they can implement immediately. It's about walking away with real-world solutions and the tools to drive change.' Why Attend? Nearly half of top CEOs (47%) say they dedicate significant time to continuous reinvention and yet 68% of leaders say they struggle to reinvent successfully. This summit will address the critical challenges including overcoming resistance to change, breaking down organizational silos, and effectively implementing innovative strategies to navigate an uncertain and fast-changing future. Leaders can come on their own. Several companies are also sending entire leadership teams and using the event as a company offsite to guide these high-level discussions with world-renowned experts. 'Continuous invention can be extremely challenging to navigate because there just aren't a lot of tools or resources out there to help leaders figure out how to navigate this level of constant disruption,' Rita McGrath says. 'We are excited to offer a solution - an event that brings together senior leaders - not just to listen to keynotes - but to roll up their sleeves and work with experts and peers to craft real action plans to help them lead through this challenge.' IT service management company Kyndryl is the headline sponsor of the two-day Reinvention Summit, which has additional sponsors including Enterprise Ireland, Permanent TSB Group and Accenture. Tickets are limited. Secure your spot today at Reinvention Summit 2025, April 29-April 30, 2025 as well as the Small Country Summit on April 28, 2025 and a May 1, 2025 VIP Event by visiting The Valize Reinvention Summit or Be ready to transform disruption into opportunity alongside the world's leading innovators and thought leaders. Jennifer Davis Laura Evans Media
