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Founded StudySpy, a national course and scholarship database powering platforms across the education sector, including government services.
Visit StudySpyKia ora!
I’m Michael.
Founder, business strategist & technical consultant.
I help founders and organisations turn ambitious ideas into useful digital products, smarter systems and sustainable growth.
I bring hands-on experience building businesses and working with startups, established organisations and government.
Organisations I’ve worked with:
About me
I’m a founder and consultant working across technology, education and growth. I’ve built digital businesses from the ground up, grown teams and platforms, and worked alongside organisations to make complex ideas simple and useful.
I’m naturally curious about how things work. I enjoy getting into the detail of data, technology and systems, while keeping sight of the people they are meant to serve. These days, much of my work explores how AI and automation can simplify operations, improve decisions and create better digital experiences.
For the past four years, I’ve lived and worked between New Zealand and Southeast Asia. It has deepened my appreciation for different cultures and ways of working, and shaped how my wife, Mikayla, and I think about community, opportunity and impact.
Connect on LinkedInSome of my business ventures:
Created NZ Remote, a community-powered map helping people find great places to work remotely across Aotearoa.
Visit NZ Remote
Partnering with my wife, Mikayla, to grow Momentum Studio, an AI-native creative studio where I support growth, operations and technology.
Visit Momentum
Founded and grew Obvious Brand Partners to a team of 10 before exiting. The agency was later acquired by Paradigm Group.
Highlights & Experience
Selected highlights across entrepreneurship, technology, education, public-sector data and international leadership.
Awards & Recognition
Awards & Recognition
- Innes48 Business Startup CompetitionOverall Winner, NZ’s largest startup competition, 2013.
- Microsoft Imagine Cup New Zealand FinalsSecond Place, World Citizenship, 2013.
- Microsoft New Zealand Advisor of the YearNational Winner, 2017.
- Young Business Person of the Year FinalistWellington Region Business Excellence Awards, 2018.
- Best Emerging Business FinalistWellington Region Business Excellence Awards, 2019.
Work & Advisory
Work & Advisory
- Education New ZealandOfficial Data Inventory Supplier via StudySpy
- Te PūkengaCentral Programme Database Supplier via StudySpy
- Air New ZealandIndependent Customer Experience Evaluator
- Victoria University of WellingtonUndergraduate Tutor, SQL & Database Systems
- Techstars Startup WeekendVolunteer Startup Mentor, Tairāwhiti & Wellington
International
International
- Young Business Leaders Initiative DelegateAsia New Zealand Foundation, Thailand, 2024.
- Social Enterprise DelegateAsia New Zealand Foundation, Vietnam, 2019.
- DAAD Winter Scholarship to BerlinSelected among Waikato’s top German students, 2014.
- Digital NomadFour years living and working across Southeast Asia.
- LanguagesGerman, Thai, Lao, Spanish & Level 4 te reo Māori
Testimonials
Working with Michael through Te Pūkenga, I saw firsthand how well he handles complex data and brings different systems together. He understands the technical detail and always follows through to get things working. Oh and he’s a really nice guy too!
I first met Michael when he spoke at Victoria University of Wellington’s Entrepreneurship Bootcamp. His coaching and mentorship helped me shape Qisma Tech’s after-school and holiday programmes, while creating hands-on STEM learning opportunities for more than 300 K–12 students.
Impact Fund
Business has always been about more than profit.
Education has been central to my work through StudySpy. Spending time with communities across Southeast Asia and Africa has also shaped how Mikayla and I think about opportunity, responsibility and where small contributions can be useful.
Through our Impact Fund, we commit 1% of business revenue to grassroots education initiatives in communities we spend time in.
We follow the lead of local people and support what is most useful, from education facilities and learning resources to scholarships, stationery and uniforms.
Photos from time spent with local communities across Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Kenya.
Work With Me
I work alongside founders and organisations to untangle complex digital challenges and turn promising ideas into products, platforms and systems that work. Whether you need strategic direction, practical delivery or an experienced digital lead, I can help with:
- Digital Product Strategy
- Websites & Digital Platforms
- Online Discovery & Growth
- Systems, Data & Automation
- Fractional Digital Leadership
Have a project, problem or early idea you’d like to explore? Let’s chat!
