TL;DR: SaaSpocalypse Now Auckland brought the community together for more practical learning. Next up: SaaSpocalypse Now Christchurch on 26 November, plus our 7 Weeks of SaaSmas is in full swing!
🎄SaaSmas is here!
Our 7 Weeks of SaaSmas has begun! Expect practical workshops, community events and SaaSmas parties across the motu.
Auckland SaaSmas Party
Close the laptop, give the agents the night off and join the party!
Wednesday 9 December | 6:00–10:00pm | Empire Tavern
Thanks to Atlas Digital, Clearpoint, Digital Garage and Pioneer.
Book your tickets now
Christchurch SaaSmas Party
No presentations. Just a good end-of-year get-together with peers.
Thursday 10 December | 5:30pm–11:30pm | Partly
Thanks to Atlas Digital.
Book tickets
Wellington SaaSmas Party
A relaxed, mildly ridiculous, very well-earned night.
Thursday 17 December | 5:00pm–2:00am | Dockside Bar
Thanks to Atlas Digital, Avid, Clare Capital, Icehouse and Talent Army.
Book tickets
Christchurch SaaS leaders: get clear on what’s next
Half-day conference
Join us at SaaSpocalypse Now Christchurch, a focused half-day for SaaS leaders who want to understand the shift, compare notes with smart peers and leave with a more deliberate plan.
Following the conversations in Auckland and Wellington, we’re bringing the key evidence, ideas and practical lessons to Christchurch, tailored for a room of leaders working through what comes next. In one morning, you’ll explore:
Winning strategies: Where your next advantage could come from
Winning operating models: How to build a business that can move faster
Reimagining your business for the AI era
How to accelerate your business transformation
Practical learning from your peers at Lumin, Appetise and Backkr.
This is not a sit-and-nod session or a replay of Wellington. It’s a chance to pressure-test your thinking with people who understand the context, and take useful next steps back to your team. You’ll be in the room with leaders from companies including Lumin, Appetise, Jade, Backkr, Komodo, Lentune, Rough, Komodo and Seamless Data. Special thanks to Atlas Digital, Duncan Cotterill and Parry Field for their support.
9:00am-12:00pm | Duncan Cotterill, Christchurch | Register now
Future of Finance with AI
Member workshop
AI is reshaping finance teams, but where is it genuinely improving performance and what should be on your radar next? Join fellow finance leaders for a practical morning of real-world SaaS examples, quickfire demos and honest discussion.
Facilitated by Georgia Burns (Auror) and David Clearwater (KiwiSaaS), with presentations from Matt Dold (Oxygen), Olivia Dyet (Empathix) and Jono Baker (Halter), plus an AMA panel featuring Ana Wight (Partly), Guillem Bonavia (Shuttlerock) and Nick Steevens (DataTorque).
Wednesday 11 November | 9:00am–12:00pm | Serko, Auckland
$25 for KiwiSaaS members ($5m+ ARR) | Register now
AI Security for SaaS Scaleups
Member workshop
AI is opening up powerful new possibilities for SaaS teams and new security risks that need practical attention. Join Simon Howard, Executive Director of Bastion Security Group, with Grant Anthony (Orion Health & HEALWELL.ai), Ben Wicks (Plexure) and Andre Groen (AoFrio), for a hands-on session built for SaaS technology and security leaders.
Thursday 12 November | 9:00am–12:00pm | Plexure, Auckland
Free for large KiwiSaaS members ($5m+ ARR) | Register now
Operating Model Makeover
Large members workshop
Most leadership teams design a strong strategy, then leave the organisation to catch up. This hands-on morning helps your leadership team redesign your operating model for an AI-enabled world. Led by Ken Brophy (AlignOrg and K3) and David Clearwater (KiwiSaaS), you'll work at your own table, assess what needs to change, and leave with practical first moves for your team.
Wednesday 9 December | 9:00am–12:00pm | Auckland | Free for large members ($5m+ ARR) | Join as a team of 2–3 senior colleagues from the same company.
Register
Lawyering in a Startup: what, why and how
Public webinar
Ever wondered what a day in a startup legal team really looks like? Join GCs and Heads of Legal from New Zealand's fastest-growing startups for an in-person CPD session on how they work day to day, how they use AI in legal practice, and how to make a move into a startup career if you're curious. Presented by Startup Lawyers NZ and KiwiSaaS.
Thursday 12 November | 12:30pm–2:00pm | Tracksuit, Auckland
Register now
How are ANZ businesses using ESOPs?
LiveRem, Humankind and Oxygen Advisors are building a clearer picture of how ANZ businesses structure employee share ownership plans, what they offer and what gets in the way. Whether you have a scheme, are considering one or have chosen another path, your input helps shape the findings. Take the survey.
Now hiring: fresh roles at KiwiSaaS companies
Currently, there’s 5 open jobs at AoFrio, 12 at EROAD, 38 at Gallagher, 7 at Serko, 16 roles at Tracksuit and 6 at Pushpay.
Head to our events page to see everything now and our new SaaSmas events. There’s more to come, so keep an eye on it.
Ngā mihi nui,
David Clearwater
Executive Director, KiwiSaaS