The second season of the Waipā Tech Series kicked off last month with a standout session featuring agritech entrepreneur Andre Syben, whose journey from dairy farming to global R&D leadership delivered powerful lessons for tech founders and innovators.
Held at the BNZ Partner Centre in Cambridge, the event “From Tractors to Tech” attracted a strong turnout of entrepreneurs, business leaders, and tech enthusiasts eager to hear Syben’s story of resilience, innovation, and international success.
Syben shared candid reflections on building multiple businesses, navigating global partnerships, and adapting through crises like COVID-19.
“We turned our engineers into trainers during COVID. From an idea over coffee to a signed government contract in 91 days, that’s what adaptability looks like,” he said.
His story underscored that innovation isn’t confined to traditional tech sectors. His success in testing machinery for global manufacturers like CLAAS shows how niche expertise and local insight can unlock international opportunities.
“It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. There have been plenty of ups and downs, but you’ve got to keep showing up.”
Syben emphasised the importance of relationships, persistence, and face-to-face connections in building long-term partnerships.
“Nothing beats showing up. Relationships are everything, especially when you’re the only Kiwi in a German boardroom.”
He also spoke about the role of technology in scaling operations, noting that his teams now monitor machines remotely from Cambridge using real-time diagnostics and data analytics.
“Tech has changed everything. But people still make it work.”
The Waipā Tech Series continues to spotlight local innovation and connect founders with practical insights and support. The next event, “Free Money? What’s really on offer for tech founders”, will be held on Tuesday, 7 October, also at the BNZ Partner Centre.
