Special Group puts its momentum behind New Zealand’s next wave of startups

During the weird, what-if times of the Covid-19 induced lockdowns, the strategy and design teams at Special Group couldn’t stop wondering.

Says Heath Lowe, executive design director, Special Group: “We’ve spent time talking about all the plans and developments, new ideas, new products and new brands that were being put on hold or scrapped altogether due to this ‘uncertain’ and ‘unprecedented’ time. So, we thought about what we could do to help.”

The creative company has launched an initiative, announced with a full-page ad in the New Zealand Herald over the weekend saying, ‘New Zealand needs startups’. Their mission is to find three startups that could use Special’s leading strategic, design, comms and digital thinking to launch their brands – and have pledged to give for free.

Says Tony Bradbourne, founder, CEO/CCO, Special Group: “We are where we are due to a lot of talented people, talented clients, and a lot of hard work – but also because of some incredible support from the industry. We also know how hard it is to launch when times are tough. We launched 13 years ago right in the middle of the GFC. And now it’s our chance to give back, to help others start their dreams.”

Adds Lowe: “We’ve helped brands like ecostore and Karma Cola become international success stories. We have the branding, packaging and storytelling experience it takes to launch and grow a successful brand, so we want to use it for good. And frankly, we love working with these founder-driven companies.”

Says Michael Redwood, managing director, Special Group: “We believe one of the best ways to help the New Zealand economy right now is to start something. So, we are looking for entrepreneurs who have a great idea, but may not be sure how to brand it, or launch it, or scale it, or have people interact with it or globalise it. We want to use all of our talents to help the next New Zealand success stories.”

To find out more, visit: specialgroup.com/nz/work/startup