Hello, I’m Rowan …

Rowan Simpson
Rowan Simpson

I live in Aotearoa New Zealand.

I am the chairman of Hoku Group, our family office, which combines our private investments, early-stage venture investments and Hoku Foundation, our non-profit foundation.

I am the author of the book How to be Wrong: a crash course in startup success, published in February 2025. Buy now.

I am a founder of and early investor in multiple high-growth technology businesses.

In 2000 I was employee #3 at Trade Me. I led the software development team as the business grew rapidly to become an iconic Kiwi brand, including through the sale to Fairfax for $750m in 2006.

In 2007 I was a pre-IPO investor in Xero, and worked as part of the original executive team at time the business was listed on the NZX. Xero is now one of the most successful businesses ever started in New Zealand, with millions of global subscribers.

In 2010 I was one of the initial investors in Vend. I was the chairman of the board of directors until 2015. Vend was acquired by Lightspeed for ~US$350m in 2021.

In 2013 I was the first investor in Timely. I was as an advisor and director through to the sale to EverCommerce for ~$US100m in 2021.

Current active startup investments include Sterling, Huckleberry, Tractor Ventures, Melodics, Lightyears Solar, Atomic, Parkable, StickyBeak, Firmcheck and Thematic.

I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Victoria University of Wellington.

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