a brief history
Growing up, I was endlessly curious. I loved pulling things apart to figure out how they worked — car stereos, VCRs, radios, anything I could get my hands on. By the time I was 8, I was obsessed with electronics.
TV shows like MacGyver and Probe fueled my imagination. Probe, in particular, featured an inventor who used technology to solve crimes with voice-activated gadgets and wireless devices—long before WiFi was a thing. Those ideas inspired me to build my first project: an alarm system for my room. Years later, I’d build my own smart home.
School wasn’t my favorite place, except for math and physics. One highlight was the New Zealand Solar Challenge, where a friend and I built a model solar-powered car with a dynamic gear system. Winning awards for it convinced me I had a knack for technology.
I left school at 16 and eventually found my way to Power Beat International, a Hamilton company developing cutting-edge battery technology. I walked in and offered to work for free, starting with odd jobs like sweeping floors. My eagerness led to promotions, and within months I was soldering circuits.
At 19, I was sent to the Arabian Gulf to help launch Power Beat’s products in the Middle East. I immersed myself in all aspects of the business, from product development to database design. The experience taught me the value of lateral thinking, as the entrepreneurs I worked with constantly challenged me to solve complex problems. Their philosophy stuck with me: “Make money and have fun doing it.”
After a few years in Dubai and Bahrain, I returned to New Zealand with a drive to build something of my own. I started with a list of my skills and reordered it based on what would pay the bills. That’s how I ended up focusing on the internet, which was just taking off.
In 1998, I launched Tech Solutions, a company that connected small businesses to the internet. After rebranding to ZeroOne and moving to Wellington, the business grew rapidly. We developed multilingual education portals, built and hosted websites for major clients like the AllBlacks and Telecom NZ, and earned a reputation for delivering reliable software solutions.
After a decade, I sold ZeroOne and returned to Hamilton, where my wife Doesjka and I founded LayerX Group, a technology incubator. Our mission was to innovate and create commercial opportunities through cloud services, electronics, and software.
One standout project was ModuSense, an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) company focused on primary industries. We started with beekeeping, using remote monitoring to help beekeepers increase productivity and reduce costs. This pilot project proved the value of SaaS systems paired with IoT devices, and we began exploring global opportunities.
In 2020, ModuSense became the first company to transmit commercial data through Swarm Technologies' satellite network. This partnership led to a joint venture with FreeWave Technologies, allowing us to scale globally. Together, we developed platforms that analyze weather, air quality, and soil moisture for industries like agriculture and smart cities.
In 2023, we sold ModuSense to FreeWave, marking a pivotal moment in my career. Letting go was bittersweet, but the timing and fit were right. Selling ModuSense allowed me to reflect and consider my next steps.
Technology has always been my passion, from tinkering with electronics as a kid to building global solutions. I’m driven by the challenge of solving complex problems and collaborating with talented teams.
Relationships are key to success, especially in technology. Business is hard, and without strong connections, navigating challenges becomes even harder. I thrive on working with clients who see technology as a tool to transform their businesses.
After ModuSense, I started Scripted Ventures, my solo project, is another outlet for my passion. It’s about combining technology and strategy to create value, whether as an investor, advisor, or partner.
My journey has taught me that taking time for reflection is crucial. It’s in those moments of clarity that the best ideas emerge. My goal now is to keep pushing boundaries, learning, and embracing the possibilities of technology while working with great people on meaningful projects.