Welcome to Idealog Weekly, the free email newsletter for New Zealand commercial creatives, entrepreneurs and anyone rich with ideas.

Unified Inbox wants to zap app overload for good

Auckland-based startup Unified Inbox is on the verge of launching software to help users put paid to "app overload" once and for all by bringing email, social media, memos and other apps together into one cohesive stream. With hundreds of beta customers dotted around the world, it's on the lookout for fresh investment to jumpstart growth once it goes public in April.

 

TranscribeMe off to DEMO Asia

Journalists and lawyers may not feature on the list of most trustworthy occupations, but one Kiwi company is out to make their jobs a little easier. TranscribeMe has been picked to present at the DEMO Asia startup launchpad in Singapore, winning the Asia-Pacific regional scholarship. Currently in beta, TranscribeMe is an app that allows users to record meetings, interviews and dictation, and receive transcripts via email within 24 hours.

 

More exports please, ministry tells Joyce

Exports are the key to building national wealth, the Ministry of Economic Development has told incoming minister Steven Joyce. In its briefing paper produced following the 2011 election and released yesterday, the ministry says New Zealand will need to generate an extra $20 billion in exports if exports are to rise to a target of 40 percent of GDP. "Without higher exports and deep internationalisation, New Zealanders will never achieve the living standard to which they aspire," it stated.

 

Zuckerberg's $1 salary

Facebook has set the ball rolling on its hotly-anticipated IPO – the company has filed its preliminary prospectus and as rumoured, is seeking to raise US$5 billion. Founder Mark Zuckerberg, who started the social network in 2004, became the world's youngest billionaire in 2008 and made $1.5 million as the CEO in 2011 with a base salary of $500,000 plus $220,500 bonus and other perks including use of personal jets. But he's imitating the late Steve Jobs and has requested his salary be reduced to $1 from 2013.

 

Xero announces acquisition, raises another $20m

Cloud-based accounting firm Xero has bought software developer Max Solutions in full, acquiring the 84 percent that it didn't already own. Max Solutions staff will join the Xero team and founders Gavin George and Chris Spence will take a leadership role at Xero's new Auckland premises where it is creating a development hub. Xero also announced yesterday that it had raised $20 million from shareholders and will offer new shares to other investors on the same basis.

 

Start a business in New Zealand? Why not?

There are plenty of things to like about the land of the long white cloud. And they run far beyond the usual lifestyle and environmental arguments. Entrepreneur Toby Ruckert lists seven reasons why New Zealand is more business-friendly than you might think.

 

Wanted: Leaders who dare to dream

Six emerging leaders are being sought by the Sir Peter Blake Trust in its annual hunt for worthy recipients of its leadership awards. The awards are open to all New Zealanders between the ages of 25 and 45, and nominations must be in before March 30. Last year’s emerging Kiwi leaders included the founder of triathlon movement IronMaori, a lawyer exploring international conflict resolution, and a young entrepreneur with a passion for philanthropy.

 

Friday frivolities: the Superbowl of nausea, boozy baby bottles, sneaky office naps and more

Plus the latest from Old Spice and when voice recognition goes wrong.