Mahesh Muralidhar

Mahesh Muralidhar is a prominent figure in the New Zealand startup ecosystem, with a rich background in executive leadership and board membership roles at various organizations.

He has played a pivotal role in nurturing tech businesses such as Kiki.club, SugarWallet, Latch.io, Cotiss, and more, contributing significantly to the growth of the startup landscape in New Zealand.

Currently, he is the Founder and CEO of Phase One Ventures, a community for early-stage Kiwi founders focused on transforming the startup ecosystem in New Zealand to make the country a happier place.

Mahesh brings over a decade of experience in strategy, product development, growth, and organizational management across various industries including SaaS, marketplace, and fintech.

His impressive track record includes being an early employee at Canva where he helped scale the company to over 200 employees and drive operational excellence.

He also served as COO at Simply Wall St, a fintech company, setting up foundations for its growth and success.

Apart from his corporate roles, Mahesh has also been deeply involved in the startup community through mentoring, advising, and investing in emerging ventures.

With a strong educational background including postgraduate studies in public policy, an MBA, and a degree in statistics, Mahesh is well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the business world.

His international experience in cities like Auckland, Tokyo, Sydney, and Mumbai has provided him with a global perspective on business and innovation.

In addition to his professional pursuits, Mahesh is passionate about touch rugby, supporting the All Blacks, and cheering on Tottenham Hotspur.

As a proud Kiwi, Mahesh has returned to New Zealand to give back to the startup ecosystem and contribute to the country's entrepreneurial success.