Home Reality TV Show for Startups Announced; RWW Editor a Judge

Reality TV Show for Startups Announced; RWW Editor a Judge

In the tradition of American Idol, The Apprentice, Top Chef, and Dragons’ Den, a new TV show is in development in New Zealand that will bring the ‘Elimination/Game show’ format of reality TV to the world of startups. I will be one of the 3 judges.

The TV show, to be called Start Up (not to be confused with the 2001 movie Startup.com) is being produced by a kiwi company called Start-UP Media, alongside Wellington hi-tech cluster Silicon Welly. The aim is “to take one kiwi online company from startup through to launch in Silicon Valley and hopefully on to international success.”

Aspiring kiwi startups are invited to apply to be part of the TV show. The TV series will select 10 startups and put them through 3 months of challenges.

As reported on the NZ Herald, Start-UP Media says the focus is on finding startups with an international focus:

“We’re looking for companies with an international focus from day 1. The minimum entry requirements will be that they will have a product in development or beta phase however we may make an exception for someone that has an exceptional idea supported by market validation.”

We here at RWW fully support the notion of Web innovation and success happening on an international scale. While the hub of Web technology is still Silicon Valley, this TV show aims to encourage aspiring kiwi entrepreneurs to make the first step – and the best of them will be promoted over in the Valley.

As for which American Idol judge I will be… I think it’s fair to say I’m not nasty enough to be Simon Cowell. I’d like to think I’m not the other extreme either (Paula), so I guess that makes me Randy Jackson! I like Randy, so I can live with that (“it was pitchy for me, dawg”). The other judges are Tim Norton from PlanHQ (an online business planning startup) and Rod Drury from Xero (an online accounting app with global ambitions).

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.