JUDGES

Judges at Startup Weekend play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs. By evaluating final pitches, they provide invaluable insights, real-world expertise, and constructive feedback that help teams refine their ideas beyond the weekend. Their perspectives—rooted in industry experience, business strategy, and innovation—challenge participants to think critically, validate their solutions, and understand what it takes to turn a concept into a viable venture. More than just scoring pitches, judges inspire, mentor, and empower teams to take their ideas to the next level.

Rod's professional life was in the construction industry. He was Company Director of the Taylor Roofing Group in the 1990’s and then NZWindows Group – a window and door supplier with six branches and over three hundred employees around the North Island. During his time in the window industry, I was a board member of the Window Association of New Zealand when we introduced a formalised training programme for window makers and installers.

In 2022 Rod retired from the business, with a view to running for election as a Tauranga City Councillor. With the Commissioners remaining in charge and the election delayed his aspirations had to wait.

With a couple of years to occupy before the election, he decided to take ownership of two Tauranga CBD businesses – Luxe Cinemas (previously Rialto) and The Shoe Lounge (previously Step Inn Shoes). Operating these businesses in the rebuilding CBD of Tauranga has helped Rod understand the issues facing us as a city.

Mitch Lowe

Mitch’s passion for business started at 14 when he declared he’d retire by 28—escaping the rat race was the dream. He began flipping toy guns for profit and, by 17, fast-tracked a GD Diploma before launching his first venture.

His early clothing business failed, but he pivoted to events, determined to build something lasting. By 20, he was running New Zealand’s largest youth festival, expanding into five cities and securing six-figure sponsorships from major brands—all while showing up to boardrooms in jandals.

At 26, he launched Bay Dreams, an R18 music festival, which became the country’s largest by age 27. Now, as Director of over 18 companies, he oversees New Zealand’s biggest festivals and touring events, producing 200+ events annually.

His success has led him to new ventures, including Wayver, an advanced cashless-payment solution, and property development. While business drives him, his greatest fulfillment comes from his charity, Bring People Dancing, and his entrepreneurial fiancé, Ezel.

Roseanne Ellis

Roseanne's career covers a diverse range of sectors and experiences with a common theme in connecting research and innovation with the commercial sector. Her passion lies in the magic created through bringing these worlds together. Over the past 18 years she has held senior leadership and executive positions with responsibility for strategic direction setting, change management and stakeholder engagement, business development and commercialisation.