I Almost Lost Everything Building This Startup

Building a startup isn’t what most people think. In this episode of Startup Theatre, Adrienne & Serge sit down with Martyn Bain to talk about the reality of building a global company from New Zealand — and the moments that nearly break you. From leaving corporate after a defining moment at home, to chasing international deals, to being days away from signing something that could have changed everything… only for it to fall apart. We get into: • the moment that pushed Martyn to leave corporate • why early customers say yes… but don’t commit • the brutal reality of enterprise sales • why “signed contracts” don’t mean what you think • how deals fall over at the last minute • what it actually takes to build and scale globally from NZ This is a raw look at the pressure, setbacks, and persistence behind building a real company. If you’re a founder, operator, or thinking about starting something, this episode will give you a far more honest picture of the journey. Startup Theatre explores the real stories behind startups — not just the wins, but everything in between.