Ways to Wealth EP40: NZ vs Silicon Valley: Culture, Capital, and the Future of Start-ups, with Mark Bregman

Mark Bregman is an American venture capitalist who has been investing in New Zealand start-ups since 2018. After a long career at IBM, including time in Japan, he transitioned to Silicon Valley and eventually launched his own fund with a focus on New Zealand's tech ecosystem.In this episode, Mark shares insights into New Zealand’s unique investment culture, revealing that the country ranks sixth globally in investable wealth per capita, yet most of it is tied up in property. He explains why this conservative approach to investing may be holding back innovation and start-up success.The conversation explores the risks of inequality in the start-up model, how venture capital can be used more sustainably, and why Mark believes New Zealand needs a shift toward long-term value creation rather than chasing unicorns. He also compares Kiwi and Silicon Valley mindsets, discusses companies like Xero and Allbirds, and emphasizes the importance of better financial advisory practices to help diversify wealth.Check out what Mark Bregman is doing at Rakon here:httpwww.rakon.com/Watch all episodes of the Ways to Wealth Podcast here:www.eccuity.com/podcasts#WaysToWealth #VentureCapital #StartupNZ #MarkBregman #NZTech #InvestmentStrategy #WealthCreation #Rakon #EccuityPodcast