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Veteran of Trade Me, Xero wants less startup 'theatre' and more startups
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Veteran of Trade Me, Xero wants less startup 'theatre' and more startups

Rowan Simpson's new book reflects on decades of success but argues much modern startup advice is dangerously wrong.

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Finn
Feb 20, 2025
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Veteran of Trade Me, Xero wants less startup 'theatre' and more startups
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Can you be wrong in the right way?

That’s the central question in the new book from Rowan Simpson, founding team member at Trade Me and Xero and early investor in some of New Zealand’s most successful companies.

A quick look at his career highlights makes for some impressive bonafides:

  • In 2000, Rowan was employee #3 at Trade Me, leading the software devel…

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