Hi TechMates Community,
Mark Pavlyukovskyy and Hendrik Remigereau here, bringing you another insightful conversation powered by NZVC, the venture firm backing the next generation of iconic companies from New Zealand and beyond.
This episode, we have a truly inspiring guest—Irina Miller, the founder of Daisy Lab, a revolutionary startup producing dairy proteins through precision fermentation. Originally from Moscow, Irina’s journey to becoming an entrepreneur was anything but predictable.
From witnessing profound political shifts in Russia, living through the end of the Soviet Union, to boldly relocating to New Zealand with her young daughter, Irina’s path highlights resilience, determination, and a passion for change.
Explore the episode
In this episode, you’ll discover:
🌱 Why precision fermentation will revolutionize the dairy industry – Irina’s transformative startup insight.
💡 How clear, accessible storytelling helps complex ideas resonate – invaluable pitching advice.
🔥 The future of dairy: synthetic proteins without the cows – a groundbreaking headline topic.
🌍 From Moscow to Auckland: a courageous journey to entrepreneurship – Irina’s incredible relocation insight.
🚀 Irina’s unexpected entrepreneurial journey to founding Daisy Lab – her remarkable career shift.
Don’t miss out on these exclusive insights!
Listen or read the highlights below
⏰ Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction & Irina’s Background
01:30 - DaisyLab’s Revolutionary Dairy Tech
04:01 - Growing Up in Soviet-Era Moscow
11:03 - Studying Abroad in the US
16:31 - Moving to New Zealand
27:24 - Career & Transition to Entrepreneurship
30:02 - Inspiration for DaisyLab
34:12 - Precision Fermentation Explained
42:00 - Challenges in Protein Production
48:03 - DaisyLab’s Startup Journey
54:58 - Dairy Industry Collaboration
1:01:34 - Animal Welfare & Veganism
1:08:39 - The Future of Alternative Proteins
1:11:32 - New Zealand’s Biotech Opportunity
1:14:11 - Advice for Moving to New Zealand
Precision Fermentation: The Future of Dairy Without the Cow
Revolutionizing Dairy Proteins
Irina Miller founded Daisy Lab with a powerful vision: making dairy proteins through precision fermentation, using yeast instead of cows.
"We develop technology allowing us to produce dairy-identical proteins without involving animals,"
she explains. By creating whey protein, lactoferrin, and casein through synthetic biology, Daisy Lab offers a sustainable, animal-free alternative to traditional dairy production.
Inspired by Environmental and Ethical Impact
Irina’s passion for Daisy Lab began during her time working at Fonterra, where she became acutely aware of the environmental and ethical impact of traditional dairy farming.
"Once you see it, you can't unsee it,"
Irina shares, reflecting on the sheer scale of dairy farming's impact. Her goal quickly became clear: create a meaningful alternative that was both scalable and sustainable.
New Zealand’s Opportunity
Daisy Lab isn't just a product—it’s a vision for reshaping New Zealand's entire dairy industry. Irina sees huge potential for New Zealand to become a global leader in precision fermentation and sustainable protein production, saying,
"We could be producing high-value molecules, not just commodity powders."
Leveraging existing dairy infrastructure, Daisy Lab aims to integrate seamlessly into current processes, helping the industry transition smoothly to the future.
A Personal Journey
Beyond innovation, Irina’s story is one of profound personal courage. Moving to New Zealand from Russia with her daughter and transforming from a reluctant entrepreneur into a confident founder, she embodies resilience.
"I vowed to never have my own business after seeing my parents struggle,"
Irina laughs, highlighting the unexpected twists her life has taken.
Irina Miller’s journey and Daisy Lab's groundbreaking work show that when purpose meets technology, anything is possible.
For more in-depth insights from Irina Miller, be sure to listen to the full TechMates podcast episode!
Thanks for your support—we’re excited to have you with us!
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Happy listening,
The TechMates Team
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