Hi TechMates Community,
Mark Pavlyukovskyy and Hendrik Remigereau here, thrilled to bring you another inspiring conversation powered by NZVC, the venture firm backing the next generation of iconic companies from New Zealand and beyond.
In this episode, we're joined by the remarkable Bob Drummond, Co-founder of Kami, whose incredible journey started from humble beginnings in rural New Zealand and led to shaping one of the most impactful edtech tools globally. Bob’s entrepreneurial spirit ignited early, from repairing diesel engines at the railway workshops, flipping burgers to fund his studies, to eventually leading multiple tech startups across Germany and the UK. His story is one of grit, resilience, and relentless innovation.
Explore the episode
In this episode, you’ll discover:
🌱 Why focusing deeply on one niche unlocks massive growth – Bob’s critical startup lesson.
💡 The importance of user-led adoption and listening deeply to customers – key pitching insight.
🔥 From punch cards to edtech unicorns: a journey of relentless innovation – today's compelling headline topic.
🌍 How global experiences shaped Bob's entrepreneurial vision – fascinating location-based insight.
🚀 Bob’s extraordinary path from rural Taranaki to Kami’s global education impact – his impressive career arc.
Don’t miss out on these exclusive insights!
Listen or read the highlights below
⏰ Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction & Bob’s Background
02:43 - Early Days Programming with Punch Cards
05:50 - Entrepreneurship Lessons from Video Stores
07:17 - Adventures in Europe: Startup Struggles
09:56 - Building and Scaling a Telecom Software Startup
12:53 - Major Startup Setbacks and Lessons Learned
16:53 - Recognizing the Internet’s Potential Early
21:30 - The Journey Back to New Zealand
25:22 - Pivoting into Education Technology
31:17 - Focusing on Teacher-Driven Product Development
36:15 - Massive Growth During the Pandemic
42:19 - Kami’s Impact and Scaling Strategy
48:40 - Importance of User-Led Adoption
52:33 - AI’s Role in the Future of Education
56:45 - Advice for Young Entrepreneurs
1:06:20 - Choosing Education as a Startup Focus
1:08:45 - Kami’s Competitive Advantages
1:10:33 - Retaining Customers Post-Pandemic
1:13:08 - Kami’s Sales Strategy
1:16:45 - Future of Education with AI
1:18:34 - Advice for EdTech Entrepreneurs
1:22:28 - Kami’s Future Vision
1:25:33 - Reflections on Entrepreneurship Journey
How User Obsession Built a Global EdTech Success Story
Starting From Scratch
Bob Drummond’s journey is a remarkable testament to the power of persistence.
"Growing up on a remote farm in rural Taranaki," Bob recalls, "gave me independence and drive."
He went from flipping burgers in Auckland to programming computers using punch cards, constantly fueled by curiosity. His entrepreneurial journey saw him pivot multiple times—often dramatically—before finally hitting his stride.
Finding Focus at Kami
The turning point for Kami came from an intense, pivotal decision-making retreat on Waiheke Island. Bob and his co-founders decided to commit fully to education, driven by their users' passion.
"Teachers told us over and over again they loved the product,"
says Bob. They abandoned all other markets, boldly committing Kami to the education sector, a move he now credits as crucial:
"Focusing means saying no to opportunities, and that's brutally hard."
Scaling During COVID
When the pandemic hit, Kami offered their edtech tool for free to struggling schools. The results were explosive.
"Sales doubled every two weeks right through 2020,"
Bob remembers vividly. But growth was not the sole reward—it was the impact.
"We gave teachers back eight hours every week," Bob says proudly. "They spent those hours with their kids instead of photocopying or struggling with tech."
Vision for the Future
Today, Kami continues its growth trajectory, integrating AI thoughtfully to empower educators even more. Reflecting on AI’s impact, Bob says,
"We can already see how this will fundamentally reshape education."
He encourages entrepreneurs not to chase fleeting trends, but rather,
"Go find a user who's got a real problem, listen deeply, and help them solve it."
Bob Drummond’s journey teaches us that true innovation is about relentless focus, user obsession, and the courage to pivot until you find something worth dedicating your life to.
For more in-depth insights from Bob Drummond, be sure to listen to the full TechMates podcast episode!
Thanks for your support—we’re excited to have you with us!
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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