Case Studies

Wellington’s smaller size compared to other global hubs presents a unique opportunity for new businesses, says ex-Britain Mark Pascall, owner and director of 3months. “It’s a smart environment for establishing and growing a business.”

Wellington can mean an adjustment in mindset is needed for someone relocating from the U.K., Mark advises.

“There’s a difference to the way you do business in Wellington,” says Mark. “There’s a higher level of business integrity here. Doing business is a pleasure, there’s no room to make enemies. As it’s a smaller city you will most likely come across someone you know in another circumstance, the local kindergarten even.”

“Many people believe a smaller sized city is a disadvantage for start-up but I have found larger is harder, companies in a small locality tend to become friends and network more effectively than in a larger city,” says Mark.

Another reason to recommend a Wellington start-up is the amount of support available in the area of business development.

“When I started up 3months it was at the time of the .com crash and things in the sector were quite difficult, I didn’t know where to go for help. In recent years new and existing business can get support from places such as Grow Wellington, which I’ve found very positive.”

Mark began his Wellington based web and mobile software development company in 2000 after he had been working in the capital for several years.

He first came to New Zealand on his O.E during his twenties, travelling back and forth between the UK and New Zealand for work and travel. Over the next few years, Mark spent time in several cities including Auckland but always felt an attraction to Wellington.

“I was crazy about windsurfing at the time and the climate here is so much better than in the U.K,” says Mark. “You can lead an outdoor lifestyle most of the year.”

There’s also far more of a life-work balance to be had, explains Mark. Weekends can be spent with family, a work lunch break can be taken by the seaside and commuting to work is quicker – Mark enjoys biking to the office most days.

“Setting up in business for myself was a lifestyle choice for me,” Mark explains. He has no regrets about his choice of Wellington as a location for his business.

“Wellington’s a global village,” says Mark.” The city has systems in place to support large companies in a number of sectors, but it’s small enough to walk around and bump into people you know.” 

The city’s thriving café culture encourages plenty of collaboration. “I have partnered with many companies in a 100 metre radius,” says Mark.

In the U.K. Mark graduated with a degree in Engineering Acoustics and Vibration and side-stepped into software development where he felt there was more opportunity. “In 2000 in Wellington, web and digital space was taking off – now it’s a world class digital community.”

Wellington’s small-sized government infrastructure in terms of overseas cities like London and New York also lends itself to transformation. This is particularly so in the public (and private sector) software procurement processes, where Mark has been involved for over 20 years. “There is an opportunity to do things differently in this environment with a smarter more holistic approach which flows over to many other projects.”