Justin Soong first came to Aotearoa New Zealand from Singapore as a young international student. He loved it here so much that he never left, and now heads up Authsignal, the cybersecurity tech start-up he founded in 2022.
Tech entrepreneur Justin Soong is a big fan of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Having first come here to study commerce, economics and computer systems at the University of Canterbury, something inside him just clicked with the country, and he ended up staying for good – and persuading his partner to join him. So what was the attraction?
“To be creative you need space to think,” he says. “New Zealand gives you that space, and you only have to look around to see the proof.”
Justin knows only too well that the tech scene here in Aotearoa New Zealand is vibrant, and home to billion dollar companies across a whole bunch of industries – from R&D, fintech, green tech and gaming, to launching rockets into space.
“The digital ecosystem here is thriving. There are people up and down the country coming together with great ideas and forming new start-ups every single day,” he adds.
Justin himself is one of those deep thinkers. Originally a coder, he subsequently honed his tech and business skills to create Authsignal, a world-leading cybersecurity platform that helps to protect banks, airlines, digital apps and more, all around the globe.
He believes he owes part of his success to the way we do business here in Aotearoa New Zealand.
“The New Zealand difference to approaching problems is that we don’t conform to the status quo. Instead we challenge current ideas, bringing a unique lens to whatever challenge we’re facing.”
“I believe it’s this ability to think freely, to ask critical questions in a safe environment, that makes us truly unique. It’s why so many big multinationals are flocking here, because they see how special we are.”
Justin’s work consists of dealing with people from all around the world, including Singapore, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, South America and Europe. “Tech people are flocking here too, because there’s a lifestyle you can’t put a price on.”
A self-confessed workaholic, Justin still finds time to get out and explore the beautiful Aotearoa New Zealand countryside. “I love New Zealand because you get to work hard and play hard, and it’s so easy to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.”
Looking for the creative freedom to explore and go beyond? Like Justin Soong, we know a place.
Learn more about New Zealand’s technology industry See Tomorrow First.