Shows
Cheques and BalancesFrom Scaling Canva to Backing NZ’s Next Billion Dollar Startups ft. Mahesh Muralidhar | Episode 341From scaling Canva to transforming New Zealand’s startup scene - Mahesh Muralidhar knows how to think big. In this episode, we unpack Mahesh’s journey at Canva, his mission to make NZ happier and wealthier, and how Phase One Ventures is backing the next generation of billion-dollar companies.Learn more about Phase One VenturesEver wanted your own financial adviser? James is picking one listener to coach for a whole year - apply now and you might just star on the podcast too! Apply hereFor more...
2025-06-2932 min
Fix & Fly Podcast#03 Mahesh MuralidharWelcome to the Fix & Fly Podcast hosted by Larissa Logan from Fixity.Our next guest is Mahesh Muralidhar, employee number 25 at Canva, turned start-up investor via his venture firm Phase One. Mahesh sits down with Larissa and talks about his experience at Canva, what makes a successful start-up, and what’s next for him in politics.Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!Huge thanks to Mahesh for featuring in this episode! Follow his socials here: https://www.instagram.com/mahesh.aklPhase On...
2025-05-0831 min
The SME StreamMahesh Muralidhar: Phase One Ventures CEO on the changes to the Foreign Investment FundThere are hopes proposed changes to the Foreign Investment Fund will boost our own productivity. The changes will allow new migrants to be taxed on a realisation basis for interests not easily disposable and acquired before coming to New Zealand. Revenue Minister Simon Watts says the legislation for this will likely be introduced in August. Phase One Ventures chief executive Mahesh Muralidhar told Andrew Dickens there are also opportunities to transfer skills from migrants to our entrepreneurs. He says it allows for more Kiwis to start investing and playing a global game...
2025-03-1304 min
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeMahesh Muralidhar: Phase One Ventures CEO on the changes to the Foreign Investment FundThere are hopes proposed changes to the Foreign Investment Fund will boost our own productivity. The changes will allow new migrants to be taxed on a realisation basis for interests not easily disposable and acquired before coming to New Zealand. Revenue Minister Simon Watts says the legislation for this will likely be introduced in August. Phase One Ventures chief executive Mahesh Muralidhar told Andrew Dickens there are also opportunities to transfer skills from migrants to our entrepreneurs. He says it allows for more Kiwis to start investing and playing a global game...
2025-03-1204 min
Duncan Garner - Editor In ChiefThe New Mrs. New Zealand - 21st November 2024Today on the show... The winner of Mrs. New Zealand 2024. The new title holder will join us and tell us how winning this crown has changed her outlook on life to chat about and the opportunities that now present themselves. And Mahesh Muralidhar the CEO of Phase One Ventures. He mentors the start ups, he’s an entrepreneur, and he speaks about the economy. Just today the treasury has said the NZ economy isn’t performing as well as they had forecast and production and manufacturing is struggling so how do we get out of this rut. Does Mahes...
2024-11-2148 min
The SME StreamMahesh Muralidhar: Phase One CEO says New Zealand businesses should save money to expand overseasOne Kiwi investor believes more New Zealand businesses should be putting money aside in order to expand internationally. Phase One CEO Mahesh Muralidhar says this would boost the nation's GDP and add to the economy. He says Kiwis have plenty of entrepreneurial ability - but they lack the ability to see scale like their international counterparts. "The same entrepreneur, the same university student in the US or in India has the same level of skills as anyone in New Zealand - but they see scale and we don't. We have to go out o...
2024-10-1405 min
Best of BusinessMahesh Muralidhar: Phase One CEO says New Zealand businesses should save money to expand overseasOne Kiwi investor believes more New Zealand businesses should be putting money aside in order to expand internationally. Phase One CEO Mahesh Muralidhar says this would boost the nation's GDP and add to the economy. He says Kiwis have plenty of entrepreneurial ability - but they lack the ability to see scale like their international counterparts. "The same entrepreneur, the same university student in the US or in India has the same level of skills as anyone in New Zealand - but they see scale and we don't. We have to go out o...
2024-10-1405 min
The SME StreamNZ tech should be taking on the world, nowThis week's guest, venture capitalist, founder of PhaseOne and former early employee of Canva Mahesh Muralidhar, shares invaluable insights into the necessity for New Zealand's software startups to expand into the lucrative US market. He discusses the unique benefits of Kiwi founders on the global stage and some of the cultural things that might be holding them back. Plus, the Auckland teen caught smishing with specialised hardware and how China exploited backdoors that US telcos were made to leave open due to regulation. The Business of Tech is sponsored by 2degrees for Business.
2024-10-0952 min
The Business of TechNZ tech should be taking on the world, nowThis week's guest, venture capitalist, founder of PhaseOne and former early employee of Canva Mahesh Muralidhar, shares invaluable insights into the necessity for New Zealand's software startups to expand into the lucrative US market. He discusses the unique benefits of Kiwi founders on the global stage and some of the cultural things that might be holding them back. Plus, the Auckland teen caught smishing with specialised hardware and how China exploited backdoors that US telcos were made to leave open due to regulation. The Business of Tech is sponsored by 2degrees for Business.
2024-10-0952 min
eccuity PodcastsWays to Wealth EP4: The Impact you leave with Mahesh MuralidharIn our fourth episode, we're joined by the Incredibly intelligent and motivated Mahesh Muralidhar
The 5th employee at Canva, who empowers entrepreneurs through his business Phase One Ventures. Shares his ideas and perceptions around Wealth as someone who has been growing the entrepreneurs ecosystem in New Zealand through their wealth creation journey. Tune in as we dive deep into the journeys that shape financial success. Mahesh shares valuable tips, tricks, experiences and learnings which have driven him forward to creating supportive and progressive environments!
2024-08-0659 min
Startup Theatre PodcastNew Zealand. You too can change the WORLD! 🌏Mahesh Muralidhar has done it all.
From helping to take Canva globally as employee number 25, to launching PhaseOne Ventures in New Zealand and even running for Auckland Central in politics.
We talk with Mahesh to learn how he has been helping founders to take on the world from NZ and listen to his sage advice from being so early at Canva and now sharing this with his home in NZ.
Follow Mahesh - linkedin.com/in/maheshmuralidhar
Follow PhaseOne - https://www.phaseone.ventures/
Thank you to our sponsor:
2024-05-231h 03
Beyond the Surface#33: Mahesh Muralidhar – A Journey Through Tech, Politics, and Mentorship Meet Mahesh, a seasoned businessman with a knack for working with kiwi founders and start-ups to help them grow into world class companies. He was Canva's 25th employee and head Head of People, fast forward to today, Canva is valued at over $25 billion USD! More recently, he tipped his hat in the political spectrum, running for the National Party in Auckland Central coming second to Chloe Swarbrick from the Greens. A really enjoyable episode and loads of insightful learnings from Mahesh who has a wealth of knowledge! Also a massive shout ou...
2024-02-201h 06
Waiheke Radio PodcastsThe Great Waiheke Radio Auckland Central Electorate Candidates DebateThe Great Waiheke Radio Auckland Central Electorate Candidates Debate. Held at Artworks Theatre on Thurs 28 September, 2023. The candidates were Mahesh Muralidhar (National), Oscar Sims (Labour) and Chloe Swarbrick (Green). Facilitated by Chris Walker.
2023-09-2800 min
The Working Group - NZ’s Best Weekly Political PodcastNZ Taxpayers’ Union and Working Group Election Debate - Auckland CentralCandidates: Labour – Oscar Sims National – Mahesh Muralidhar ACT – Felix Poole Green – Chlöe Swarbrick Moderated by Martyn "Bomber" Bradbury and Damien Grant from The Working Group
2023-09-261h 26
Gone By LunchtimeMegapod 4: A special Auckland Central debate / shock moderator walkoutToby Manhire is joined by the three leading candidates in the race for Auckland Central: sitting MP Chlöe Swarbrick of the Greens, National’s Mahesh Muralidhar and Labour’s Oscar Sims. What do they have to say about transport in the city? Housing? Crime? And will Toby storm out of the studio and leave them to debate without him? This is an excerpt from our day-long Election 2023 Megapod, recorded on September 20. Watch the full megapod livestream here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-09-2232 minWaiheke Radio PodcastsMahesh Muralidhar Candidate InterviewChris Walker talks to Mahesh Muralidhar, National candidate for Auckland Central
2023-09-1600 min
Business Is BoringBringing the best of Australia’s high-growth companies to NZEven if you've never heard of Canva, you've definitely seen social media posts using its graphic design templates. Mahesh Muralidhar played a part in making the Australian company a global success story, and now back in New Zealand he's leading Phase One Ventures, a start-up incubator with big ambitions for Aotearoa business. He joins the pod this week to talk about his dreams for the incubator, the importance of making business more accessible to youth and his plan to make six unicorns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2022-05-3051 min
The MVP Show#17 - How to build a hiring process like Canva | Mahesh MuralidharFor Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Youtube and Website Links go to: https://linktr.ee/MinimumViablePod. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE!
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Currently focussed on supporting and developing the New Zealand startup ecosystem via Phase One Ventures.
Mahesh has held multiple executive roles in some of Australia's most iconic startups. He has experienced how to build a global Unicorn from ground up as an early employee and the first Head of People at Canva (SAAS) helping to scale to 200+ people. He had the opportunity to drive operational excellence, helping Airtasker (marketplace) become profitable, go global and go...
2022-05-301h 11
A yarn LIVE w/ Ryan 'The Lion' AshtonA YARN LIVE - NZ SaaS Global Growth with Mahesh Muralidhar“What problem are we solving?”Thats the first question we all ask when looking at a start up... For me the purpose of this interview is to discuss the acceleration of NZ’s maturity in SaaS as one our greatest opportunities to raise our economy and people.Termed the weightless export, SaaS is something we can continue to create, develop, exit and reinvest. Personally I feel NZ is on the tipping point, with a range of events combining to put us on the world stage:- Xero: The anchor of Kiwi SaaS success- The...
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The Startup Playbook PodcastEp139 – Mahesh Muralidhar (CEO – NZ ScaleUp) on creating a winning cultureThe Startup Playbook PodcastInsights and lessons from the world's best entrepreneurs and investors Twitter Facebook YouTube Instagram Ep139 – Mahesh Muralidhar (CEO – NZ ScaleUp) on creating a winning culture February 18, 2021 rohitbhargava Podcast My guest for Ep139 of The Startup Playbook Podcast was Mahesh Muralidhar. Mahesh is one of the leading people & […]
The post Ep139 – Mahesh Muralidhar (CEO – NZ ScaleUp) on creating a winning culture appeared first on Startup Playbook.
2021-02-1857 min
Metigy Podcast - Marketing for SMEsEpisode 12 – How to hire like Canva – Why people are the secret to success with Mahesh Muralidhar from Airtasker and CanvaWhat you will learn in this episodeHow Cliff and Mel from Canva convinced Mahesh to leave his startup (just when he was about to close the seed round funding) to go and work at Canva. Mahesh’s TimTam marketing hack that won him Uber’s as a client Why recruitment has been one of the major factors around Canva’s success Why talent acquisition is just like growth marketing Don’t compromise when hiring – wait for the right skillset Why you should never underestimate anyone How to be comm...
2019-12-3129 min