Hnry

Early Funding Path

Angel → VC

First Customers

Freelancers & contractors

Founded (Year)

2017

Key Tactics

All‑in‑one tax payments

Type

Independent Contractor / Fintech

Vertical

Prosumer

Website

hnry.co.nz

Co-founders James and Claire Fuller launched Hnry in 2017 with their own funds and early customer revenue. Momentum built after joining the Kiwi FinTech Accelerator in 2018, followed by angel and seed investment that enabled the first hires and office move. Further capital rounds, including a major Series B in 2023, supported re-platforming and international expansion.

The first customers — freelancers and contractors — signed up to the MVP and helped shape the service.

Startup Rollercoaster

The Spark

Founded in 2017, Hnry began as a simple tool to help freelancers and contractors manage invoicing and tax. Launched “classic startup style” with a handful of early adopters, the MVP quickly proved its value.

The Peak

Word of mouth drove rapid growth. By 2018, Hnry joined the Kiwi FinTech Accelerator and soon secured angel and seed funding. In 2020, the company expanded into Australia, serving tens of thousands of sole traders with a team of 100+.

The Drop

Fast growth highlighted the limits of the original platform, making it difficult to deliver new features while maintaining stability.

The Reset

Hnry rebuilt its core platform to handle scale and introduced features such as expense management, receipt capture, a debit card, and expanded payment options.

The Discipline

By staying focused on automation, compliance, and customer support, Hnry built strong trust. Pricing remained simple — 1% of income plus GST, capped annually — while the service continued to improve.

The Climb

New funding supported growth into Australia and, in 2025, the UK. Recognition followed, including a Deloitte Fast 50 regional win and acknowledgment that Hnry now processes around 1% of New Zealand’s total tax take.

New Zealand Start-a-Startup Wiki