It doesn't seem so long ago that Beta Solutions was founded, and now the company has just had its ten year birthday. That's ten whole laps around the Sun, filled with growth, innovation, and countless rewarding projects.
Inception
In 2008, Dr Matthew van der Werff and Terry Southern founded Beta Solutions, an electronics R&D consultancy. The timing was notable, occurring during the global financial crisis while tech giants like Uber, Spotify, and the iPad didn't yet exist. The founders had prior electronics industry experience and decided to take the entrepreneurial leap despite inherent risks. "It is therefore natural for budding entrepreneurs to have some doubts" about leaving stable employment, yet their passion for electronic product development outweighed their concerns. The company was officially incorporated on June 24th, 2008.
Humble Beginnings
The startup operated from a self-contained unit with an adjoining garage workshop. Equipment was minimal, power supplies, oscilloscopes, soldering irons, and PCB design software. Despite these constraints, the team worked diligently to attract clients and deliver projects while strategically reinvesting profits into business development and equipment acquisition.
Growth Milestones (2009-2018)
The company expanded methodically across a decade:
- 2009: Relocated to larger office at Palmerston North's Bio Commerce Centre
- 2011: Hired first full-time employee
- 2012: Expanded into electro-mechanical design and PCB production; client base reached 25
- 2013-2015: Employee count grew to 8
- 2016: Moved to custom-fitted 300 square meter CBD office
- 2018: Completed over 100 projects
The client base became geographically diverse and industry-spanning, including transport, aviation, agriculture, consumer products, and scientific applications.
Working "In" and "On" the Business
Daily operations involve project work: client meetings, specification writing, PCB design, firmware development, mechanical modeling, prototyping, and production facilitation.
Beyond operational tasks, the founders emphasized strategic development. As one founder notes, "If you are not moving forward, you are moving backward", a philosophy driving continuous improvement and innovation rather than accepting the status quo.
Core Values and Culture
From 2014 onward, the company deliberately shaped its culture around five guiding principles:
- Integrity
- Excellence
- Enjoyment
- Innovation
- Relationships
The founders emphasized that "People are people. All people matter," reflecting a Maori proverb: "He aha te mea nui o te ao. He tangata, he tangata, he tangata" (What is most important? The people, the people, the people).
One meaningful example occurred around 2015 when a client, recognizing the team's stress during a tight deadline, surprised them with a catered morning tea afterward, reinforcing that "Life and business are about people."
Personal Parallels
The founders drew parallels between building a business and raising children. Both require significant time and attention; both present challenges and stress; yet both generate deep satisfaction and purpose. The founders balanced entrepreneurship with family life, viewing work-life integration as valuable for sharing their passion with the next generation.
Conclusion
The founders expressed gratitude to all stakeholders, co-founders, staff, suppliers, and clients, crediting their collective success to these relationships. They remain committed to their mission: "We enjoy the challenge of designing electronic products that will empower our clients and make a positive difference in the world we live in."
