Design + Innovation Meetup December 2027 - From the Strand to World: Building and Scaling a Global Business with Hadleigh Ford

From the Strand to the World: Reflections on Building and Scaling a Global Business with Hadleigh Ford.

It's our final Design and Innovation Meetup of 2026, and what better way to close out the year than to host a local legend! We’re delighted to welcome Hadleigh Ford, founder of SwipedOn, to share his story of starting and scaling a global software business from Tauranga.

Hadleigh will take us through his journey, reflecting on some of the key decisions, challenges and lessons along the way. This is a rare opportunity to deep dive with a local legend, with plenty of time for your questions and discussion with the audience.

Whether you’re running a startup, thinking about starting something, involved in supporting growing businesses, or simply interested in innovation and entrepreneurship in the Bay, this is one Meetup up not too miss.

And, as always, there’ll be time to connect with fellow innovators, entrepreneurs, creatives and change-makers from across Tauranga and the Western Bay. Come join us!

When: Wednesday 2 December 4.00pm to 6.00pm
Where: Priority One, 29 Grey Street, Tauranga
Cost: $5, including food and refreshments

About Hadleigh

Hadleigh Ford is the founder of SwipedOn, the Tauranga-founded software business he grew to serve more than 9,000 workplaces across 70 countries. After successfully exiting the business, Hadleigh went on to become GM of SMB at Sign In Solutions, working across a portfolio of workplace software businesses collectively serving around 30,000 workplaces globally.

Hadleigh’s experience spans the full journey of building and scaling a global SaaS business, from developing the initial product and winning customers through to building teams, growing internationally and navigating acquisition.

Before moving into technology, Hadleigh spent more than 15 years in the maritime industry as a Master Mariner and Harbour Pilot, with experience across container ships, cruise ships and superyachts. We’re not sure what influence this had on his entrepreneurial journey so that’s at least one question we need to ask!