Kendall Flutey

Kendall Flutey, cofounder of the Christchurch, New Zealand-based startup Banqer, a financial education platform for schools, has found building a startup with a social purpose particularly satisfying.

Banqer simulates online banking in the classroom, introducing kids to financial concepts in a safe space. The startup launched in late 2014, and has so far been bootstrapped, besides winning NZ$20,000 in a local startup competition. The platform is now used in schools across New Zealand, as well as a few in Australia and the U.S.

Banqer ties together Flutey's two former professions. She was an accountant before becoming a software developer. "I definitely code ... but nowadays, my time is definitely spent on the business side of things. I like to get my hands on the keyboard when I can," she said.

Banqer is run by a team of five, and Flutey said that although she works with all men, she's never felt disadvantaged because of her gender. "I think we've now reached a turning point, where people really highlight the work you're doing because you're more unique statistically," she said.

That doesn't mean it has always been easy to walk into a room full of older business people. "I get that more from age, rather than gender," she said. "In terms of startups, it's not unusual to be young. But I think it depends what industry your startup is in.

"If we were just in tech, there wouldn't be that age discrepancy, but because we're in the education space, those with influence are often older. I often do feel like I'm not being taken seriously."

To counter the age issue, she said she tries to overcompensate by really knowing her stuff, and occasionally, dressing the part. "I definitely change the way I would like to dress," she said. "If I know they're going to be wearing a suit and tie, wearing my jeans and my comfy tee is maybe a bit disrespectful in their eyes, so I'll play the game."

Being part of New Zealand's small startup scene has also been helpful. "Everyone knows everyone, and they are more than happy to make warm introductions for you and they are on your side, wanting to see you succeed," she explained.

"The awesome thing about Banqer is I literally get to do something everyday that I'm so passionate about, and that has social underpinnings and a higher purpose that I care about," she said. "That is the thing that keeps me going."