The Register

To mark the arrival of the Vodafone xone business accelerator, Idealog is interviewing heaps of established New Zealand innovators, as well as the founders of the 10 startups selected by Vodafone to receive mentorship, funding and the potential benefits of working with a global network. In this edition, publisher and editorial director Ben Fahy talks with Stephen Smith, the CEO of fast-growing travel recovery drink 1Above about the success so far and his bold plans for the business.

Four and a half years ago, the first 1Above kiosk opened at Auckland Airport. The product is a “flight drink” intended to combat jetlag and the effects of flying, and comes in tablet, concentrate or ready-to-drink form. In March, the company announced it planned to expand into the US, chasing a global travel retail food and beverage market worth US$16 billion.