If you've ever thought investing was for people older and richer than you, there's an innovative Kiwi start-up with exactly you in mind. Only 20 per cent of Kiwis have shares, and they're most likely to be Pākehā men over 60.
A group of six young Kiwis including couple Brooke and Leighton Roberts and their friend Sonya Williams have set out to change that. They're the "3EOs" or three CEOs of Sharesies - a platform that allows anyone to invest in the sharemarket.
It was a collaborative effort, from six young people passionate about making investment accessible. Their interest started early on; Leighton even started an investment group when he was just 17. He and 13 friends all put $50 a week into a fund, and watched it grow.
"We've done it ever since and we've got quite a good investment portfolio, 16 years on. Money does grow with time, that's for sure. That's the most powerful part of investment."
Brooke says they wanted to make that kind of investment available to everyone. "There is no reason why someone with $5 shouldn't have the same investment opportunities as someone with $500,000."
