We’re pleased to have advised StarNow, a New Zealand-based talent platform for actors, models, influencers and musicians, on its sale to US-based talent broker Backstage.

StarNow was founded by Trade Me alumni Cameron Mehlhopt, Jamie Howell and Nigel Stanford in 2004 during their OE in London.

Cameron says that he is “immensely proud” of what the team has achieved at StarNow, and to have worked on a venture that “really made a difference to the careers and lives of hundreds of thousands of performers and content creators.”

In its press release announcing the deal, Backstage acknowledges StarNow’s “commanding market position in Australasia”, and that its acquisition marks a significant milestone in the company’s evolution.

Partner Fiona MacKinnon says of the deal, “It was great working with Cameron and the StarNow team on this deal. It’s also very exciting to see alumni from successful tech companies go on to create their own successful companies and exit on their own terms – we hope this snowball effect continues and generates even more success in the NZ tech scene.”

Keen to learn more? Explore our m&a resources for kiwi companies.