From SquareOne to Emerge: Building a Banking Challenger
14 October 2026
- Scale up
- Investors and enablers
- Innovators
- Early/growth stage
What does it take to challenge an industry as established as banking? Emerge co-founder Jovan Pavlicevic shares the journey from SquareOne to Emerge, the lessons learned building a challenger, and why accepting “that’s just how it’s done” has never been part of the plan.
Just because it’s always been done that way, doesn’t mean it’s the right way.
Emerge co-founder Jovan Pavlicevic will share what it takes to build a challenger in one of New Zealand’s most established industries - and what he’s learned about questioning assumptions, taking on problems others accept as “just the way it is”, and showing people there can be another way.
Drawing on the journey from SquareOne to Emerge and the ambition to build the bank we deserve, Jovan will share the lessons, challenges and opportunities that come with choosing a different path - and why some of the best businesses start by asking a simple question: “Why does it have to work like this?”
Speakers
Jovan Pavlicevic
Co-founder of Emerge & SquareOne
Jovan Pavlicevic is a Kiwi entrepreneur and co-founder of Emerge and SquareOne. A seasoned founder with experience building and scaling businesses across New Zealand and the UK, he’s now focused on challenging the banking status quo in NZ. A firm believer that “it’s always been done this way” isn’t a good enough reason, Jovan is passionate about questioning the norm, backing bold ideas and building better alternatives.
Venue
The Annex
10 Madden Street
Wynyard Quarter
Auckland Central 1010
A contemporary venue with a striking exterior, The Annex provides a light-filled space with a large outdoor area to extend the scope of your event. This blank canvas has state-of-the-art AV facilities and is a timeless space for product launches, fashion shows, strategy sessions and workshops. The venue is in Auckland's waterfront neighbourhood, just a stone's throw from the motorway and city centre.