--- title: "Our Story | Virtual Innovation" description: "Meet Virtual Innovation, the New Zealand team building high-speed websites and custom software that make business easier." canonical: "https://virtualinnovation.co.nz/about/" language: en-NZ --- [Skip to content](#main-content) Our story # Built to make good businesses easier to run. Virtual Innovation started in 2017 with a simple idea: use smart technology to help businesses spend less time fighting clunky systems and more time doing the work they are good at. ![The Virtual Innovation team together in Auckland, including Bryce Heron](/_astro/virtual-innovation-team-2026.2y-kAw0l_ZLhYWr.webp) Where it started ## A little about our story. Stephen’s path into web design began in marketing, with a knack for taking complex ideas and making them simple. An online marketing event, an unexpected first sale and a shared digital marketing course set the direction. He met Bryce at that same event. Together they pooled their resources, learned the craft and built multiple businesses before bringing that experience together in Virtual Innovation. Today, the team helps New Zealand businesses communicate their value clearly, win the right work and make day-to-day operations easier. [Have a yarn with the team ](https://go.virtualinnovation.co.nz/widget/bookings/discovery-call-vi) ![Stephen Martin, Pam Martin and Bryce Heron from Virtual Innovation sharing coffee together in Auckland](/_astro/stephen-pam-bryce-auckland-cafe.a5wbvQyn_ZMYV37.webp) A business built on freedom and family ## Good work needs room for real life. We have built Virtual Innovation around flexible work, clear outcomes and a team that cares about each other. Less time commuting means more time with the people who matter, and more energy for the clients who trust us with their business. When we work, we are all in. When the day is done, we make room for life too. Websites that actually work ## We help good businesses stand out for the right reasons. ![The Bakers Delight website designed and developed by Virtual Innovation](/_astro/case-study-screen-bakers.0d59DGM4_1JDVJg.webp) Too many brilliant businesses are hidden behind generic websites that do not show what makes them valuable. We make that value clear, then shape the website around the next useful action. That can mean a high-performance website, an online store, a custom system or an AI layer that helps the team respond faster. The common thread is useful digital work that supports real growth. [WordPress websites ](/wordpress-website-design/)[Custom software ](/software-development/)[AI powered websites ](/ai-powered-websites/) Helping businesses stand out ## Position the good stuff where people can see it. We work with service and product businesses that need to communicate their worth online, even when customers cannot physically see or touch the end product. When the positioning is clear, the right customers understand why you are different, trust the next step and get in touch for the right reasons. ![The Waitemata Surgeons healthcare website designed by Virtual Innovation](/_astro/case-study-screen-waitemata.DF41ugPh_Z1RK2Ty.webp) ![A Māori woman and a New Zealand man walking together in central Auckland with the Sky Tower behind them](/_astro/vi-community-auckland-sky-tower.BO_U5Caw_ualTD.webp) More than just business ## Work that makes a useful impact. Beyond the work we do for clients, we support the Adult ADHD and Dyslexia community. It is close to our hearts, and we believe people deserve the tools and support to thrive. Virtual Innovation is about creating impact for clients, our team and the communities we care about. Our team ## The people behind the work. A practical, long-standing team that cares about getting the details right. ![Stephen Martin](/page-images/about-07.png) Creative Director ### Stephen Martin ![Bryce Heron](/page-images/about-08.png) Financial Director ### Bryce Heron ![Ninia Reyes](/page-images/about-09.png) Operations Manager ### Ninia Reyes ![Philip Reyes](/page-images/about-10.png) Account Manager and Head of Customer Service ### Philip Reyes ![Renz Vargas](/page-images/about-11.png) Account Manager ### Renz Vargas ![Pam Martin](/page-images/about-12.png) Account Manager ### Pam Martin What we value 01 ## Real humans Straight-up advice, clear scope and a team you can talk to. 02 ## Work that earns its keep Websites and systems that help a business move, not just look tidy. 03 ## Life outside work We value flexible work, family time and doing the job properly.