Mat Weir is a seasoned technology entrepreneur. His most recent venture is First Table, a global application that allows customers to book their first table at restaurants for 50% off the bill.
“I started building websites when I was 15, and the rest is history,” Mat explained.
Originally from Palmerston North, Mat found himself in Queenstown for a business opportunity and family when he founded First Table.
“Queenstown was my adopted hometown, so it was the best place to start! I found myself there by chance, but in retrospect, it was the ideal location due to Queenstown’s high number of restaurants per capita and the ability to reach a critical mass quickly as word of mouth spread.”
Founding First Table
Inspiration ignited at a French eatery offering 50% off their first table nightly. “The restaurant offered a 'locals' secret' deal, where if you reserved the first table of the evening, you would receive a 50% discount on your food bill. I recall that the restaurant spanned two floors, with one table on the lower level visible to those passing by outside.”
Seizing the chance to have an affordable dining experience with his family, they enjoyed a full-course meal and fine wine economically. “As a customer, the offer enabled us to experiment with dishes we wouldn't usually try, such as frog legs and snails. It also allowed us to indulge in extra entrees and desserts and enjoy a good bottle of French wine.”
Intrigued by how this model benefited the restaurant—creating an inviting atmosphere early to draw more patrons—Mat recognised an opportunity. “I distinctly remember that the restaurant understood the value of having diners visibly enjoying their meals at the window table early in the evening.”
This prompted Mat to envision a technology solution to an age-old restaurant problem. Mat realised an online platform to scale this win-win concept, addressing the challenge of slow evening starts for restaurants.“This experience made me wonder why more restaurants weren't doing something similar. Reflecting on this, I compared it to Groupon-style websites, which often seemed exploitative. I wondered whether I could create a more fair, consistent, and transparent alternative to give restaurants greater control and offer deals with a purpose.”
Driven by determination and a tight budget, Mat retreated to a seaside resort in Koh Samui, Thailand, dedicating 12 hours daily to developing a custom booking system. After six weeks of intense focus and sleepless nights, he returned to Queenstown with a completed website, ready to engage his first customers. With no sales background, Mat adopted a door-to-door approach, refining his pitch and understanding what appealed to restaurant owners.
This grassroots effort led to the launch of First Table in September 2014 with ten enthusiastic restaurants. The hustle didn’t stop there; aiming for expansion, Mat travelled from Christchurch to Auckland in a campervan, securing partnerships city by city. Today, First Table serves diners and restaurants in over 50 cities worldwide.
Mat has incorporated his location in Queenstown into his business plan for global expansion: “We’ve chosen to focus on New Zealand, Australia, and the UK, and we leverage our connections in Queenstown globally. Some of our UK and Australian sales staff have lived in Queenstown, New Zealand or have family here,”
Creating a Startup in Queenstown
When Mat started First Table in Queenstown, the Queenstown Lakes District Council was willing to offer support and connections. Now, Mat is integral to the community, mentoring other Startups. “Initially, there was little support or a network for startups. Thanks to introductions by QLDC, I regularly connected with other founders from Wherewolf, Chomp, HP Academy, and Loaded. I also became an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and got involved with Startup Queenstown Lakes upon its launch in 2018,” explained Mat.
Despite now operating worldwide, Mat still chooses to do business from Queenstown: “These days, startups, especially tech companies, are global by default. From our perspective, it doesn't matter where you are, so why wouldn't you choose Queenstown?”
Queenstown offers an unmatched lifestyle that perfectly blends work and play. This unique balance appeals to talented individuals seeking career fulfilment and personal well-being, enhancing businesses' ability to attract and retain top talent in the region. “Our staff are incredibly grateful that they can be based in Queenstown and work for a global tech business,” Mat explained.
We asked Mat if he had any advice for other entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses in Queenstown. He said:
“Get involved with Startup Queenstown Lakes, Mountain Club and the Chamber of Commerce's "Business After Five" event is a great way to network.”