Orcon millionaire sees answers in education

Technology millionaire Seeby Woodhouse realised in hindsight how a university education would have provided the answers to many things he spent a long time learning. Guest speaker at the University’s College of Business graduation in Auckland, Mr Seeby said he had “the utmost respect for education”.

“Although I didn’t stay at university to finish mine because I couldn’t wait to get into the Internet business. Later, when I opened some of the books, I saw the answers to so many things I wished I had known were right there.”

Last year Mr Seeby sold Orcon Internet – the company he started a decade ago – for $24.3 million and effectively retired at just 30 years old.

“If I can achieve that without an education – imagine what you can do with your business degrees. I think running a business is a lot easier than getting a university degree.”

Mr Seeby has started or invested in many businesses outside the technology sector, and in 2004 was named both New Zealand Young Entrepreneur of the Year and HiTech Achiever of the Year. His latest venture is a company that buys and sells carbon credits.

Learning is a lifelong thing without which humanity would not evolve, Mr Seeby said.

“I believe passionately in the ability of humanity to solve problems and you people will be part of that problem solving.”

“Think big and have huge dreams.”