This is a big milestone for us, one made possible by the incredible relationships we've built with our clients over the past 15 years. It's also the start of an exciting new chapter, where we can offer more than ever while keeping what matters most at the heart of everything we do: people, purpose, and pragmatic delivery.
As technology continues to accelerate, we see this as more than just growth. It’s a step toward building a global business grounded in principles and partnership, not PowerPoints and process.
What this means in practice
Purple Shirt continues to operate as an independent business, with the same team and leadership structure. Steve and Blake remain directors with operational control of the business, and our approach to strategy, research and design remains unchanged.
What’s new is the addition of NZ based engineering capability underpinned by Elemental Concept’s global engineering team, we now have access to a full suite of enterprise-grade software development services. That means we’re able to support you from strategy and design right through to build and implementation, if and when that’s useful to you.
Our advice will always be objective and in service of your needs. We’ll continue to work with your internal or preferred technology partners, or connect you with Elemental Concept’s delivery teams where there’s value to be added.
We see this partnership as additive: more tools in the toolbox, more options on the table, and greater capacity to help you move from insight to impact.
About Elemental Concept
Elemental Concept is a global tech consultancy that believes in behaving differently, helping businesses succeed by reimagining their technology. Working in partnership with clients to solve meaningful problems, Elemental Concept has a strong track record of helping businesses to design, build and launch tech products and platforms. Their clients range from startups and scaleups to multinationals and financial institutions.
Their services include:
- Tech consultancy
Experienced consultants who help teams reimagine how technology can drive growth and solve business problems. - Tech and data due diligence: Assessing whether your tech and data set-ups will help you reach your goals, or are holding you back.
- Custom software development
Full-stack engineering with deep experience in complex, high-volume systems. - AI & machine learning
We ensure AI solutions align with your values, cutting through complexity to make AI accessible, ethical, and effective, and putting people at the heart of what we do - Legacy technology and systems
Maintaining and modernising existing systems to support business operations. - Technical architecture and cloud infrastructure
Designing scalable, secure solutions that grow with your business. - Product consultancy, development and proof of concept
Turning ideas into tangible, working products and getting them to market. - Ongoing technical support
Supporting clients with everything from IT infrastructure to platform management and issues management.
They’re experienced, approachable, and values-aligned, and we’re proud to be joining forces with them.
FAQs
Will there be changes to the Purple Shirt team?
No. The same team you’ve always worked with is still here, with no change to our roles or responsibilities.
Will Purple Shirt’s leadership change?
No. Steve and Blake continue to lead the business in New Zealand, and our local leadership structure remains in place. Anna Wright, Elemental Concept’s Chief Commercial Officer, will join Purple Shirt as a Director.
Will this affect current projects?
Not at all. Everything continues as planned, same team, same approach, same delivery.
Will we be expected to use EC’s development services?
No. Our recommendations will continue to be independent and in service of your needs. If it makes sense to involve EC’s engineering team, we can, but only where there’s value for you.
Will costs or billing structures change?
There are no changes to our billing structures or rates as a result of the acquisition. We remain transparent and pragmatic in how we scope and deliver work.
What about privacy and data security?
Our commitments around client data, confidentiality, and intellectual property remain unchanged. Purple Shirt continues to manage and store client data securely and in line with local data protection laws that apply to each of our clients.
Will Purple Shirt become more corporate or process-heavy?
No. We’re proud of our pragmatic, outcomes-focused approach and that won’t change. We’ll continue to tailor our ways of working to what works best for each client.
