Tributes after 26yo Kiwi millionaire dies

His cause of death has not been confirmed. In March, the former Forbes 30 under 30 lister and teenage millionaire had sold his business-education start-up Unfiltered – a move which displeased his cashed up investors and earned him a lot of criticism from New Zealand media. Founded in 2015, at its height, Unfiltered was worth $11.47 million, however reports indicate he was forced to sell his business to consultancy group Crimson Education for a figure closer to $84,000. ‘Brutal and swift’In a tell-all interview with The Spinoff, writer Jihee Junn, described the reaction to Mr Millar’s take-down as “brutal and swift” with some even comparing it to failed ventures like WeWork, Fyre Festival and Theranos.Speaking to the publication, Mr Millar defended his risk-taking approach to business. “As a young entrepreneur, some people would probably accuse me of having quite strong defence mechanisms,” he wrote. “I have always stood up for what I have believed in and also against people I have felt wronged by, often even if they have been much wiser and more successful than me. When I reflect over my journey, I think this is one of the reasons I became, inadvertently, more controversial than I ever set out to be.”‘NZ tall poppy syndrome is the worst’Since his death was announced, noteworthy businesspeople have shared their tributes on social media, including former New Zealand prime minister Sir John Key. “From the first time I met him, I knew he was someone special. He had a mixture of courage, warmness, intellect and a maturity and strength to deal with adversity, which is never easy for a young person. I respected him and I will miss him,” he told the New Zealand Herald.“Very sad about Jake Millar. Entrepreneurship is a tough game and good on him for giving it a go when so many others are too scared to try,” said another Twitter post.Some have also criticised the backlash Mr Millar received when he sold Unfiltered, with the buyer of Crimson Education, Jamie Beaton, saying: “New Zealand too often suffocates ambition in its young people. “I had never met anyone in New Zealand like Jake Millar. Jake had an ability to connect with people that was mesmerising,” he said. “He understood what drove people and could inspire them, drive them and unite them.”Another Twitter user, blamed the criticism of Mr Millar on “New Zealand tall poppy syndrome”.“Can’t help but feel uneasy that the same media now reporting JakeMillar’s passing is a tragedy, are the same media that tore him to shreds when he succeeded, and when he tried and failed,” wrote Hutt City councillor Brady Dyer. “NZ tall poppy syndrome is the worst! RIP Jake, you were an inspiration.”Previous tragedy of father’s deathMr Millar first came to prominence when he founded Oopher with his friend, Yuuki Ogino, while they were still students at Christchurch Boys’ High School.The motivation app was sold to Careers New Zealand for an undisclosed six-figure sum in 2015, with the duo then going on to create Unfiltered. In 2010, Mr Millar also lost his father, Rod Millar, in a skydiving plane crash at Fox Glacier on New Zealand’s South Island. At the time it was the country’s deadliest plane crash in 17 years, which killed nine people. His father was also the company’s co-owner and tandem master. While initial reports suggested the crash was a result of the plane being excessively out of balance and becoming airborne too early, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) later confirmed this was not the reason behind the incident. In light of the change, Mr Millar called on TAIC to apologise for their mistakes.“It’s a complete turnaround, it’s a complete reversal of what they originally said,” said Mr Millar, speaking to News Hub. “From day one, every single pilot and aviation I talked to said they had it wrong, they thought they had it right. It took a team of journalists from 3D for them to come and say, ‘No, you guys do have it wrong.’”Mental health support Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au