The legend of West: our third Co-fur-nder

So, who is West, and why does he keep sending you newsletters?

Well, grab a tissue, because it’s time for a trip down memory lane. This is the story of Humanitix’s "Honorary Human." He was the goodest boy who was there at the very start of it all.

A dining table, a garden, and Humanitix's secret weapon

Long before we had a "proper" office, Humanitix experienced its infancy in the McCurdie family home. It was a beautiful, chaotic hive of activity: the team huddled around the dining room table with their laptops, while others paced the garden on back-to-back calls.

But there was one team member who took his job more seriously than anyone else.

From left: West, Henri (Adam’s late grandfather), Josh, Ana, Adam, Ryan, James and Joel

The third "co-fur-nder"

West wasn't just the McCurdie family dog; he was Humanitix’s secret weapon. His contributions in the early days were... well, vocal. He wore many collars:

• The Sales Closer: Just as a high-stakes call was reaching its peak, West would chime in with an enthusiastic bark that (somehow) always seemed to seal the deal.
• The Morale Officer: On the days when the startup grind felt tough, he provided the best kind of “cuddle therapy”.
• The Chief of Security: When he wasn't "assisting" on calls, you could find him at the front window, guarding the house and keeping a watchful eye on the future of Humanitix.

Chief of Security: will trade secrets for scritches.

The spirit of Humanitix

Since those early days, Humanitix has outgrown the McCurdie home, and gone global. We now have offices in Sydney, Auckland, Denver, and Edinburgh (plus a cheeky new location coming soon 👀).

Eventually, West "retired" from the sales team, swapping closing deals for lounging by the pool and pottering around his favourite garden bed. And as of last year, it is with a heavy but full heart that we share that West has since passed away. 🥲

Adam (co-founder #1), West (co-fur-nder #1) and Adam’s wife Nat lounging in the sun

While he’s no longer here to bark in the background of our calls, his spirit is baked into the very DNA of Humanitix. Using the name ‘West from Humanitix’ in our newsletter isn’t just a quirk; it’s a tribute to the soul who helped shape our identity. It’s a nod to our humble roots, to our family who supported us, and to the doggo who taught us that sometimes the best way to show up is with an enthusiastic bark and a wag of the tail.

The legacy of West

We often treat time as an infinite resource - the sun always rises, tomorrow is promised and the day-to-day grind never stops. But West’s passing reminds us that our time on Earth is finite. It forces us to face a simple truth: we must build the things that matter while we can.

Humanitix exists to create a fairer, more compassionate world where businesses, systems, and structures prioritise the wellbeing of all people and our planet. It’s a massive undertaking, but we are here because we believe in creating a better world than the one we find today, carrying the spirit of those who were with us at the start. It’s our hope that the work we do now will help pave the path for compassionate capitalism, and give rise to more businesses that have social impact baked into the core of their mission.

When we build something, we are building a bridge for future generations. West taught us that the best way to build that bridge is with heart, loyalty, and a reminder not to take ourselves too seriously. 🥂

To West: A very good boy, and a forever founder. 💛🐾