How startup programmes can help you
As a startup founder you might be working alone or with a small team to turn an innovative idea into a scalable business. You bring ambition and commitment, and you’re focused on creating new products, services, technologies or business models. You’re aiming to shake up existing industries — while also building a business that can quickly grow and attract investors.
To help you, we've teamed up with leading organisations that specialise in supporting promising Kiwi startups and founders during their early stages. They provide accelerator and incubator programmes that are led by experts and designed to grow your business at speed.
The programmes:
- provide mentoring and coaching from startup experts
- build your skills in areas like market research, financial planning, raising capital, and marketing and sales
- help you take a deeper look at your business, to find different approaches and practical solutions
- provide connections to industry and investors to help you commercialise faster and more successfully.
The programmes are free. We part-fund them, and the rest is funded by other organisations and groups that are involved in the programmes and want to support startups to succeed.
Find a programme
The programmes are designed for founders and their early-stage ventures working to solve big problems.
Startup Aotearoa
Provider: Ministry of Awesome and CreativeHQ
Provides personalised one-to-one support to startup founders. Regardless of business stage, industry or location, Startup Aotearoa supports budding entrepreneurs to build their capabilities and turn their ideas into thriving startups.
Frequency: Always open
Location: Nationwide
HTK StartUp Activator
Provider: HTK Start Up
Primarily for Māori and Pacifica founders. You’ll get up to 3 hours of trusted initial advice, including connections to funding opportunities and startup programmes.
Frequency: Always open
Location: Nationwide
Sprout Accelerator
Empowers food system innovators to grow groundbreaking startups.
Surrounded by a community of industry experts and peers, you’ll learn how to grow a startup from idea to global venture over 3 months.
Frequency: Annually
Location: Nationwide
Whakatipu Incubator
Provider: HTK Start Up
Helps Māori and other underserved founders to invest in their capability and get targeted support to grow their businesses globally through a 6-month incubation programme. Open to expressions of interest across the calendar year.
Frequency: Quarterly
Location: Nationwide
Founder Catalyst
Provider: Ministry of Awesome
Helps early-stage companies validate markets, gain traction, secure funding and achieve their unique global ambitions.
Frequency: Quarterly
Location: Nationwide
Creative HQ
Runs fintech, climate tech and creative industry accelerators each year. Also provides support through mini-accelerators, online learning and other programmes.
Frequency: Varies
Location: Nationwide
Before you apply
If you’re interested in applying for a programme, you should have already taken the first steps to developing your startup.
Before you apply:
- check which programme is a good fit for you — some are sector-specific or for startups solving specific challenges
- review the criteria for each programme to make sure you meet requirements.
Innovation Services aims to increase diversity in startups and entrepreneurship. Many of the programmes we support have a particular focus on supporting Māori and female founders.
The organisation that runs each programme will have more information about the application and selection process.
If you want to found a startup
If you’ve got an idea, we also provide information on how to:
- turn that idea into a business
- protect your ideas and assets
- grow your business.
Founder wellbeing
Founding a startup can be demanding and you might feel like you’re under a lot of pressure. Mental health and wellbeing are important but, sometimes, finding the right support for your situation can be difficult.
Find out more about looking after your mental health, finding time for rest and relaxation, and being resilient. We also have an e-learning series on how to reduce financial stress and perform under pressure.
Urgent support
If you need to talk to someone urgently, there are a range of hotline services available.
In an emergency, always call the police on 111.
Look after your people
Creating a positive work culture and a mentally healthy workspace means your team feels supported and safe. Find your leadership style and learn how to communicate clearly with your team.
Learn more about