/w=3840,quality=90,fit=scale-down)
/w=256,quality=90,fit=scale-down){kind=logo}
The single source of truth for New Zealand startup founders, built on what they’re actively searching for but can’t find.
The Most Searched Startup Questions in New Zealand — Answered
What Founders Want is the first platform built from real New Zealand founder search data.
It’s not a content site or a program. It’s a working toolkit to help you:
- Start a startup in New Zealand
- Find grants, capital, and government support
- Save time on legal, tax, and hiring
- Access trusted tools to launch and grow
Everything is free, verified for NZ founders, and designed to be used — not read.
/w=48,quality=90,fit=scale-down){kind=logo}
Start a Startup in New Zealand
Learn how to legally register and launch your startup in New Zealand.
Covers company structure, IRD/GST, startup visas, and tax compliance.
/w=3840,quality=90,fit=scale-down){kind=logo}
Start a StartupHow to Get Startup Funding in New Zealand
Find the right capital at the right time — whether you're raising from VCs, angels, or applying for non-dilutive grants.
Includes the most complete NZ capital directory available.
Get FundedWhat Founders Want: Expert Editions
11 New Expert Editions- Now Live!
New Zealand’s Most Trusted Startup Experts Solve What Founders Can’t Google
Global Capital Toolkit by Founder Institute
The Founder's Guide to Venture Capital
What VCs Want
From Science to Seed – Deep Tech Spinout Guide for New Zealand Researchers 
How to Get a Startup Off the Ground in NZ
Bootstrapped
A SaaS Case Study in Selling Software Overseas
How to Kick-off and Fund a NZ Consumer Brand Startup
Startup Legal
Women: Stay in the Room/w=3840,quality=90,fit=scale-down)
How to Efficiently Unlock NZ Government Support: A Step-by-Step Execution GuideNew Zealand Government Support for Startups
Step-by-step guidance on accessing government funding, R&D tax credits, startup visas, and co-investment programs.
Government Support for Startups & SMEs in New Zealand (2025)Find a Startup Accelerator in New Zealand
Browse and compare NZ accelerator and incubator programs by stage, sector, funding terms, and format.
AcceleratorsFree Legal & Financial Templates for NZ Startups
Download startup-ready templates for cap tables, term sheets, employment agreements, board docs, and pitch decks — all built or reviewed for NZ use.
Free TemplatesStartup Perks and Credits (NZ-Verified)
Access over $1M in cloud credits, SaaS discounts, banking offers, and operational perks — curated for New Zealand founders.
Startup Perks Tools and Talent for Building Smarter
Explore the software stack and hiring tools used by real NZ founders — from early-stage to export-ready.
Includes integrated AI tools for fundraising, pitch building, automation, and sales execution.
Tools & TalentNZ Startup Ecosystem Directory
A current directory of regional hubs, investors, advisors, funds, support orgs, and founder communities across New Zealand.
NZ Startup Ecosystem DirectoryKnow Something We Don’t? We’d Love to Hear from You.
It’s hard to keep track of an ever-changing ecosystem.
We appreciate your contribution to What Founders Want. Together we can make starting a startup easier for founders in New Zealand.
What Founders Want: Expert Editions
New Zealand’s Most Trusted Startup Experts Solve What Founders Can’t Google
Expert EditionsMost NZ founders aren’t blocked by motivation — they’re blocked by missing infrastructure.
This project turns real founder search intent into tactical pages, each solving a high-friction, high-frequency pain point.
Built by the experts, updated monthly, designed to replace confusion with action.
Founder Institute’s Global Capital Toolkit
Laurent Simon | Rafael Castillo
Built by Founder Institute, this page gives New Zealand startup Founders the proven tools, benchmarks and templates to increase the odds of global capital raising success.
What VCs Want
James Palmer | Blackbird Ventures
Understand how New Zealand VCs make decisions, what traction and team signals they look for, and how to position your startup for a yes.
From Science to Seed
Angus Blair | Outset Ventures
A practical guide for researchers and technical founders. Covers how to spin out IP, negotiate with institutions, secure grant funding, and raise from investors who understand long timelines and scientific risk.
The Founder’s Guide to Venture Capital
James Fuller | Co-founder, Hnry
$65M raised. What raising VC actually looks like, from someone who's done it six times. Learn how to raise on your terms — and if VC is even the right path for you.
Bootstrapped
Vivek Kumar | Emerge
The only NZ-focused guide on how to build a startup without outside funding. Learn how to design for cash flow, control your own cap table, and use capital as a tool — not a requirement.
NZ Government Support
Mark Robinson | VentureNest
Step-by-step playbook for navigating NZ’s government funding systems. Access strategies, grant preparation tips, and learn how to align your business model with public co-funding logic.
Startup Legal
Tony Davis | Avid Legal
A concise guide to legal risk management for NZ startups. How to keep building while avoiding the most common legal errors founders make before they raise or sell.
How to Get a Startup Off the Ground
Kate Radcliffe-Reid | LaunchBot
The fastest path to get a startup off the ground in New Zealand. Covers registration, IRD, company structure, business banking, compliance, and real-life shortcuts to avoid the noise.
Selling SaaS Software Overseas
James Hayes | Virtual Medical Coaching
A tactical SaaS export guide from a founder who’s done it. Learn how to structure pricing, run outbound from NZ, build customer relationships remotely, and navigate export market fit.
/w=384,quality=90,fit=scale-down){kind=icon}
Kick Off & Fund a Brand Startup in NZ
Peter Torrington | Ask Pete Advisory
How to launch and fund a DTC or FMCG brand from New Zealand. Focuses on early traction, brand identity, channel fit, and how to bridge from domestic testing to global scale.