The New Zealand Startup Program Finder
The New Zealand Startup Program Finder

The New Zealand Startup Program Finder

Welcome to The New Zealand Startup Program Finder — the definitive source of truth for every startup accelerator, incubator, and learning program in Aotearoa New Zealand.

🧭 Use this tool to:
  • Filter by Program Type: Accelerator, Incubator, or Program / Bootcamp
  • Filter by Industry Vertical to find sector-relevant support
  • Filter by Upfront Investment? to surface funded programs
  • Browse full program descriptions and apply directly via links
⚠️

Important Disclaimer — Callaghan Innovation Funding Some programs in this database depend on Callaghan Innovation funding, which is under review as of April 2025. Funding availability and structure may change. Please confirm current funding status directly with program operators before applying.

The New Zealand Startup Program Finder

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Description

Year

Link

Upfront Investment?

Primary Vertical

Secondary Vertical

Program Type

Cohort-based accelerator providing funding, mentorship, and investor access.

2025

startmate.com/accelerator

✅ (~NZD $120K for equity)

Generalist

Growth-stage startups

Cohort-based Accelerator

Eight-month accelerator for entrepreneurs with ideas or businesses from farm to fork.

2025

sproutagritech.com

✅ (Callaghan funding under review)

AgTech

FoodTech

Cohort-based Accelerator

Operator-led early-stage accelerator fund for NZ founders.

2025

phaseone.ventures

✅ (Upfront investment)

Generalist

SaaS, Tech

Cohort-based Accelerator

Government-backed accelerator focused on innovation-driven ventures.

2025

creativehq.co.nz/accelerator

🚫

Generalist

Innovation

Cohort-based Accelerator

12-week program to build a robust business plan for high-growth startups.

2025

thefactorynz.co.nz/founder

🚫

Generalist

Regional startups

Cohort-based Accelerator

Helping AI startups build public sector solutions.

2025

newzealand.ai/public-sector

🚫

AI

GovTech

Cohort-based Accelerator

Focused on government-facing AI or digital solutions.

2025

creativehq.co.nz/govtech-startup-accelerator

🚫

GovTech

AI

Cohort-based Accelerator

Supports sustainability-focused startups.

2025

creativehq.co.nz/impact-accelerator

🚫

Sustainability

Impact

Cohort-based Accelerator

Supports climate-focused ventures.

2025

creativehq.co.nz/climate-response-accelerator-2024

🚫

ClimateTech

Sustainability

Cohort-based Accelerator

Accelerator for women-led startups.

2025

sodainc.com/start-ups/rise-up

🚫

Women founders

Diversity & Inclusion

Cohort-based Accelerator

For female and gender-diverse founders.

2025

electrifyaccelerator.co.nz

🚫

Women & Gender-diverse

Diversity & Inclusion

Cohort-based Accelerator

Early-stage founder program with non-dilutive support.

2025

foundercatalyst.co.nz

🚫

Generalist

Generalist

Cohort-based Accelerator

Free Wellington-based program for founders aged 17–25.

2025

creativehq.co.nz/young-founders-incubator

🚫

Generalist

Generalist

Incubator (Non-cohort)

AI-powered fundraising support for generalist startups.

2025

foundervc.org/ai-powered-virtual-incubator

🚫

Generalist

Generalist

Incubator (Non-cohort)

IP-heavy deep-tech venture support.

2025

wntventures.co.nz

✅ (Callaghan-backed)

DeepTech

Science, Engineering

Gov-funded VC Extension

Commercializing deep-tech research.

2025

bridgewest.ventures

✅ (Callaghan-backed)

DeepTech

Science, Engineering

Gov-funded VC Extension

Embedded support for science-led startups.

2025

astrolab.co.nz

✅ (Callaghan-backed)

DeepTech

Science, Engineering

Gov-funded VC Extension

Commercializes public research into startups.

2025

kiwinet.org.nz

🚫

Science & Research

University Spinouts

Ongoing Support Program

Supports entrepreneurship in advanced materials and nanotech.

2025

macdiarmid.ac.nz

🚫

Science & Research

Advanced Materials, Nanotech

Ongoing Support Program

Founder education and ecosystem access.

2025

teohaka.co.nz/startup-resources

🚫

Generalist

Ecosystem Access

Ongoing Support Program

Ongoing startup support and founder workshops.

2025

gridakl.com/events

🚫

Generalist

Ecosystem Access

Ongoing Support Program

Online fundamentals program for new founders.

2025

thefactorynz.co.nz/founder

🚫

Generalist

Early-stage

Ongoing Support Program

Monthly founder workshops and education.

2025

creativehq.co.nz/startup-sessions-2024

🚫

Generalist

Early-stage

Ongoing Support Program

Pre-accelerator for university-affiliated deep tech startups, offering mentorship and a $5K pitch prize.

2025

https://blackbird.vc/foundry

🚫

Deep Tech

Biotech, Frontier Tech

Cohort-Based Mentorship Program

8-week mentoring program for early-stage ANZ founders with 1:1 sessions, content modules, and community access.

2025

https://blackbird.vc/giants

🚫

Generalist

Seed-Stage Generalist

Cohort-Based Mentorship Program

1-on-1 coaching, workshops, and connections to industry specialists and investors. Designed for startups ready to scale nationally or globally.

2025

https://www.startupqueenstownlakes.com/giants

🚫

Generalist

Seed-Stage Generalist

Cohort-Based Mentorship Program

Self-paced, online program to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, build a business model, identify customers, and develop a unique value proposition.

2025

https://www.startupqueenstownlakes.com/kickstart

🚫

Generalist

Early-Stage Generalist

Ongoing Support Program

5-hour in-person workshop to help bring your idea to life, structure your idea, get real customer feedback, and understand setup and running costs.

2025

https://www.startupqueenstownlakes.com/sparkup

💸 ($49 per session)

Generalist

Early-Stage Generalist

One-off Support

10-week program with 8 sessions and in-person coaching

2025

https://www.startupqueenstownlakes.com/startup-booster

💸 (Starting at $375)

Generalist

Early-Stage Generalist

Cohort-Based Mentorship Program

Free 30 minute sessions where NZ founders receive candid feedback, warm intros, and investor advice from experienced angels—no pitch required.

2025

https://www.adi.clinic/

🚫

Generalist

Early-Stage Generalist

One-off Support

8-week accelerator for Māori founders, combining in-person wānanga, online sessions, and one-on-one coaching to develop scalable, investment-ready ventures.

2025

tupu.org.nz

🚫

Generalist

Seed-Stage Generalist

Cohort-Based Mentorship Program

A 2-month program to help ambitious women land meaningful roles in startups across ANZ.

2025

https://www.startmate.com/program/women-fellowship

💸 (AUD $3,000)

Generalist

Early-Stage Generalist

Cohort-Based Mentorship Program

Community-driven program connecting students to startup roles and founders across ANZ.

2025

https://www.startmate.com/program/student-fellowship

💸 (AUD $200)

Generalist

Early-Stage Generalist

Cohort-Based Mentorship Program

Teaches non-technical founders how to build digital products using no-code tools.

2025

https://www.startmate.com/no-code-mastery-fellowship

💸 (AUD $2,200)

Generalist

Early-Stage Generalist

Cohort-Based Mentorship Program

Supports people transitioning into climate-focused startups (hardware, software, or ops roles).

2025

https://www.startmate.com/blog-tags/climate-tech-fellowship

💸 (AUD $3,000)

Generalist

Early-Stage Generalist

Cohort-Based Mentorship Program

A community and coaching membership for mid-career women in leadership or startup roles.

2025

https://www.startmate.com/offerings/ladymates

💸 (AUD $2,000 annually, varies)

Generalist

Early-Stage Generalist

Community-Based Mentorship Program

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