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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.
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.
Organization | Description | Link | Upfront Investment? | Primary Vertical | Secondary Vertical | Program Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Startmate (NZ / AU) | Cohort-based accelerator providing funding, mentorship, and investor access. | startmate.com/accelerator | ✅ (~NZD $120K for equity) | Generalist | Growth-stage startups | Cohort-based Accelerator |
Sprout Accelerator | Three month accelerator advancing food system innovators to grow groundbreaking startups. | https://www.sproutagritech.com/sprout-accelerator/ | ✅ | AgTech | FoodTech | Cohort-based Accelerator |
Phase One Ventures | Operator-led early-stage accelerator fund for NZ founders. | phaseone.ventures | 🚫 | Generalist | SaaS, Tech | Cohort-based Accelerator |
Creative HQ Accelerator | Government-backed accelerator focused on innovation-driven ventures. | creativehq.co.nz/accelerator | 🚫 | Generalist | Innovation | Cohort-based Accelerator |
The Factory Accelerator | 12-week program to build a robust business plan for high-growth startups. | thefactorynz.co.nz/founder | 🚫 | Generalist | Regional startups | Cohort-based Accelerator |
NZAI – Public Sector AI Accelerator | Helping AI startups build public sector solutions. | newzealand.ai/public-sector | 🚫 | AI | GovTech | Cohort-based Accelerator |
Creative HQ – GovTech Startup Accelerator | Focused on government-facing AI or digital solutions. | creativehq.co.nz/govtech-startup-accelerator | 🚫 | GovTech | AI | Cohort-based Accelerator |
Creative HQ – Impact Accelerator | Supports sustainability-focused startups. | creativehq.co.nz/impact-accelerator | 🚫 | Sustainability | Impact | Cohort-based Accelerator |
Creative HQ – Climate Response Accelerator | Supports climate-focused ventures. | creativehq.co.nz/climate-response-accelerator-2024 | 🚫 | ClimateTech | Sustainability | Cohort-based Accelerator |
SODA – Rise Up | Accelerator for women-led startups. | sodainc.com/start-ups/rise-up | 🚫 | Women founders | Diversity & Inclusion | Cohort-based Accelerator |
Electrify Accelerator | For female and gender-diverse founders. | electrifyaccelerator.co.nz | 🚫 | Women & Gender-diverse | Diversity & Inclusion | Cohort-based Accelerator |
Ministry of Awesome – Founder Catalyst | Early-stage founder program with non-dilutive support. | foundercatalyst.co.nz | 🚫 | Generalist | Generalist | Cohort-based Accelerator |
Creative Young Founders Incubator | Free Wellington-based program for founders aged 17–25. | creativehq.co.nz/young-founders-incubator | 🚫 | Generalist | Generalist | Incubator (Non-cohort) |
Founder VC Virtual Incubator | AI-powered fundraising support for generalist startups. | foundervc.org/ai-powered-virtual-incubator | 🚫 | Generalist | Generalist | Incubator (Non-cohort) |
WNT Ventures (Callaghan Incubator) | IP-heavy deep-tech venture support. | wntventures.co.nz | ✅ (Callaghan-backed) | DeepTech | Science, Engineering | Gov-funded VC Extension |
Bridgewest Ventures (Callaghan Incubator) | Commercializing deep-tech research. | bridgewest.ventures | ✅ (Callaghan-backed) | DeepTech | Science, Engineering | Gov-funded VC Extension |
KiwiNet – PreSeed Accelerator Fund | Commercializes public research into startups. | kiwinet.org.nz | 🚫 | Science & Research | University Spinouts | Ongoing Support Program |
MacDiarmid Institute | Supports entrepreneurship in advanced materials and nanotech. | macdiarmid.ac.nz | 🚫 | Science & Research | Advanced Materials, Nanotech | Ongoing Support Program |
Te Ōhaka – Founder Resources | Founder education and ecosystem access. | teohaka.co.nz/startup-resources | 🚫 | Generalist | Ecosystem Access | Ongoing Support Program |
GridAKL – Workshops & Support | Ongoing startup support and founder workshops. | gridakl.com/events | 🚫 | Generalist | Ecosystem Access | Ongoing Support Program |
The Factory – Start-up 101 | Online fundamentals program for new founders. | thefactorynz.co.nz/founder | 🚫 | Generalist | Early-stage | Ongoing Support Program |
Creative HQ – Startup Sessions | Monthly founder workshops and education. | creativehq.co.nz/startup-sessions-2024 | 🚫 | Generalist | Early-stage | Ongoing Support Program |
Blackbird- Foundry | Pre-accelerator for university-affiliated deep tech startups, offering mentorship and a $5K pitch prize. | https://blackbird.vc/foundry | 🚫 | Deep Tech | Biotech, Frontier Tech | Cohort-Based Mentorship Program |
Blackbird- Giants | 8-week mentoring program for early-stage ANZ founders with 1:1 sessions, content modules, and community access. | https://blackbird.vc/giants | 🚫 | Generalist | Seed-Stage Generalist | Cohort-Based Mentorship Program |
Startup Queenstown Lakes- GIants | 1-on-1 coaching, workshops, and connections to industry specialists and investors. Designed for startups ready to scale nationally or globally. | https://www.startupqueenstownlakes.com/giants | 🚫 | Generalist | Seed-Stage Generalist | Cohort-Based Mentorship Program |
Startup Queenstown Lakes- Kick Start | Self-paced, online program to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, build a business model, identify customers, and develop a unique value proposition. | https://www.startupqueenstownlakes.com/kickstart | 🚫 | Generalist | Early-Stage Generalist | Ongoing Support Program |
Startup Queenstown Lakes- Spark Up | 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. | https://www.startupqueenstownlakes.com/sparkup | 💸 ($49 per session) | Generalist | Early-Stage Generalist | One-off Support |
Startup Queenstown Lakes- Startup Booster | 10-week program with 8 sessions and in-person coaching | https://www.startupqueenstownlakes.com/startup-booster | 💸 (Starting at $375) | Generalist | Early-Stage Generalist | Cohort-Based Mentorship Program |
ADI Clinic | Free 30 minute sessions where NZ founders receive candid feedback, warm intros, and investor advice from experienced angels—no pitch required. | https://www.adi.clinic/ | 🚫 | Generalist | Early-Stage Generalist | One-off Support |
Tupu Accelerator | 8-week accelerator for Māori founders, combining in-person wānanga, online sessions, and one-on-one coaching to develop scalable, investment-ready ventures. | tupu.org.nz | 🚫 | Generalist | Seed-Stage Generalist | Cohort-Based Mentorship Program |
Startmate- Women Fellowship | A 2-month program to help ambitious women land meaningful roles in startups across ANZ. | https://www.startmate.com/program/women-fellowship | 💸 (AUD $3,000) | Generalist | Early-Stage Generalist | Cohort-Based Mentorship Program |
Startmate- Student Fellowship | Community-driven program connecting students to startup roles and founders across ANZ. | https://www.startmate.com/program/student-fellowship | 💸 (AUD $200) | Generalist | Early-Stage Generalist | Cohort-Based Mentorship Program |
Startmate- No Code Fellowship | Teaches non-technical founders how to build digital products using no-code tools. | https://www.startmate.com/no-code-mastery-fellowship | 💸 (AUD $2,200) | Generalist | Early-Stage Generalist | Cohort-Based Mentorship Program |
Startmate- Climate Tech Fellowship | Supports people transitioning into climate-focused startups (hardware, software, or ops roles). | https://www.startmate.com/blog-tags/climate-tech-fellowship | 💸 (AUD $3,000) | Generalist | Early-Stage Generalist | Cohort-Based Mentorship Program |
Startmate- Ladymates | A community and coaching membership for mid-career women in leadership or startup roles. | https://www.startmate.com/offerings/ladymates | 💸 (AUD $2,000 annually, varies) | Generalist | Early-Stage Generalist | Community-Based Mentorship Program |
PR Masterclass | A free online course designed for startup and SME founders, comprising three concise video workshops that cover the fundamentals of public relations, including understanding PR, assessing readiness for media engagement, and crafting effective PR strategies. | https://www.foundrpr.com/pr-master-class | 🚫 | Generalist | Early-Stage Generalist | Online, Self-paced Program |
Startup NZ Entrepreneurs Programme | An affordable, self-paced online course teaching the basics of lean startup methodology to help founders validate and launch their business ideas; over 1,600 participants enrolled to date. | https://startupnz.thinkific.com/ | 💸 (NZD $199) | Generalist | Early-Stage Generalist | Online, Self-paced Program |
Germinate by Sprout | 7-week program for researchers to turn their ideas into commercial opportunities. | https://www.sproutagritech.com/germinate-by-sprout/ | 🚫 | Deep Tech | AgTech, Food Tech | Cohort-Based Mentorship Program |
Founder Institute Core Program-
Validate Track | 4-month program for idea-stage founders focusing on (1) Iteration, (2), Validation, and (3) De-Risking before going "all-in". | https://fi.co/core | 💸$899 | Generalist | Idea-stage Generalist | Cohort-Based Mentorship Program |
Founder Institute Core Program-
Launch Track | 4-month program for seed-stage founders focusing on (1) Team-Building, (2) First Traction, and (3) Product Development. | https://fi.co/core | 💸$899 | Generalist | Seed-stage Generalist | Cohort-Based Mentorship Program |
Founder Institute Core Program-
Traction Track | 4-month program for seed-stage founders focusing on (1) Scalable Growth, and (2) Investment Preparation. | https://fi.co/core | 💸$899 | Generalist | Seed-stage Generalist | Cohort-Based Mentorship Program |
Soda Inc- Resource Library | Templates, checklists & tools | 2025 | https://www.sodainc.com/resources | 🚫 | Generalist | Early Stage Generalist |
Soda Inc- Business Growth Advising | One‑on‑one strategy & coaching, RBP support | 2025 | https://www.sodainc.com/business-support | From free to partially funded | Generalist | Early Stage Generalist |
Soda Inc- In Person Business Fundamentals | 8‑week, live in‑person workshops | 2025 | https://www.sodainc.com/business-support | Varies by delivery/location | Generalist | Early Stage Generalist |
Soda Inc- Online Business Fundamentals | Self‑paced six‑module learning + two free tools | 2025 | https://sodainc.learnworlds.com/ | 💸 (AUD $49 module) 💸 (AUD $245 bundle) | Generalist | Early Stage Generalist |
Bridgewest Ventures
(Callaghan Technology Incubator) | Deep-tech incubator commercialising breakthrough research. | 2025 | https://bridgewest.ventures/ | ✅ | Deep Tech | Science, Engineering |
Brandon Capital
(Callaghan Technology Incubator) | Deep-tech incubator commercialising breakthrough research. | 2025 | https://brandoncapital.vc/ | ✅ | Deep Tech | Science, Engineering |
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