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Build faster. Fundraise smarter. Operate leaner.
The Generative AI Power Stack for Founders is your shortcut to executing like a full team—without hiring one. Designed specifically for startup founders, this curated AI toolkit features the most effective, founder-tested tools for writing investor decks, automating workflows, creating content, and accelerating go-to-market.
Built for New Zealand founders but globally applicable, this is a practical AI stack—not theory. Every tool listed is actively used by startup operators, solopreneurs, and early-stage teams to reduce time-to-execution and extend runway. Whether you're bootstrapping, raising capital, or scaling across borders, this stack helps you:
- Write VC-ready pitch decks, updates, and outreach in hours—not weeks
- Generate sales, product, and marketing content on demand
- Automate back-office tasks to cut operational load
- Produce videos, visuals, and research without creative agencies
- Stay lean while shipping faster than funded competitors
🩻 No-code / Low-code Skeleton Startup Stack
Build real products, automate workflows, and launch revenue channels—without writing code. This stack helps Kiwi founders move fast, stay lean, and scale with minimal technical overhead.
🔌 Generative AI Power Stack for Founders
A comprehensive toolkit to help founders automate, create, and scale faster using generative AI across every function. The global best practices stack for a startup built on AI as its core foundation.
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1. Quick Start AI Toolkit for NZ Founders
A streamlined starting point for founders looking to deploy high-impact AI tools with immediate value.
Purpose: Get started fast with the four most popular AI tools for founders, globally.
- Writing: ChatGPT → https://chat.openai.com
- Automation: Zapier → https://zapier.com
- CRM & Marketing: HubSpot → https://hubspot.com
- Design: Canva → https://canva.com
2. AI Stack FAQ for NZ Founders
Actionable answers to the most common AI questions founders ask—clear, concise, and built for immediate use.
Purpose: Scannable answers to founders most burning questions about AI.
1. How can I use AI to reduce headcount or scale without hiring? (MVP / Early Stage)
2. What startup tasks should we automate with AI? (All stages)
3. What are the best budget AI tools for marketing/content? (MVP / Early Stage)
4. How can AI support business planning and decisions? (Early / Growth / Scaling)
5. What do I need to run an "AI-first" startup? (Growth / Scaling)
6. Should I hire developers or just use AI tools? (All stages)
7. What risks can AI create for my startup (and how do I manage them)? (All stages)
8. What NZ industries lack clear AI guidance? (Vertical-specific founders)
9. Where can I find official AI guidance from the NZ government? (All founders working with public data or contracts)
10. What are some great real-world AI use cases for New Zealand businesses? (All stages)
3. Skeleton Startup Stack- No-Code / Low-Code Tools for Solo and Lean Teams
It’s never been more possible to get a startup off the ground. What Founders Want No-Code / Low Code Skeleton Startup Stack for Solo and Lean teams is the cheapest, fastest way to build and release your first product.
Purpose: Build scalable, fundable startups without hiring developers.
1. Content & Marketing
Tool | Function | Why Use It | Link |
Canva | Visual design with AI (Magic Write, Magic Design) | Replace creative agencies for decks, social, brand | |
Jasper.ai | AI writing assistant | Generate blogs, emails, ads without a copywriter | |
ChatGPT / Claude | AI brainstorming for copy | Draft posts, emails, headlines — but don’t paste personal data | |
Synthesia | AI video generator | Convert scripts into avatar-led explainers or ads | |
Buffer / Hootsuite | Social auto-posting | Schedule content with AI-suggested copy |
Compliance: Most tools store data offshore — anonymise if handling customer info.
2. Customer Support & Engagement
Tool | Function | Why Use It | Link |
Crisp | Chatbot builder | Answer FAQs without hiring reps | |
ManyChat | Messenger/Instagram bots | Automate DMs, onboarding, lead gen | |
Chatfuel | Alternative Messenger bot builder | No-code flows with basic AI triggers | |
Intercom / Zendesk | Live chat with AI reply support | Handle inbound with scalable automation |
Compliance: Conversations may be stored in US/EU — check server settings and privacy policies.
3. Product Development & Automation
Tool | Function | Why Use It | Link |
Launchbot | Search Engine Optimization (SEO) | improve online visibility and rankings with minimal effort | |
Bubble | Build full-stack apps | Launch SaaS, marketplaces, tools without code | |
Glide | Spreadsheet-to-app tool | Build mobile/web apps from Google Sheets | |
Webflow | Website builder | Design landing pages, blogs, sites with AI layout tools | |
Wix | Drag-and-drop websites | Faster builds with templates + AI features | |
Zapier | App-to-app automation | Automate 7,000+ tools (e.g. Typeform → Mailchimp) | |
Make (Integromat) | Visual automation builder | Build advanced workflows with AI logic | |
Airtable | Visual database + automation | Track customers, projects, CRM with smart fields |
Compliance: Global data storage — anonymise or pseudonyms customer info where possible.
4. Sales & Monetization
Tool | Function | Why Use It | Link |
HubSpot CRM | Free CRM + AI tools | Track deals, auto-draft follow-ups, lead scoring | |
Stripe | Payments + subscriptions | Accept payments, manage recurring billing | |
PayPal / Zettle | Payments + point-of-sale | Simple e-commerce + invoicing tools | |
Shopify | E-commerce platform | AI product copy, easy store setup | |
Squarespace Commerce | All-in-one commerce site | Drag-and-drop + integrated checkout | |
Clearbit | Lead data enrichment | Find company info and contact data | |
Calendly | Meeting scheduler | Automate call booking with timezone handling |
Compliance: Confirm PCI-DSS compliance and NZ privacy compliance when handling payments.
5. Analytics & Ops
Tool | Function | Why Use It | Link |
GA4 | Google Analytics v4 | Track user behavior + trends | |
Looker Studio | Data dashboard builder | Visualize performance with GA4 data | |
Mixpanel | Product analytics | Funnel and retention tracking, no code required | |
Amplitude | Behavior analytics | Deep user journey tracking | |
Notion | Workspace + AI | Manage tasks, notes, wikis, and summarize content | |
Airtable | Also doubles here | Flexible database with ops automations | |
ChatGPT / Claude | AI copilots | Get insights from small datasets and trend checks |
Compliance: GA4 and others store offshore — anonymise user data and avoid storing identifiers.
6. Finance & Accounting
Tool | Function | Why Use It | Link |
Xero | NZ-native accounting | Auto-categorizes expenses, connects bank feeds | |
QuickBooks Online | Global accounting software | Multi-currency support and robust integrations | |
Dext | Receipt capture + bookkeeping | AI extracts expense data, syncs to Xero/QBO | |
Float | Cashflow forecasting | Visual budgeting synced to Xero/QBO |
Compliance: Xero is NZ-compliant. Still review any integrations for offshore data handling.
4. Generative AI Power Stack for Founders
A comprehensive toolkit to help founders automate, create, and scale faster using generative AI across every function.
Purpose: The global best practices stack for a startup built on AI as its core foundation.
Name | Direct Link | Category | Description | Primary Use Case |
Pricing (USD, 2025)
|
LaunchBot.app | AI Assistant | AI-powered growth, marketing and automation | Ranking on Search Engines, Content Production, Persona Insights, Growth Marketing Plan | Free trial; $9.99 per month | |
ChatGPT (OpenAI) | AI Assistant / Co-pilot | General-purpose AI assistant (GPT-4/4o) | Drafting emails, code, investor prep |
Free (GPT-3.5); Pro $20 per month - GPT-4
| |
Jasper.ai | AI Copywriting | AI writing for marketing copy | Ad copy, landing pages, blogs |
$39 per month (Starter); $59 per month - Pro
| |
Copy.ai | AI Copywriting | Automated marketing and sales copy | Cold outbound, ads, landing pages |
Free; $36 per month - Pro
| |
Notion AI | Productivity AI | AI integrated into workspace tools | Knowledge management, quick drafts |
$10 per month per user - add-on plan
| |
Grammarly AI | AI Writing Assistant | Grammar and tone editing | Decks, investor updates |
Free; $12 per month (Premium); $15 per month per user - Business
| |
Perplexity AI | AI Search & Research | Conversational search with citations | Competitive research, due diligence |
Free; $20 per month - Pro
| |
Zapier AI | AI Automation | Workflow automations with AI assistance | CRM updates, lead gen |
Free; $29.99 per month (Starter); $103.50 per month - Team
| |
Gamma | AI Presentation Builder | AI pitch deck & presentation builder | Sales and fundraising decks |
Free; $8 per month (Pro); $16 per month per user - Team
| |
Beautiful.ai | AI Presentation Builder | Automated slide design | Pitch decks, board updates |
$12 per month (Pro); $40 per month per user - Team
| |
PitchSmart GPT (Founder VC) | Fundraising AI | AI investor narrative builder, Best Intro Framework | Builds VC-ready pitch narratives |
Free
| |
Hugging Face | AI Models & Datasets | Open-source AI models & tools | Proprietary AI build |
Free (open source); starts at $9 per month (Pro); Custom - Enterprise
| |
Runway ML | AI Video Generation | AI video creation & editing | Product demos, marketing videos |
Free (trial); $12 per month (Pro); $28 per month - Unlimited
| |
Descript | AI Audio & Video Editing | AI audio/video editing | Podcasts, product demos |
Free; $12 per month (Creator); $24 per month - Pro
| |
Otter.ai | AI Transcription | Automated meeting transcription | Fundraising calls, ops notes |
Free; $10 per month (Pro); $20 per month per user - Business
|
Know 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.