New Zealand's most trusted startup experts solve what founders can't Google.
Built by experts. Backed by search data. Designed to unblock New Zealand’s early stage startup founders.
Most of New Zealand 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 based on lived experiences. Updated monthly. Designed to replace confusion with action
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Funding Editions:
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
How New Zealand VCs make decisions, what traction and team signals they look for, and how to position your startup for a yes. More fundable New Zealand startups, from day one.
From Science to Seed
How to spin out IP, negotiate with TTOs, secure grant funding, and raise from investors who understand long timelines and scientific risk. For academics and researchers at the edge of the lab.
The Founder’s Guide to VC
James Fuller | Co-founder, Hnry
What raising VC actually looks like, from a founder who's done it six times and will help you do it, too. How to raise on your terms — if VC is even the right path for you
Operators Editions:
Start a Startup
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.
Bootstrapped
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.
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Consumer Brand
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.
Selling 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.
Trailblazer Editions:
NZ Government Support
Step-by-step guide for navigating NZ’s government funding systems. Access strategies, grant preparation tips, and align your business with public co-funding .
Startup 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.
Women: Stay in the Room
Lane Litz | What Founders Want
Joins forces with Aotearoa’s gender champions on a 12 month research project to build what is missing - the infrastructure for New Zealand women to stay at the table.
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.
