/w=256,quality=90,fit=scale-down)
Mark Robinson combines 7 years as a Business Innovation Advisor at Callaghan Innovation — and experience from a lifetime on all sides of the startup table — to help more Kiwi founders reach their first key funding milestone.
Mark clears a path for early-stage Kiwi founders to maximise the full scope of what the New Zealand government has on offer — with unparalleled efficiency and clarity.
From Idea to Funded: A Kiwi Startup Founder’s Step-by-Step Guide to Getting the Most Out of NZ Government Support
You’re a startup founder in New Zealand. You’ve heard about government grants and startup support — but now you need tactical help.
This isn’t a list. It’s your execution guide: how to apply, how to stack funding, and how to succeed.
This page helps you discover the most efficient pathways to NZ government grants, startup funding, and innovation support programs.
What You’ll Get From This Page:
- Map your ideal path from idea to funding using NZ government grants and support.
- Avoid costly mistakes with proven strategies for sequencing, stacking, and writing fundable applications.
- Access direct links, templates, and advisor tips to move faster and unlock capital and capability.
- A clear path for NZ founders to access government support, from first meeting to full funding and support.
Mark’s NZ Government Execution Guide works best in conjunction with sister What Founders Want support pages:
Quick Navigation:
- How the NZ Government System Works- In Plain English
- Quick Start- Who You Should Talk to First
- Non-Financial Support You Shouldn’t Ignore
- Capability Building vs Commercialisation Funding
- How to Apply for Government Support Effectively
- How to Stack & Sequence Government Support
- How to Write a Grant That Gets Funded
- Grant Writing Principles
- What Founders Get Wrong & How to Fix It
- More Grant Writing Examples: Bad vs Good
- How to Stack Government Grants & Support (Without Burning Eligibility)
- Grant-by-Grant Execution Tips
- NZ Government FAQs
- Master List: NZ Government Execution Links, Tools, & Resources
Mark Robinson
Principal, VentureNest
I’m Mark Robinson, Principal at VentureNest a not for profit advisory operating in the New Zealand start up ecosystem. VentureNest helps fill the gap in the commercialisation space left by the disestablishment of Callaghan Innovation. My ‘Why’ is to support Founders with wrap around advice and support that helps them navigate and de-risk the journey to commercialisation. I am passionate about the opportunity and potential that New Zealand scientists, researchers, clinicians and entrepreneurs have to create world class start ups in the Healthtech and deep-tech space. Over the last seven years I’ve immersed myself in innovation advisory services working with over 200 ventures helping start ups launch and reach their first milestones, research and commercial, through grant funding and capability build much of it funded. Non dilutive funding and support is the lifeblood of start ups and this playbook extracts years of knowledge and experience to provide Founders with a framework to access and execute on government support.
I am a Mentor and Judge for University of Auckland Velocity Challenge, mentor for BMNZ and angel investor with Flying Kiwi Angels.
If you are a Founder on the journey to commercialisation keen for agnostic guidance and advice for your start up drop me a line.
Connect: LinkedIn | VentureNest
1. How the Government Support System Works (In Plain English)
Understand how NZ startup funding works — from MBIE to NZGCP — and where to start as a founder.
Break down how NZ's interconnected government startup support system really works — who to engage, when, and why.
🏁 Start Here: Set Up and Direction
Regional Business Partner Network | Your first port of call. Book a session with a Growth Advisor | |
MSD (Work & Income) | Startup grants for founders coming off benefits. |
Stage Two: Capability Building and Market Prep
NZTE | Export strategy and capability development. | |
Te Puni Kōkiri | Support for Māori entrepreneurs | |
Business Mentors NZ | General mentoring support |
Stage Three: Product Development, R&D, and Capital
Callaghan Innovation | R&D and innovation grants | |
MBIE | Central government funding source | |
New Zealand Growth Capital Partners | Government-backed venture capital |
2. Quick Start: Who You Should Talk to First
Get government funding and capability support faster by booking your RBP Growth Advisor session — the first step for all NZ startups.
🚨 Do This First
Book a Free Call With Your Regional Business Partner
Start your funding journey with a free session from a Regional Business Partner (RBP) Growth Advisor.
➤ https://web.regionalbusinesspartners.co.nz/business/registration
/w=48,quality=90,fit=scale-down){kind=small}
No pitch needed — just know the problem you are solving, the solution you're building and where you're stuck - “what is your ask”.
3. Non-Financial Support You Shouldn’t Ignore
Boost your government grant success by using free NZ startup support services for capability and strategy.
These services lift Founder capability and help strengthen applications to unlock next-stage funding.
4. Capability Building vs Commercialisation Funding
Learn which NZ startup grants to use first — and how to sequence them for better success.
Founders who use capability grants first often succeed faster with commercialisation funding.
Type | Purpose | Examples |
Capability Building | Level up pricing, export strategy, business ops, strategy, road mapping, raising capital | RBP Vouchers, NZTE, Mentoring |
Commercialisation | Fund R&D programme, de-risk commercialisation of IP/innovation, market validation, prototyping, scaling | Callaghan Innovation Grants: N2R&D, Ārohia, Student Career and Experience; NZGCP Aspire |
5. How to Apply for Government Support Effectively
Map NZ startup grants to your business plan, hiring, and product roadmap — and then reverse to sense check funding required versus what is available
Examples:
R&D Plan written → | THEN apply for Callaghan Innovation eg New to R&D Grant | |
Hiring & resource requirement planned → | THEN confirm Career Grant eligibility |
6. How to Stack & Sequence Government Support
Stack government grants the smart way — avoid ineligibility and boost success odds with the right order.
Stage | Grant | Best Time to Use |
Pre-trading | MSD Grant | Before revenue |
Early Ops | RBP Capability Vouchers | When developing strategy and ops |
Scoped R&D | Callaghan N2R&D | After planning |
Scaling | Career / Ārohia | With co-funding confirmed |
Venture Raise | Aspire Seed Fund | Lead investor required |
Avoid: applying out of order, skipping RBP, or lacking a co-funding plan which shows how a Founder will fund their portion of the Grant. Generally Founders need 50-60% of total Grant. This could be seed capital from angel groups or equity through NZGCP, it just can’t be from another grant as rules preventing double dipping from other government grants!
7. How to Write a Grant That Gets Funded
Increase your odds of winning NZ grants with clear, funder-aligned applications and strong evidence.
Government grants are not pitch decks. You're not selling potential — you are proving alignment with grant settings and policy objectives.
Grant Writing Principles
Step 1: Start by Identifying the Aim | Check alignment with what you will use funding for and the outcome it will generate.
For example the Ārohia Trailblazer Grant seeks to achieve its objective “by supporting innovative activity that has the potential to generate significant spillover benefits as set out in the Ministerial Direction”. |
Step 2: Be Specific | Define the customer problem, how the solution works, and customer impact or benefit in plain terms.
The reviewer may not have domain expertise so don’t lose them in jargon or excessive technical detail |
Step 3: Match Budget to Outcomes | Be prepared to provide costings and quotes that match the individual components or deliverables from the funding.
The reviewer needs to be able to approve the expenditure attached to the grant |
Step 4: Use Plain English | No acronyms, minimise sector jargon and write content for non-technical/scientific readers. |
Step 5: Evidence Co-funding | Be able to prove you have the ability to meet co-funding requirements of the Grant
Show source and amount of available and/or future funds, can be cash or capital raise.
Possible to have up to six months to secure monies for share of co-funding. |
Step 6: Assign the Right Writer | Use the team’s knowledge to assign individual sections eg CTO = R&D; CFO = financials; capture the data and then aim for clarity and conciseness keeping in mind the reader and Grant objectives.
For example the Research & Development Tax Incentive (RDTI) does require the reader to have a level of technical knowledge or subject matter expertise to assess an application for General Approval. |
Step 7: Know Your Numbers | Grants require financials outlining expenses such as salaries and materials and consumables plus Income.
Be prepared to submit financial statements for your start up and co-funding.
Be clear on what you can fund, when, and how so the reader understands grant funding is not “wasted”. |
What Founders Get Wrong — and How to Fix It
Mistake | Example of What Not to Do | Best Practice | Example of Best Practice |
Misalignment Between Startup and Grant | Seeking commercial funding from a R&D focused Grant | Start with the funder’s lens and understand the objectives of the Grant | This project will provide the Student with real-world R&D experience and learn new skills as an active member of the product development team developing new and exciting products for our customers. |
Applying Too Early | Applied for Callaghan Innovation Grant before building capability | Time your Grant to optimise its impact to the stage the business is at. Some Grants are only one time. | Apply after product/market fit testing, with financial statements and R&D programme/plan written covering at minimum time period of Grant |
No Forecast or Co-funding Proof | “We’ll figure out the rest later.” | Show funds available and clear pathway to co-funding such as a capital plan or cashflow forecast | “We’ve secured $80K from a lead investor and forecast a $250K raise in Q4 from angel investor groups.” |
Using Jargon
(writing for a technical or scientific reader with an assumed level of knowledge or expertise) | “A multi-stakeholder orchestration framework leveraging AI workflows.” | Use plain English which means economic use of words and at a level the reader can understand. Use bullet points to keep sentence structure tight. | “An online tool to help financial advisors respond faster and accurately to clients using templates.” |
Not Checking Eligibility
(for a Grant and/or alignment of funded activity with objectives of Grant) | Applied without checking grant prerequisites | Register your start up as a company which will is required to be eligible for a Grant. Check Grant objectives to ensure alignment of funded activity. | “As a spillover benefit, within the bioplastics sector, this project will generate new knowledge and learnings that others can use to create new innovations from organic material.” |
Missing Clarity of Communication
(to enable reader to understand application often with overuse of buzzwords or soundbites) | “We’re building a revolutionary paradigm.” | Assign the right writer | CTO writes R&D sections; CFO writes budget and forecasts |
Vague or Mismatched Financial Details
(to stages or outcomes) | “$80K for product development.” | Provide worksheet that captures detail to allow reader to match funded activities to outcome | “$7500 for review of patent and freedom to operate (FTO) search before finalising R&D programme” |
Missing Proof of Ability to Raise Required Funds | “We hope to raise soon.” | Capital journey map with project and funding milestones | Attach capital journey map and if timing right draft pitch deck |
More Grant Writing Examples: Bad vs Good
Principle | Bad Example | Good Example |
Alignment Between Startup and Grant | “Our tool will grow revenue by 200%.” | “Our R&D project creates new knowledge and IP to develop a novel bioreactor for waste treatment ” |
Be Specific | “We’re building a revolutionary paradigm.” | “We increase sensitivity and specificity of antimicrobial resistance by 60% vs current tests.” |
Budget Expenditure vs Outcome | “$80K for product development.” | “$80K to test and deliver final prototype for field testing.” |
Use Plain English | “A multi-stakeholder orchestration framework leveraging AI workflows.” | “A web based tool to help doctors refer patients to healthcare providers within a primary healthcare treatment pathway” |
Evidence of Current and Future Co-funding Sources | “We have some seed capital and will figure out the rest as we go.” | “We’ve secured $80K from a lead investor with a $250K raise planned in Q1 next year as in our cashflow forecast.” |
Assign Writers to Relevant Sections of Application | CFO writes full application. | CTO writes R&D/technical section; CFO provides financials and commentary. |
Provide Evidence of Expenditure | “Budget includes software and staff time.” | “Includes quotes outlining work plan and costs from suppliers and a breakdown of hours against project milestones for internal labour costs ” |
Measurable Outcomes Aligned to Grant Submission | “It’ll help us complete market validation.” | “Four interviews with subject matter experts from procurement and clinical services working in radiology for hospital hubs/facilities on the West Coast to validate assumptions before progressing to capital raise” |
More Writing Resources:
- Strategic Grants: https://community.net.nz/resources/strategic-grants/grant-application-writing-examples
- Public Trust: https://www.publictrust.co.nz/resources/11-tips-for-a-writing-a-great-charitable-grant-application
- Hutt City Council: https://www.huttcity.govt.nz/people-and-communities/community-funding/community-grant-proposal-guide
- NZCT: https://www.nzct.org.nz/grants/making-a-successful-grant-application
8. How to Stack Government Grants & Support (Without Burning Eligibility)
Smart founders use one grant to fund activity and on-ramp to the next. Grants and support are often stage-based — a planned approach will enable you to optimise and ‘stack’ them with intent.
Stage | Grant | When to Use It (examples, not definitive as cover a timeline) | Why It Comes at This Stage |
1 | Capability Voucher (RBP) | Early stage; proof of concept, product market fit; pre-scale | Helps fund building capability and early stage activity. |
2 | MSD Startup Grant | Pre-revenue or trading; on government benefit | Must apply before revenue. Can be the first capital eligible founders get to get started. |
3 | New to R&D (Callaghan) | Early stage funding of R&D as a business venture; ideally first tranche of funded commercial R&D. | R&D focused funding with some capability funded support included to open pathway for commercial success and on ramp to RDTI. |
4 | Ārohia / Career Grants | Validated R&D and in commercialisation phase - getting ready to go to market; funding extra specialist resource linked to R&D | Proof of capability and impact on innovation ecosystem with spillover benefits. Providing students first step into a commercial role |
5 | Aspire Seed Fund (NZGCP) | Early expansion + lead investor secured | Requires lead investor, most often, so start up is attractive to private sector investors such as angel investors or Venture Capital |
Execution Tip: Create a Capital Journey Map that shows how each grant is aligned to core activity and milestones and builds a high level view of your funding journey and venture milestones.
Common Stacking Mistakes
Mistake | Why It Hurts |
Applying for Aspire without a lead | Aspire co-invests only, start up still needs a lead. |
Using Callaghan R&D for commercial activity | Other Grants fund commercial readiness — only R&D focus and new to R&D as a start up. |
Missing Capability Vouchers | Missed funded support and build capability that can increase success in future Grants and investment. |
Applying too early before financially ready | No co-funding = rejection. Low co-funding limits overall Grant funding |
Applying for Grants without a RoadMap | Reactive, not strategic and can mistime Grants and eligibility . |
Don’t Burn Eligibility Early
- Some grants are once-off.
- Applying too soon means you lose stacking leverage.
- You risk rejection on timing grounds — even if you're fundable later.
Always Talk To:
- Your RBP Growth Advisor
- Your Callaghan Customer Engagement Specialist _ Funding or RDTI
Bonus: NZ Government Grant Application Checklist
Before You Submit:
9. Grant-by-Grant Execution Tips
MSD Startup Support
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/grants-for-self-employment.html
- Apply before you start trading. Prepare a budget and training plan
- Tip: Be clear, not polished
Capability Vouchers (RBP)
https://regionalbusinesspartners.co.nz/
- Use early to fund pricing, GTM, operations
- Tip: Be specific about what capability you’re building
Callaghan Innovation (New to R&D)
https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2022-go3476
- Must have a scoped R&D project
- Tip: Use the “Uncertainty + New + Systematic” test
Exporting? Use NZEC Early
https://exportcredit.treasury.govt.nz/
- NZ Export Credit helps de-risk deals
- Tip: Bring a contract draft or live buyer convo
Aspire / Elevate (NZGCP)
- Need traction and a lead investor
- Tip: You can’t apply — investor submits
Bonus: R&D Tax Incentive vs Loss Credit
Option | Use Case | Execution Tip |
R&D Tax (15%) | Profitable or large-spend cos | Track labour logs and time in real-time |
Loss Credit (28%) | Pre-revenue startups | Cash out losses — but logs must be exact |
10. Frequently Asked Questions – Government Support for NZ Founders
What government support is available for startups in New Zealand?
How do I apply for Callaghan Innovation grants?
What is the Regional Business Partner (RBP) Network and how does it work?
Is MBIE still funding startups in 2025?
What is the 15% R&D Tax Incentive, and who qualifies?
What is the R&D Tax Loss Credit — and How Does It Work?
What is R&D and who qualifies?
How does the Callaghan Deep Tech Incubator program work, and how do I apply?
11. Master List: NZ Government Execution Links, Tools, & Resources
Site | What You Will Get | URL |
RBP Network – Regional Business Partners | Book a session with a Growth Advisor – the first step for all NZ startups. | |
MSD – Flexi-Wage for Self-Employment | Startup grants for founders coming off benefits (weekly subsidy). | |
NZTE – Exporter Education | Export strategy and capability development support for startups. | |
Te Puni Kōkiri – Māori Business Growth Support | Support programs tailored to Māori entrepreneurs. | |
Business Mentors NZ | General 1:1 business mentoring for early-stage founders. | |
Callaghan Innovation – R&D and Innovation Grants | Access to innovation funding such as New to R&D and Career Grants. | |
MBIE – NZ Government Startup Support | Central government agency supporting business innovation and R&D. | |
NZGCP – NZ Growth Capital Partners | Government-backed venture capital for scaling NZ startups. | |
Callaghan Innovation – New to R&D Grant | Co-funding for your first significant R&D project (up to $400K). | |
Callaghan Innovation – R&D Career Grants | Salary support for hiring a graduate into a startup R&D role. | |
Strategic Grants – Writing Examples | Templates and best practices for NZ charitable and business grant writing. | |
Public Trust – Charitable Grant Application Tips | 11 writing tips for stronger grant applications. | |
Hutt City Council – Proposal Guide | Community grant writing support with structured examples. | |
NZCT – Grant Application Guidance | How to apply successfully for NZCT grants. | |
MSD – Self Employment Grants | Startup grants for individuals on benefits, including startup essentials and training. | |
NZ Export Credit Agency (NZEC) | De-risk international deals with credit guarantees and insurance. | |
Capability Vouchers – Regional Business Partners | Early-stage co-funding for building pricing, ops, and GTM strategy. | |
Callaghan Innovation – New to R&D (Public Notice) | Gazette notice of funding requirements for New to R&D program. | |
Callaghan Innovation – R&D Experience Grants | Subsidised internships for student researchers. | |
Callaghan Innovation – Deep Tech Incubators | Co-funded deep tech startup support and commercialisation. | |
Business.govt.nz – Find Your RBP Partner | Search tool to locate your local Growth Advisor. | https://www.business.govt.nz/how-to-grow/regional-business-partner-network/find-your-local-regional-business-partner |
Regional Business Partners – Registration Page | Sign up for free advisory sessions and co-funding access. | |
R&D Tax Incentive (15%) | Info on claiming 15% credit on eligible R&D spend. | |
IRD – R&D Tax Incentive Admin | Inland Revenue portal for research & development tax credit. | |
IRD – Loss Tax Credit | Info on claiming 28% of R&D losses as cash for early-stage startups. |
VentureNest
https://www.venturenest.co.nz/
Your Strategic Partner for Start-up & Early-Stage Innovation
VentureNest empowers early-stage startups to navigate the complex journey from concept to commercialisation. We specialise in de-risking your innovation pathway, building robust strategies, and preparing your venture for sustainable growth and investment readiness.
Whether you're developing the next breakthrough in healthcare technology or revolutionising agricultural practices, VentureNest is your trusted partner for helping turn innovative ideas into commercial success.
