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Startup Funding in New Zealand
Access a curated list of grants, funding programs, and investor directories — with up-to-date information on who funds NZ startups, how each program works, and where to apply.
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Founder Mental Health
Because fundraising involves high volumes of rejection in a short period of time.
💪 Abroad Wellbeing Programme (AANZ)
Mental resilience and leadership coaching for NZ founders and investors.
https://www.angelassociation.co.nz/4th-annual-wellbeing-programme-for-founders-and-investors/
The Abroad Wellbeing Programme, sponsored by the Angel Association New Zealand (AANZ), is a 3-month initiative designed to enhance leadership and mental wellbeing for startup founders and investors. The program includes weekly group sessions, personalized coaching, and assessments to support personal and professional growth. Subsidies reduce the cost per founder to $500.
🪖 Startup Survival Guides
Practical mental models for surviving (and thriving) in the NZ startup grind. From a seasoned NZ startup operator and advisor.
- Your Wellbeing in a Startup: https://deanrobertwatson.com/kiwi-startup-employee-survival-guide/#act1
- Your Mindset: https://deanrobertwatson.com/kiwi-startup-employee-survival-guide/#act3
- Startup Life as a Parent: https://deanrobertwatson.com/kiwi-startup-employee-survival-guide/#parents
🔄 Reframe Thoughts That Might Be Holding You Back
- Thinkladder- Explore Your Inner World and Become More Self Aware
Guided cognitive reframing tools for stress, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome.
- Why Fundraising is Not a Total Waste of Time
Fundraising isn’t just about capital - it sharpens your pitch, clarifies your value, and surfaces feedback that strengthens your customer strategy.
https://foundervc.org/blog/why-fundraising-is-not-a-total-waste-of-time
- How I Deal With Rejection as Someone Who Gets Rejected Most of The Time
A founder’s guide to transforming rejection into growth through strategic feedback filtering.
https://foundervc.org/blog/how-i-deal-with-rejection-as-someone-who-gets-rejected-most-of-the-time
Explore New Zealand’s Funding Directories
Build an actionable investor target list with these trusted directories — including two crowdsourced, live-updated resources from the startup community, giving you real-time visibility into active investors and ecosystem support.
Startup Aotearoa’s Startup Support Explorer — Structured, filterable ecosystem map of New Zealand’s VCs and angel investment networks.
Angel Association of New Zealand (AANZ) Member Directory — Your go-to directory for verified angel networks and VCs backing early-stage New Zealand startups.
Live, crowdsourced database of New Zealand VC funds, angels, and active investors, managed by Blackbird Ventures and Global from Day One.
Optional- Airtree’s crowdsourced List of Active VCs and Angel Investors in Australia — A community-built list of active VCs and angel investors across ANZ.
Government Grants for Startups in New Zealand (Updated 2025)
Discover the latest government funding opportunities available to New Zealand startups, including eligibility requirements and application deadlines.
Best for: Early-stage founders with validated ideas or prototypes that align with national priorities and need non-dilutive funding to reach product-market fit.
Looking for the only complete list of New Zealand government support?
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Government Support for Startups & SMEs in New Zealand (2025)Source | Description | Year of Last Update | Direct Link |
Startup Aotearoa — Startup Grants NZ | Select 'grants' in Startup Aotearoa's Startup Support to see a list of grants available to NZ incorporated startups. | 2025 | |
Mum's Garage — Startup and Small Business Grants NZ | A comprehensive list of the grants that are available to NZ startups and businesses and how to apply for them. | 2024 | |
AirTree — Top Startup Grants NZ | Startup-friendly initiatives to help start businesses and support research and development activities. | 2024 | |
Edition — Grants for New Zealand Startups | Practical guide to NZ startup grants with a clear breakdown of major funding categories, eligibility criteria, and application timing. | 2024 | |
Business.govt.nz — Government Grants NZ | Government support including grants, low-cost business advice and mentoring. | 2024 | |
HTK Startup — Finding the Right Startup Grant | A summary of key government grants, including links to apply. | 2025 |
Angel Investment Networks
Early-stage capital from high-net-worth individuals investing their own money and network access.
Best for: Founders seeking early belief capital, flexible terms, and active mentorship.
Source | Description | Year of Last Update | Direct Link |
Startup Aotearoa — Angel Investors NZ | Select 'Funding — Angel Investment' in Startup Aotearoa's Startup Support to see a list of angel investors available to NZ incorporated startups. | 2025 | |
Angel Association New Zealand (AANZ) — Member Directory | NZ angel and venture capital network directory. Lists active angel groups and investors by region. Cleanest, most specific source. | 2025 | |
ADI Clinic- Free Advice for NZ Founders from Angel Investors | ADI.Clinic offers free 30-minute sessions where New Zealand founders receive candid advice, connections, and potential funding opportunities from experienced angel investors in an informal, no-pitch setting. | 2025 |
Venture Capital Firm Directories
Equity investment from professional funds aiming for high-growth returns and significant exit outcomes.
Best for: Startups with scalable growth potential preparing for larger rounds and exit pathways.
Source | Description | Year of Last Update | Direct Link |
Startup Aotearoa — VCs NZ | Select 'Funding — VC' in Startup Aotearoa's Startup Support to see a list of VCs available to NZ incorporated startups. | 2025 | |
Blackbird / Global From Day 1 — Crowdsourced VC Database | A live, crowdsourced list of NZ VC funds and active investors. | 2025 | |
Callaghan Innovation- Ecosystem Directory | Callaghan Innovation’s Ecosystem Directory is a curated guide to New Zealand’s innovation landscape, connecting startups with funding, growth support, and sector-specific resources across the country. | 2025 | |
Icehouse Ventures — VCs NZ | Comprehensive directory of active VC investors in NZ with focus areas, portfolios, and key contacts. | 2025 | |
Angel Association New Zealand (AANZ) — Member Directory | NZ angel and venture capital network directory. Lists active angel groups and investors by region. Cleanest, most specific source. | 2025 | |
Crunchbase- New Zealand Venture Capital Investors
| List of venture capital investors headquartered in New Zealand | 2025 | |
Optional:
NZGCP — NZ Growth Capital Partners Portfolio | A view into government-backed funds and their NZ venture investments. | 2025 | |
Optional:
Airtree- Fundraising In Australia- An Open Sourced List | A live, crowdsourced list of Active VCs and Angel Investors in Australia — A community-built list of active VCs and angel investors across ANZ. | 2025 |
Accelerators (Funding-Oriented)
Structured programs that provide upfront capital in addition to mentorship, and investor access in exchange for equity.
Best for: Early-stage startups seeking capital, visibility, and momentum ahead of larger fundraising rounds.
Accelerators in this listing give money in exchange for equity. Looking for a full list of all incubators, accelerators, and startup programs in Aotearoa New Zealand?
AcceleratorsSource | Description | Year of Last Update | Direct Link |
Startmate Accelerator | Startmate invests in ambitious New Zealand and Australian founders building early-stage, high-growth startups. The program includes capital, intensive mentorship, and access to Startmate’s investor and operator community. | 2024 |
Startmate Key Details (2024):
- Eligibility: Open to New Zealand and Australian founders
- Cohorts: Two cohorts per year (Summer and Winter)
- Instrument: Priced round, ordinary equity (not SAFE or convertible note)
- Equity: 7.5% ordinary shares
- Investment: AUD $120,000
Crowdfunding
Public capital raise from many small investors.
Best for: Consumer-facing or community-driven startups raising smaller rounds while building brand advocates.
Source | Description | Year of Last Update | Actively Seeking Deals? | Ideal Use Case | Direct Link |
PledgeMe | Equity crowdfunding platform operating in New Zealand and Australia, enabling startups to raise capital from retail and wholesale investors through public or private offerings. | 2025 | Yes | Ideal for mission-driven or community-focused startups that want to combine capital raising with community building. | |
Snowball Effect | New Zealand-based equity crowdfunding platform specialising in curated private offers and public capital raises for high-growth startups and growth companies. | 2025 | Yes | Good for founders seeking larger rounds with a more curated investor base. Snowball Effect offers more private raises and often higher average check sizes. |
Revenue-Based Financing
Non-dilutive funding repaid from future revenue.
Best for: Revenue-generating startups seeking fast, flexible capital without giving up ownership.
Source | Description | Year of Last Update | Actively Seeking Deals? | Ideal Use Case | Direct Link |
Tractor Ventures | VC firm providing non-dilutive growth capital for startups with predictable revenue streams. | 2025 | Yes | Best for revenue-generating SaaS or tech businesses seeking growth capital without dilution. Flexible repayment terms tied to revenue performance. | |
Clear.co (formerly Clearbanc) | Revenue-based financing platform providing non-dilutive growth capital to e-commerce and SaaS businesses, based on revenue data and performance metrics. | 2025 | Yes | Ideal for e-commerce and subscription-based startups with predictable revenue looking for fast, non-dilutive capital to scale marketing or inventory. | |
BNZ Revenue-Based Financing (RBF) | Non-dilutive growth capital for scaling NZ SaaS businesses, tied to ARR. Up to $2M, with no personal guarantees and tech-focused support. | 2025 | Yes | SaaS startups at $500K+ ARR needing capital to extend runway without dilution. | |
BNZ Project Scale Up | Bespoke growth financing and founder support for NZ tech companies at $5M+ revenue. Includes working capital, acquisition capital, and expert advisory. | 2025 | Yes | Mature NZ tech businesses scaling revenue, exploring acquisition, or financing growth rounds. |
Venture Debt
Debt financing structured for startups, typically with fixed terms, warrants, and flexible repayments.
Best for: Growth-stage startups with predictable revenue streams looking to extend runway without giving up equity.
Source | Description | Year of Last Update | Actively Seeking Deals? | Ideal Use Case | Direct Link |
HSBC Venture Debt for NZ Startups | HSBC has extended its venture debt offering to New Zealand, targeting growth-stage startups with strong institutional backing. | 2025 | Yes | Available to startups at Series C or later with $20M+ in annual revenue, 20%+ year-on-year growth, and at least $25M in capital raised. Loan sizes start at NZD $10M. Funding supports runway extension, international expansion, and strategic growth. Includes access to HSBC’s global banking network and digital tools. |
What Founders Want — NZ startup tools, templates, grants & funding in one place
Pages — Start a Startup · Government Support · Get Funded · Accelerators · Templates · Perks · Tools · NZ Startup Ecosystem Directory · Editorial Contributors
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