The fastest way to access NZ’s startup support organisations without building your own tracker.
Whether you're building your first venture or scaling your startup, this founder-first directory maps the most relevant startup support across Aotearoa. From regional innovation hubs and university startup programmes to Māori and Pasifika-led initiatives, women-focused founder support, and deep tech commercialisation units—this is your up-to-date, industry-agnostic guide to navigating New Zealand’s startup ecosystem. Built for speed, clarity, and real founder needs.
For first-time founders, Series A builders, and global founders scaling into NZ.
Quick Navigation →
- New Zealand Industry Agnostic Startup Support Hubs, by Region
- NZ Māori & Pasifika Founder Support
- NZ Founder Support for Women
- NZ Deep Tech Innovation Hubs & University Commercialisation Departments
- NZ University Entrepreneurship Organisations & Support Networks
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Talk to a Person - Startup Aotearoa
Free 30 minutes of startup advice from someone who’s been there, done that.
1. New Zealand Industry Agnostic Startup Innovation Hubs, by Region
Find local startup incubators and innovation hubs across NZ—from Auckland to Invercargill. Regional founder support for all industries, stages, and business types.
Looking for a full list of all accelerator, incubator, advice, and learning opportunities for Kiwi founders?
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Accelerators
Founder Institute ANZ — New Zealand-Wide / Remote
Who it’s for: Idea, seed, and scale-stage ANZ startups
What You’ll Get: Global network of startup incubators, accelerators, and investors on a mission to activate and empower communities of entrepreneurs worldwide.
- FI Core- Idea, seed, and traction- stage accelerators
- FI ANZ Events- Global opportunities for Kiwi startup founders
- FI Resources- Global benchmarks, capital raising tools, free templates and add-value bootcamps to streamline your startup
Startup Aotearoa — New Zealand-Wide / Remote
Free 30 minutes of startup advice from someone who’s been there, done that.
Startmate ANZ — New Zealand-Wide / Remote
Trans-Tasman accelerator and founder fellowship supporting startups across New Zealand and Australia. Offers industry-agnostic mentoring, investment access, and cohort-based programs for early-stage founders and operators.
Northland Inc — Northland
https://northlandnz.com/business/
Northland Inc supports startups and businesses through funding, mentoring, and regional growth initiatives.
Creative HQ — Wellington
Wellington’s leading startup hub with accelerators, founder programs, and community events.
The Icehouse- Auckland
A nationwide business growth centre for SME founders offering leadership programmes, mentoring, and community support.
GridAKL — Auckland
Auckland’s innovation precinct offering coworking, startup events, and community programs.
Soda Inc — Waikato
Startup incubator and growth ecosystem in Hamilton, supporting founders with programs and access to investors.
Priority One — Bay of Plenty
https://www.priorityone.co.nz/
Western Bay of Plenty’s economic development agency supporting innovation and startup growth.
Venture Centre- Bay of Plenty / Tauranga
Social enterprise and innovation hub focused on impact and purpose-driven entrepreneurs—provides ideation incubation, mentoring, coworking space, community events and startup weekends, often at no or low cost to founders
Te Ōhaka – Christchurch
Christchurch’s startup incubator, supporting high-growth companies with founder-first programs.
HTK StartUp- Christchurch
A values-led accelerator offering free, cohort‑based incubator and activator programmes with business health assessments, advisory, tech coaching, and desk space.
Ministry of Awesome- Christchurch
https://ministryofawesome.com/
Christchurch leading startup hub with accelerators, founder programs, and community events.
Startup Dunedin – Dunedin
https://www.startupdunedin.nz/
Dunedin’s entrepreneurial hub providing founder support, programs, and ecosystem connections.
Startup Queenstown - Queenstown
https://www.startupqueenstownlakes.com/
Startup Queenstown Lakes supports founders across the Queenstown Lakes District with programs, mentorship, and resources to launch and scale innovative ventures.
Doso — Taranaki
Building and growing a strong, inclusive & connected entrepreneurial ecosystem in Taranaki, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Venture Taranaki — Taranaki
Regional development agency providing startup support, mentoring, and funding pathways.
The Factory — Palmerston North
https://www.thefactorynz.co.nz/
Startup incubator and investor network in Palmerston North, focused on founder growth.
😇 ADI Clinic — Free Advice for NZ Founders from Angel Investors
Booking: https://www.adi.clinic/bookings/
ADI.Clinic provides free 30-minute sessions with experienced angel investors across New Zealand, offering founders practical advice, warm intros, and potential funding pathways in a low-pressure, no-pitch environment. Run by Flying Kiwi Angels (FKA), it’s a trusted starting point for early-stage founders seeking honest investor feedback.
2. NZ Māori & Pasifika Founder Support
Explore kaupapa Māori and Pasifika-led business networks and funding programmes designed to back Indigenous entrepreneurs across Aotearoa.
Organisation | Reach | Focus | URL |
Poutama Trust | Māori NZ-wide | Business development, mentoring, export readiness | https://www.poutama.co.nz/ |
Ngā Aho | Māori design pros | Networking, design innovation | https://www.ngaaho.maori.nz/ |
Ārewa | Māori | Training, workshops, founder coaching | http://www.arewa.nz/ |
Toiere | Te Tauihu region | Regional networking & events | https://www.toiere.nz/ |
Pasifika Social Club | Pasifika NZ‑wide | Community visibility, resources | https://www.pasifikasocial.club/ |
Pacific Business Trust | Pasifika NZ‑wide | Health-checks, training, mentoring | https://www.pacificbusiness.co.nz/ |
Hatch Pacific | Pasifika youth | Startup coaching & idea development | https://www.hatchpacific.co.nz/ |
WPBN | Wellington Pasifika | Networking, workshops, community | https://wellingtonpasifikabusinessnetwork.com/ |
3. NZ Founder Support for Women
Access women-focused startup resources, founder programmes, and investment pathways built to support wāhine entrepreneurs across New Zealand.
Link Name | Summary | URL |
Powrsuit NZ | A career accelerator for women at every stage | https://powrsuit.com/ |
NZTE InvestHer | Investment showcase & coaching for female founders | https://www.nzte.govt.nz/blog/investher-nztes-female-founder-investment-showcase |
KiwiNet WILD Program | Leadership & governance training for women in STEM | https://wildforstem.com |
Aotearoa Centre for Enterprising Women | Entrepreneurship education & support via University of Auckland | https://www.enterprisingwomen.ac.nz |
ArcAngels | Angel investment network for women-led NZ startups | https://www.icehouseventures.co.nz/ |
Artesian Female Leaders Fund | Venture fund for female-led Series A/B companies | https://femaleleaders.vc |
Scale Investors | Angel group and fund investing in women-led startups | https://scaleinvestors.com.au |
Electrify Accelerator | 12-week accelerator for women and non-binary founders | https://electrifyaccelerator.co.nz |
Soda Inc. RISE UP | Mini accelerator & seed grant for female founders | https://www.sodainc.com/start-ups/rise-up |
Christchurch Foundation Women Entrepreneurs Fund | Grants to cover early-stage costs for women founders | https://www.christchurchfoundation.org.nz/women-entrepreneurs-fund |
Co.OfWomen | Private coaching & community for NZ businesswomen | https://coofwomen.biz |
She Owns It | Directory and network for NZ women business owners | https://www.sheownsit.co.nz |
Girls in Business NZ | Events & forums for young women entrepreneurs | https://www.girlsinbusiness.org.nz |
Entrepreneurial Women with Purpose | Purpose-driven business support for women | https://entrepreneurialwomenwithpurpose.com |
TechWomen NZ | Mentoring & programs for women in tech | https://techwomen.nz |
Women Entrepreneurship Centre | Workshops & mentoring for migrant women founders | http://wencentre.org.nz |
4. NZ Deep Tech Innovation Hubs & Commercialisation Departments
Discover deep tech venture labs, university spinout support, and commercialisation units powering science-led innovation and IP-backed startups in NZ.
Looking for a full list of all accelerator, incubator, advice, and learning opportunities for Kiwi founders?
AcceleratorsNZ Deep Tech Innovation Hubs
KiwiNet — Kiwi Innovation Network
KiwiNet connects cutting-edge research with commercialisation support, helping science-backed startups access funding, expertise, and pathways to market across Aotearoa.
Return on Science (& Momentum)
https://www.returnonscience.co.nz/
https://www.returnonscience.co.nz/momentum
Momentum and Return On Science run investment committees of students and experts who give free feedback on science-based startup ideas.
MacDiarmid Institute
Advanced materials and nanotech research network supporting deep tech founders through science-led innovation, postgrad talent, and commercialisation pathways
Newmarket Innovation Precinct (NIP)
National R&D and startup hub hosted by the University of Auckland, supporting deep-tech and MedTech ventures through lab access, talent, and industry partnerships. Open to startups across New Zealand.
Sprout Agritech
New Zealand’s leading agrifoodtech accelerator and investor, turning bold ideas and breakthrough science into globally scalable startups.
Outset Ventures
An early‑stage deep tech incubator and VC, championing Aotearoa New Zealand’s deep tech founders with capital and access to facilities to scale globally.
NZ Deep Tech Commercialisation Departments
AUT Ventures — Auckland University of Technology
https://www.aut.ac.nz/ventures
AUT’s commercialisation arm, connecting research with global partners, startups, and investors.
Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) – University of Auckland
https://www.cie.auckland.ac.nz
Free suite of startup programmes, events, and incubators — from early ideation to venture scaling. Includes co-working space, startup grants, product development sprints, and tailored Māori and Pasifika initiatives.
UniServices — University of Auckland
https://www.uniservices.co.nz/
University of Auckland’s research commercialisation arm, advancing innovations from lab to market globally.
Innovation & Impact - University of Waikato
https://www.waikato.ac.nz/about/calendar/general-services/waikatolink/
Innovation & Impact is UW’s technology transfer office, responsible for turning university research into commercial ventures through IP protection, licensing, and startup support.
Lincoln Agritech — Lincoln University
https://www.lincolnagritech.co.nz/
A research and development company owned by Lincoln University, focusing on innovative solutions in agriculture and environmental sciences.
Wellington UniVentures — Victoria University of Wellington
https://www.wellingtonuniventures.nz/
The university's commercialisation office, working with researchers to advance ground-breaking ideas and inventions.
Research and Innovation — University of Canterbury
https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/research/ip-and-commercialisation
Assists UC researchers to assess, protect and commercialise research and intellectual property for New Zealand and global impact.
Otago Innovation- University of Otago
Guides UO researchers from early-stage discovery through funding (e.g. activator grants), intellectual property protection, market validation, and connections to industry to launch research innovations into commercial impact.
5. NZ University Entrepreneurship Organisations & Support Networks (Industry Agnostic)
Uncover co-curricular startup hubs, founder clubs, and student accelerator programmes across every major NZ university—open to all disciplines.
Name | University | Summary | URL |
Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) | University of Auckland | Full co-curricular innovation ecosystem including Unleash Space, Velocity programme, founder coaching, and access to incubator resources | https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/cie.html |
Velocity Programme | University of Auckland | Flagship student and staff startup programme with $100K Challenge, mentorship, and venture studio access | https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/cie/about-us/velocity.html |
AUT Startup Club | Auckland University of Technology | Student-led club with startup meetups, Vision-to-Venture events, workshops, and founder community | https://www.autsa.org.nz/clubs-and-communities/aut-startup-club |
AUT Ventures – Drop-In Support & Idea2Impact | Auckland University of Technology | Open founder clinics, early-stage validation coaching, and access to founder pathway support (non-TTO) | https://ventures.aut.ac.nz/our-services/services-for-aut-students |
UC Centre for Entrepreneurship (UCE) | University of Canterbury | Offers Summer Startup accelerator, Disrupt Challenge, workshops, and team-based venture development support | https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/our-structure/faculties/business-faculty/centre-for-entrepreneurship/ |
ThincLab Canterbury | University of Canterbury | Tailored cohort and one-on-one advisory programmes for high‑growth or research‑based startups, with industry focus including agritech, healthtech, aerospace and cleantech | https://www.thinclab.nz/ |
Entre Clubs | University of Canterbury | Student-led entrepreneurship societies running events, pitch nights, and innovation community activities | https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/uce |
The Atom – Te Kahu o Te Ao | Victoria University of Wellington | Cross-faculty innovation space offering startup workshops, community programmes, and venture support | https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/innovation/the-atom |
Taiawa Wellington Tech Hub | Victoria University of Wellington | Co-working and innovation hub hosted by Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in collaboration with WellingtonNZ. | https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/innovation/taiawa |
VESA (Victoria Entrepreneurship & Start-up Association) | Victoria University of Wellington | Student-led community running networking events, talks, and startup showcases linked to The Atom | https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/innovation/the-atom
https://www.instagram.com/vesa_vuw/ |
Student Enterprise @ Massey | Massey University | Multi-campus student enterprise support including Grand Ideas Challenge, Sprint programme, and startup coaching | https://enterprise.massey.ac.nz/ |
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.