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Startup founders can’t afford to waste opportunities. But it’s easy for something to get lost when there is no central point of connection.
That’s the purpose of WFW Monthly.
New opportunities for Kiwi founders to save, raise, and make money.
Updated on the first of the month, every month
December 2025:
Emoji Key:
🚨 Upcoming application deadline
👀 Not new, but noteworthy.
Save Money
Aurora Climate Lab (Creative HQ)
https://creativehq.co.nz/aurora-climate-lab/
12-week accelerator for early climate-tech and clean-energy founders. Helps teams validate their solution, build a go-to-market plan, and become investor-ready through expert mentorship and industry connections. Designed to accelerate R&D-driven ideas into real commercial traction.
🚨 Applications open now.
Founder Catalyst (Ministry of Awesome)
https://ministryofawesome.com/founders_founder-catalyst/
A 9-month, remote-friendly, industry agnostic capability programme for early-stage founders. This is an equity-free way to reduce mistakes, save time, and strengthen your business model before scaling or raising. Focused on revenue generating startups looking to scale or raise their first round of funding.
🚨 Submit your EOI by 18 Jan 2026.
👀 Pre-Founder Catalyst (Ministry of Awesome)
https://ministryofawesome.com/founders/
A structured programme for founders who are already talking to customers, validating a problem, or testing an early beta. Best for pre-launch or pre-revenue founders who have signals of demand and need support moving toward first revenue.
Rolling applications, always open.
Investment Boost Tax Deduction (IRD)
https://www.ird.govt.nz/updates/news-folder/2025/claiming-investment-boost
All NZ businesses can immediately deduct 20% of eligible new assets in the year of purchase (in addition to depreciation). This Budget 2025 incentive improves cashflow and reduces tax burden for founders investing in equipment or capital assets.
Best for SMEs, early-stage builders, and bootstrapped founders needing upfront savings.
Employee Share Scheme Tax Deferral (IRD)
https://legalvision.co.nz/employment/employee-share-scheme-tax-changes/
From 1 Apr 2026, unlisted high-growth companies can defer income tax on employee share schemes until a liquidity event. This makes it cheaper to attract early talent without increasing salary cost.
Right now, startup employees often owe tax on shares long before they see any real money. The new 2026 rules fix this by letting tax be paid later, when the shares actually turn into cash.
Raise Money
Startmate Accelerator (Startmate)
https://www.startmate.com/accelerator
A cohort-based accelerator offering ~$120K investment, a 12-week programme, and access to a large investor network. Open to early-stage founders across ANZ in all sectors.
🚨 Applications for July 2026 close 10 May 2026.
AUT Innovation Fund (AUT Ventures)
https://ventures.aut.ac.nz/our-services/aut-innovation-fund
A new $5M fund launched in 2025 to invest directly in AUT-born startups. Eligible ventures must be based on AUT research, IP, or student/staff innovation. Provides pre-seed and seed capital to commercialise deep-tech and research-backed ventures.
Best for academic founders or university spin-outs.
Westpac NZ Start-Up Lending ($100M Commitment)
A new $100M lending pool for startups and young small businesses (<2 years old). Allows founders to finance equipment, inventory, or early operations without long trading histories. Debt-based capital can accelerate growth without dilution.
Requires business plan, cashflow forecast, and financials.
FlatMate Ventures
https://www.flatmateventures.com/
NZ’s first student-led VC fund for student-led startups.
FlatMate Ventures offers funding, mentorship, and access to a network of investors and operators, giving young founders a shot when traditional investors may not yet look.
👀 NZTE Investment Readiness & Capital Connections (NZTE)
https://www.nzte.govt.nz/page/invest-or-raise-capital-with-nzte
For founders preparing to raise growth capital. NZTE provides pitch feedback, investor-readiness coaching, and introductions to vetted NZ and international investors.
Best for global-ambition startups preparing for seed–Series A fundraising.
👀 Poutama Development Investment (Poutama Trust)
https://poutama.co.nz/poutama-development-investment/
50/50 matched co-funding (up to $10k per round; $30k lifetime) for Māori-owned businesses (≥50% ownership). Supports growth projects like product development, prototyping, equipment, or marketing.
Ideal for Māori SMEs and early-stage founders needing non-dilutive capital.
Make Money
Easier Government Contracts (Government Procurement Rules 2025)
New procurement rules (effective 1 Dec 2025) require agencies to allocate ≥10% scoring to NZ economic benefit and default to buying local for contracts under certain thresholds. This materially improves New Zealand companies’ chances of winning government work.
Register on GETS and highlight local economic impact.