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A Note on International Opportunities
This edition features expanded coverage of US, Singapore, and Australian opportunities open to NZ founders.
A few things worth knowing before you apply:
🇦🇺 Australia treats AU and NZ as one market for most programmes. NZ incorporation is generally fine.
🇸🇬 Singapore is more interventionist. Many flagship programmes (especially government-backed ones like Startup SG) require Singapore incorporation. Singapore allows 100% foreign ownership and incorporation is fast and low-cost, so it's a real but manageable cost of entry if you're serious about the Southeast Asia market.
🇺🇸 United States is the most structural. Most top accelerators (Y Combinator, Antler US, South Park Commons, IndieBio/SOSV) require a Delaware C-corp "flip" on acceptance, typically NZ$15K-50K+ in legal fees plus ongoing US tax compliance, plus a US work visa pathway (O-1, E-2). Alchemist Accelerator is a notable exception that accommodates your existing country of incorporation.
Every international entry below carries the International Opportunity tag.
Tags
Industry Agnostic
Deep Tech
Health Tech
Ag Tech
International Opportunity
B2B SaaS
Creative Tech & Retail
FinTech
Artificial Intelligence
Women
Māori / Pasifika
If You Only Do Two Things This Month
WFW’s Ecosystem Experts highlight two opportunities they’d prioritise from this month’s list.
Lane’s June Highlights:
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WFW NZ Government Support Directory - Every live government initiative, updated for 2026
Blackbird Foundry Fellowship - Building technical talent for frontier tech
Joe’s June Highlights:
Startup World Cup - Global pitch competition by Pegasus Tech Ventures x Creative HQ with a $1M prize
Business Resilience Training (MBIE / RBPN) - Free, fully funded business resilience training for NZ SMEs
Subscribe to get WFW Monthly - and everything else WFW ships - in your inbox once a month.
Join hundreds of NZ founders already on the list.
Save Money
NZ Government Support Directory - Updated for 2026
Industry Agnostic
https://whatfounderswant.com/the-directories/nz-government-support-directory-2026
Every live government initiative for NZ startup and SME founders in 2026.
Clear eligibility, updated links, and a direct path to the next step.
Foundry Fellowship - Blackbird
Deep Tech · International Opportunity
https://www.foundryfellowship.com
Program for technical people entering frontier tech as an operator or founder. Learn from leaders building the world's best frontier tech companies, get 1:1 time with Blackbird investors, and leave with a published artefact showing how you think. No capital attached.
🚨 Applications close 21 June 2026
Business Resilience Training - MBIE & Regional Business Partner Network
Industry Agnostic
https://www.business.govt.nz/operations/resilient-business/business-resilience-training
Free, fully funded business resilience training for NZ small and medium enterprises. The Adapting to Change workshop supports NZ business owners and teams to anticipate, respond to, and adapt to change through practical tools, guided reflection, and business planning strategies.
Delivered nationwide through the Regional Business Partner Network as a series of workshops and webinars. Online content is also uploaded to business.govt.nz so businesses can access support on demand.
To access: contact your local Regional Business Partner
(Wellington dates in Standout Regional Opportunities, below)
Startup Insurance in New Zealand
Industry Agnostic
https://whatfounderswant.com/expert-editions/startup-insurance-in-new-zealand
Ed Barker of Partridge Advisory writes the stage-by-stage guide for New Zealand founders on when insurance becomes real and what actually creates personal and company exposure.
What to do at each moment of the startup journey, without wasting money or time before you need to.
F6S Deals
Industry Agnostic · International Opportunity
The largest free, open-access startup perks library globally - thousands of deals across hosting, AI, design, software, and tools. Direct partnerships with AWS, HubSpot, and hundreds of others. Free F6S profile required to claim.
Geography is not a blocker for NZ founders.
NZ Startup (Service Provider) Spotlight:
DoLabs Build Programme- Do AI & KissLabs
Industry Agnostic · Artificial Intelligence
A five-week, hands-on build programme run by two NZ studios: Do AI (applied AI product development) and KissLabs (brand and growth strategy). Founders learn to build using modern AI workflows with support from technical mentors and designers, and leave with a working MVP, brand identity, messaging framework, and investor pitch deck.
Founders who would otherwise hire a dev shop to build their MVP spend $50k–$100k+ and still leave without knowing how to build. DoLabs costs $25k and you leave able to keep building yourself.
This is a paid commercial service, not a grant or subsidised programme. Not the right fit if you're still figuring out your problem or need a co-founder more than a build programme. Cohorts are capped at four companies.
🚨 Applications open now for next cohort
💸 $25,000 per startup
Raise Money
PIER71 Smart Port Challenge 2026 - Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore + NUS Enterprise
Deep Tech · Ag Tech · Artificial Intelligence · International Opportunity
https://pier71.sg/smart-port-challenge-2026/
10th edition global maritime innovation challenge, structured around 20 specific challenges from 19 industry partners. Shortlisted startups join 10-week SPC Accelerate in Singapore with mentorship, workshops and corporate matchmaking.
Graduates can apply for MPA's MINT grant of up to S$100K (pilot) or S$250K (new product development). Cross-industry tech welcome via Open Category.
Strong fit for cleantech, AI, logistics, cybersecurity, or AgTech founders with maritime applications.
🚨 Applications close 15 June 2026
SLINGSHOT 2026 - Enterprise Singapore
Deep Tech · International Opportunity
https://www.agorize.com/en/challenges/slingshot-2026-edition
Asia's flagship deep-tech startup pitching competition, 10th edition. S$1.62M prize pool: Grand Winner S$400K, 1st Runner-Up S$300K, 2nd Runner-Up S$200K, each Top 10 receives S$80K.
Top 50 Global Startups get a sponsored Singapore trip for one founder, immersion programme 22-24 October, a pitch slot at SWITCH, and EntrePass eligibility for international applicants. Free to enter.
NZ-incorporated startups qualify; no Singapore incorporation required.
🚨 Applications close 30 June 2026
MBIE AI Advisory Pilot - Co-funding for AI Strategy
Industry Agnostic · Artificial Intelligence
Up to 50% co-funding (capped at $15,000) to develop an AI strategy or implementation plan with an MBIE-registered advisor. Open to NZ businesses with fewer than 500 employees, trading for at least 12 months.
Access is through your local Regional Business Partner hub, not a direct open application. If you're not already an RBP customer, connect with your regional hub first and raise your hand for it.
🚨 Closes 30 June 2026
Startup World Cup - Creative HQ
Industry Agnostic
https://creativehq.co.nz/build-for-founders/startup-world-cup-new-zealand/
Startup World Cup is a global pitch competition powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures, connecting top startups to investors and the chance to pitch in Silicon Valley for a USD $1 million investment prize.
Each year, Creative HQ hosts the New Zealand Final in Wellington, bringing together startups from across the motu to pitch live in front of an expert judging panel, investors and the wider innovation community.
🚨 Applications open June 2026
Antler Singapore (SEA-AI-4 cohort) - Antler
Industry Agnostic · International Opportunity
Full-time in-person residency in Singapore. Co-founder matching, masterclasses, S$2,500/month stipend for first 2.5 months. If selected by Investment Committee: US$150K for 10% equity (US$100K SAFE + US$50K uncapped SAFE), with up to US$250K follow-on. Antler: "If selected, Antler Singapore can help you with your visa if required."
Note: this is a build-in-Singapore programme; expect to operate from Singapore post-residency
🚨 Rolling applications · SEA-AI-4 cohort starts 20 July 2026 · Singapore (in-person, full-time)
Antler US (US-S26) also runs rolling intake across San Francisco, New York City, and Austin. US$250K at a US$2.75M post-money valuation (9.09% via SAFE). Requires US work authorisation; Antler offers visa support if selected. https://www.antler.co/location/us
Remarkable Scaler - Cerebral Palsy Alliance
Deep Tech · International Opportunity
https://www.remarkable.org/accelerator
Direct investment for disability, ageing, and health tech startups at Seed to Series A. Minimum A$200,000 investment, plus coaching, mentoring, and industry connections.
Open to startups in Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Singapore, UK, and US. Past NZ alumni include Rhetorica and Intermentis.
🚨 Rolling applications
Alchemist Accelerator
B2B SaaS · International Opportunity
https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/
Six-month accelerator exclusively for enterprise/B2B startups. Strong on enterprise sales and Demo Day to top-tier VCs. Rare advantage: "Our investment structure is flexible and accommodates your country of incorporation."
No Delaware flip required.
🚨 Rolling applications · San Francisco (hybrid)
VC Teardowns | How NZ VCs Evaluate Startups
Industry Agnostic
https://whatfounderswant.com/vc-teardowns
A public series showing how New Zealand VCs evaluate early-stage startups, step by step, from first email to investment decision.
Two new deep tech teardowns evaluated by Ashwath Sundaresan, formerly Pacific Channel, now Long Arc Advisory.
Opportunities to raise money from last month that are still active and worth acting on.
Still Open (from May)
Make Money
Co-working Spaces in New Zealand
Industry Agnostic
https://whatfounderswant.com/the-directories/co-working-spaces-in-new-zealand
Every verified co-working space in New Zealand, organised by region.
The only free, comprehensive directory of co-working spaces across Aotearoa, built for founders, freelancers, remote workers, and early-stage teams.
L'Oréal Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program 2026 - L'Oréal SAPMENA
Creative Tech & Retail · Artificial Intelligence · International Opportunity
https://bigbang.lorealsapmena.com
L'Oréal's open-innovation competition for ANZ startups across five tracks: Connected Brand Experience, Creators & Affiliates, AI-Powered Commerce, Science for Beauty, Innovation for Good.
Top three SAPMENA Grand Finale winners receive a fully funded commercial pilot with one of L'Oréal's 40 global brands (L'Oréal Paris, Maybelline, Lancôme, Kiehl's, Garnier, others), plus a year of executive mentorship.
🚨 Applications close 3 July 2026
BLOCK71 Singapore Tracks - NUS Enterprise
Industry Agnostic · Artificial Intelligence · International Opportunity
Singapore's most established startup hub (1,600+ ventures since 2011).
General Track: For startups across all industries up to Series A.
Up to 3 years of hands-on guidance and mentorship, global networking opportunities, up to 3 years of co-working space at BLOCK71 Singapore.
AI Accelerate 2026 (in partnership with Microsoft): For AI startups looking to build traction and commercial pilots.
Up to S$1.2M in Startup SG POC/POV grants and pilot opportunities for selected startups, 10-week AI sprint programme with mentorship from Microsoft and BLOCK71, full incubation support and workspace access.
Foreign founders eligible: BLOCK71 requires startups to "incorporate in Singapore within six months of the programme's start." Soft-landing path into the Singapore market.
🚨 Applications for the Fall Cohort 2026 close 31 July
Plug and Play APAC - Plug and Play
Industry Agnostic · International Opportunity
https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/innovation-services/our-programs
Global open innovation platform (APAC HQ in Singapore since 2010).
60+ industry-focused accelerator programmes (fintech, insurtech, health, supply chain, sustainability, mobility, smart cities) connecting startups with 550+ corporate partners for pilots and commercial deals.
Equity-free corporate-pilot focus.
🚨 Rolling admissions year-round · Singapore + across APAC
Intersekt 2026 - FinTech Australia
FinTech · International Opportunity
https://www.intersektfestival.com
Australia's largest fintech festival, 10th edition. Two days of international and national speakers, roundtables, workshops, satellite events, and networking.
2025 hosted 1,000+ attendees from 220+ fintechs and 11 government agencies. Has sold out a week in advance for three years running.
🚨 3-4 September 2026 · Crown Promenade, Melbourne VIC
💸 Paid event over $200
NZ Tech Expo 2026
Industry Agnostic
Annual tech expo bringing together 3,000+ attendees and 80+ exhibitors across the NZ tech sector. Includes lightning talks, live product demos, and sector-specific activations.
Most useful for founders who need high-volume networking, want to demo a product, or are actively looking for enterprise customers and distribution partners.
🚨 18 September 2026 · Auckland
SWITCH 2026 - Enterprise Singapore
Industry Agnostic · International Opportunity
Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology. Asia's premier innovation festival.
Hosts SLINGSHOT finals (see Raise Money, above), 25,000+ attendees from 100+ markets, deep tech masterclasses, market expansion programming, investor matchmaking. SWITCH attendee pass is free.
🚨 27-29 October 2026 · Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore · Free attendee pass
Singapore FinTech Festival 2026 - MAS, GFTN and Constellar
FinTech · International Opportunity
https://www.fintechfestival.sg/
11th edition. World's largest fintech gathering. 2025 drew 70,000+ participants from 142 countries, 900+ speakers across 300 sessions, six thematic stages, startup and technology zones, Investor Hours, and a week of side events.
Premier deal-making venue in the region for fintech and AI founders.
🚨 18-20 November 2026 · Singapore EXPO
West Tech Fest 2026
Industry Agnostic · International Opportunity
Australia's longest-running tech and innovation festival, held across Perth. Connects founders with global investors and tech leaders.
Includes the City of Perth Innovation Showcase, Young Entrepreneurs Showcase, and West Tech Pitch. 2026 passes on sale at 2025 prices.
🚨 7-11 December 2026 · Perth, Western Australia
💸 Paid event over $200
NZTE Singapore - New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
Industry Agnostic · International Opportunity
https://www.nzte.govt.nz/page/contact-our-south-east-and-east-asia-offices
NZ government's free in-market support service in Singapore for NZ founders entering Southeast Asia. Export advice, market know-how, partner connections.
On 10 October 2025, NZTE signed a three-year Enhanced Partnership for Growth with Enterprise Singapore covering Trade & Connectivity and Technology & Innovation. Joint industry events, business delegations and B2B exchanges to flow through 2026.
Growth sectors named: HealthTech, CleanTech, FoodTech. NZTE does not charge for its time.
🚨 Standing service · Singapore office + online consults · Free for NZ businesses
Standout Regional Opportunities & Events
Scaling Welly Tech - Creative HQ
Industry Agnostic
https://events.creativehq.co.nz/ScalingWellyTech
A working session for Wellington's tech community. Practical masterclasses, conversations and curated connections with founders, leaders, investors and operators. Leave sharper, better connected, and with a clearer map of the local ecosystem.
🚨 4 June 2026 · Wellington
Electrify Aotearoa - Ministry of Awesome
Industry Agnostic · Women
https://electrifyaotearoa.co.nz/
High-energy gathering spotlighting women building ambitious companies across sectors.
🚨 9-10 June 2026 · Auckland
💸 Paid event over $200
Welly Fintech: The Trade-offs - Creative HQ
B2B SaaS
https://events.creativehq.co.nz/FintechWellyTheTrade-offsadeepdiveindeliverysessions
The third Welly Fintech meetup featuring a panel on product strategy trade-offs. Local fintech leaders get honest about the decisions that shape companies. Good entry point into Wellington's fintech community.
🚨 11 June 2026 · Wellington
The Unseen Hand: A Cybersecurity Adventure for Founders
Industry Agnostic
https://events.humanitix.com/a-cybersecurity-adventure-for-founders
An immersive two-hour scenario where a small group of founders practise spotting risk, making calls under pressure, and escalating during a simulated security incident. Practical risk-readiness for founders who know security matters but aren't sure what to do when something goes wrong.
🚨 11 June 2026 · Wellington
Future Talent Summit - Summer of Tech & Creative HQ
Industry Agnostic
https://events.creativehq.co.nz/FutureTalentSummit
The Wellington Future Talent Summit brings together grads, founders, hiring teams, educators, recruiters, policymakers, students, ecosystem leaders and doers to rethink how talent connects to opportunity.
🚨 18 June 2026 · Wellington
Wellington Business Resilience Training - Wellington NZ, Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Business Central NZ, Wellington Pasifika Business Network
Industry Agnostic
https://www.business.govt.nz/operations/resilient-business/business-resilience-training
The Wellington delivery of the nationwide Adapting to Change workshop (see Save Money, above). Three sessions running in June:
🚨 June 2026 · Wellington
- Online, Friday 12 June (9.00am-12.00pm) - https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/adapting-to-change-tickets-1990148202848
- In person, Monday 15 June (9.00am-12.00pm) - https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/adapting-to-change-tickets-1990148492715
- In person, Monday 22 June (9.00am-12.00pm) - https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/adapting-to-change-tickets-1990149273049
2degrees Auckland Business Awards 2026
Industry Agnostic
https://www.aucklandbusinessawards.co.nz/
Annual awards programme open to all Auckland businesses across nine categories, including Best Emerging Business, Excellence in Innovation, and Excellence in Strategy.
Most useful for founders who can convert a win or finalist placement into customer credibility, recruitment leverage, or press coverage.
🚨 Entries open now · Auckland
The Jam | Early-stage Capital Edition - Movac
Industry Agnostic
Founders who've been through pre-seed share what actually made the difference, what patterns investors responded to, what traction really means at seed stage, and what Movac looks for through the Emerge fund lens (deep tech and enterprise). Drinks from 5pm to meet the Movac team. For founders and operators only, applications reviewed.
🚨 22 July 2026 · Auckland 💸 (Free for early-birds)
Aurora Climate Tech Summit - Creative HQ
Deep Tech
https://events.creativehq.co.nz/AuroraClimateTechSummit
NZ's largest annual climate-tech forum and the showcase of the Aurora Climate Lab founding teams. Brings together founders, investors, industry buyers and policymakers. Strong for climate and deep-tech founders looking for buyers and capital.
🚨 30 July 2026 · Wellington
Startup Weekend Taranaki 2026
Industry Agnostic
https://events.humanitix.com/startup-weekend-taranaki-2026
The 11th Startup Weekend Taranaki, returning to Hāwera where EatKinda was born. A 54-hour build-a-startup experience with mentoring, team formation and pitching.
Meals included, student discount available (SWSTUDENT for 50% off). No tech background needed.
🚨 31 July 2026 · Hāwera, Taranaki
Community Spotlights
MWDI HineBoss - Kaikohe
Māori / Pasifika · Women
https://events.humanitix.com/mwdi-hineboss-tm-kaikohe-3-5-june-2026
A free three-day in-person wānanga for wāhine Māori from Māori Women's Development Inc. By the end participants have built new business skills, completed at least 80% of their business plan, and connected with a peer network of wāhine entrepreneurs. MWDI also offers micro-loans and ongoing coaching.
🚨 3-5 June 2026 · Kaikohe, Northland
OnBoard's 10X Better Boards: Is Traditional Governance Dead?
Industry Agnostic
Are boards creating momentum, or unintentionally slowing companies down? What do founders and fast-growing companies actually need from boards today?
Evening discussion with Serge van Dam, Dana McKenzie and Andrew Wierda on what better startup governance looks like as companies scale faster and navigate AI.
🚨 9 June 2026 · Auckland
KiwiSaaS - June Events
B2B SaaS
https://www.kiwisaas.com/events
A run of SaaS-focused workshops, networking, closing with the International SaaS Day Party 2026.
🚨 June lineup:
- KiwiSaaS Christchurch Autumn Drinks · Thu 4 June · Christchurch
- CEOs & Founders talk SaaSpocalypse · Tue 9 June · Auckland
- Redesigning SaaS organisations for the age of AI · Wed 10 June
- Supercharging Emerging Leaders in Tech · Wed 17 June · Auckland
- Marketing Leaders Lunch: real talk over a good meal · Wed 17 June · Auckland
- Let's Talk SaaSpocalypse · Thu 18 June · Wellington
- International SaaS Day Party 2026 · Thu 18 June · Wellington (see below)
International SaaS Day Party 2026 - KiwiSaaS
Industry Agnostic · B2B SaaS
https://www.kiwisaas.com/events/international-saas-day-party-2026
A mid-winter celebration of NZ's fastest-growing sector for SaaS founders and operators, builders, investors, partners and friends.
🚨 18 June 2026 · Wellington
MWDI HineBoss - Online (June)
Māori / Pasifika · Women
https://events.humanitix.com/mwdi-hineboss-tm-friday-the-19th-21st-of-june-2026
The same free three-day HineBoss programme delivered online for wāhine Māori founders nationwide. Two-hour sessions twice daily over the weekend. Business plan focus, peer networking, accessible from anywhere.
🚨 19-21 June 2026 · Online
Call to Action Spotlight:
Product Aotearoa Conference - Call for Speakers
Industry Agnostic
https://productaotearoa.org.nz/conference/call-for-speakers
Aotearoa's leading Product conference is looking for speakers for its November conference in Wellington. PMs and Product leaders can pitch a talk on one of three subjects.
🚨 Applications close 30 June 2026
⚡️ Just Shipped on WFW
A quick roundup of what we shipped this month, so you don't have to keep checking the site.
Startup Insurance in New Zealand
(Ed Barker, Partridge Advisory)
https://whatfounderswant.com/expert-editions/startup-insurance-in-new-zealand
A stage-by-stage guide for New Zealand founders on when insurance becomes real, what actually creates personal and company exposure, and what to do at each moment.
Without wasting money or time before you need to.
NZ Government Support Directory - Updated for 2026
https://whatfounderswant.com/the-directories/nz-government-support-directory-2026
Every live government initiative for NZ startup and SME founders in 2026.
Clear eligibility, updated links, and a direct path to the next step.
Co-working Spaces in New Zealand
https://whatfounderswant.com/the-directories/co-working-spaces-in-new-zealand
Every verified co-working space in New Zealand, organised by region.
The only free, comprehensive directory of co-working spaces across Aotearoa, built for founders, freelancers, remote workers, and early-stage teams.
VC Teardowns | How NZ VCs Evaluate Startups
(Ashwath Sundaresan, Long Arc Advisory)
https://whatfounderswant.com/vc-teardowns
A public series showing how New Zealand VCs evaluate early-stage startups, step by step, from first email to investment decision.
Two new deep tech teardowns evaluated by Ashwath Sundaresan, formerly Pacific Channel, now Long Arc Advisory.
Get Help, Anytime
Foundational support every NZ founder should know about. Always available, high-leverage, and often free.
Talk to a Human
Get Investor-Ready
Expand Overseas
The Ecosystem Experts Behind WFW Monthly
WFW Monthly only works if the people scanning the ecosystem have actually built inside it.
This is not a content role. It is judgement.
Our Ecosystem Experts are founders, directors, accelerator leads, investors, and operators who have carried real commercial accountability - and understand the difference between activity and traction.
Joe Slater
Joe Slater is a founder, director, and startup operator who has built and exited multiple New Zealand consumer brands, including Six Barrel Soda. He has led accelerator infrastructure at Creative HQ, delivered national coaching through Startup Aotearoa, and now holds executive responsibility for Product at Consumer NZ and coaches startups at Cascade Coaching.
He brings cross-sector, revenue-first judgement to WFW Monthly - shaped by operating, governing, and scaling companies inside the realities of the NZ market.
Lane Litz
Lane Litz is the founder of What Founders Want and a former founder, operator, and VC. She was employee #6 and Head of Education & Teacher Services at VIPKID, helping scale the company to 700,000+ students at a $1.5B valuation. She later founded and exited Speakia, and served as Venture Partner at Icehouse Ventures, vetting startups across climate, deep tech, medtech, edtech, and SaaS.
Lane brings operator-to-investor perspective to WFW Monthly - focused on decision speed, capital pathways, and building companies for both success and scale.