Business-led initiative to light entrepreneurial flame in local communities
Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of thriving economies. From rural towns to bustling cities, when entrepreneurial activity grows, so does community vibrancy. More local businesses mean more reasons for people to visit, spend, and stay — which in turn attracts talent, investment, and new ideas. It’s a cycle that lifts entire regions.
For Manuela Klevisser, founder of the EmpowerMe Collective, entrepreneurship is more than business — it’s a catalyst for transformation. She has seen firsthand how thriving entrepreneurs become role models who inspire others to envision new possibilities.
“A strong entrepreneurial ecosystem doesn’t just grow businesses — it shapes what’s possible for entire communities,” Klevisser explains. “When we see people like us succeed, it changes our beliefs about what we can achieve.”
Klevisser is committed to strengthening this ecosystem — cultivating a community where aspiring entrepreneurs feel supported and where one person’s success becomes a beacon for many.
While entrepreneurs often report high life satisfaction thanks to autonomy and passion, the journey is stressful, unpredictable, and demanding. Success requires understanding the realities of entrepreneurship and choosing the right level of engagement.
“Not everyone needs to launch a high-growth startup,” Klevisser explains. “Freelancing, contracting, or building a small venture can be just as fulfilling. Many successful entrepreneurs started small, then grew as their skills and confidence grew. That’s why having strong foundations and the right support network is essential.”
After reviewing entrepreneurship programmes across New Zealand, Klevisser saw a major obstacle: consistent, accessible funding for early-stage education. A user-pays model benefits only those already financially secure, while government funding is often unreliable. This leaves those who could benefit most from entrepreneurship education locked out.
To change this, Klevisser approached Richard Liew, founder of NZ Entrepreneur Magazine and the Startup NZ Entrepreneurs Programme. Liew launched Startup NZ in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and quickly saw demand surge. With support from partners like Business Mentors New Zealand and Callaghan Innovation, the programme has since delivered lessons to over 1,600 entrepreneurial New Zealanders.
“We realised just how much more we could do together,” says Klevisser. “This partnership is about connecting world-class learning with grassroots communities — especially those who might not even know resources like this exist.”
At the heart of the collaboration between EmpowerMe Collective and Startup NZ is a model that links entrepreneurs with the wider business community. Businesses sponsor Startup NZ scholarships, removing financial barriers for aspiring entrepreneurs. In return, they gain visibility in NZ Entrepreneur Magazine, opportunities to share expertise, and the satisfaction of enabling future innovators — who may become customers, collaborators, or partners.
Structured around four fire-themed levels — Ember, Spark, Flame, and Blaze — the model provides increasing recognition for sponsors while extending the reach of entrepreneurship education across Aotearoa.
For scholarship recipients, it’s a guided pathway into entrepreneurship, designed to be inclusive for people of all ages, backgrounds, and aspiration levels.
“Towns and cities thrive when their business community is buzzing,” says Liew. “For B2Bs, more businesses mean more customers. For B2Cs, more businesses mean more jobs — which also means more customers. Either way, everyone benefits from having entrepreneurial locals creating new enterprises.”
For Klevisser, entrepreneurship is about more than economic growth. It’s about helping citizens create options, build resilience, and find agency in an unpredictable world.
“Not everyone who enters the programme will launch a company,” she says. “But everyone leaves with skills, clarity, and confidence that open doors — whether that’s starting something of their own, adding more value in their current role, or exploring new ways to earn income.”
Liew adds that Startup NZ goes beyond teaching business mechanics. Participants develop a growth mindset, the ability to spot opportunities, and the courage to act. Even if they decide entrepreneurship isn’t their path, those skills make them adaptable and valuable to any employer.
“Entrepreneurship is one of the greatest exercises in personal development,” Liew explains. “It teaches you how to navigate uncertainty and see possibilities where others see problems. That mindset alone can change a life.”
The programme helps people understand the many ways to “play the game” of entrepreneurship — from freelancing to building startups. The core principles are the same: validate your idea, know your market, and cultivate a resilient mindset to weather ups and downs.
As Liew notes, the timing is critical: “We’re living in a time of rapid change. Technology is reshaping industries, and traditional career paths are shifting. The World Economic Forum projects that by 2027, half of all workers will need reskilling. Sitting still isn’t an option — but thinking like an entrepreneur opens new ways to adapt and thrive.”
To learn how your business can become a Startup NZ SPONSOR or TO activatE Startup NZ Scholarships for your region, contact Manuela Klevisser at manuela@nzentrepreneur.co.nz or visit Startup NZ.
Story by Katherine Blaney.
