Entrepreneur Learning & Mentoring
“Life’s too short to learn from your own mistakes. So learn from others” – Unknown
Expand your mind. Build your knowledge.
As entrepreneurs, it’s important that we do not let not knowing how to do something, hold us back. Part of our job description is stepping into the unknown so embracing an attitude of lifelong learning, and seeking and absorbing the knowledge required to achieve our goals is key.
Whether you’re a student, a first time business builder, or a seasoned entrepreneur, there are numerous organisations, programmes, workshops and competitions available to prepare you for the road ahead and bring your business to life.
Many are low cost, or no cost, and are a great way to learn more about building businesses and modern startup methodology.
Featured
Sprout
Who: Sprout What: Accelerator & Investment HQ: Palmerston North INTRODUCTION Sprout builds agtech and foodtech entrepreneurs and companies, by allowing them to break new ground through our Accelerator and Investment offerings. WHO DO YOU WORK WITH AND WHAT KEY CHALLENGES DO YOU HELP THEM SOLVE? 1) New Zealanders who are in the process of researching […]
Mahitahi Colab
Who: Mahitahi Colab What: Learning & Mentoring, Coworking HQ: Nelson INTRODUCTION The Mahitahi Colab’s purpose is to build a more connected business and innovation community, by creating stronger links between clever business, investors, researchers, business development providers, Government and the education sector. We do this by offering flexible co working space, hosting business and community […]
University of Canterbury – Centre for Entrepreneurship (UCE)
Who: University of Canterbury – Centre for Entrepreneurship (UCE) What: Entrepreneurship Programmes HQ: Christchurch INTRODUCTION UC’s Centre for Entrepreneurship (UCE) provides both students and founders with opportunities to build capabilities in entrepreneurship and innovation. UCE’s community of students, researchers, founders, mentors, and industry experts and advisors fosters innovation and creativity in a supportive environment. We […]
The Icehouse
Who: The Icehouse What: Innovation Hub & Coworking; Learning & Mentoring HQ: Auckland INTRODUCTION The Icehouse believes in the extraordinary potential of New Zealand business owners and entrepreneurs. We enable their success through knowledge, connection and investment. THE ICEHOUSE SERVICES Overview: Capability building programmes for Kiwi business owners Mentoring, coaching and advisory services (one-to-one) Coworking […]
Icehouse Ventures
Who: Icehouse Ventures What: Funding & Investment HQ: Auckland INTRODUCTION Icehouse Ventures is a venture capital firm that backs brave kiwi founders with unique insights building global companies. We invest as early as the idea stage through to series A and beyond. We invest in a range of industries from space planes changing the way […]
Startup Taranaki
Who: Startup Taranaki What: Learning & Mentoring; Groups & Events HQ: Taranaki INTRODUCTION Startup Taranaki provides community, resources and wayfinding to people in Taranaki who want to explore entrepreneurship and social enterprise so that when they are ready to take the next step, they can gather what they need to move forward with confidence and […]
Startup incubators and accelerator programmes in New Zealand
Startup incubators and accelerator programmes play a vital role in startup ecosystems throughout the world and it’s no different here in New Zealand.
New Zealand has numerous incubators and accelerators, helping hundreds of entrepreneurs every year to identify and validate market opportunities, plan and build out their products and teams, and get “investment ready”.
Some programmes are delivered by organisations dedicated to startup business incubation and acceleration, while others are delivered by organisations (such as Regional Economic Development Agencies) as part of a broader range of services.
While some are focused on helping founders with business ideas (“Founder Incubators”), others may be focused on specific verticals or commercialising emerging technologies and scientific research (“Tech Incubators”).
As the name implies, incubators are generally focused on helping entrepreneurs in the very early stages of business formation – often before a product or service has even been created. Market validation and business model development are a key focus, and the startup is often provided with space in a dedicated shared workspace, with easy access to the incubators mentors and business support services, and allowing the startup to stay focused on the iterative process of product development and market fit.
Startup accelerators tend to be short, fixed term sprints of no more than 3-6 months focused on helping existing teams with potential to scale up, and may not require participant businesses to work onsite.
In addition to business development assistance, incubators and accelerators may invest seed money into participant companies in return for a share of the company, and programmes generally end with investment pitches to angel investors when the startup is considered investment ready.
Incubators and accelerators can be invaluable for entrepreneurs, allowing them to access years of entrepreneurial experience, knowledge, connections and investment they may otherwise not enjoy, and fast-track their development. If you have a business idea and are not sure what to do next, most incubators offer drop-in sessions and are happy to chat with you.
Callaghan Funded Founder Incubators
Icehouse Ventures Auckland
Sprout Palmerston North
Creative HQ Wellington
Ministry of Awesome Christchurch
HTK Group Christchurch
Callaghan Funded Tech Incubators
WNT Ventures Tauranga
Sprout Palmerston North
Other Incubators, Accelerators and Startup Hubs
GridAKL Auckland
GridMNK Auckland
Northland Inc Whangarei
SODA Inc Hamilton
Venture Centre Tauranga
DOSO Taranaki
The Factory (formerly BCC) Palmerston North
ThincLab Christchurch
Te Ohaka Christchurch
Startup Central Otago Alexandra
Startup Queenstown Lakes Queenstown
Startup Dunedin Dunedin
COIN South Invercargill
Health Innovation Hub Auckland & Christchurch
Programmes, courses and other Support Organisations
Startup NZ Entrepreneurs Programme Online/Nationwide
Venture Up Online/Nationwide
BMNZ Startup Mentoring Programme Nationwide
Startup Weekend Nationwide
Tech Futures Lab Nationwide
The Pick Northland
Enspiral Dev Academy Auckland & Wellington
Mums Garage Startup Series Auckland
The Icehouse Auckland
Innes48 Startup Competition Hamilton
Ministry of Awesome Launchclub Christchurch
Student Programmes and Organisations
Young Enterprise Scheme Nationwide
Velocity – University of Auckland Auckland
Practical Innovation & Entrepreneurship Paper – AUT Auckland
Wellington School of Business and Government at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington Wellington
UC – Centre for Entrepreneurship Canterbury
The Hatchery (University of Canterbury) Christchurch
ecentre (Massey University) Auckland
Learn more
TechRepublic.com Accelerators vs Incubators: What startups need to know
Forbes.com Is a startup incubator or accelerator right for you?
Stuff.co.nz Government renews millions of funding for start-up incubators
Wikipedia.com Wikipedia – Business Incubators
Wikipedia.com Wikipedia – Startup Accelerators