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Why should you apply?

Benefits of Founder Catalyst

Prioritise outcomes to move quickly

Keep focused and results-oriented with a personalized plan that aligns our resources to your startup’s specific needs.

Build Your Core Competencies

Participate in workshops, peer mentoring, and expert coaching designed to strengthen capabilities as a founder.

Build a culturally intelligent business

Learn to build a culture and ethos for your venture underpinned by the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and partnership.

Get strategic help with domain expertise

Our 7 experts-in-residence and 81 globally-based mentors lend one-on-one coaching and strategic guidance throughout your journey.

Unlock Partner Resources & Benefits

Get free and discounted resources from vendors like AWS, Microsoft, Stripe, EY, and Wynn Williams to stretch your resources.

Maximize your chances to raise capital

Get frequent exposure to leading VC and angel investors that help you build a compelling story to pitch for your next round of funding.

What You’ll Experience

Take a closer look at what our 9 month incubation programme is like for aspiring founders in each cohort.

Browse Our Portfolio

Meet the 53 startups from across NZ who’ve changed their trajectory by joining a Founder Catalyst cohort.

Get Answers In Our FAQ

Still have a few lingering questions? Here’s the most popular topics aspiring founders want to know more about before applying.

What are our participants saying?

Don't take our word for it

Emily BlytheFounder & CEO

PyperVision

It has been such a valuable opportunity to be part of Founder Catalyst over the last couple of years. We have been able to take advantage of fantastic mentors and networks, events as well as resources and support. During this time we have leveraged all of the above to allow us to work fast and develop our product and business. One of the most invaluable resources provided to us is the other startups we have been surrounded by, we are all going through different journey’s but face the same challenges and being able to get other founder’s takes on these challenges has been able to accelerate our progress

Heather PearsonCo-Founder & Chief Activator

Calmly

The Ministry of Awesome’s startup programme at Founder Catalyst has provided opportunities, connections and the professional space at the perfect time of our startup journey. The continuous access to founders, industry experts and investors has been key in guiding us on the path to becoming a high growth startup. Tē tōia, tē haumatia – nothing can be achieved without a plan, workforce and way of doing things. The awesome culture found at Te Ōhaka defines this whakatoukī perfectly.

NIck JacksonCo-Founder & CTO

Spout

We have enjoyed being a part of the Founder Catalyst community and space. One of the biggest advantages is the networks, connections and mentors that are opened up which have allowed us to grow. It’s also great to have an epic selection of like-minded founders surrounding us to bounce problems and ideas off.

Founder Catalyst is supported by

Founder Catalyst is made possible by the partnership between Ministry of Awesome, Ara Institute of Canterbury and ChristchurchNZ, Ōtautahi’s sustainable economic development agency.