Deadline Date: September 15, 2026
The Founder Catalyst is a startup support programme designed to help ambitious founders build, grow, and scale innovative ventures.
The focus areas, of the programme include early-stage startup growth, customer and market insight development, global scaling, capital raising, mentorship and coaching, business model validation, networking with investors and experts, and access to operational and strategic resources for startup development.
The programme is designed for ambitious startup founders who are committed to building global companies and solving large-scale problems. It is intended for entrepreneurs who are actively engaging with customers, raising capital, hiring talent, and working closely with mentors and advisors to develop scalable ventures.
Participants receive access to a wide range of resources including recorded workshops, fireside chats, reverse pitches, event databases, business templates, financial and legal guidance, and operational tools. These resources support critical functions such as capital raising, hiring, leadership, contracting, taxes, and due diligence preparation.
In addition to resources, founders gain access to a strong global network including hundreds of mentors, investors, and experienced startup operators. This network provides opportunities for learning, funding, collaboration, and business growth through workshops, discussions, and investor engagements.
Applicants must demonstrate a strong connection to Aotearoa New Zealand, meet scale-readiness criteria including active market presence and business model testing, and show strong entrepreneurial qualities such as ambition, resilience, and openness to learning. Participants are also required to enter a collaboration agreement outlining their commitment to the programme.
For more information, visit Ministry of Awesome.
