Deadline: 28 September 2025
Entries are now open for the Founder Catalyst, a startup programme for ambitious Kiwi founders obsessed with discovering and solving customer problems on a global scale.
Founder Catalyst will help you focus on gaining a deep understanding of your customers’ problems independent of any product or solution.
Benefits
- Customer Clarity
- Gain a deep understanding of your customers’ problems independent of any product or solution
- Operational Excellence
- Optimise your business model, financial strategy, legal framework, and protect your intangible assets
- Commercial Traction
- Acquire your first customers, test your big assumptions, repeat
- Compelling Storytelling
- Effectively communicate what you do and who you do it for, no matter the audience or circumstance
- Funding Know-How
- Learn what options exist, their business models, and integrate them into your overall fundraising strategy
- Powerful Connections
- Develop relationships with founders, mentors and investors who can help you and your company grow faster than you imagined possible
Duration
- Up to 9 months.
Core Activities
- Monthly execution sprints ending with accountability checks
- One-on-one meetings with an entrepreneur-in-residence
- Group think tanks
- Building with fellow founders
- Guidance from industry and sector specialists
What are they looking for?
- Fire in Your Belly
- You’re driven, hungry, and ready to make waves
- Big Problem, Bigger Vision
- You’re focused on a massive problem affecting humanity
- First Product
- You’ve got a basic MVP ready to put in customers’ hands
- All In
- You’re committed to every aspect of the Founder Pledge
- Founder DNA
- You’ve got ambition, grit, curiosity, and hustle. You’re coachable, and bring expertise and life experience to the table
- Game Plan
- You’ve mapped out your business on a Lean Canvas and can articulate your plan succinctly
- Digital Footprint
- You’ve started making noise online on social media, company websites, and other platforms
- Official Business
- You’ve established a registered private company capable of receiving private investment
For more information, visit Ministry of Awesome.
