Founder Catalyst: Empowering Global-Minded Entrepreneurs (New Zealand)

The programme focuses on founder-first and founder-centric support, pairing startups with experienced Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs) who act as honorary co-founders to help define mission, vision, and values, set ambitious goals, execute strategy, fill knowledge gaps, build professional networks, refine sales and investment pitches, prepare for capital raising, and expand internationally. It prioritizes founders who are deeply connected to Aotearoa New Zealand, willing to sign a Collaboration Agreement, and are prepared to work with Ministry of Awesome EIRs to assess readiness for the programme. Participants are expected to have a scale-ready company, professional online presence, Lean Canvas in active use, and a comprehensive pitch deck, along with a founding team demonstrating ambition, grit, curiosity, coachability, hustle, and deep customer understanding. The programme seeks companies with a clear niche, significant market traction, and the potential to reach valuations of $100M or more, ideally $1B+, while addressing massive global problems.

Founder Catalyst is designed for entrepreneurs brave enough to change the world, humble enough to seek coaching, and persistent enough to relentlessly pursue their vision. It is for founders ready to raise capital, meet global customers, attract top talent, and work harder than ever before. Each startup benefits from guidance by seasoned EIRs who have successfully raised capital, built and scaled teams, and navigated exits. The programme emphasizes founder-market fit, requiring founders to have unique insights or advantages in their markets. Teams should ideally consist of 2–4 operating founders with a mix of builders and sellers, committed full-time or part-time, and owning a majority of the company. Participants must demonstrate professionalism, compliance with New Zealand regulations, and the capability to maintain rigorous customer engagement and operational execution.

Founder Catalyst is not suited for established companies, corporate innovation teams, consultancies, service-based firms, or entrepreneurs treating their startup as a side project or hobby. It is not for those unwilling to accept feedback or lacking the resilience and creativity to navigate the challenges of building a global company. The programme is designed exclusively for founders ready to dedicate themselves fully to scaling their startups on a global stage.

For more information, visit Ministry of Awesome.