Business accelerators for startups

Creative HQ supports startups and scale-ups through various programmes. Support includes coaching, networking, workshops, pitch sessions, and collaborative workspaces.

Based in central Wellington, Creative HQ was established by WellingtonNZ in 2003 to support the development of high-growth new businesses.

Still under the WellingtonNZ umbrella, CreativeHQ’s over-arching goal is to nurture Kiwi entrepreneurs and high-growth businesses through incubator and accelerator programmes and startup sessions.

CreativeHQ also has a startup ecosystem where you can join networking events and coworking and workspaces so you can connect and collaborate with like-minded people.

This free intensive course is designed to help you develop and progress your business idea alongside other entrepreneurs.

WellingtonNZ partners with the Bizezi Training programme to fill a niche in the startup business ecosystem. It helps support people with ideas and equips them with the tools, knowledge and confidence to get their business going.

Facilitated by small business owners, the programme covers topics like how to start a business with no money, how to make a website for free, the dark art of sales and marketing, and compliance.

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa offers a range of courses for small business owners. Smart Steps to Business is a free 20-week course that will help you identify, evaluate, and plan your business launch.

This course is for people who want to work for themselves but don’t know where to start or have a hobby business and want to understand if it can grow.

You’ll learn everything you need to build a business idea and assess whether it could be successful in the market.