What Founders Want is the first platform built from real New Zealand founder search data.

It’s not a content site or a program. It’s a working toolkit to help you:

• Start a startup in New Zealand
• Find grants, capital, and government support
• Save time on legal, tax, and hiring
• Access trusted tools to launch and grow

Everything is free, verified for NZ founders, and designed to be used — not read.

Start a Startup in New Zealand

Learn how to legally register and launch your startup in New Zealand.

Covers company structure, IRD/GST, startup visas, and tax compliance.

Start a Startup

How to Get Startup Funding in New Zealand

Find the right capital at the right time — whether you're raising from VCs, angels, or applying for non-dilutive grants.

Includes the most complete NZ capital directory available.

Get Funded

New Zealand Government Support for Startups

Step-by-step guidance on accessing government funding, R&D tax credits, startup visas, and co-investment programs.

Government Support for Startups & SMEs in New Zealand (2025)

Global Capital Toolkit

Laurent Simon | Rafael Castillo

Built by Founder Institute, this page gives New Zealand startup founders the proven tools, benchmarks and templates to get ready for raising global capital.

What VCs Want

James Palmer | Blackbird Ventures

How New Zealand VCs make decisions, what traction and team signals they look for, and how to position your startup for a yes. More fundable New Zealand startups, from day one.

From Science to Seed

Angus Blair | Outset Ventures

How to spin out IP, negotiate with TTOs, secure grant funding, and raise from investors who understand long timelines and scientific risk. For academics and researchers at the edge of the lab.

The Founder’s Guide to VC

James Fuller | Co-founder, Hnry

What raising VC actually looks like, from a founder who's done it six times and will help you do it, too. How to raise on your terms — if VC is even the right path for you

Start a Startup

Kate Radcliffe-Reid | LaunchBot

The fastest path to get a startup off the ground in New Zealand. Covers registration, IRD, company structure, business banking, compliance, and real-life shortcuts to avoid the noise.

Bootstrapped

Vivek Kumar | Emerge

The only NZ-focused guide on how to build a startup without outside funding. Learn how to design for cash flow, control your own cap table, and use capital as a tool — not a requirement.

Consumer Brand

Peter Torrington | Ask Pete Advisory

How to launch and fund a DTC or FMCG brand from New Zealand. Focuses on early traction, brand identity, channel fit, and how to bridge from domestic testing to global scale.

Selling Overseas

James Hayes | Virtual Medical Coaching

A tactical SaaS export guide from a founder who’s done it. Learn how to structure pricing, run outbound from NZ, build customer relationships remotely, and navigate export market fit.

NZ Government Support

Mark Robinson | VentureNest

Step-by-step guide for navigating NZ’s government funding systems. Access strategies, grant preparation tips, and align your business with public co-funding .

Startup Legal

Tony Davis | Avid.Legal

A concise guide to legal risk management for NZ startups. How to keep building while avoiding the most common legal errors founders make before they raise or sell.

Women: Stay in the Room

Lane Litz | What Founders Want

Joins forces with Aotearoa’s gender champions on a 12 month research project to build what is missing - the infrastructure for New Zealand women to stay at the table.