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The single source of truth for New Zealand startup founders.
From raising capital and government grants to legal templates and hiring tools — built on what founders are actively searching for, but can’t find.
Save Money
Stretch your runway with free resources.
- NZ legal & financial templates
- Grants, R&D credits, co-funding
- $1M+ in startup perks & discounts
Raise Money
Find the right investors faster.
- Complete NZ capital directory
- Angels, VCs, and alt-finance options
- Curated contacts to save weeks of research
Make Money
Run like a full team — without hiring one.
- AI Power Stack for NZ founders
- Hiring & automation tools
- Overseas easy-entry sales channels
What’s New
WFW Monthly: December 2025
A curated monthly update of the best NZ startup funding, grants, programmes, and founder opportunities.
Not opinion, advice, or startup theory — just practical ways to save, raise, and make money.
Kiwi Startup Case Studies
Starting a company is never a straight line — it’s a rollercoaster. It’s easy to say “just start,” “go global,” or “build something people want,” but the real challenge is in the doing.
This page brings together founder journeys that show what execution actually looks like — the sparks, the peaks, the setbacks, and the resilience that keeps the ride trending upward. Built to surface the key learnings at a glance, so you can build with more clarity and fewer blind spots.
Kiwi companies going global
How NZ brands grow
The stories behind NZ’s household names
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What Founders Want Directories
Get Funded
The most complete, real-time directory of capital providers for Kiwi startups on the internet. From NZ VCs to Aussies, angels, and alternative funders.
Government Support for Startups in NZ
The full scope of what the NZ government has to offer. Step-by-step guidance on funding, tax credits, visas, and co-investment.
Startup Accelerators in New Zealand
Browse and compare NZ accelerator and incubator programs. Filter by stage, sector, funding terms, and format.
NZ Startup Ecosystem Directory
The only way to access NZ’s startup ecosystem without building your own tracker. Regional hubs, orgs, and communities.
Startup Perks & Credits (NZ-Verified)
Over $1M in cloud credits, SaaS discounts, and financial perks. Open source and curated for New Zealand founders.
Start a Startup in New Zealand — Step by Step
Everything you need to legally set up and launch. Company structure & registration, setup & compliance, and visa pathways.
Free Legal & Financial Templates
Startup-ready, NZ-reviewed templates for fundraising, governance, and hiring. Cap tables, term sheets, and employment agreements.
Follow What Founders Want on LinkedIn
We post 4–5 times a week, all laser-focused on one thing: helping New Zealand startup founders save money, raise money, and make money.
Expert Editions
New Zealand’s most trusted startup experts solve what founders can’t Google.
Fresh guides drop monthly — designed to replace confusion with action.
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Subscribe for Updates
Stay ahead with new tools, funding opportunities, and Expert Editions.
Join hundreds of NZ founders already on the list.
Dead Startups
The startup hiring engine for the people who built the hard stuff.
Built something great but didn’t make it? You’re not done — you’re between chapters.
Dead Startups connects ex-founders, generalists, and operators with teams that value resilience and startup experience.
Contribute to What Founders Want
The NZ startup ecosystem changes fast.
WFW is built by founders, for founders. Share an update or resource to strengthen the ecosystem.
→ Submit an update or share feedback
What Founders Want is built by Founder VC
Founder VC is a venture infrastructure company — a new model that blends capability, systems, and capital to help founders succeed faster.
We exist to make startup success more repeatable.
Instead of betting on single companies, we build the infrastructure that supports thousands — from early-stage founders to growth-ready teams expanding globally.
Venture capital funds startups. Venture infrastructure powers ecosystems.
Founder VC
Founder VC builds the systems that make founders faster, stronger, and globally scalable. Capital is just one tool in the toolbox.
foundervc.org
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