Techstars Startup Digest New Zealand

Techstars Startup Digest New Zealand | 11 Aug

Techstars Startup Digest New Zealand

A newsletter covering all things startup in Aotearoa New Zealand

Happy Tuesday and welcome to edition #297!

The 12 finalists for the Startup World Cup New Zealand Final have officially been revealed! Teams will take the stage at the national final this 24th of August in Wellington. The winner will represent Aotearoa at the Global Grand Finale in Silicon Valley to pitch for a share of US$1 million in investment. All the best everyone ✨

If you haven't registered yet for the GEN NZ Unconference and Workshops 2026, happening on 24–25 August, you should do it now! This is one of our favourite events that brings together the entrepreneurial ecosystem to learn from each other about the art and science of entrepreneurship.

Creative HQ is taking EOIs for their pre-accelerator programmes, Fintech Activate and GovTech Activate. Here's the best part: you don't need a validated idea, a pitch deck, or even a co-founder to walk in the door. All you need is a problem worth solving.

This month's WFW Monthly is out! Make sure to check it out to learn about opportunities for Kiwi founders to save, raise, and make money.

That's it for now. Stay awesome!

Pauli + Paul

✨ This week in Aotearoa New Zealand

Digital Trust Hui Taumata 2026

Tue 11th Aug, 9am | Te Papa, 55 Cable Street, Te Aro

Aotearoa New Zealand’s flagship gathering for digital identity, trust technology, and the governance frameworks that underpin them. The Hui Taumata provides the digital identity and trust ecosystem with an opportunity to share their insights into building a thriving and resilient trust economy for the benefit of all New Zealanders. Read more.

Redesigning Organisations in the Age of AI

Tue 11th Aug, 1pm | Online

AI is reshaping SaaS teams. Join KiwiSaaS and Ken Brophy for practical org design insights, workshop takeaways and next steps. Read more.

Christchurch IT Curry Club

Tue 11th Aug, 5:30pm | D-Salt formerly Arjee Bahjee, 13 Riccarton Rd

A great opportunity for Christchurch IT professionals to meetup over a good curry. Read more.

Kapiti Startup & Innovation Network

Thur 13th Aug, 8am | 180 Degrees Cafe & Bistro

Kapiti innovators get together to share startup stories, exchange ideas, and build a local support network for entrepreneurs and business growth. Read more.

Fuckup Nights Auckland // Vol. 01

Thur 13th Aug, 6pm | GridAKL / John Lysaght, 101 Pakenham Street West

Join for a night of honest, raw and inspiring stories about professional failure and the lessons learned the hard way. Read more.

The Pitch Nobody Asked For

Thur 13th Aug, 6pm | Outset Ventures (Future House), 24 Balfour Road, Parnell, Auckland

Outset's night of ridiculous startup ideas. Get three random words a month in advance, make up a company, and pitch it in 5 minutes. Read more.

THE SUMMIT

14-16 Aug | Owen G. Glenn Building, University of Auckland

The SCNZ Summit is New Zealand's largest student-led entrepreneurship event. Across three days at the University of Auckland, it brings together founders, investors and students for a programme of panels, workshops and networking. Read more.

MIH New Zealand Founder Awards 2026

Fri 14th Aug, 7pm | Park Hyatt, Auckland

An exclusive evening where finalists and the wider founder community come together to celebrate what it truly means to build something from nothing. Read more.

Fish Tank Auckland | YSPN Hackathon

Sat 15th Aug, 5pm | GridAKL / John Lysaght, 101 Pakenham Street West

Think Shark Tank meets a hackathon. Build a bold idea, create a prototype, and pitch it to a panel of industry judges, all in one unforgettable evening. No experience needed. Read more.