Founder Resources

There are multitudes of resources available to support founders. We have created this page as a central point of reference.

Startup NZ Entrepreneurs Program – Startup NZ is for all Kiwis who want to learn about starting a business, big or small. 12 online lessons with each lesson requiring 1-2 hours commitment that can be taken in your own time as often as you want for up to 12 months. The first 3 lessons are free and fees are $287.50 for the full programme.
Regional Business Partner Network – Capability development funding Capability Development Funding is used to co-fund training and capability development up to a maximum of $5000 per year per business. The business must pay at least half of the training costs. To be eligible for funding a business must:
- Have undergone assessment by a Regional Business Partner
- Be operating with 50 or less FTEs
- Be GST registered in New Zealand
- Operating in a commercial environment – i.e. is currently trading
- Be privately owned or a Maori Trust or Incorporation under the Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993 or similar organisation managing Maori assets under multiple ownership

Digital Boost – Free courses all about doing business online provided by MBIE and MindLab
How To Optimise Your Online Presence – Three part series from NZ Entrepreneur
Hubspot for startups program – Education resources and tailored training, professional software and integrated platforms for startups at startup pricing. Access their “Get Started” guides, for a roadmap to getting set up with Hubspot fast.
AWS Activate – As a startup in the Enterprise Angels portfolio, you are eligible for the following AWS (Amazon Web Services) benefits:
- USD $5,000 in AWS Promotional Credit valid for 2 years.
- 24×7 access to AWS Cloud Support Engineers up to 1 year (USD $1,500)
- 80 credits for Self-Paced Labs ($80 value)

Employment rights and rules: free online training for employers and employees to understand your rights and responsibilities.
Hiring and managing people – step by step guide from business.govt.nz
How to set up a new employee – Guides and checklists from business.govt.nz to get new employees set up in your system and settled in their roles to save you time money and effort.
EMA Resources – The EMA (Employers & Manufacturers Association) offers more than 130 resources to members and non-members including policies on everything from fixed term employment to illegal file sharing, and guides from abandonment of employment to work station set up.
Managing health and safety – Resources from Worksafe to help people comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
Being an Employer of Choice -practical tips from Your HR Partners on how to stand out as an “employer of choice” to attract and retain great people.

Exporting to Australia – Trade mark tricks and copyright catches James and Wells examine key differences in Australia IP law focusingon trade marks, domain names, and design and copyright.
Selling your SaaS solution to the world – New Zealand Trade and Enterprise has launched a series of free online resources for Saas businesses.

Callaghan Innovation – R&D Funding – Getting started grant – designed to help you start your R&D journey to become an established R&D performer. It is not designed for one-off small projects.
Callaghan Innovation – R&D Funding – Project Grants – helping you take on larger or more challenging R&D. It is designed to help you:
- Build your R&D expertise
- Break new new ground in an R&D project for the development of new or substantially improved devices, products, processes, systems or services
- Develop your business into a stable and substantial R&D performer
- Grow your investment in R&D
Callaghan R&D Student Grant Getting started grant – giving you the opportunity to take on students for an internship and bring new skills into your business, whether you’re looking to explore blue-sky R&D concepts or advance existing projects
R&D Tax Incentive – a 15% tax credit on the money you invest in eligible research and development (R&D) in New Zealand.
Flexi-wage for self-employment– payments from Work and Income NZ (WINZ) designed to support people who are starting up a new business or needing help to become self-sufficient in an existing business.
Self-employment startup payment– WINZ assistance for essential start up costs, eg furniture or the first lot of stock, legal fees etc.

Founder Wellness – a 3 minute video on the importance of maintaining mental wellness through exercise, sleep and nutrition
Xero Wellbeing courses – a range of free wellbeing education courses in Xero Central
Xero Assistance Programme – all Xero starter, standard and premium plan subscribers are able to get free access to counselling through the Xero Assistance Programme (XAP).
The Next Level – a guide to find out how investing in wellbeing and technology can boost your business’ bottom line
NZ Solution To Address Entrepreneur Mental Health And Wellbeing – an article about the key findings of Abroad’s Founder Wellbeing study and their programme being offered in New Zealand to support entrepreneurs
Abroad’s Founder wellbeing research study. 1,300 entrepreneurs took Abroad’s Awareness Assessment and their research team identified a pattern of mindsets and behaviours that are as difficult for entrepreneurs to manage as the fundamentals of their business.
Why workforce wellbeing is vital to company performance. A new Aon survey finds that employee wellbeing not only has a direct relationship to company performance but to customer satisfaction as well.

Key tips for Founders starting on their journey – advice from tips Jake Hoffart our Investment Associate.
Dropsheet Template – a proposal framework showing the information that needs to be included when submitting your business proposition.
Pitch example– Airbnb’s orginal pitch deck is noted for the extremely clear communication of their goal and the potential of their innovative business. Even though it’s more than 10 years old it’s a great example template from which to create your own pitch deck.
Pitching to new investors – some top tips from the BNZ to help you impress investors.
Beginners guide to raising capital with Angels – the benefits of listing with Enterprise Angels.

Top 11 tips for cyber security – Cyber security attacks are becoming more and more common over time. While there’s no bulletproof way to prevent an attack, here are some practical tips to keep your personal information safe and secure online.
What businesses need to know about IP – James and Wells have put together this handy guide to help you get to grips with Intellectual Property (IP) and how it can be leveraged to create value in your business.
Business …Interrupted – Business Interruption insurance is one of the most misunderstood insurance policies, and often overlooked by business owners. AON explain what Business Interruption insurance is and what it covers.