Practical support, expert guidance and connections to help businesses start, grow and scale in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Business support
Building a business is challenging – but in Ōtautahi Christchurch, you’re not doing it alone.
Whether you’re refining an idea, validating a market, raising capital or preparing to scale globally, Christchurch offers a connected ecosystem of founders, mentors, investors and support organisations ready to help.
Here’s how to take your next step.
If you have an idea but aren’t sure where to begin – or you’re still testing whether your solution can scale – Christchurch has programmes designed to help you validate, refine and grow.
A driving force behind Aotearoa’s high-growth startups, Ministry of Awesome provides:
Headquartered in Christchurch, Ministry of Awesome plays a central role in developing the city’s high-growth startup ecosystem.
Building a startup is hard – but you’re not in it alone.
Startup Aotearoa helps early-stage entrepreneurs answer critical questions:
If you're at the “I have an idea – now what?” stage, this is often the right starting point.
Scale-up support helps high-growth businesses expand faster by providing targeted support to take your business to the next level.
For founders building global, venture-backed startups.
Founder Catalyst is a nationwide programme focused on:
It’s designed for high-growth startups pursuing capital and international scale – not SMEs, side projects or service businesses.
If you’re building something designed to scale globally, this may be your next step.
As your business grows, expert advice and targeted capability development can make the difference between steady progress and breakthrough growth.
Through the Regional Business Partner Network, eligible businesses can access:
This support helps early-stage and growth businesses build strong foundations in areas such as governance, leadership, financial planning and market expansion.
Great ideas need funding to grow. Christchurch’s investment ecosystem includes angel investors actively backing promising early-stage ventures.
Mainland Angels connects high-potential startups with experienced investors who provide:
If you’re investor-ready and seeking capital to accelerate growth, this is a key pathway within Christchurch’s funding ecosystem.
Sustainable business practices aren’t just good for the planet – they reduce costs, increase resilience and strengthen your market position.
Through Business Mentors New Zealand, business owners are matched with experienced volunteer mentors who provide practical, confidential advice.
This support is particularly valuable for:
Business mentors
Be inspired by these Christchurch Business Mentoring success stories.
If you’re unsure where to begin, talk to our business team. We can help connect you with the right programme or partner.
business
This is a city with a thriving tech sector, world-class universities, and an innovation eco-system like none other. A city with a revitalised centre buzzing with energy, surrounded by the tranquillity of nature.
get connected
Ōtautahi Christchurch has a vast array of business meetups and co-working spaces to help you get connected. Whether you're looking for mentors, co-working spaces, or meet-ups, the support is here to help you or your business grow.
