Where to start

Ōtautahi Christchurch is a city of creativity and innovation, where businesses can start, grow, and thrive.

Grow your business

Christchurch's startup and innovation ecosystem

ChristchurchNZ is part of a startup and innovation ecosystem that offers tailored support at every stage, from customer validation to capital raising, scaling, and global expansion. With the Ministry of Awesome located right here in Christchurch, we have the connections that can take your big ideas, to a bigger stage.

Whatever stage your business is at, we’re here to help you take the next step.

Te Ohaka Interior Innovation

Ministry of Awesome

Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, the Ministry of Awesome (MOA) is a driving force behind Aotearoa's high-growth startups and innovators.

MOA can help you achieve product-market fit, gain commercial traction, generate sustainable revenue and raise capital to fuel your global growth.

Whether you dream of creating the next SaaS unicorn, revolutionising global food production or pioneering new autonomous vehicles, MOA can help fuel your ambition.

Discover Ministry of Awesome

Startup Aotearoa

For early-stage founders ready to transform an idea into a thriving startup. Experienced Startup Coaches will provide you with free one-on-one guidance to transform your idea into an MVP that's ready to test in the real world.

Discover Startup Aotearoa
Business women mentor meeting with Mimi Thian

Founder Catalyst

For ambitious founders solving customer problems on a global scale. You'll partner with our entrepreneurs-in-residence to take your startup from initial MVP to commercial success.

Discover Founder Catalyst

Regional Business Partner Network

Whether you're just starting out in business, or you're ready to grow to the next level, Regional Business Partner Network will help connect you with the right people and resources to help your business thrive.

Discover Regional Business Partner Network
A young man being mentored

Business Mentors NZ

Getting a great idea off the ground with limited experience can be daunting, even if you’ve already put together a solid business plan. Business Mentors NZ offer a Startup Mentoring service giving you access to 12 months of one-on-one business mentoring to guide you through the unique challenges of your first few years in business.

Discover Business Mentors NZ

Take your business idea to the next level

Hear from Partly Co-founder Nathan Taylor and his company's startup journey in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

be inspired

Startup success stories

Be inspired by some of the journeys of our start-ups – and how Christchurch’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem helped them reach the next level.

Medsalv Team

Medsalv

Medsalv is tackling environmental and financial waste in the healthcare industry.

Read more
eClean boss sitting in a red chair by the river

eClean Envirotech

Emerging ‘bioreactor’ technology could help restore New Zealand’s polluted waterways.

Read more
Gourmate Laura and Steph on couch

Gourmate

Pawsitively tasty, the pet food business born over a pub meal in 2019 is going global.

Read more

Still not sure how to get your business idea off the ground?

Contact our team who will be happy to recommend the right support for you business idea.

Contact us