Connecting startups with advice

The first Auckland Startup Week aims to connect startup founders with advice and investment.

The week will run from October 20 to 24, bringing together more than 2000 investors, industry experts, and startup founders at all stages of business development.

Based at Auckland Council’s innovation hub GridAKL in Wynyard Quarter and eight other central city venues, the pick-and-mix programme includes five days of workshops, panels, networking events and pitch sessions designed to support, showcase and boost business growth.

Most of the 32 events are free, and many have reached capacity or sold out, demonstrating the demand for business acceleration and investment opportunities in Auckland’s startup scene.

Auckland Startup Week is presented by Auckland Council, in association with investment firms, entrepreneurs, research institutes, universities and corporates, with support funding from the city centre targeted rate.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said the week will galvanise existing networks already in the region, and is part of a bigger, planned drive for growth in the sector.

“Auckland’s innovation and technology sector is one of three key areas of potential we’ve identified to unlock economic growth for Auckland. It’s events like these that link up investors with entrepreneurs and allow new ideas to flourish.”

The general manager of the council’s economic development office, Pam Ford, said the week celebrates the region’s innovation and is a runway to help early-stage businesses achieve success.

“We’re excited about the interest already shown in Auckland Startup Week, working with our private-sector partners, and we look forward to it becoming a sought-after annual fixture.”

Auckland Startup Week has a lineup of 95 speakers, including experienced founders, investors, and advisors. Māori innovators and leaders will share their experiences at a free session, Mana meets Machine: Māori Voices in Tech, on October 23.

International delegations will be attending Auckland Startup Week; two of which – from Denver, Colorado and Fukuoka, Japan – are hosting free events (spaces are available).

Already-booked-out free events include a demo day for Auckland startups, sessions on how to turn a great idea into a business, how to attract funding and investment, effective sales techniques, recruitment, one-on-one sessions with startup advisors, investor-pitching opportunities, and free networking events.

Paid events include the opening night Disruptors’ Dinner at Auckland Town Hall on October 20, workshops hosted by partner organisations during the week and a partner-hosted fundraising dinner featuring stories from a neurodivergent startup and business leaders on October 24.