Welcome to Creative HQ
We’re New Zealand’s leading innovation hub, building high-growth businesses around Aotearoa and the world to create jobs, attract investment and contribute to a better future. For over 22 years, Creative HQ has helped over 35,000 people turn bold ideas into real-world impact. Since 2003, our method has powered over 400 startups - from the likes of Hnry, Sharesies, Silverstripe and Tapi. Through our innovation services, we’ve supported leading organisations across the globe, from the Asian Development Bank to Datacom and Trade Me. Here's your glimpse into the ecosystem and impact.
We're growing an ecosystem where innovators can thrive.
As we assembled this report in 2025, New Zealand has faced a tight economic climate alongside rapid shifts driven by generative AI. These pressures underline the need to back entrepreneurship and the technology sector as engines of growth and as pathways to improved social, environmental, cultural and financial outcomes. Our programmes have supported 1,460 entrepreneurs, contributed to 1,911 high-value jobs, and helped build a pipeline of investible companies now valued at over $1.5 billion. Alumni have attracted more than $350 million in investment, and 45% remain active five years post-programme, compared with a global 10% rate.
Read direct reflections and impact stats from Creative HQ Chief Executive Catherine Jones and Board Chair Tracey Bridges.
It takes a village to create a startup
Ideas and startups do not succeed in isolation. They come to life when the requirements of a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem are met through a highly collaborative, mission-aligned foundation of enablers. At Creative HQ, we know that we are only one part of this bigger picture. Together, we deliver programmes and events that provide founders with the support and challenge they need to turn ambitious ideas into world-changing ventures. We are deeply grateful to our partners and funders who make it possible for founders to access our programmes free of charge. In particular, we acknowledge WellingtonNZ and Callaghan Innovation (now MBIE), whose long-standing support has underpinned our work for many years.
How we activate more founders
Startup founders drive innovation, job creation, and social impact, bringing fresh ideas and cultural diversity to the ecosystem. For 22 years, Creative HQ has supported founders to grow their skills, confidence, connections, and access to capital, helping them launch ventures that tackle local and global challenges. Through early activation programmes like Tech Sector development, Startup Aotearoa, Founder Launch and Startup Sessions, we inspire and equip tens of thousands of potential founders with expert guidance and community support, sparking the next wave of entrepreneurial success.
Creative HQ has supported 502 startups over the past 22 years, meet the founders who have passed through our doors who we’ve had the privilege to work with.
Fueling the ecosystem with impactful programmes
We support high-potential startups through intensive incubation and acceleration, helping founders turn breakthrough ideas into tangible progress - often achieving a year’s growth in just three months. Over 22 years, we’ve run 66 programmes, supporting 502+ startups across New Zealand and internationally, with 40% still active today- matching the best accelerators globally. Our programmes span sectors from climate and fintech to arts and public innovation, and consistently outperform global averages in startup graduation, funding success, and female founder participation. As compared with some of the top startup support programmes in the world, Creative HQ has graduated 237% more startups in our programmes, with almost twice the number of them closing seed funding (46% for Creative HQ vs 26% global average), with teams that have 1.4X the number of female founders in them. The following stories showcase startups we’ve supported and their impact.
Spotlight on Fintech
Building a brighter financial future for Kiwis
Creative HQ is driving growth in New Zealand’s fastest-growing tech sector, supporting Fintech startups that collectively raised NZ$198M and employ 500+ people. Since 2017, our programmes - from the KiwiBank Fintech Accelerator to Fintech Lab and Fintech Ignite - have helped founders launch impactful ventures like Sharesies and Hnry. Through mentorship, AI-powered tools, and ecosystem connections, we provide early-stage validation, prototyping, and pathways to funding, continuing to accelerate Fintech innovation across Aotearoa.
Spotlight on Climate Tech
Fueling innovation to tackle the climate crisis
Creative HQ accelerates Climate Tech startups that reduce emissions, remove carbon, and drive New Zealand’s transition to net zero. With dedicated programmes like Aurora Climate Lab, we equip founders with the tools, capital, and connections to scale globally. Our alumni, including Cleanery, Frankie and Capture6, raised US$27.5M last year alone, advancing technologies in energy and carbon removal, shaping a zero-carbon future for Aotearoa and beyond.
Backing startups to become investment-ready
Early-stage funding is vital for startups, turning innovative ideas into viable businesses and fuelling growth. At Creative HQ, we help founders prepare for seed investment, averaging NZ$750k per first raise, by building compelling propositions, connecting them with top angel and VC investors, and providing mentorship and strategic guidance. Our support strengthens the local entrepreneur-investor ecosystem, helping startups achieve milestones, attract capital and scale successfully.
Driving growth across Wellington’s Tech Sector
Creative HQ leads Wellington’s Tech Sector Strategy, supporting startups and scaleups to grow the region’s technology ecosystem. By activating talent, improving access to capital, and providing mentorship and global connections, we help ventures scale from early-stage to internationally competitive. Since 2022, 40+ events have engaged 4,650+ participants, energising Wellington’s tech community and strengthening its position as a world-class hub for innovation and economic growth.
Empowering people and organisations to adapt to change
Growing expert talent through the School of Innovation
Since 2015, Creative HQ has been building innovation capability through practical programmes, leading to the launch of the School of Innovation in 2021. Our courses help people develop the skills and confidence to think differently, take calculated risks, adapt, and deliver change. Hundreds of participants - from local charities to international organisations - have applied these skills to solve real-world problems, creating a capable, connected innovation community ready to harness both human creativity and AI for impact.
I’ve always felt like anything’s possible, but this training has shifted our mindset. There’s excitement now that we can make change happen. - Nina Meloncelli, Program Director at the HELIX Hub
Championing innovation where policy is made
Over the past decade, Creative HQ has supported 239 public sector innovation projects in New Zealand and globally, helping teams move beyond planning into real-world delivery. We equip agencies with the tools, expertise, and collaborative networks to test, iterate, and implement solutions that create real value for people. By fostering safe experimentation and connecting government with startups and tech partners, we embed innovation-first thinking in the public sector, driving lasting impact and economic growth for Aotearoa.
Creative HQ is leading innovation ecosystem growth across Asia-Pacific
And we’re just getting started.
In Australia, we’ve partnered with the City of Moreton Bay to develop its fast-growing entrepreneurial ecosystem through the Innovate Moreton Bay programme, led locally from 2025. The programme supports startups, scale-ups, SMEs and young entrepreneurs, and has already delivered major wins, including bringing the Startup World Cup to Queensland. This work contributes to the region’s goal of a $40B economy and 16,000 new businesses by 2041. Across the Pacific, we’ve co-launched the Fiji Innovation Hub with UNCDF, UNDP, the Reserve Bank of Fiji, Mastercard and others — the first of its kind in the region. Focused on financial inclusion and digital innovation, the Hub adapts Creative HQ’s proven accelerator model to empower local founders and strengthen long-term economic resilience. Creative HQ’s global work now spans 13 countries, showcasing New Zealand’s leadership in innovation worldwide: • India • Philippines • Indonesia • Japan • Vietnam • Singapore • Sri Lanka • Australia • Saudi Arabia • Thailand • Vanuatu • Samoa • Fiji
It takes a village. Thank you to everyone in the ecosystem who has supported this 22 years of award-winning impact.
We focus on celebrating the wins of our alumni, but every so often it’s worth pausing to acknowledge the recognition our small team has received along the way. These awards matter less than the stories of the people who’ve come through our doors - the real reward, only glimpsed in the pages of this report.
Dive deeper into our work and results: access the full PDF report and learn more about Creative HQ at creativehq.co.nz.