Mark Robinson is Principal at VentureNest, a not-for-profit advisory supporting New Zealand’s startup ecosystem. With 7 years as a Business Innovation Advisor at Callaghan Innovation and experience helping 200+ ventures, he’s guided founders through healthtech, deep tech, and research-led commercialisation.
This guide distills those lessons into a roadmap for Kiwi founders to unlock government grants and support with clarity and efficiency. From mapping the right pathway to stacking and sequencing funding, Mark shares founder-tested insights to help startups secure non-dilutive capital and reach their first milestones.
builds The Kiwi Startup Founder’s Step-by-Step Guide to Getting the Most Out of NZ Government Support
A practical playbook for early-stage founders to map, stack, and win non-dilutive funding in New Zealand.
NZ Government Support Execution Guide
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Part 1: Foundations of NZ Government Support
Part 2: Applying & Sequencing Grants
Part 3: Writing Grants That Get Funded
Part 4: Pathways to Government Support
Part 5: Grant-by-Grant Execution Tips
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Every NZ Government Grant & Support Program in One Place
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Choose your pathway below to unlock the full scope of government support available to your business. Designed to reduce friction with faster access to the grants and support that move you forward, faster.
Almost every government grant flows from one question: are you doing R&D*?*
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Pathway 2: AI & Software – R&D YES
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Pathway 3: AI & Software – R&D NO
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The only complete, scannable directory of active funding, capability, and export programs for Kiwi startups and SME in New Zealand.
Understand the system, who to talk to first, and which support streams to prioritise.
How to align grants with your roadmap, avoid funding gaps, and apply effectively.