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Creative HQ

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Creative HQ

Proudly located in the coolest little capital.

For over 20 years, we’ve partnered with startups, businesses and government agencies to turn bold ideas into real-world impact through world-class innovation programmes, coaching, capital and connections.

26/08/2026

With all the good news stories happening around Welly tech, you might not have heard that five local tech companies are tactfully working away on their next stage of growth as part of our Scale Up Wellington programme. 🏙️

Scale Up takes a different approach to our usual programmes: 3 immersive two-day retreats over 6 months, giving leadership teams the space, expertise and time to work on the future of the business. 🎯

Meet the cohort:

Storbie: leading e-commerce platform built for community pharmacy.
Tapi: connecting property managers, tenants, owners and tradies to make property maintenance simpler and more transparent.
Litmaps: A visual literature mapping tool helping researchers navigate the world of scientific literature.
Effect: digital solutions for the public sector and emergency management.
Radium: customisable loyalty and payment software for fuel retailers.

Our first retreat focused on leadership and strategic direction. And where better to kick things off than Parehua Estate in Martinborough? 🍷

With the support of WellingtonNZ and Wellington City Council, we’re proud to be backing scaleups that are helping shape the future of Te Whanganui-a-Tara.

Check out highlights from Retreat 1. 👇

25/08/2026

🏆 Congratulations to Neumic Therapeutics, winners of the Startup World Cup NZ Final! The Dunedin deep tech startup will head to Silicon Valley to represent Aotearoa at the Global Finale, pitching for US$1 million. 🇳🇿🚀

Runner-up: Bspkl 🥈 | People’s Choice: Evithé Bio 💚 Thank you to all twelve founders, our 150+ attendees, Massey University and our partners for an incredible night.

24/08/2026

🏆 And the winner of the Startup World Cup NZ Final is... Neumic Therapeutics!

What a way to start the week. 150+ of us gathered to watch twelve founders pitch their game changing visions - and it was Dunedin-based Neumic Therapeutics who took the crown.

Neumic is developing groundbreaking solutions for brain disorders, combining wearable focused ultrasound, intelligent treatment-planning software and targeted therapeutics into a single integrated system. A huge congratulations to Professor John Reynolds for a mindblowing pitch. You had the room (and clearly the judges) captivated.

Neumic will be flown to Silicon Valley to represent Aotearoa at the Global Finale in November, pitching for US$1 million in front of global investors and tech leaders. The whole Kiwi startup community cheering you on - go show the world what NZ deep tech can do. 🇳🇿

🥈 Shoutout to our runner-up, Bspkl - tackling one of green hydrogen's biggest cost barriers with a breakthrough catalyst process.
💚 And congratulations to our People's Choice winner, Evithé Bio - turbocharging plants to fight inflammation at scale.

To every founder who took the stage last night: thank you - each of you has an idea to make our world better.

A massive thank you too to Massey University College of Creative Arts for hosting us in such an incredible venue, and to our partners Pegasus Tech Ventures, Mastercard, WellingtonNZ, Joiy and Sprig & Fern for making tonight possible.

Onwards to San Francisco, Neumic. 🚀

23/08/2026

It's election season 🗳️ and that means it's time to bring our political leaders together to talk innovation. 🧠

Innovation, tech and start-ups are vital to Aotearoa's future, and while every party agrees it matters... they don't always agree on how to back it.

This event puts that question directly to representatives from across the political spectrum: what's your plan, and what role should government play in making it happen? 🎤

For the third time running, Creative HQ is bringing you the Innovation Election Debate - and this year, we're stepping up to a bigger stage!

📍 Parliament, Legislative Chamber
📅 Wednesday 23 September
🕠 5:00–7:30pm (includes some time for networking)

We'll open the evening with a keynote from Glen Willoughby, who'll set the scene on why innovation matters and where government can make a difference, before handing the floor to the parties for a (potentially spicy) debate. Your audience questions will be included too.

More details to come, and spaces are limited - register now: https://events.creativehq.co.nz/The2026InnovationElectionDebate #/?affl=Facebook

20/08/2026

You this Monday! 🚀

18/08/2026

Spotlight on Fintech 🔦 ⚡ Specifically, Fintech Activate: our newest programme now open for applications - built to grow the pipeline in NZ's fastest-growing tech sector.

This 10-week pre-accelerator is where some of our most disruptive fintech founders got their start - coming in with nothing but an idea, and going on to Fintech Lab or other major programmes to build out their teams, land pilot customers, and start raising funding. 🔥

That's the pipeline we're building: more great ideas being explored and supported to go further, faster. 🏃‍♀️

This programme wouldn't be possible without our partners: Mastercard, WellingtonNZ, and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment - thank you for backing the next wave of Fintech founders in Aotearoa. 💪

Thinking of signing up? Here's what to expect:

🤝 A flexible programme designed to fit around your existing job or commitments
💸 Direct access to the people who fund and regulate fintech in New Zealand - including NZ Fintech Fund and the FMA
🧠 Hands-on support with customer discovery, prototyping and pitching - plus hands-on experience with impactful uses of AI to help you move faster

No product, no co-founder, no company needed - just an idea about money and 10 weeks to test it. If you're unsure whether you're the right fit, apply anyway or reach out. https://creativehq.co.nz/build-for-founders/fintech-activate/

17/08/2026

🏆 12 Startups. 1 ticket to San Fransisco. US$1 million on the line.

It all comes down to the Startup World Cup NZ final, next Monday 24 August.

12 of New Zealand’s rising startups from across Aotearoa are coming together in Wellington pitch in front of an all-star judging panel for their shot at the Global Finale in San Francisco. ✈️

👏 Come watch the next generation of founders and support Kiwi innovation at its finest.

If you’re new to the startup scene, this is the perfect event to jump into the community, meet new people and see what’s happening across Aotearoa’s startup ecosystem.

Last chance to lock down your tickets:
🎟 https://events.creativehq.co.nz/StartupWorldCupNZFinal2026
🗓 Monday 24 August | Wellington

12/08/2026

Applications are open: GovTech Activate & Fintech Activate 🚀

Got an idea sitting in your notes app? These two pre-accelerators could be your next step - giving Aotearoa’s early-stage founders their on-ramp to startup life. 🏃‍♂️

🏢 GovTech Activate: for founders building technology that supports public sector objectives. Whether government's your customer, or just the biggest stakeholder in the outcome you're chasing, this is your way in.

🏦 Fintech Activate: for founders with an idea about money, at any stage from sketch to early prototype. Payments, lending, saving, insurance, financial crime or something you think might be "fintech adjacent" - apply anyway (applications are quick)!

📅 Applications close 2 September.
🕐 Kicking off 28 Sept - through to early December
💆‍♀️ Flexible, fortnightly commitments

Who should apply: Idea-stage founders (solo or in a team). You don’t need an existing product, company, investment or sector experience. What you do need is a real problem you want to test properly.

What you'll get: Structure, acceleration with AI, coaching and ecosystem support to take your idea from concept to real customer validation. These programmes are free. No equity, no IP taken.

If you've been sitting on an idea wondering if it's worth pursuing, take the leap and apply:

👉 Apply for GovTech Activate: https://creativehq.co.nz/build-for-founders/govtech-activate/
👉 Apply for Fintech Activate: https://creativehq.co.nz/build-for-founders/fintech-activate/

11/08/2026

👀 Ever wondered what a $1M pitch actually sounds like? The competition is on.

New Zealand’s rising startups are going head-to-head at this year’s Startup Word Cup on 24 August. 🏆

If you’re new to the startup scene, this is your gateway in. 🔑 Link in bio.

Shoutout to last year’s epic event, co-hosted with Kāpiti Coast District Council and Business Kāpiti

Address

7 Dixon Street
Wellington
6011

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.creativehq.co.nz/

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