Kia tupu ai ki angitū

Transforming pakihi from grassroots to global

Tupu is a 10-week business accelerator that provides you with the tools, mentorship, and resources to grow. Plus, selected teams will receive a $5,000 start up grant to fuel their growth!

Huraina tō kurahuna

Tupu is taking ten teams of founders on a journey to transform their pakihi from startup to an investment-ready venture.

Find out more

Connect with expert mentors and founders

Share and connect with likeminded community at four noho wānanga

Put your ideas into practice as you go

Develop your growth strategy through project based learning

Final showcase with potential investors

Pitch your pakihi to a keen audience of potential investors

Navigate the next stage of business growth

With access to expert mentors, dedicated coaches, and a supportive community of ambitious Māori founders, let Tupu unlock the potential of your pakihi as you gain essential skills in:

  • Pitching and financing
  • Solution validation
  • Minimal viable products
  • Sprint workflow and completion

E tū Tupuānuku, ko te one paraumu. Ringihia mai rā tō rahi ki te whenua haumako, kia puta ko te ora o Rongo. Koia!

Behold Tipuānuku, of the fertile soil. Spread your plenty across the land, reveal the bounty of Rongo. Indeed!

– Nā Rangi Mātāmua

In partnership with Tapuwae Roa and Sprout Agritech

United through the shared vision of driving Māori entrepreneurship forward, Sprout Agritech and Tapuwae Roa have partnered to deliver Tupu, an innovative business accelerator that is paving the way for pakihi Māori to to grow and become investment-ready, co-funded by Callaghan Innovation.

Find out more

Key dates and programme outline

Kaupapa Date Location
Applications open 26 February  Online
Applications close 25 March  Online
Selection wānanga
for shortlisted teams
 5 – 6 April  Online
Mihi whakatau
and Wānanga tuatahi		 19 – 20 April  Tāmaki Makaurau
2 x weekly lunchtime coaching, 1 x weekly one-on-one sessions  20 April – 27 June Online
Wānanga tuarua 10 – 11 May Tāmaki Makaurau
Wānanga tuatoru 31 May – 1 June  Tāmaki Makaurau
Wānanga tuawhā 26 June  Tāmaki Makaurau
Final showcase 27 June  Tāmaki Makaurau
and Online

Ō mātou pūkenga | Our mentors

Saara Tawha

Amy McLean

Ian Musson

Turn your entrepreneurial vision into a reality!

Applications open

Applications are open from 26 February to 25 March 2024.

Selection Panel Wānanga

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present to a selection panel on 5 – 6 April 2024.

Programme begins

Ten start-up teams will be inducted into the accelerator with the first wānanga on 19 – 20 April 2024.

Kawepūrongo | News and updates