Pātai

Frequently asked questions

Tupu is a 8-week kaupapa-Māori accelerator program designed to accelerate the growth of early-stage Māori startups and prepare them for investment.

Tupu is open to Māori-founded startups who are looking to scale or become investment-ready. We welcome applications from Māori founders who are passionate about scaling their businesses and making a positive impact.

Tupu runs over 8 weeks and consists of the following

  • 1 x shortlist panel interview (Online, 10-11 April)
  • 3 x in-person noho wānanga (1-3 May, 29 – 31 May, 24 – 27 June 2025)
  • 1 x weekly group coaching session (Online, time and day TBD)
  • 1 x weekly one-on-one coaching session with your mentor (Online, time and day TBD)

Tupu offers a comprehensive accelerator programme delivered by experienced business mentors and coaches, networking opportunities with potential investors, and practical workshops.

Tupu is uniquely by Māori, for Māori kaupapa, tailored to the needs of rakahinonga Māori (Māori entrepreneurs) and provides tikanga-led mentorship and support.

Across three noho wānanaga and weekly online coaching, participants will develop scalable business models, enhance revenue strategies, and establish robust commercial viability. The programme also covers navigating investor relations, mastering financial modelling, and crafting compelling pitches.

WĀNANGA 1:Where to Play

  • Participants dive deep into the needs and demands of their target customers; where they are, how big the potential marker is, and the key pain points you’re solving. Through activities such as customer validation and market sizing techniques, participants seek to understand the core value proposition they offer to their target customers on the way to achieving product-market fit. 

WĀNANGA 2: How to Win

  • Participants lean into the startup they need to build to meet the market opportunity. Building out their core competencies including their approach to commercialisation, revenue generation and business models, and establishing firm processes to scale and sustain their business.  

WĀNANGA 3: Raising Capital

  • When the firm foundations are in place, participants will explore the complex journey of raising capital, including the information you need, what investors are looking for, and ways to navigate the due diligence process. It includes focuses on financial modelling, valuation, and creating investor collateral. 

    All along this learning journey, pakihi will be guided in their preparation for the venture capital ecosystem by building and practising their “Pitch”, culminating in an in-person showcase to friends, partners and investors.  

Tupu is facilitated by experienced business coaches Saara Tawha and Brittany Teei, in collaboration with Tapuwae Roa and Sprout Agritech.

Tupu accepts up to ten teams of Māori-founded startups into each cohort.

The application process involves submitting an online application form, which includes questions about your startup, founders, and growth aspirations. Shortlisted teams will be invited to present to a selection panel where the final decision will be made.

There is no cost to participate in Tupu. Selected teams receive access to all program resources and wānanga free of charge.

Travel to and from in-person wānanga and accommodation will also be covered for up to two participants.

Applications close at 5 pm, 20 March 2025.

There is no direct cash grant as part of Tupu, but startups selected to participate are eligible for up to $5,000 cash contribution to professional services that support their pakihi to accelerate their startup journey. This can include Legal, IP, financial, marketing, prototyping, or others. The  specific use and provider will be agreed upon between the pakihi and the Accelerator’s facilitator, and services will be directly contracted by Tapuwae Roa and the agreed service provider.