Hōtaka

Delivered across eight weeks, Tupu includes four in-person wānanga, weekly online hui, and one-on-one coaching sessions focused on the core elements of scaling startups and raising capital.

Throughout the programme, founders will refine and practise their investor pitch while preparing to engage with the venture capital ecosystem. The journey culminates in a final in-person showcase, where founders present their pakihi to an audience of whānau, partners, and investors.

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.

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.

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.

The final wānanga brings together all the programme lessons to prepare and deliver our Tupu Showcase; an opportunity to pitch your startup live to business leaders, investors, and supporters.