The first Auckland Startup Week gets underway from 20-24 October, bringing together more than 2000 investors, industry experts, and startup founders at all stages of business development.
Based at Auckland Council’s innovation hub GridAKL in Wynyard Quarter and eight other central Auckland venues, the pick-and-mix programme includes five days of workshops, panels, networking events and pitch sessions designed to support, showcase and boost business growth in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Most of the 32 events are free and many have reached capacity or sold out, demonstrating the demand for business acceleration and investment opportunities in Auckland’s startup scene.
Auckland Startup Week is presented by Auckland Council, in association with investment firms, entrepreneurs, research institutes, universities and corporates, with support funding from the city centre targeted rate.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says Auckland Startup Week will galvanise existing networks already in the region, and is part of a bigger, planned drive for growth in the sector.
“Auckland’s innovation and technology sector is one of three key areas of potential we've identified to unlock economic growth for Auckland. It's events like these that link up investors with entrepreneurs and allow new ideas to flourish.”
He says Auckland is primed to make the most of Startup Week with the new Auckland Innovation and Technology Alliance. The Alliance has been set up by Mayor Brown to foster collaboration, attract investment, and provide strategic leadership to strengthen Auckland’s position as a global tech hub.
“The Auckland Innovation and Technology Alliance has been established to make sure the chatter at these events turns into real-world benefits for Aucklanders. I look forward to seeing the outcomes produced by strengthened connections between the universities, the private sector, and government.”
Pam Ford, General Manager of the Economic Development Office within Auckland Council, says Auckland Startup Week celebrates the region’s innovation and is a runway to help early-stage businesses achieve success.
“Auckland Startup Week continues Auckland Council’s support of the region’s startup and innovation ecosystem. We’re excited about the interest already shown in Auckland Startup Week, working with our private-sector partners, and we look forward to it becoming a sought-after annual fixture.”
Auckland Startup Week has a lineup of 95 speakers, including experienced founders, investors, and advisors. Māori innovators and leaders will share their experiences at a free session, Mana meets Machine: Māori Voices in Tech, on 23 October (tickets are available). International delegations will be attending Auckland Startup Week; two of which – from Denver, Colorado and Fukuoka, Japan – are hosting free events (spaces are available).
Already-booked-out free events include a demo day for Auckland startups, sessions on how to turn a great idea into a business, how to attract funding and investment, effective sales techniques, recruitment, one-on-one sessions with startup advisors, investor-pitching opportunities, and free networking events.
Paid events include the opening night Disruptors’ Dinner at Auckland Town Hall on 20 October (tickets are available), workshops hosted by partner organisations during the week and a partner-hosted fundraising dinner featuring stories from a neurodivergent startup and business leaders on 24 October.
Auckland Startup Week has a big focus on tech startups, but not entirely.
“Auckland Startup Week is not sector specific. The programme includes opportunities for non-tech businesses, too,” Pam Ford says.
Ford is part of the panel at Bold Moves, Bolder (Women) Founders on 23 October, which shares insights from founders in traditional industries who have created impressive start ups.
Visit the Auckland Start Up Week website for more information on Auckland Startup Week venues.
