Haere mai and welcome to the Ministry of Awesome startup and innovation community.
Ministry of Awesome exists to drive startup and innovation growth and success in Aotearoa. We are based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand's newest city and home to a dynamic startup and innovation community that is rolling the red carpet out for any startup with bold ambition to innovate and lead NZ's future.
At Ministry of Awesome, we focus on high growth startups with bold ambition for global impact. We provide startups with incubation, mentorship, and access to the investor networks, commercial partners, and professional services they need to succeed.
High Growth Startups
If you're a startup with bold ambition, capability, and a drive for global success, we're here to serve you.
Innovation programmes
If you're trying to kickstart innovation and entrepreneurship in your region, your sector, or your organisation - our innovation programmes may be just what you are looking for.
Education Programmes
We foster entrepreneurial ambition and instil innovation skillsets in our youth working alongside educational institutions and organisations around the country.
Looking for your startup tribe?
Te Ōhaka is our Centre for Growth and Innovation, currently the home of 20+ high-growth early stage startups. Startups and Ara students at Te Ōhaka are accepted into a formal incubation programme with a focus on monetisation, fundraising, and overseas expansion
Here's your chance to explore entrepreneurship, learn life-changing innovation skills, and work alongside some of the most exciting startup founders and entrepreneurs in New Zealand. Te Ōhaka - Centre for Growth & Innovation is right here on the central city campus and - regardless of your field of study - the skills you will learn from this experience will help you reach your career and life goals.
"Everything we are aspiring towards and what we have achieved is in no small part down to the amazing Ministry of Awesome team. “
Chris Bacon, Founder, Komodo Wellbeing
"Being a high growth startup in the Ministry of Awesome startup incubation programme at Te Ōhaka has been extremely useful, particularly because of the network and the community here. As a startup, being able to surround yourself with people who think in a similar way, who have been through similar experiences and being able to call on a network of experts are the most valuable advantages of being part of Te Ōhaka and been a key part of our journey."
Levi Fawcett, Founder, Partly
Our national partners
In late 2018, we formed a strategic alliance with Ara Institute of Canterbury which allowed the Ministry of Awesome team to tap into a 1400 strong ambitious learning community - a talent pipeline critical to the growth of our startup and innovation ecosystem. At the same time, we established Te Ōhaka - a city centre startup and innovation hub which has rapidly become one of the key drivers of the NZ early stage and high growth startup and innovation ecosystem.
Subscribe to our event invites and monthly newsletters and be part of our 6,000+ strong community of high growth startup founders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers.