“Graham’s experience in bridging the worlds of government, universities, startups, and industry will be instrumental as we build founder-focused startup programmes to increase economic productivity in New Zealand through startup innovation,” says Dale Stephens, Chair of Ministry of Awesome.
From Ecosystem Architect to Startup Ally
For more than a decade, Scown has helped shape how research, technology, and venture capital intersect in New Zealand. At UniServices, he built systems that empowered researchers to bring their IP to market. Through Momentum and Return on Science, he developed nationally scaled models for venture building, student entrepreneurship, and investor engagement. But what sets Scown apart is his ability to operate at both altitude and depth.
Now, he's stepping directly into the trenches - with the founders.
“Ministry of Awesome is not about innovation theatre or vanity metrics,” Scown says. “It’s about building real businesses. Helping smart people figure out how to get their ideas to market faster, with better connections and fewer dead ends. I’m here to help our team amplify that mission.”
A National Force with Founder-First DNA
Ministry of Awesome began as a high-energy startup hub in Christchurch. But over the last three years, it’s become a cornerstone of New Zealand’s innovation infrastructure. Through programs like Founder Catalyst, it now supports ambitious entrepreneurs nationwide, offering tailored, one-on-one support delivered by experienced entrepreneurs-in-residence.
That personalised model is key. No equity stakes. No generic workshops. Just deep, founder-guided mentorship designed to help early-stage startups find product-market fit, secure investment, and grow globally.
Since 2019, companies supported by the Ministry have raised more than $185 million in capital and created nearly 500 high-productivity jobs. That success has helped earn Ministry of Awesome a spot as a finalist in the 2025 New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards for Best Contribution to the NZ Tech Sector.
Scown’s arrival signals the next evolution: deeper national collaboration, stronger cross-sector integration, and a more mature interface between government, universities, and startup builders.
The Ministry’s Unconventional Edge
What sets Ministry of Awesome apart isn’t just its track record - it’s its philosophy. The team avoids flashy pitch nights and glossy presentations. Instead, they focus on what really moves the needle for founders.
“Too much startup support in this country is still performative,” says James Burnes, the Ministry’s outgoing interim CEO. “We’ve eliminated the fluff. We don’t run programmes to impress funders - we build programmes that help founders win. And Graham gets that at a cellular level.”
Burnes, who remains a trustee and continues to advise global startups and VC funds through his U.S.-based firm Dragonfly Operating Partners, says Scown’s leadership is perfectly timed.
A Message to Founders
For Scown, the mission is simple: Make it easier to start, scale, and succeed in New Zealand.
“If you’re a founder building something new and you're stuck, reach out. Ministry of Awesome is here to help. No matter where you’re based, we’ll connect you to the support, people, and insights you need to move forward.”
Burnes echoes that sentiment. “A rising tide lifts all boats. We’re here to raise that tide, through collaboration and putting the ecosystem first.
