Through a partnership between the Ministry for Women and Ministry of Awesome, ten women founders from across Aotearoa had the opportunity to attend the two-day Electrify Aotearoa summit in Wellington. The summit gave them a platform to build connections, sharpen strategies, and gain the insights to propel their ventures forward.
This group of women founders is a snapshot of the talent powering New Zealand’s startup scene — from AI-powered conservation to sustainable beauty, inclusive ed-tech, and breakthroughs in health-tech and cyber security. They prove that women-led ventures are not only innovating across industries but are also shaping the future of entrepreneurship in Aotearoa.
Take the time to discover their stories, understand their journeys, and champion their success.
Jenny McDonald - Dunedin Craft Distillers
Dunedin
When Jenny McDonald learned that thousands of tons of bread go to waste in New Zealand each year, she saw more than landfill — she saw potential. With Dunedin Craft Distillers, she and co‑founder Sue Stockwell have pioneered a way to turn surplus bread into premium gin and whiskey, tackling food waste while reimagining what sustainable spirits can be.
Elisa Harley - Enivo Pots
Christchurch
What started with a blender, wood chips, and a high‑school project has grown into Enivo Pots — a venture tackling New Zealand’s staggering 350 million plastic pot problem. Founder Elisa Harley, now a university student, is determined to build biodegradable pots from 100% local waste materials, proving that practical innovation can thrive with the right support.
Nat Galin - Galin Engine
Queenstown
Nat is tackling a 150‑year‑old engineering challenge with Galin Engine, developing next‑generation electricity generators that are lighter, more efficient, and built with customers in mind. Backed by her father’s groundbreaking patent, Nat is blending deep tech innovation with a customer‑centric approach to turn revolutionary theory into real‑world impact.
Angelica Lawson - Ceratec Health
Auckland
With a bold mission to tackle the global diabetes crisis, Angelica Lawson is driving Ceratec Health from idea to impact. Her team’s AI‑powered solution has already proven its potential in a national beta trial. Thanks to support from Startup Aotearoa and the connections forged at Electrify Aotearoa, Angelica is building more than a startup—she’s building a movement to change how the world detects and manages diabetes.
Laura Thompson - āhei
Invercargill
From Paralympic track to Edtech innovation, Laura Thompson is redefining inclusion in schools with āhei — a platform that embeds accessibility directly into mainstream teaching tools. By pivoting from specialised disability software to a solution every teacher wants to use, she’s making inclusive education a natural part of the classroom.
Ankita Dhakar - Capture The Bug
Hamilton
Bootstrapping her way to enterprise success, Ankita Dhakar has grown Capture The Bug from a founder’s vision into a cybersecurity SaaS trusted by NZX‑listed companies. Her journey proves that with resilience, community, and relentless customer focus, you don’t need big funding rounds to make a big impact.
Rebecca Lindsay
Christchurch
From salsa class to startup, Rebecca Lindsay and her co‑founders are turning a chance conversation into a breakthrough for women’s health. Their reusable digital pregnancy test is still in proof‑of‑concept, but with mentorship from Startup Aotearoa and inspiration from Electrify Aotearoa, they’re moving fast from idea to impact.
Carolyn Gates - AkoVet
Palmerston North
Veterinarian Carolyn Gates is turning clinical frustrations into innovation with AkoVet, a digital platform designed to free vets from paperwork and give animal owners clear, evidence‑based guidance. With her co‑founders, she’s building tools that transform vague advice into actionable wellness plans, while making vet care more efficient and accessible.
Nancy Vincent Parr - Onaji Cosmetics
Christchurch
After selling her house to fund Onaji Cosmetics, Nancy Vincent Parr is taking on the beauty industry with a bold mission: high‑performance makeup that’s plastic‑free, palm‑free, and packaged sustainably. Her journey from corporate roles to cosmetic innovation shows what happens when personal health meets entrepreneurial grit.
Miranda Wells - HARK
Taranaki
In the hills of rural Taranaki, Miranda Wells is redefining conservation with HARK—an AI‑powered acoustic monitoring system that listens to the bush 24/7. Unlike traditional recorders that require weeks of manual analysis, HARK devices can run for up to 10 years on solar power, identifying bird calls, detecting pests, and even tracking microclimates in real time. From protecting kiwi at home to potential anti‑poaching uses abroad, HARK is poised to change how the world protects its wildlife.
Learn more about the Ministry for Women and the support they provide.
If you’re looking to embark on your own startup journey, check out these programmes to see if they are right for you:
- Startup Aotearoa - free one-to-one coaching for early-stage founders.
- Founder Catalyst - a nine-month founder capability building programme.