Start-ups

Many start-ups are attracted to Marlborough by the opportunity to provide solutions for workforce and environmental challenges or simply make the region’s established industries more adaptable to change and future focused.

Affordable and easy for start-ups, Marlborough is also centrally located with great connections to all major centres. It only takes seven minutes to get to the main airport, 15 minutes to the beach, the rivers, or the bush. Wilderness is only a stone’s throw away from the centre of town.

What’s happening for start-ups?

Start-ups are well supported by Angel Investors Marlborough and other stakeholders in the ecosystem such as mentors, trainers, programmes, and inspiring speakers.

Te Au Pūngao Tech & Innovation Hub

Te Au Pūngao supports start-ups working at the intersection of agri-tech, sustainability, and innovation. It’s a purpose-built hub designed to accelerate ideas that drive regional growth and global impact.

Find out more about Te Au Pūngao

Techstars Startup Weekend

Techstars Startup Weekend is where bold ideas meet real-world execution. Over three action-packed days, entrepreneurs, creatives, professionals, and problem-solvers come together to build, test, and launch start-up concepts—supported by top mentors, investors, and industry leaders.

This year’s event is delivered by Te Au Pūngao as part of TechWeek 2025, running from 19–25 May.

It’s the perfect opportunity for:

Anyone with a great idea
Those curious about entrepreneurship
People keen to learn how start-ups work
Anyone looking to expand their network and build new skills

Learn what it takes to launch a start-up and experience entrepreneurship first-hand at Startup Marlborough.

A presenter in a green T-shirt presents to an audience

Angel Investors Marlborough

Angel Investors Marlborough is a membership-based investment network of investors and allied business professionals who invest in early-stage start-up entrepreneurs and innovators.

Angel Investors Marlborough is a member of the Angel Association of New Zealand (AANZ), a network of more than 20 angel groups and funds throughout the country. Angel Investors Marlborough collectively promote and facilitate investor education by providing education events, active learning opportunities on actual deals, and best practice procedures.

Find out more about Angel Investors Marlborough.

Inspiring Speaker Series

There is an active programme in the Marlborough region with inspiring speakers on various topics from within Marlborough as well as from other parts of the country on topics such as innovation, technology, wellbeing, mental health, people, and planet.

Keep an eye on our upcoming business events or sign up for our Innovation Newsletter.

Business mentoring

Business Trust Marlborough supports local businesses, including start-ups, with mentoring and networking.

Learn more about Business Trust Marlborough.

Research organisations

Start-ups have access to Marlborough’s research institutes and innovation centres including the New Zealand Wine Centre at Bragato Research Institute, Sanford Bioactives, Cawthron Institute, Sawmill Studios and the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology.