The PowerUp Accelerator is a 10-week intensive business acceleration programme designed to fast-track the growth of high-potential, early-stage startups in Taranaki. With tailored mentorship, and a network of experts who can accelerate your journey, this is your launchpad for success.
At the end of the programme, founders will take the stage at the final PowerUp Accelerator Showcase to pitch their business and gain valuable feedback.
The Accelerator kicks off from 14 April 2025. Applications have now closed.
Who is the PowerUp Accelerator for?
If you've built an MVP and have big plans for scaling, we want to help you grow! We are looking for:
- Startups with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
- Teams with a clear vision and scalable ambitions
- Startups that have tested the market and validated their business idea
- Founders who have a working prototype and are ready to refine and scale
- Startups with potential customers waiting for the full launch or looking for your product
- Founders who are ready to take their business to the next level
What do you get?
You’ll spend 10-weeks getting laser-focused to take your startup to the next level.
- Mentors in your corner: One-on-one tailored support to unlock your potential
- Tailored expert sessions to help build your capability and scale your MVP into a thriving business
- Need space? Get access to co-working desks in New Plymouth CBD for the duration of the programme
- Pitch like a pro: Fine-tune your deck and delivery
- A supportive network: Regular group check-ins, and a networking opportunities
- Accelerator Showcase: pitch your business to a panel of investors and industry experts to gain valuable feedback and exposure
Is this right for me?
Applicants must:
- Be For-Profit (including purpose-driven enterprises).
- Be based in Taranaki.
- Have already met some milestones and demonstrated traction such as a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), sales or customer commitment, or another form of market validation.
- Have clearly identified the problem they are solving
- Be working on an innovative solution and/or business model that is scalable, ideally globally.
- Be open to or actively looking for forms of investment. Applicants who have already raised capital will also be considered
Who is it not for?
The PowerUp Accelerator is targeted at early-stage founders with big plans. It is not for:
- Founders who have a solution, but do not understand who it’s for or the problem it solves.
- Startups with solutions that are not scalable.
- Founders who are closed to feedback.
- Startups/Founders who have been going for 3+ years without traction
- This is one of many projects that the founders are running
Sector-specific information
Applicants do not have to be a technology company. We are calling for applicants from all sectors – As long as you have an innovative, scalable product, service, or business model.
- Where appropriate, weighting will be given to applicants who are operating in the Food and Fibre, Energy, Technology, or Tourism sectors, as these align with our Venture Taranaki strategic focus areas.
Is this right for me?
- Be For-Profit (including purpose-driven enterprises).
- Be based in Taranaki.
- Have already met some milestones and demonstrated traction such as a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), sales or customer commitment, or another form of market validation.
- Have clearly identified the problem they are solving
- Be working on an innovative solution and/or business model that is scalable, ideally globally.
- Be open to or actively looking for forms of investment. Applicants who have already raised capital will also be considered
The PowerUp Accelerator is targeted at early-stage founders with big plans. It is not for:
- Founders who have a solution, but do not understand who it’s for or the problem it solves.
- Startups with solutions that are not scalable.
- Founders who are closed to feedback.
- Startups/Founders who have been going for 3+ years without traction
- This is one of many projects that the founders are running
Applicants do not have to be a technology company. We are calling for applicants from all sectors – As long as you have an innovative, scalable product, service, or business model.
- Where appropriate, weighting will be given to applicants who are operating in the Food and Fibre, Energy, Technology, or Tourism sectors, as these align with our Venture Taranaki strategic focus areas.
Key Timings
24 March: Applications close
31 March: Successful applicants notified
1 April - 11 April: Onboarding and mentor matching
14 April – 23 June: Accelerator Programme
26 June: PowerUp Showcase Evening
FAQs
- Is there any cost to join the Accelerator programme?
- Can I apply if I already have some funding or a developed product?
- I only have an idea – Can I apply?
- How does the selection process work?
- How can I make my application stand out?
- How many hours a week do I have to commit to this programme?
- What kind of mentorship can I expect?
- Will I receive funding from the Accelerator?
Is there any cost to join the Accelerator programme?
There is no cost to take part in the Accelerator.
Can I apply if I already have some funding or a developed product?
Yes, we accept startups at various stages, from pre-revenue to those with some traction and funding.
I only have an idea – Can I apply?
The PowerUp Accelerator is designed for early-stage businesses that already have some demonstrated traction. Check out some of our other PowerUp support for idea-stage businesses
How does the selection process work?
Applications will be reviewed by a Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki panel, who will look for innovation, scalability, and the potential for high impact.
If we have questions or need more information from you, we will organise a call.
How can I make my application stand out?
Focus on a clear problem and solution, show a unique value proposition, demonstrate a strong and committed team, and provide traction or validation of your idea if possible.
How many hours a week do I have to commit to this programme?
The PowerUp Accelerator requires between four and eight hours per week, which includes mentoring, bi-weekly expert sessions, pitch deck work and practice, and group check-ins.
This is a guideline only. The more you put into the 10 weeks, the more you will get out of it. However it's important that you are able to commit to the full 10 weeks and complete the programme (excluding any unforeseen emergencies).
What kind of mentorship can I expect?
If you are selected, you will be carefully matched with a mentor from our pool as part of the onboarding process within the first two weeks of the programme.
To ensure you are matched with the most appropriate mentor, we will discuss your needs and the expertise you are looking for to take your startup to the next level.
Your mentor will work with you for 20 hours over the 10 weeks to support your objectives and get you ready for the showcase. The frequency and method (face-to-face, hybrid) is to be agreed between you and the mentor during the onboarding process.
Will I receive funding from the Accelerator?
There is no seed funding. You will showcase your startup in front of a live audience at the end of the programme for feedback and networking opportunities with investors.
FAQs
There is no cost to take part in the Accelerator.
Yes, we accept startups at various stages, from pre-revenue to those with some traction and funding.
The PowerUp Accelerator is designed for early-stage businesses that already have some demonstrated traction. Check out some of our other PowerUp support for idea-stage businesses
Applications will be reviewed by a Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki panel, who will look for innovation, scalability, and the potential for high impact.
If we have questions or need more information from you, we will organise a call.
Focus on a clear problem and solution, show a unique value proposition, demonstrate a strong and committed team, and provide traction or validation of your idea if possible.
The PowerUp Accelerator requires between four and eight hours per week, which includes mentoring, bi-weekly expert sessions, pitch deck work and practice, and group check-ins.
This is a guideline only. The more you put into the 10 weeks, the more you will get out of it. However it's important that you are able to commit to the full 10 weeks and complete the programme (excluding any unforeseen emergencies).
If you are selected, you will be carefully matched with a mentor from our pool as part of the onboarding process within the first two weeks of the programme.
To ensure you are matched with the most appropriate mentor, we will discuss your needs and the expertise you are looking for to take your startup to the next level.
Your mentor will work with you for 20 hours over the 10 weeks to support your objectives and get you ready for the showcase. The frequency and method (face-to-face, hybrid) is to be agreed between you and the mentor during the onboarding process.
There is no seed funding. You will showcase your startup in front of a live audience at the end of the programme for feedback and networking opportunities with investors.