Whether you’ve got the next big idea or are growing an early-stage startup, our range of PowerUp Programmes are designed to help you grow your business capability, refine your big ideas, and build your network to take your enterprise to the next level.
PowerUp Masterclass
PowerUp Masterclasses cover a range of topics relevant to today’s dynamic business landscape, and offer an interactive opportunity for entrepreneurs to develop their skillset and gain practical advice from industry experts that can be applied to their enterprises.
Read NZ Entrepreneur Magazine’s feature on how PowerUp Masterclasses help budding business-people to supercharge their capabilities.
Join our upcoming PowerUp Masterclass 'Pimp or Pivot your business model: The killer UVP', in partnership with DOSO - Through this practical two-part workshop, you will learn the steps to develop a killer Unique Value Proposition (UVP), deep dive into your customer's world, and pimp or pivot your business model to ensure your branding, marketing, and product are developed for success.
You must be able to attend both workshop dates on 13 March, and 10 April. These are spaced a month apart so that you can test what you've learned with real customers and return to further refine and develop your UVP. Cost: $25
PowerUp Business Ready
PowerUp Business Ready is a series of interactive workshops, designed to empower aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and guidance needed to transform their innovative ideas and early-stage businesses into thriving ventures.
If you’ve got the next big idea bubbling away, are a startup or an early-stage business, PowerUp Business Ready is for you.
All workshops will be held on Tuesdays at The Devon Hotel, New Plymouth 6.00 - 8.30pm.
Week 1 - 11/02/2025, Vision, Goals and Understanding your Customer
Week 2 - 18/02/2025, Competitors and Brand Positioning
Week 3 - 25/02/2025, Developing a Marketing Strategy
Week 4 - 04/03/2025, Business Structures
BREAK
Week 5 - 18/03/2025, Financials: Pricing and Key Business Costs
Week 6 - 25/03/2025, Financials - cashflow forecasting
Week 7 - 01/04/2025, Pitch fundamentals and practice
Week 8 - 08/04/2025, Pitch Night
Applications have now closed and all applicants have been notified.
PowerUp ScaleUp
Small-grant funding to support Taranaki enterprises with their next steps and act as a catalyst to amplify growth.
ScaleUp is a contestable fund that will issue grants of up to $5,000 to support activity aimed at accelerating progress, removing barriers to growth or solving an issue.
Stay tuned for the next intake of applications.
PowerUp Investment Month
Whether you’re looking to secure funding, attract investment, or perfect your pitch deck, PowerUp Investment Month provides valuable guidance to demystify the world of investment and unlock business growth.
PowerUp Investment Month recurs four times per year (August 24, October 24, February 25, May 25), consisting of three stand-alone small group sessions. You can choose whether you attend just one, or all three, and you can always return and attend a different session later in the year as your investment journey progresses.
Unlocking Angel Investment, $20
Curious about whether your business has what it takes to attract Angel Investment? Join us to discover what investors are looking for and an overview of the capital raising process.
This workshop is tailored for businesses keen on exploring the possibility of attracting investment rather than those currently in the active capital-raising phase.
Session Dates:
- 13 February 2025
- 1 May 2025
Funding Sources, $20
Unlock your business potential with the right funding strategy, and gain invaluable insights into types of funding including Government co-funding opportunities.
Session dates:
- 20 February 2025
- 8 May 2025
Introduction to Pitch Deck Preparation, $20
Uncover the essentials of creating impactful pitch decks and learn how these tools effectively communicate your vision to potential investors.
Session dates:
- 27 February 2025
- 15 May 2025
PowerUp Kickstart
PowerUp Kickstart, was an accelerator-style idea and pitching competition, to help build capability and confidence amongst the region's entrepreneurial community. Around 80 big thinkers joined the programme to shape their business idea or progress their startups. The competition was narrowed down to five finalists who sold us their bright idea for the chance to pitch to win $10,000 cash to take their innovations to the next level.
Congratulations to our winners Pam and Frey Livingston, Tokaora Diagnostics, and Glen Stephens, Sol + Sea.
Watch highlights from our PowerUp Kickstart Finals Night
