We've got $5000 for student startups at our upcoming Student Pitch Competition!

If you'd like to make the most out of your pitch submission and ensure your pitch is in tip-top shape, join us on Friday, 12 September for this Pitching 101 session + Ask Me Anything (AMA)!

You can get your burning questions answered, and learn what to include in your pitch for maximum effectiveness.

Sign up here: http://tinyurl.com/AMAPitch25

OR - learn more about our Student Pitch Competition here: startupdunedin.nz/pitch

This online workshop equips angel investors with the tools and insights to manage their portfolio effectively. Led by seasoned investor Ken Erskine, the session covers due diligence, investment structuring, key legal terms, and follow-on strategy. Read more.

In this Tech Leader Chat, PartnerSlate’s CTO Pete Hodgson (previously at Earnest Inc., ThoughtWorks and more) will discuss the reality of AI adoption across companies and how to roll AI out for your team while setting everyone up for success.  Read More.

You’ve found the right Angel investor, and due diligence is done—now it’s time to tackle the paperwork

In this next session of our Angel & VC Investing series, Startup Queenstown Lakes will walk you through the essentials:

• Term Sheets: Key terms to know and negotiate

• Subscription Agreements: Understanding commitments from both sides

• Shareholder Agreements: Building a clear framework for ownership and rights

Read More & RSVP.

NZX’s Anna De Souza and Joseph Redpath will lead an online session for founders on what it takes to build a business ready for future listing. From assembling strong teams to setting up robust reporting and investor engagement practices, this session offers valuable advice for startups preparing for long-term growth. Read More.

CodeCraft are meeting up this September to discuss key learnings from Rust Forge in Wellington (https://rustforgeconf.com/), as well as have a discussion around the state of play in adoption (or otherwise) of generative AI tools in our workplaces and lives.

Read More.

Looking for ways to connect into the digital identity ecosystem? Join these informal monthly drop in/coffee chats for the Digital Identity NZ community. Each session is designed to help you connect, share stories and spark discussion, and runs for 45 minutes to allow more time for discussion and ideas exchange. Read More.

Scott Mason is a chartered accountant at Findex. Catch him at the latest Otago Breakfast Series event by University of Otago Alumni & Dunedin Young Professionals for a glimpse into his career journey, how he embraces change and opportunity, and his wisdom for early career starters on navigating challenges. RSVP Here

Keen to get your club earning, saving, and planning smarter? Come along to this fun and practical workshop all about sponsorship, fundraising, grants and sustainable leadership. That's everything you need to help your club thrive now and into the future. Whether you're brand new to it or just want to sharpen your skills - this one’s for you!

Plus: Every club that sends someone along goes in the draw to win one of two $50 New World vouchers - perfect for grabbing snacks for your club's upcoming AGM!

OUSA will have a bit of food for everyone, so please register so we know how many to cater for. Click here for more.

Ready to Pitch Your Startup? You’ve perfected your pitch and feel set to approach investors - but is your startup really ready?

Before any investment comes through, you’ll need to tick off every box in Investor Due Diligence (DD):

• Founders & Team: Showcasing your strengths and readiness

• Solid Business Plan: A roadmap investors can believe in

• MVP & Validation: Proven market need for your product

• Legal Foundations: IP, founder shares, contracts, and more

• Financial Projections: 3-year OPEX and revenue forecasts

Read More & RSVP.

Join our webinar to explore undergraduate Business study options at Otago. Hear from our esteemed academic staff and our industry guest speaker.

Discover what makes Otago’s Business programmes unique – from global pathways and entrepreneurship to real-world, hands-on learning.

Bring your questions – our team will be answering them live! 🙋🏽‍♀️🙋🏼‍♂️

🗓️ Date & Time: Tuesday 19 August, 4:30PM – 5:30PM (NZT)
🔗 Register now:
https://otago.zoom.us/webinar/register/5617546124712/WN_QraXg0GkQWGYms3AkKB9Kw#/registration

Entries close this week to celebrate Southern Māori business excellence and the outstanding achievements of pakihi Māori across Otago & Southland! 

Nominations for the Kuma Māori Business Awards are open now across 6 award categories, so if you know someone who ought to be nominated, make sure you get that in ASAP to support a local business doing great things. Read More.

Jacqueline's journey from writer to technologist centred on one question: how do we build digital spaces where everyone belongs? Read more & RSVP: https://academyex.com/events/jacqueline-comer-is-exceptional

The Pledgeme team have distilled their experience supporting over 1,700 founders and doers to successfully raise into this practical four hour workshop.

Join in and you'll come away with a practical understanding of how to raise and a draft plan.  The team will then catch up with you as a group a fortnight later to check in on your progress! Read More.

Petridish are hosting an open day and morning tea for National Co-Working Day! This is an awesome chance for Dunedinites to experience Petridish, engage in some fun networking and meet other locals working on cool stuff.

Keen? Please RSVP to bookings@petridish.co.nz by Wednesday, 6 August. If you'd like a tour of Petridish after the morning tea, let them know in your RSVP!

This two-hour online workshop is ideal for those new to angel investing or curious about getting started. Facilitated by experienced investor Ken Erskine, the session explores the motivations, risks, and mechanics of early-stage investing. Topics include building a portfolio, legal responsibilities, the importance of engagement, and the role of exits. Expect practical insights, a welcoming learning environment, and the chance to connect with fellow investors across Aotearoa.

Read More.

We love a good success story, but what about the moments that didn't go to plan? Mistakes Were Made is a brand new take on the founders' event, flipping the script and taking a peek behind the curtain into the often untold moments of the journey.

Come along for three unique innovation stories about the times things didn’t quite go the way they thought they would - and the lessons those experiences taught them.

Read More.

Looking for ways to connect into the digital identity ecosystem? Join these informal monthly drop in/coffee chats for the Digital Identity NZ community. Each session is designed to help you connect, share stories and spark discussion, and runs for 45 minutes to allow more time for discussion and ideas exchange. Read More.

John Miles, CEO of the New Zealand Marketing Association, presents Marketing for non-marketers: Building strategic value together

With over four decades of experience across FMCG, marketing and brand strategy, and executive leadership, John’s passion and relentless energy have inspired innovative change and forged enduring partnerships with top brands like Google, Westpac, Goodman Fielder, Spark and TikTok.

Join him for this webinar designed for professionals who are working on marketing without being marketers!

Monday 4 August 12:30 - 13:30

Join Zoom Meeting

Join from PC, Mac, iOS or Android: https://otago.zoom.us/j/94054460230?pwd=OQMKDCZ2ZXfby1JXDnV73kN2ZWfatP.1

Meeting ID: 940 5446 0230
Password: 577680

Startup Dunedin is excited to welcome Adam and Laura from Solid Oral Care to our regular Founders' breakfast next week!

Come along, grab a bagel, and join us to chat about their entrepreneurial journey, and the ups and downs of making it from idea stage to the supermarket shelves. Read more.

Life in tech is fast-paced, ever-changing, and sometimes - let’s be honest - overwhelming. But it’s also full of opportunity, growth, and powerful moments of connection.

This year’s TechWomen Mid-Winter Webinar is a virtual fireside chat with members of the TechWomen Council, who will share stories of navigating the unpredictable world of IT — the highs and lows, the lessons learned, and the moments that shaped them.

Read more.

Otago University has been backing student founders for 20 whole years. Entrepreneurship has had many life forms, locations, logos and alumni, but at the core it's a unique celebration of the spirit at Otago.

To celebrate, we’ve invited back Cheeky Hard Iced Tea to celebrate their 5th birthday along with some other special guests! This event is open to anyone keen on learning more about the entrepreneurial journey of one of our region’s great success stories. If you have anyone who has been involved over the years, we'd love to include them!

Read more & RSVP here - spaces are limited!

Does your Startup need seed capital? Are you looking to scale up your business?

Angel investors are often the first step for startups looking for funding, especially when banks require security or don't fully recognise the potential of an idea.
In this 1-hour workshop, the Startup Queenstown Lakes team will dive into:

• Understanding Angel Investment: What it is and how to get prepared

• Benefits and Challenges: Weighing up the pros and cons of Angel investment

• Growth Readiness: Is your team prepared for the demands and scale potential?

• Control and Accountability: Are you ready to share decision-making and answer to investors?

• Investment Timeline: Mapping out the steps in the journey to securing Angel investment
  RSVP Here.

Join Hardware Meetup NZ on 16 July 2025 for a relaxed evening at Outset Ventures in Parnell, where we will showcase several companies leading the way in Innovation in internet of things.

This event will feature a fireside chat with founders and builders, who are building interesting products from Aotearoa. Hear more about their products, their journey so far and their dreams for the future.

A live-stream will be available - you can register to be sent the link prior to the event start-time.

Read more here.

This hui brings together Māori business owners, leaders, and supporters to strengthen regional relationships, share opportunities and insights and explore pathways for growth, support and collaboration. If you’ve been meaning to connect or reconnect, now’s the perfect time.   If you know someone new to the area, new to business, or simply curious - bring them along.

Friday, 4 July 2025
5:15pm-- 7:00pm 
Workforce Central Dunedin, 168 Castle Street, Dunedin   
Light refreshments served  
 RSVP by: Wednesday, 2 July 2025 by emailing Karen at tautoko@kuma.nz.

Cheryl leads The Gift Trust and brings 25+ years of non-profit experience in NZ and the UK, focused on philanthropy, social justice, and the environment.

Tune in to this webinar to

• Discover how values-based leadership drives real change

• Hear practical insights from a seasoned, impact-focused leader

• Learn how small teams can scale big outcomes through collaboration

  Read More.

Looking for ways to connect into the digital identity ecosystem? Join these informal monthly drop in/coffee chats for the Digital Identity NZ community. Each session is designed to help you connect, share stories and spark discussion, and runs for 45 minutes to allow more time for discussion and ideas exchange. Read More.

Matariki is coming up and there are some awesome community events (click here for the full lineup!) on the horizon. One such awesome event is Hui Rikatoi Māori - Held during the powerful time of Puaka Matariki, this is a wānaka for Māori creatives living in Ōtepoti to come together, connect, and build a sustainable creative future - by rikatoi Māori and for rikatoi Māori. Read More!