Ten Māori-founded startups from across Aotearoa have been selected for the latest Tupu Accelerator programme, as Tapuwae Roa continues its push to grow Māori innovation and high-growth entrepreneurship on the world stage.
The eight-week accelerator programme officially welcomed its 2026 cohort at a mihi whakatau hosted by the University of Auckland’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, attended by leaders from the investment, innovation, venture capital, and government sectors.
Now in its third consecutive year, the Tupu Accelerator is delivered in partnership with Sprout Agritech and co-funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
The initiative was established to address the underrepresentation of Māori within Aotearoa’s startup and investment ecosystem while helping pakihi Māori scale globally competitive ventures.
Tapuwae Roa Kaihautū Te Pūoho Kātene says demand for the programme continues to grow.
“We’ve seen increasing demand year-on-year from founders building ambitious ventures with global potential,” Kātene says.
“At the same time, we’re seeing growing engagement from investors, industry leaders, and ecosystem partners who recognise the value and calibre of Māori innovation emerging through the programme.”
Since launching in 2024, the accelerator has received applications from more than 200 Māori-founded startups nationwide, onboarding 53 founders into the programme so far.
Around 75 percent of participants identify as Māori, while the programme is also seeing growing involvement from Pasifika co-founders.
The accelerator has drawn founders from 15 regions throughout Aotearoa, with nearly half based outside Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch — something organisers say is critical to addressing barriers faced by regional entrepreneurs.
Wāhine Māori entrepreneurs also continue to play a major role, making up 55 percent of the 2026 cohort.
Kātene says the programme is designed to tackle structural inequities within New Zealand’s innovation economy.
“Founders based outside of major centres often face reduced access to accelerator programmes, capital networks, specialist support, and investment pathways,” he says.
“Tupu exists to help close those gaps by creating pathways into high-growth entrepreneurship, investment readiness, and innovation ecosystems for pakihi Māori across the motu.”
Among the founders selected is Tīrama Vital founder Bernece Maude of Ngāti Maniapoto, who says the accelerator will help grow her wellness venture internationally.
“It’s an opportunity to learn, build alongside other Māori founders, and take this to the next level — growing a global wellness business from Aotearoa that creates value for our whenua, our growers, and our people,” she says.
Ngāpuhi entrepreneur Hannah Dryland, co-founder of Insyt, says the programme will strengthen the company’s capability as it develops solutions for people living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
“We’re here to build something that genuinely improves how people live with IBS, and this gives us the environment and support to keep moving forward,” Dryland says.
The programme will culminate in the Tupu Accelerator Showcase at Auckland’s Aotea Centre on July 2, where founders will pitch their businesses to investors, industry leaders, and partners.
Supporters say the accelerator reflects the growing strength of Māori innovation and the increasing role Māori entrepreneurs are playing in shaping Aotearoa’s future economy.
