Community partners
Our community partners reflect the quality and diversity of entrepreneurial activity in Wellington and New Zealand.
Momentum
Momentum is dedicated to empowering emerging student innovators and startups. This initiative provides invaluable insights, resources, and connections to help students navigate their entrepreneurial journeys with confidence.
As a nationwide network focused on fostering a vibrant community for student entrepreneurs, Momentum assesses each student's current stage and guides them toward their next milestone. The Momentum Committees, which span Aotearoa New Zealand, bring together a diverse group of members, including seasoned chairs, experienced investors, emerging innovators, and, of course, students. Together, they ensure that the vision remains forward-thinking and inclusive.
Through Momentum, students gain the knowledge and support needed to transform their ideas into reality.
Ready to take the next step?
Students can contact Momentum to chart their entrepreneurial journey.
Victoria University Entrepreneurship and Start-up Association (VESA)
VESA, a student-led initiative currently based at The Atom—Te Kahu o Te Ao, provides a dynamic platform for students to explore entrepreneurship and innovation. Catering to all experience levels, the club facilitates specialised workshops, networking opportunities, and exploratory events designed to develop practical skills and connect students with Wellington’s thriving business ecosystem. By showcasing success stories and providing guidance, the club empowers students to confidently pursue start-up opportunities.
Want to get involved? Get in touch with VESA via Instagram , LinkedIn or email vuwbsu@gmail.com
Angel Association New Zealand
Angel Association New Zealand champions early stage investors. Its aspiration is to increase the quantity, quality and success of angel investment in New Zealand and create a greater pool of capital and support for our inspirational, innovative startup companies. The Angel Association enthusiastically supports youth and student entrepreneurship as future sources of great deals and is delighted to help connect those entrepreneurs with investors, capital for further development, and the connections and experience that inevitably come with investment.
CreativeHQ
CreativeHQ has been running incubation and acceleration programmes in Wellington and beyond since 2003. It believes that entrepreneurs are everywhere and its Lightning Lab accelerator programmes are targeted at a wide range of sectors. Its GovTech programme, focused on fostering entrepreneurial thinking in government, is seen as a global first. Wellington School of Business and Government signed a memorandum of understanding with CreativeHQ in 2017 to provide research into how accelerators like GovTech can change people and add value to our communities. Many Business School students work at CreativeHQ as part-time interns. CreativeHQ is funded by WREDA.
Ignite Consultants
Ignite Consultants Wellington (Ignite) is a student-led not-for-profit through which Victoria University of Wellington students are able to collaborate with charities to assist in maximising these organisations’ impact. Each trimester, Ignite runs five 9-week projects, each with up to six diverse range of students, alongside an Ignite alumni project manager and professional mentor, provide consultancy services to socially conscious organisations. To assist in their mahi, students will also receive training from professional consultants and specialists in the not-for-profit sector.
If you are interested in joining as a student consultant, or want more information, please email us at wellington@igniteconsultants.co.nz.
Robinson Research Institute
The multidisciplinary Robinson Research Institute melds innovative engineering and applied physics to build advanced technologies for businesses worldwide. It sponsors the group project in MMBA565 Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Students work with intellectual property developed at Robinson and explore the possibilities for unforeseen commercial applications.
Wellington UniVentures
Wellington UniVentures is a subsidiary of the University responsible for creating new for-profit and social enterprises from University research. Wellington UniVentures helps researchers create impact through their work by turning them into products or services that can change lives. They support researchers to protect and develop their innovations, and connects them with the right partners, industry and investors to launch their research into the world.
Young Enterprise Trust
Young Enterprise Trust is a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to inspiring young people to discover their potential in business and in life. Through programmes such as the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES), students gain hands-on experience in building real ventures, developing entrepreneurial mindsets, and strengthening critical skills such as collaboration, financial capability, and problem-solving.
Working with schools, businesses, and communities across Aotearoa, Young Enterprise connects students with mentors, events, and real-world opportunities that support their journey into entrepreneurship. Their nationwide reach and strong alumni network make them a key contributor to growing the next generation of founders and innovators.
As a partner to The Atom, Young Enterprise Trust plays an important role in strengthening the pipeline of student founders—supporting young people as they transition from early enterprise experiences into the university innovation ecosystem.
Startup Weekend Wellington
Startup Weekend Wellington is a high-energy, community-led event that brings aspiring founders, creatives, and innovators together to build new ventures in just 54 hours. Participants pitch ideas, form teams, and rapidly test and develop concepts with the support of experienced mentors from across the startup ecosystem.
As an accessible launchpad for entrepreneurship, Startup Weekend provides hands-on experience in turning ideas into action—fostering collaboration, confidence, and real-world startup skills.
As a partner to The Atom, Startup Weekend Wellington strengthens the local founder pipeline by creating immersive opportunities for students to build, connect, and take their first steps into the startup ecosystem.