Start-up programme
Practical support, connection and guidance for early-stage businesses on Kāpiti Coast.
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Building the next wave of Kāpiti businesses
Kāpiti Coast has a growing start-up community, with founders, sole traders, makers, creators, tech businesses, food ventures and service-based businesses building new ideas from the district.
The Kāpiti Start-up Programme has been developed to support early-stage businesses with practical guidance, useful connections and opportunities to build confidence.
It is part of wider work to strengthen Kāpiti Coast’s start-up ecosystem, helping founders connect with the people, tools, networks and support that can help ideas move forward.
A programme for early-stage businesses
The programme is designed for people who are building, testing or growing a business on Kāpiti Coast.
This could include people with a new idea, a side project gaining momentum, a recently launched business, an early-stage product or service, or a business looking for clearer direction.
Start-ups can look different. Some are designed for scale or investment. Others are lifestyle businesses, social enterprises, creative ventures, food businesses, tech platforms or local services with strong community value.
What participants can expect
The programme brings together practical learning, peer connection and access to business support.
Depending on the current round, this may include workshops, founder sessions, mentoring, business planning, pitch support, networking and connections into local and regional support pathways.
The focus is on helping participants understand their next steps, strengthen their business foundations and connect with others building businesses in the district.
Part of Kāpiti Coast’s start-up ecosystem
The Kāpiti Start-up Programme sits alongside the Kāpiti Startup Ecosystem Action Plan 2025–2027, which sets out a more coordinated approach to supporting founders and emerging businesses across the district.
The plan recognises Kāpiti Coast’s strengths, including its proximity to Wellington, connected business community, growing sectors, coastal lifestyle, Māori economy, and links into regional and national start-up support.
The programme is one way this work becomes practical for local founders.
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