Te Ōhaka - Centre for Growth & Innovation

Te Ōhaka - Centre for Growth & Innovation, located on Madras Street in Christchurch, New Zealand, is a remarkable institution dedicated to supporting and nurturing New Zealand's high-growth startups and innovators. With a focus on bold ambition and the drive to transform our world, Te Ōhaka stays true to the principles of Kaitiakitanga and culturally intelligent business.

This institution serves as a physical and virtual home for early-stage high-growth startups, made possible through a partnership between the Ministry of Awesome, Ara Institute of Canterbury, and ChristchurchNZ. Additionally, Te Ōhaka is supported by HTK Group, collaborating to ensure that all startups have a strong awareness of Maori principles of business and supporting Māori and indigenous groups in building better futures through innovation and entrepreneurship.

Te Ōhaka works with startups from various sectors, providing support and guidance at their early stages. For example, Komodo, a software company, offers a solution that takes the guesswork out of student wellbeing in boarding schools. By formulating the best strategies to protect and improve the health and happiness of students, Komodo ensures a positive and nurturing environment.

Another exciting project being developed at Te Ōhaka is an aerospace solution that disperses fog to provide the visibility necessary for pilots and air traffic controllers. By using a hygroscopic powder dispersed from a drone to absorb moisture in the air, this innovation quickly eliminates fog disruption, ensuring air travel with increased safety and certainty.

In addition to these groundbreaking endeavors, Te Ōhaka also supports startups in the automotive parts industry, providing data and tools for parts businesses to succeed online. By solving complex problems, this software company enables the growth and success of automotive businesses.

Te Ōhaka is not just a physical space; it is also a virtual community that supports startups across New Zealand. Whether physically present or participating remotely, any New Zealander can access Te Ōhaka's best-in-class incubation support. This institution offers mentorship from expert startup mentors and sector-leading advisors, as well as opportunities for pitch practice and introductions to potential investors. Customized masterclasses and training workshops, facilitated by industry-leading experts, are also available to members. Additionally, entrepreneurs at Te Ōhaka are surrounded by a community of talented founders, fostering idea exchange and collaboration.

Furthermore, Te Ōhaka provides access to a strong talent pipeline from the Ara Institute of Canterbury, ensuring that startups have access to skilled individuals to support their growth.

In summary, Te Ōhaka - Centre for Growth & Innovation is a dynamic institution that empowers bold startups with global ambition. With its dedication to supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, Te Ōhaka serves as a hub for the high-growth startup community, fostering collaboration and acceleration. Whether physically present or part of the virtual community, any New Zealander can benefit from Te Ōhaka's incubation support, mentorship, pitch opportunities, customized training, and access to a talented network.