Strengthening the startup ecosystem

The Factory plays a coordinating and connective role across the Manawatū and wider Aotearoa startup ecosystem. We focus on building strong pathways between founders, investors, support organisations, and regions, ensuring ideas, capital, and capability are connected where they matter most.

Our role in the ecosystem

The Factory’s role is to help the ecosystem work better together. Rather than duplicating activity, we focus on connection, coordination, and capability building.

We support founders by helping them navigate the ecosystem and access the right support at the right time. We support investors by strengthening deal flow, readiness, and shared learning. We support partners by working collaboratively to align effort and avoid fragmentation.

This role includes growing angel investment capability across regions through the Manawatū Investment Group and our wider investor relationships, supporting collaboration from Taranaki to Hawke’s Bay.

It also includes hosting delegations from outside the region and overseas, providing a grounded view of the Manawatū ecosystem and helping build meaningful external connections.

Across all of this work, our focus remains consistent: strengthening relationships, improving pathways, and supporting long-term ecosystem health.

Manawatū Innovation Showcase

The Manawatū Innovation Showcase is designed to bring the ecosystem together in one place. It highlights founder capability, strengthens relationships, and creates visible pathways between founders, investors, partners, and the wider community.

Over its first two years, the Showcase has attracted more than 520 registrations, with attendance growing each year. It has become a destination event, bringing investors, partners, and ecosystem leaders into the region to gain a clear view of the innovation and startup activity taking place in Manawatū.

The next Manawatū Innovation Showcase will be held on 7 May 2026, with more information and registrations opening closer to the date.

The Showcase reflects our broader approach to ecosystem development, connection, collaboration, and shared progress.

The Manawatū Innovation Ecosystem

The Manawatū innovation ecosystem brings together founders, investors, and partners across the region. The ecosystem map below reflects the capability and connections that help ideas move from concept to impact.