EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST ARE NOW OPEN
The Factory
Sports & Health
Tech Accelerator
Backing founders building the future of sports and health.
New Zealand's first sports & health tech accelerator for founders shaping the future of sport and health.
WHY THIS ACCELERATOR
Built for the realities of sports and health tech.
Generic startup support only goes so far. Sports and health tech founders need access to specialised customers, real-world validation environments, sector-specific sales pathways and investors who understand the market. This accelerator is designed around those realities.
Access the right customers
Connect with athletes, coaches, clubs, sporting organisations, facilities and health providers that can help shape your solution.
Validate in the right environments
Test your assumptions in real-world performance, training, recovery, active living, wellbeing and fan engagement settings.
Navigate sector-specific sales
Build a pathway through complex buying decisions, evidence requirements, sporting calendars and trusted relationships.
Build the right investment story
Clearly communicate your market, use case, evidence, sector dynamics and potential to scale globally.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
Built for ambitious founders across sport and health.
The Factory Sports & Health Tech Accelerator is for New Zealand founders building scalable companies that improve how people perform, participate, recover, connect and live well.
Ready to accelerate
Prototype, MVP or early traction.
Sports & health focus
Building across sport and health.
Building from New Zealand
Scalable ambition, local roots.
Not sure you’re a fit? Register your interest anyway. We’d rather hear from you early than miss a great founder.
The Sports & Health Tech sector
We support startups creating new ways to improve performance, participation, health, wellbeing and the experience of sport.
Performance & recovery
Technology helping people perform, train, recover and compete at the highest level.
Health & wellbeing
Solutions supporting healthier lives, better outcomes and preventative care.
Mass Participation & active living
Making movement, recreation and community participation more accessible.
Business of sport & entertainment
Improving how sport is delivered, experienced, commercialised and shared.
Technology across the sector
AI, data, software and connected technology sit across every part of sports and health tech.
Building something we haven’t listed? We’d still love to hear from you. Great ideas do not always fit neatly into categories.
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN
Everything you need to accelerate.
12-week specialist accelerator
Weekly workshops, tailored coaching and structured milestones focused on validation, traction and growth.
Sports and health tech expertise
Learn from founders, operators and industry specialists who understand the sector and its commercial realities.
Customer and validation pathways
Connect with relevant organisations and environments to test assumptions, build evidence and explore opportunities.
Build from anywhere in New Zealand
Join a national cohort through a hybrid programme, with travel support for key in-person experiences.
Investor and partner showcase
Present your progress to investors, strategic partners and organisations across the startup and sector ecosystem.
16 weeks of alumni support
Continue building with coaching, connections and support as you pursue customers, partnerships and investment.
Every startup also receives access to a curated toolkit of AI software, founder resources and partner benefits.
PROGRAMME
More than twelve weeks. A community built to help keep you moving.
Every week combines practical workshops, founder coaching and time to build your company. The programme finishes with Showcase Day, followed by 16 weeks of ongoing alumni support.
Kick-off
Meet your cohort, connect with coaches and set the direction for the twelve weeks ahead.
Midway Bootcamp
Reconnect in person, share progress, learn from experts and refine your priorities for the second half of the programme.
Showcase Day
Present your company to investors, partners and the wider startup community.
Workshops, coaching, mentoring & community
Workshops, founder coaching, mentoring and cohort meetups provide the support, accountability and momentum to keep building every week.
+ 16 weeks of alumni support
The programme doesn't end at Showcase Day. Stay connected through founder meetups, access to tools and resources, and ongoing support for a further 16 weeks.
FUNDING PARTNERS
Made possible by organisations investing in New Zealand founders.
The Factory Sports & Health Tech Accelerator is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, CEDA and Central Energy Trust.
FAQ
Common questions.
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The first Sports & Health Tech cohort begin in the new year, 2027 with more information to come.
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The Factory Sports & Health Tech Accelerator is free to join. We invest in supporting founders, not charging programme fees. If there is any investment opportunities for the teams prior or during the programme we will share any investment terms with the teams.
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We're looking for founders building technology in sports, and health. You should have a prototype, MVP or early customer traction, but if you're unsure, we'd still love to hear from you.
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The accelerator runs for twelve weeks, combining coaching, workshops, mentoring, cohort sessions and time to build your company. You'll also receive sixteen weeks of ongoing alumni support after the programme.
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We look for ambitious founders tackling meaningful problems in sport and health. We're interested in the team, the problem you're solving, your progress so far and your potential to build a scalable company. There isn't one perfect profile, we're looking for founders who are ready to learn, build and move quickly.
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The Factory Sports & Health Tech Accelerator is designed for founders building from New Zealand. If you're unsure whether you're eligible, we'd still encourage you to complete your Expression of Interest.
Expressions of interest are open.
The Sports & Health Tech Accelerator will begin in early 2027. Register your interest to hear about programme dates, eligibility and the next steps as they are confirmed.