The Factory NZ

28/07/2026

GEN NZ Unconference, Workshops and Awards 2026 🇳🇿

Two days. Three connected experiences. One national ecosystem coming together in Wellington.

Join us 24-25 August at Rutherford House, Victoria University of Wellington, for practical workshops, the GEN NZ Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Awards, and a full participant-led Unconference.

With 335 members and 200+ organisations across Aotearoa, this is where founders, investors, researchers, educators and ecosystem builders connect kanohi ki te kanohi. Last year sold out with 100+ participants - don’t miss your spot.

📅 24-25 August
📍 Rutherford House, Wellington

Find out more and get your ticket: https://www.gennz.org/unconference

24/07/2026

Are you working on an innovation in Science & Technology that would benefit from grant funding? 💡

Earle Creativity Trust grants are open now until 7 September.

Are you interested and want to learn more or apply for funding 👉 https://share-ap1.hsforms.com/1iEtG1CAHTjS5tKs4Mv3eZA58cnf



Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science & Heritage | Inspire Net Limited | Stuff (Manawatū Standard) | New Zealand Pharmaceuticals Limited | CEDA - Central Economic Development Agency | Startup Aotearoa | Manawatū Business Chamber | MYPN - Manawatu Young Professionals Network | Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa

08/07/2026

💡 Up to $50,000 in funding is available for science and technology projects through the Earle Creativity and Development Trust.

If you’re building something innovative in the Manawatū or Rangitīkei region, this could help take your idea from concept to reality 🚀

The Trust supports projects that turn creative ideas into practical outcomes, including software, engineering, manufacturing, electronics, food technology, and prototype development.

Whether you’re an individual, startup, researcher, or business with an innovative project, we’d love to hear from you.

Submit a short expression of interest below to learn more.

👉 Submit your Expression of Interest: https://share-ap1.hsforms.com/1iEtG1CAHTjS5tKs4Mv3eZA58cnf

15/06/2026

Fantastic time heading up and attending the Fieldays last week 🚜 Great to catch up with familiar faces, make new connections, and see what’s happening across the industry. Fantastic to connect with so many wonderful people! ✨

31/05/2026

Congratulations to our very own Colin “Coal” Groves on being appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours.

This recognition reflects Coal’s outstanding contribution to business, philanthropy, and sport over many years. His leadership, generosity, and commitment to helping others succeed have made a lasting impact across New Zealand.

As Chair of The Factory, Coal brings wisdom, integrity, and a genuine passion for supporting entrepreneurs and strengthening our innovation ecosystem. We are incredibly fortunate to benefit from his guidance and leadership.

On behalf of everyone at The Factory, congratulations Coal on this well-deserved honour.

27/05/2026

A few weeks later and we’re still thinking about the energy in the room from the third Manawatū Innovation Showcase 💡

So many good conversations and reminders that there are some seriously exciting things happening across our region right now 🚀

Huge thanks to our speakers for sharing their stories, lessons, ideas and honesty with us 🙌
🎤 Kemp Reweti, Pūhoro STEMM Academy
🎤 Nancy Taneja, Toyota New Zealand
🎤 Shane Telfer, Captivate Technology
🎤 Guy Phillips, Firecrest Systems
🎤 Ellen Young, Real Worlders
🎤 Villi Tosi, Culture360°
🎤 Matthew June, HANK
🎤 Mac Williams, Swiggin'
🎤 Mrinali Kumar, EatKinda

And a massive shoutout to the partners and supporters who helped make the night happen 🤝

TechStep | Palmerston North City Council | Manawatū District Council | Blacksheepdesign | CEDA - Central Economic Development Agency | Firecrest Systems | The Lighthouse | Momentum | Central Energy Trust | Sprout Agritech | Palmy Venues + Events

One of the highlights of the evening was announcing the Innovate Grant recipients, these are mirco grants for entrepreneurs at the beginning of their journey 🚀

Big congratulations to:
🏆 Kathleen White, creating a postpartum supplement powder drink.
🏆 Shiloh Dyer, building an AI platform to improve, measure and track students reasoning capabilities.
🏆 Harry Bristow, creating a next-generation functional energy brand, replacing traditional drinks and pre-workouts with fast-acting, use-case driven caffeine pouches.
🏆 Shumin Zhou, building a platform that gives families real-time visibility into the care their loved one receives at home, by letting carers log visits instantly via a QR code with no app or account required.
🏆 Mac Williams, automating the process of feeding orphan lambs.

Thanks to everyone who came along, asked questions, made connections, helped behind the scenes, or simply showed up and backed the founders. We’re pretty lucky to have this community, and already looking forward to the next one ✨

26/05/2026

We’re part way through today’s Governance for Growth Workshop at The Factory, delivered in partnership with Angel Association New Zealand 🪽

It’s been fantastic to see a room full of founders, directors, trustees, and future directors from across the region coming together to learn more about governance, boards, and building stronger businesses ✨

A big thank you to our facilitators, Debra Hall and Greg Sitters, for sharing their experience and leading such valuable discussions throughout the day.

And thanks to everyone attending and contributing to the conversations so far 🌟

Manawatū

19/05/2026

Good governance can make a real difference when you’re growing a business.

Next week, we’re hosting the Governance for Growth Workshop at The Factory in partnership with Angel Association New Zealand.

This practical, hands-on workshop is designed for founders, SME leaders, and anyone thinking about setting up a board or stepping into a director role. You’ll learn what good governance looks like in practice, including the role of boards, directors’ legal responsibilities, and how to run effective meetings.

📅 Tuesday, 26 May
🕙 10:00am to 4:30pm (Lunch included)
📍 The Factory, 21 Dairy Farm Road, Palmerston North
🎟️ $50 + GST (individual) | $100 + GST (group of three)

If you want to build a stronger business and make better decisions as you grow, this workshop is a great place to start.

👉 Register here: https://app.glueup.com/event/aanz-2026-governance-for-growth-palmerston-north-163128/

Entrepreneurship

30/04/2026

🚀 One week to go!

The countdown is on for the Manawatū Innovation Showcase 2026 and we couldn’t be more excited. We’ve got an exceptional line-up of speakers ready to inspire, and we’ll also be announcing the winners of the Innovate Grants on the night 👀

📅 Thursday, 7 May 2026
⏰ 5:30pm - 7:30pm
📍 Palmy Conference + Function Centre

This event wouldn’t be possible without the support of our amazing partners: TechStep, The Lighthouse, Sprout Agritech, Blacksheepdesign, Firecrest, Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA), Palmerston North City Council, Manawatū District Council, and Central Energy Trust 🙌

🎟️ Don’t miss out, secure your spot now:

Register on Humanitix - Manawatū Innovation Showcase hosted by The Factory. Palmy Conference + Function Centre, 354 Main Street, Palmerston North Central, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand. Thursday 7th May 2026. Find event information.

23/04/2026

Just a quick reminder that applications for the Innovate Grants close at the end of the day on 27 April 2026. There’s still time to get your application in.
If you’ve been thinking about applying, this is your nudge to go for it 🚀

👉 Apply here: https://thefactorynz.co.nz/innovate-grants