Budding entrepreneurs, creatives and innovators across Taranaki are preparing for the return of Techstars Startup Weekend Taranaki, scheduled to take place in Hāwera from 31 July to 2 August 2026.
The intensive 54-hour event will be hosted at Te W’anake The Foundry, marking its 11th regional iteration and its third time anchoring in South Taranaki.
Organisers aim to replicate the success of previous local events, which served as the birthplace for high-growth ventures like food-tech startup EatKinda. Founded by New Plymouth resident Jenni Matheson and food technology graduate Milli Kumar at a previous Hāwera event, the cauliflower-based ice cream brand is now preparing for a commercial launch in the United States.
Another notable success story from the regional ecosystem is James Donald, an oil and gas engineer who co-created the marketing technology business Yonder at the 2016 Taranaki event. Donald recently co-founded Ideally, a consumer insights platform launched in 2023 that achieved a valuation of $100 million.
Run annually by the Startup Taranaki Trust, known as Doso, the event provides measurable economic benefits for the community. Independent research indicates that participants are 40 per cent more likely to start a business after the event, with entrepreneurial mindsets increasing by nearly 15 per cent over the weekend.
Graham Nelson, Chair of Doso, brought the format to the province in 2015 and has spearheaded all ten previous events. Nelson stated that people often underestimate the amount of untapped ingenuity sitting within regional communities.
"Startup Weekend isn't just about tech or GDP," Nelson said. "It’s about giving everyday people the tools and the confidence to realise they can create their own economic security right here in Taranaki."
Participation is open to ordinary residents from all walks of life, including designers, developers, teachers, parents and retirees, rather than just seasoned corporate executives.
Teams will receive guidance from a panel of expert judges on the final Sunday night. The panel includes Nanolayr co-founder Iain Hosie, who is currently spearheading the proposed Taranaki Applied Innovation Centre; Jenny Douche, Head of the Startup and Founder Support programme at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE); and a senior leader from regional development agency Venture Taranaki.
Volunteer mentors will provide professional advisory services throughout the weekend. The event will be facilitated by Dan Thurston Crow, Programs and Partners Lead at Doso, and human-centered design specialist Tereska Lepionka-Carroll.
South Taranaki District Council has taken an operational lead in bringing the event to Hāwera. Council Business Development Manager Scott Willson noted that hosting the event every three years showcases local hospitality while building essential business skills.
"The chance to lead, collaborate and solve real-world problems is incredibly valuable in business," Willson said. "We want people to know that both the council and the business community are backing their ideas."
Assistance with accommodation and carpooling is available for out-of-town participants.
