Kokiri

Kōkiri is a kaupapa Māori business accelerator based in Hamilton, New Zealand, uniquely dedicated to fostering the growth of early-stage, impact-positive, and technology-driven Māori-led start-ups. Launched in 2018, it quickly emerged as Aotearoa's first dedicated business accelerator programme for ambitious Māori entrepreneurs, founded through a collaborative partnership between Callaghan Innovation, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, and Creative HQ, with additional funding support from the Māori Innovation Fund.

The accelerator's core mission is to provide intensive mentoring, education, and development opportunities, alongside essential business tools and frameworks. Participants gain valuable networking access to industry leaders and potential investors, aiming to enhance founder capability and accelerate ventures towards market readiness and growth. Each participating team also receives an initial start-up grant of $10,000 to aid in their development.

What truly sets Kōkiri apart is its profound integration of Māori values and principles into its acceleration methodology. Unlike conventional accelerators focused solely on financial returns, Kōkiri's definition of success is broader, encompassing the nurturing of sustainable businesses that generate income for communities, create local employment opportunities, and actively address social and environmental challenges. This kaupapa Māori approach ensures ventures contribute positively to social, cultural, and environmental outcomes, embodying a holistic view of success.

A key differentiator is Kōkiri's recognition of the strong cultural links Māori entrepreneurs have to their regions. To accommodate these ties and whānau responsibilities, the programme allows participants to remain in their home regions, travelling to Hamilton for intensive on-site sessions, rather than requiring full-time relocation. This flexible model removes a significant barrier often faced in mainstream accelerators, fostering a supportive environment for Māori founders.

Since its inception, Kōkiri has achieved notable successes. In its inaugural year, over half of the participating companies successfully attracted investment. By September 2022, the programme had supported 35 businesses with funding and acceleration. Furthermore, of the 26 businesses from its first three years, 21 remained actively trading, collectively generating over $10 million in turnover and employing at least 62 staff. In 2022, Kōkiri was awarded the Māori Initiative of the Year at the Global Entrepreneurship Network NZ Awards, solidifying its impact and unique standing as the only indigenous member of the Global Accelerator Network (GAN) in Aotearoa.

Leadership within Kōkiri has included prominent figures such as Aisha Ross, who served as Programme Lead and Innovation Development Group Director at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, and Ian Musson, who held roles as Programme Director and Māori Business and Relationships Manager at Callaghan Innovation. Saara Tawha has also contributed significantly as Kaitiaki Kōkiri and Manager of Startup Ventures at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, guiding entrepreneurs through their journey.