Funding pathways library

NZ Funding Pathways Library

A practical map of the main New Zealand funding, grant, tax credit, export, capital, R&D, sector-support and finance pathways that founders and SMEs may need to check before applying, claiming, raising capital or engaging advisers.

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General information only. This library does not confirm eligibility, provide advice or guarantee funding. Always check the official source and speak with the relevant adviser before acting.

Coverage

43 pathways. 9 categories.

IncludesTax credits, grants, capital, export, sector support and finance
Each cardBest for, status, complexity and an official source to check
Nota grants directory or eligibility tool.
Official sources to check. Not an eligibility assessment or funding guarantee.
Browse by category
Tax credits and deductionsR&D grants and capability supportStartup and founder supportResearch, commercialisation and deep techCapital pathwaysExport and regional supportSector and productivity pathwaysBank and asset financeClosed or legacy programmes

Pathway details can change. This library is a starting point only. Always check the official source before acting.

Category 1

Tax credits and deductions

ActiveTax credit

R&D Tax Incentive (RDTI)

IRD / MBIE

Best for
R&D-active companies spending $50k+ annually
Funding / support
15% credit on eligible R&D expenditure, up to $120m eligible spend
Match funding
No matched funding, but eligible spend required
Status 2026
Open / recurring
Complexity
High
Route map
Core pathway for R&D performers; route to RDTI or tax specialist.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
ActiveRefundable credit

R&D Tax Loss Credit

IRD

Best for
Loss-making R&D startups
Funding / support
Cash-out or refund of qualifying R&D losses, subject to rules and repayment triggers
Match funding
No
Status 2026
Open / recurring
Complexity
High
Route map
Cashflow layer for pre-profit R&D startups; accountant required.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
ActiveTax deduction

Investment Boost

IRD

Best for
Businesses buying new productive assets
Funding / support
20% upfront deduction on eligible new or new-to-NZ depreciable assets, then normal depreciation on the remaining 80%
Match funding
No
Status 2026
Open from 22 May 2025
Complexity
Medium
Route map
Capex and productivity route; accountant handles treatment.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
Category 2

R&D grants and capability support

ActiveGrant / co-funding

New to R&D Grant

MBIE Innovation Services

Best for
First-time R&D performers and SMEs building R&D capability
Funding / support
40% co-funding up to $400k, based on up to $1m eligible costs
Match funding
Yes, applicant funds 60%
Status 2026
Open / active
Complexity
Medium-high
Route map
Strong search-led pathway; ideal route-map candidate.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
Call-basedStudent / capability support

R&D Experience Grant

MBIE Innovation Services

Best for
Companies hosting tertiary students on R&D projects
Funding / support
Up to $11,960 + GST for up to 400 hours; student at least $29.90/hour PAYE
Match funding
Partial, with employer obligations
Status 2026
2026 round opens 13 July 2026
Complexity
Medium
Route map
Capability and talent layer for R&D-active companies.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
Call-basedStudent / capability support

R&D Career Grant

MBIE Innovation Services

Best for
Companies hiring master's or PhD graduates into R&D
Funding / support
Up to $30k for master's, up to $35k for PhD over six months
Match funding
Partial, with employer obligations
Status 2026
2026 round opens 31 August 2026
Complexity
Medium
Route map
R&D hiring route; useful but not the main funnel.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
ActiveAdvisory / connection support

Innovation Services support

MBIE / business.govt.nz

Best for
Founders and SMEs unsure where to start
Funding / support
Free support and product navigation
Match funding
No
Status 2026
Active
Complexity
Low
Route map
Shown honestly as free support; the checker adds commercial route clarity.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
Category 3

Startup and founder support

ActiveStartup support

Startup and Founder Support

MBIE Innovation Services / delivery partners

Best for
Early founders, especially high-growth and underrepresented founders
Funding / support
Programme support, coaching, validation and investor readiness
Match funding
Usually no direct match; depends on provider
Status 2026
Active, transferred from Callaghan
Complexity
Medium
Route map
Route early founders here before advisers where suitable.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
Category 4

Research, commercialisation and deep tech

TransitioningIncubator / capital-adjacent

Technology / Deep Tech Incubator pathways

MBIE / NZIAT transition / approved incubators

Best for
Deep-tech, science-based ventures
Funding / support
Incubation, commercialisation support, and possible repayable grant or capital mechanisms depending on provider
Match funding
Varies
Status 2026
Transitioning toward NZIAT
Complexity
High
Route map
Deep-tech only; not normal SaaS unless defensible technology.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
ActiveSector support

HealthTech Activator

HTA / NZIAT transition

Best for
Early-stage healthtech companies
Funding / support
Market validation, regulatory, reimbursement, clinical trials and capital education support
Match funding
Usually support and connection rather than cash
Status 2026
Active, transitioning
Complexity
Medium-high
Route map
Best first route for healthtech commercialisation.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
ActiveResearch partnership / commercialisation

NZ Product Accelerator

NZPA / NZIAT transition

Best for
Manufacturers, product companies, materials and advanced manufacturing
Funding / support
Product R&D problem solving, applied research and commercialisation support
Match funding
Varies
Status 2026
Active, integrating toward NZIAT
Complexity
Medium-high
Route map
Strong fit for product and manufacturing route maps.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
ActiveSector support / facilities

NZ Food Innovation Network

NZFIN

Best for
Food and beverage founders, SMEs and corporates
Funding / support
Product development, pilot facilities, scale-up support and equipment trials
Match funding
User pays; support varies
Status 2026
Active
Complexity
Medium
Route map
Food innovation route before grant or capital spend.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
Programme-basedSector programme

NZFIN Catalyst Programme

NZFIN

Best for
F&B businesses turning ideas into scalable ventures
Funding / support
Structured programme support for commercialisation
Match funding
Programme-specific
Status 2026
Programme-based
Complexity
Medium
Route map
Good content page for food innovation support.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
ActiveResearch partnership

Bioresource Processing Alliance

BPA / Bioeconomy Science Institute

Best for
Forestry, marine, agriculture, horticulture, dairy, wool and meat processing
Funding / support
R&D partner projects, consultancy, pilot trials and commercialisation
Match funding
Co-funded, project-specific
Status 2026
Active, transitioning
Complexity
Medium-high
Route map
Bioresource and process innovation route.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
EmergingResearch partnership / advanced technology

NZIAT research platforms

NZIAT / MBIE

Best for
AI, quantum, advanced materials, magnetic technologies, synthetic biology and deep tech
Funding / support
Partnership and platform-based research and commercialisation
Match funding
Varies
Status 2026
Being established, funded through SSIF
Complexity
High
Route map
Deep-tech only; not a general SME grant.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
TransitioningAdvanced technology platform

AI Research Platform

MBIE / NZIAT transition

Best for
AI research and commercialisation projects
Funding / support
Phase 1 concepts received funding; future calls to monitor
Match funding
Programme-specific
Status 2026
Transitioning
Complexity
High
Route map
Monitor page; useful for AI and deep-tech, not immediate generic funding.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
EmergingAdvanced technology partnership

Quantum / advanced technology discovery

MBIE / NZIAT

Best for
Quantum researchers, commercial partners and deep-tech companies
Funding / support
Discovery and partnership activity
Match funding
Varies
Status 2026
Discovery phase through 2026
Complexity
High
Route map
Emerging route; partnership-driven.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
TransitioningResearch grant

Endeavour Fund / Smart Ideas / Research Programmes

MBIE / Research Funding NZ transition

Best for
Research organisations and industry-research collaborations
Funding / support
Smart Ideas and larger research programmes; research-led funding
Match funding
Institution or project-specific
Status 2026
Transitioning; Endeavour 2027 replaced by Transition Research Fund 2027
Complexity
High
Route map
Research partner route, not founder-direct.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
Call-basedResearch partnership / international

Catalyst Fund / international science collaborations

MBIE

Best for
Research groups and companies in international collaborations
Funding / support
International science and innovation collaboration support
Match funding
Varies by call
Status 2026
Call-based
Complexity
High
Route map
Deep-tech and research collaborations only.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
Call-basedHealth research grant

HRC Explorer Grants

Health Research Council

Best for
Transformative health research
Funding / support
$150k for up to 24 months
Match funding
Research-led
Status 2026
Annual / call-based
Complexity
High
Route map
Health research route; usually needs a research partner.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
Call-basedHealth research grant

HRC Health Delivery Projects

Health Research Council

Best for
Health delivery research in healthcare settings
Funding / support
Up to $1.4m for up to 5 years
Match funding
Research or sector partnership
Status 2026
2026 EOI and application windows
Complexity
High
Route map
Not normal SME funding; health-sector and research credibility required.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
Category 5

Capital pathways

ActiveCapital ecosystem

NZGCP

NZ Growth Capital Partners

Best for
Early-stage technology investment market
Funding / support
Operates Aspire and Elevate
Match funding
Investment, not grant
Status 2026
Active
Complexity
High
Route map
Classify as a capital pathway, not a grant.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
ActiveCapital / co-investment

Aspire NZ Seed Fund

NZGCP

Best for
Seed and angel-stage high-growth tech startups
Funding / support
Direct co-investment alongside private investors
Match funding
Requires an investor-led round
Status 2026
Active / rolling
Complexity
High
Route map
Only for companies with credible private investors.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
ActiveCapital / fund-of-funds

Elevate NZ Venture Fund

NZGCP / NZ Super Fund Guardians oversight

Best for
Series A/B high-growth technology companies, indirectly via VC funds
Funding / support
$400m+ fund-of-funds investing into VC funds
Match funding
Equity via VC funds
Status 2026
Active
Complexity
High
Route map
Founders do not usually apply directly; route to VC funds.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
ActivePrivate capital

Angel networks and private VC

Angel Association, angel groups, private funds

Best for
Scalable startups and high-growth companies
Funding / support
Equity capital, mentoring and syndication
Match funding
Dilution and investor terms
Status 2026
Ongoing
Complexity
High
Route map
Route only if venture-backable; not a grant substitute.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
Category 6

Export and regional support

ActiveExport support

NZTE general support

NZTE

Best for
Export-ready and internationally ambitious companies
Funding / support
Export advice, networks, capital solutions and growth support
Match funding
Varies
Status 2026
Active
Complexity
Medium
Route map
Core export route; not for idea-stage firms.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
ActiveExport co-investment

International Growth Fund

NZTE

Best for
NZTE Focus customers with offshore growth projects
Funding / support
Strategic co-investment for international growth projects
Match funding
Yes, co-investment
Status 2026
Active for eligible customers
Complexity
Medium-high
Route map
Requires an NZTE relationship and export readiness.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
ActiveCapital / international partnership

Invest NZ / FDI and strategic partner support

NZTE / Invest NZ

Best for
Exporters and high-growth businesses seeking FDI, strategic partners or global R&D
Funding / support
Connections and investment attraction support
Match funding
Not a grant
Status 2026
Active
Complexity
Medium-high
Route map
Route for companies seeking offshore strategic capital or partners.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
ActiveRegional support / capability

Regional Business Partner Network

RBP regional partners

Best for
SMEs needing advice, networks, training and capability support
Funding / support
Growth advisor and possible co-funded training
Match funding
Usually the business pays at least half for co-funded training
Status 2026
Active
Complexity
Low-medium
Route map
Good early route for non-tech SMEs.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
ActiveCapability co-funding

Management Capability Development Fund

RBP

Best for
SME owners and managers needing training or upskilling
Funding / support
Subsidised capability and training services
Match funding
Yes, co-funded
Status 2026
Active via RBP
Complexity
Low-medium
Route map
Capability-gap route, not R&D project funding.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
Category 7

Sector and productivity pathways

ActiveSector co-funding

Primary Sector Growth Fund

MPI

Best for
Primary sector innovation and growth projects
Funding / support
Co-funding for growth and barrier-removal projects
Match funding
Yes, project-specific
Status 2026
Replaced SFF Futures from 23 May 2025
Complexity
High
Route map
Agritech, food and fibre, and primary-sector route.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
ActiveSector co-funding / finance

Wood Processing Growth Fund

MPI / Kanoa

Best for
Wood processing and forestry value-add projects
Funding / support
Grant, debt or equity-style support depending on project
Match funding
Yes, project-specific
Status 2026
Active
Complexity
High
Route map
For wood, fibre and manufacturing; specialist pathway.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
ActiveSector investment / co-development

AgriZeroNZ

Crown and industry joint venture

Best for
Agri emissions technologies and solutions
Funding / support
Investment, co-development and commercialisation support
Match funding
Varies
Status 2026
Active / selective
Complexity
High
Route map
Specialist agri-emissions route; not a broad grant.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
ActiveEnergy co-funding

EECA feasibility studies / business cases

EECA

Best for
Industrial, commercial and public-sector energy projects
Funding / support
Often 40% co-funding up to $50k for eligible feasibility or business-case support
Match funding
Yes
Status 2026
Active for listed areas
Complexity
Medium
Route map
Energy and decarbonisation analysis route.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
ActiveEnergy co-funding

EECA energy systems optimisation

EECA

Best for
Large stationary energy users
Funding / support
40% of cost up to $100k for eligible projects; targeted at businesses spending over $3m a year on stationary energy
Match funding
Yes
Status 2026
Active
Complexity
Medium-high
Route map
Large manufacturer and process-industry route.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
ActiveTransport / decarbonisation co-funding

Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle Fund

EECA

Best for
Companies buying or converting low-emission heavy vehicles
Funding / support
Funding support; applicant generally funds at least 75% of purchase or conversion cost
Match funding
Yes
Status 2026
Always open
Complexity
Medium
Route map
Transport, logistics and agri decarbonisation route.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
Closed / legacyClosed energy fund

GIDI legacy projects

EECA

Best for
Existing contracted projects only
Funding / support
No new funding
Match funding
N/A
Status 2026
Closed to new applicants
Complexity
Low
Route map
Marked closed to prevent wasted time.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
ActiveSector rebate

Game Development Sector Rebate

NZ Film Commission

Best for
Eligible NZ game development studios
Funding / support
Cash rebate, generally 20% of qualifying expenditure subject to rules
Match funding
No match, but qualifying spend required
Status 2026
Open / recurring
Complexity
Medium
Route map
Strong niche route for game studios.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
Category 8

Bank and asset finance

ActiveBank / finance

Bank asset finance

Trading banks

Best for
SMEs buying equipment, vehicles, machinery, software or productive assets
Funding / support
Debt finance
Match funding
Debt service
Status 2026
Always open
Complexity
Low-medium
Route map
Pair with Investment Boost where capex is signalled.
Check if this fitsSource note: Bank-specific
ActiveBank / finance

Green / sustainability business loans

BNZ, ASB, Westpac and others

Best for
Renewable energy, low-emission transport and sustainability projects
Funding / support
Debt, sometimes on discounted or special terms
Match funding
Debt service
Status 2026
Active; products vary
Complexity
Medium
Route map
Use for energy, productivity and sustainability projects.
Check if this fitsSource note: See BNZ, ASB and Westpac product pages
ActiveBank / finance

ANZ goBiz / online SME lending

ANZ

Best for
SMEs needing working capital or asset finance
Funding / support
Online lending up to published secured or unsecured limits under the current offer
Match funding
Debt service
Status 2026
Offer window noted Sep 2025 to Sep 2026
Complexity
Medium
Route map
General finance route, not innovation-specific.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
Category 9

Closed or legacy programmes

These programmes are closed to new applicants. They are listed so you do not spend time chasing them. Where a current replacement exists, the card points to it.

Closed / legacyClosed grant

Closed Arohia Trailblazer / Evidence Grants

Formerly Callaghan / MBIE

Best for
Historic non-R&D innovation seekers
Funding / support
Closed to new applicants
Match funding
N/A
Status 2026
Closed
Complexity
N/A
Route map
Retained as a legacy and search-confusion reference only.
Check if this fitsSource note: MBIE and Callaghan transition notes
Closed / legacyClosed sector fund

Closed Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures

MPI

Best for
Historic primary sector projects
Funding / support
Replaced by the Primary Sector Growth Fund
Match funding
N/A
Status 2026
Closed to new applicants
Complexity
N/A
Route map
Redirects users to the Primary Sector Growth Fund.
Check if this fitsOfficial source
Next step

Not sure which of these to check first?

The free funding check gives a pathway snapshot in about three minutes. The free pathway report turns it into a written route map with ranked pathways, weak-fit routes, documents likely required and suggested next steps.

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