Compare the main routes
| Route | Best for | Not best for | First question to answer | Who to speak to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grants and R&D support | A defined project that fits a current programme, with co-funding capacity | Vague plans, no budget, or no matched funding | Is there a current programme my project actually fits? | Accountant, RDTI adviser or the programme agency |
| R&D tax credit (RDTI) | Eligible R&D activity with technical uncertainty, evidence and material spend | Routine product development with no technical uncertainty | Can I describe the technical uncertainty and show records? | Accountant or RDTI adviser |
| Export and growth (NZTE) | International market entry, customer development and growth capability | A working-capital gap dressed up as an export problem | Is my target market and milestone specific yet? | NZTE or an export adviser |
| Asset and bank finance | Equipment, plant, vehicles, tooling or productive assets | Risk capital, product runway or market-entry investment | Is this an asset purchase or a growth-capital question? | Accountant, bank or asset finance provider |
| Capital raise | Growth, runway, hiring, inventory or venture-scale funding | A defined project that a grant or finance could fund without dilution | Is my use of funds and cap table clear enough to approach investors? | Capital adviser, then lawyer |
| Sector support | Food, primary sector, healthtech, manufacturing, climate or energy projects | Generic searching before checking the sector route | Is there a sector body or facility for this exact project? | The relevant sector agency or specialist adviser |
How to use this
Start with the decision, not the programme. Most wasted effort comes from chasing a named programme before confirming which class of pathway fits the business.
Work down the first-question column. The route where you can answer that question clearly is usually the one to check first. Where two routes both look possible, the free check ranks them and flags the weak-fit options.
The most common mix-ups
- Treating RDTI as automatic for any product work. It depends on genuine technical uncertainty and evidence.
- Using export support to plug a working-capital gap. Export support is not capital.
- Raising capital for something a grant or finance could fund without dilution.
- Searching generic grants before checking the sector-specific route.
Official sources to check
Sources and review status
Last reviewed: June 2026.
Official sources checked: IRD, MBIE, business.govt.nz, NZTE, NZGCP, EECA and MPI, as relevant.
NZ Funding Pathways is a free resource funded by PH Capital Advisory.
General information only. Check the current official source and speak with the relevant adviser before acting.
This page provides general information only. It does not provide tax, accounting, legal, financial, investment or eligibility advice, and it does not guarantee funding.