Skip Content
Kokiri

The first cohort of Kōkiri, a government-funded business accelerator programme, will soon learn if their innovations will receive investment.

The 10 early-stage businesses demonstrated their ideas to a packed audience earlier this month.

They were the first cohort of Kōkiri, a four-month programme delivered by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and Callaghan Innovation, which aims to get high-growth potential business start-ups investment and market ready.

The Kōkiri participants received mentoring and financial help, enabling them to focus solely on their businesses for the duration of the programme.

The demonstrations were an opportunity for the businesses to present their ideas to public and private stakeholders.

The participants included;

Moving Pros: A company that makes it easy to compare multiple moving quotes in one place.

SeeCom: Which is prototyping the world’s first digital Interactive Sign Language Game, a virtual game-based experience of learning sign language through means of interaction and movements in front of digital screens.

Biome: Which turns pest-algae Didymo into high-end fashion materials. These high-quality materials are produced sustainably and strive to improve the New Zealand environment.

Origins: Is a cloud-based platform that provides complete visibility of the honey supply chain from on the land to the end consumer.

Papa Taiao: Papa Taiao Earthcare works with rangatahi across Aotearoa and across iwi to guide them into a life focused on social, ecological, economic and cultural regeneration through enterprise in rural and urban communities.

The Realness: Is the new way to find owner-operated eateries without having to rely on review sites, advertising platforms, personal opinion sites, magazines and mainstream media.

Arataki: Is an app that enables users to receive information about sites of cultural significance using a custom mobile application and proximity technology.

MyReo: The goal of MyReo is to provide Māori millenials with the digital tools and resources they need to learn, practice and grow in te reo Māori.

Hikurangi Enterprises: Are the first New Zealand company to take a New Zealand-grown medicinal cannabis product to clinical trials and plan to be the market leaders by 2019.

Akudos: Is a cloud based awards management system designed to streamline the awards process from beginning to end.

Aisha Ross, Innovation Development Group director at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, said there was an overwhelming amount of positive feedback to the different ventures and the presentation evening itself.

“This related to the growth and development of the ventures, the execution of the event, the Kōkiri Business Accelerator kaupapa, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and its partner organisations.”

Mr Ross said a number of these businesses and their innovations are being lined up by investors but with negotiations still progressing, these details are confidential.

“At this time I’m unable to disclose the funds raised by the ventures, however indicatively it is substantial,” he said.

The event included a number of key business leaders, angel investment groups, partners and sponsors.

Speakers at the event included Air New Zealand Cultural Specialist Henare Johnson, Callaghan Innovation CEO Vic Crone and New Zealand First deputy leader Fletcher Tabuteau.

 Back to news & events

Published On:

Article By:



Other Articles

  • 27 May 2025

    Wānanga partner with Waikato-Tainui to preserve and protect taonga

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and Waikato-Tainui launch Te Tohu Tiaki Taonga, a new programme designed to equip iwi with the skills to preserve and protect taonga. Co-designed with iwi and experts, this kaupapa Māori qualification supports cultural archiving and heritage roles while upholding tikanga Māori.

  • 23 May 2025

    Rangatahi return to founding campus of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

    Rangatahi from Te Wharekura o Ngā Purapura o Te Aroha and Te Awamutu College return to the founding campus of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa to study mahi toi through the Visual Arts Secondary Tertiary Programme.

  • 20 May 2025

    Marae-Based Research: A Vehicle for Reclamation

    Explore Kimiora Raerino’s inspiring journey from urban Māori upbringing to PhD researcher and Senior Research Fellow at Te Manawahoukura. Discover how marae-based research and māra kai became powerful tools for reconnection, cultural identity, and community wellbeing.

  • 04 June 2025

    The ride, the kōrero, the kaupapa: Eddie Walker Rides for Talei

    Discover the inspiring journey of Eddie Walker, a Te Wānanga o Aotearoa kaimahi, who rides for the kaupapa of cancer awareness through Ride for Talei. Learn how his personal experiences and determination have shaped his mission to promote Smear Your Mea and Prick4Prostate.