Lightning Lab to help more startups through national programme
New Zealand’s first startup accelerator Lightning Lab is working with Auckland startup incubator The Icehouse and the
Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC) to run a national programme.
A partnership between The Icehouse, CDC (economic development agency for Christchurch) and Wellington startup hub
Creative HQ – founder of Lightning Lab – is looking to give more New Zealand startups the opportunity to grow their
companies faster through the combination of seed funding, intensive mentoring and 12-weeks of focused business and
product development programme.
The national partnership is targeting Lightning Lab programmes in Auckland and Christchurch in 2015 and in multiple New
Zealand locations simultaneously from 2016 onwards.
The inaugural Lightning Lab 2013 saw four new startup companies receive $2.1 million in early stage ‘angel’ funding
between them, after completing the programme. Lightning Lab 2014 started in March this year and will culminate in
Lightning Lab Demo Day on May 28 in Wellington.
Stefan Korn, CEO of Creative HQ – founders of Lightning Lab - says Lightning Lab has attracted companies from all over
New Zealand and it is a natural step to align the programme with other regions.
“Lightning Lab is about bringing the best startup teams into one place and building globally focussed companies. By
bringing together the strongest startup support networks across the country, we can do this more effectively and more
often. It brings a necessary focus to do what we need to do – create more successful digital ventures from New Zealand.”
Director of startups at The Icehouse Ken Erskine says research shows successful startup accelerators provide three
things: a network of highly experienced and committed mentors and investors, an active alumni network and most
importantly, connections to future capital.
“Together, we have a phenomenal combined network of mentors, investors and startup entrepreneurs to help ensure the
success of the nationwide accelerator programme. More importantly we have a track-record of giving startups access to
funding, through New Zealand’s leading angel investment groups, as well as linkages to other top-tier investors, local
and offshore.”
CDC general manager innovation Jamie Cairns says innovation energy is brimming in Christchurch and bringing Lightning
Lab into the midst can only spark more ideas into reality and deliver better traction from entrepreneurial networks
already thriving.
“In the past two years Christchurch has seen some incredible things come from the sheer audacity and drive in the
community. Lightning Lab will provide a springboard for that energy to take it to another level,” he says.
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