At our fourth Waipā Tech Meetup, the spotlight was on one of the most critical steps in any startup journey: funding.
Whether you're bootstrapping, seeking a bank loan, or eyeing venture capital, understanding your options and how to prepare for them is key.
We were fortunate to host a powerhouse panel of funding experts: Emily Heazlewood from Snowball Effect, Stuart Inglis from Altered Capital, and BNZ’s Emma Ballantyne and Josh Starky. Together, they unpacked the realities of raising capital in New Zealand’s tech landscape.
A key takeaway? Preparation is everything.
Emily emphasised the importance of knowing your numbers, your story, and your “why” before approaching investors.
“The most important thing before you go out to market to raise capital is to actually understand what you're trying to achieve,” she said. “Know how much you want, what the use of funds is, and what valuation you're really going forward with.”
Stuart offered a candid investor’s perspective. He said ambition is great, but clarity and coachability matter more.
“People who are ambitious are really good at managing risk. We understand risk,” he noted. “But the most impressive thing is when companies come in and are transparent, when they say, ‘We’re using AI for this, but we’re transitioning to our own model.’ That honesty really matters.”
From the banking side, Josh shared how BNZ supports tech ventures differently from equity investors.
“Unlike equity, we don’t require market growth,” Josh explained. “We’re quite happy with businesses that are steady, as long as they can repay their commitments.”
He also stressed the importance of understanding business drivers.
“The best way to prepare is to engage advisors early. Get them involved in helping you understand the drivers of your business.”
Another strong theme was the importance of timing and self-awareness.
They said some founders come in saying, ‘I’m running out of money,’ or ‘I need to raise $3–4 million,’ but they haven’t really figured out what they’re after. A key message was that if you don’t know what you need, you’ll likely get the wrong thing.
The panel highlighted the importance of receiving and considering feedback, external viewpoints, and having suitable advisors from the outset. Emily advised that there are people who can identify blind spots in your plan, so it’s essential to use their expertise.
The speakers encouraged founders to stay focused and not get distracted by hype.
“There’s so much noise out there,” Emily said. “But if you’re clear on your story, your numbers, and your goals, you’ll stand out.”
The panel agreed that it’s essential to understand your audience and not underestimate the power of a well-told story.
A huge thank you to Airwallex for sponsoring the fourth Waipā Tech Meetup, and to Storyteller Bar in Te Awamutu for hosting the event.
A short survey will be released in the coming weeks to gather feedback and help shape the next series of events.
In the meantime, series two is already in development, with additional expert panels, networking opportunities, and hands-on learning experiences on the horizon.
We are now inviting expressions of interest from potential speakers, sponsors, and supporters.
Keep an eye on our website for updates!
