Understanding your market and context to guide your next move

Workshop: Understanding your market

Making a move with your business in 2026 not sure how to set yourself up for success? Whether you are an aspiring startup or an established organisation looking to roll out a new product or service, our workshop will guide you through a process to better understand your market opportunity and challenges.

Register your interest

Duration

5 hours, 9:30 am–3:00 pm
(not including 30 min lunch break)

Format

Online, via Zoom and Miro

Price

$650 NZD +GST per participant
(Registration options: Pay a deposit of $275 +GST to secure your spot. Members of Regional Business Partner Network may be eligible for co-funded management capability funding)

Register your interest

Why you should attend

If your understanding of your customers and market is fragmented or based on anecdotal feedback, this workshop will give you the support and headspace to dive deeper.

This workshop provides practical ways to test the market before you commit resources. It is designed for SME owner-operators and startups with an NZ Business Number (NZBN) who want clearer evidence on whether a new product or service is likely to find traction.

What you’ll learn

Across a focused, hands-on session, you’ll learn how to:

Estimate market size and potential revenue.
Identify and describe target customer segments.
Track and interpret market trends that may affect demand.
Map the competitor landscape and understand your position.
Assess risks, constraints and barriers to entry.

You’ll use simple frameworks, curated resources and AI-supported tools to build a grounded view of your market opportunity.

The aim is to leave with enough clarity to make better decisions – whether that means moving ahead, adjusting your idea or pausing for further validation.

This workshop helped me refocus my launch plan, uncover risks I hadn’t seen, and feel confident about next steps.

The Creative HQ team’s expertise and 1:1 support answered my key questions (especially pricing and competition), and the tools and structure made it easier to map problems, solutions and gaps.

It also strengthened how I talk about my idea and improved my pitching.

Workshop participant

Frequently asked questions

Who is this course for?

If you run a small business or early-stage startup and are considering a new move in 2026, this short workshop offers a structured way to assess the opportunity.

Who is eligible for subsidised course fees?

To access the subsidy for registered training, you must meet the following criteria.
You must:

Have undergone a discovery session with a Regional Business Partner growth advisor.
Have fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees.
Be registered for GST in New Zealand (this applies to one-to-one training only).
Have a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN).
Be operating in New Zealand.
Be operating in a commercial environment, that means you are currently trading; and
Be a privately owned business, or a Māori Trust or incorporation under Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 or similar organisation managing Māori assets under multiple ownership.

Learn more about Regional Business Partner Networks

This workshop is registered with the Regional Business Partner Network (RBPN). To understand more about the programme and what it offers read here.

To explore if your business is eligible for support, contact your local Regional Business Growth Advisor. For Wellington based businesses, please email Michelle.Boynton@wellingtonnz.com or fill in this form.

Not yet a member? Register here if you are an established business with a NZ Business Number.
Registration options: Pay a deposit of $275+GST to secure your spot. If you are eligible for management capability co-funding this remaining course fee would be covered by RBPN.