Aurora Climate Activate
A pre-accelerator programme
A short, action-focused programme designed to help aspiring climate tech founders turn research into real-world impact.
Turn your idea into momentum
Aurora Climate Activate is your launchpad to kickstart your startup journey.
Whether your idea is on paper or prototyped, this free programme will help you validate your market and develop an actionable roadmap that develops your tech – toward true demand.
For 8 weeks, 15 aspiring founders or startup teams will combine learning with doing: from entrepreneurial foundation building, customer discovery and market analysis with AI tools, to building an actionable roadmap.
This service is FREE (valued at $5,000 per participant) thanks to support from Wellington NZ and Callaghan Innovation. With a hybrid format and flexible online sessions, you can join from anywhere in Aotearoa.
Questions? Reach out to Holly at holly.beals@creativehq.co.nz.
Key Dates
Stay tuned for the next Climate Tech accelerator programme in 2026. Want to learn more?
Why activate your startup journey with Creative HQ?
“The accelerator programme successfully transformed my mindset from that of a scientist to that of a commercial entrepreneur, fundamentally changing how I approach research. The programme’s content and delivery were exceptional and I will definitely recommend it to my colleagues.”
– Alumni of Aurora Climate Lab 2025
Here’s what you’ll get
1. Build your climate tech venture without giving up equity: Participate for free, backed by WellingtonNZ and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
2. Learn foundations of entrepreneurship: Learn how to translate your research into real-world impact with entrepreneurial foundations tailored for academic spinouts.
3. Fast-track your idea: Develop a clear, actionable technology roadmap designed to move you through the early stages and minimise loop backs.
4. Validate your market before you build: Complete hands-on customer discovery and market mapping so you know your solution meets real demand.
5. Innovation for Impact: Weekly workshops with Creative HQ’s innovation specialists and expert guests, applying frameworks and tools designed for high-impact climate innovation.
6. Cohort Connection: Make connections with a peer cohort of climate tech founders to share knowledge, challenges and wins long after the 8 weeks end.
7. Flexible, founder-friendly format: Benefit from hybrid delivery with an in-person kick-off, weekly online sessions and ongoing support.
Hear from our 2025 cohort
FAQ’s
What is Climate Tech?
Climate tech include technologies that directly reduce emissions or address the impacts of climate change. This could be solutions for:
- The future of food.
- Agriculture and energy.
- Decarbonising hard to abate industries.
- Zero-carbon transport.
- Smart / efficient cities and carbon capture technologies.
What is Aurora Climate Activate?
An 8-week programme for idea-stage climate tech founders (or researchers on the journey to entrepreneurship) to validate their concept, build a technology roadmap that matches a real-world market opportunity and plug into NZ’s Climate Tech ecosystem. You’ll leave ready to develop your technology to the next stage and enter larger accelerators.
Who is eligible to apply?
Researchers on the journey to spinning out of a university or research institute, solo founders or small startup teams (2–3 people) in New Zealand, with just an idea or in a proof of concept stage (TRL 1 – 4). No prior startup experience is required – just commitment and curiosity.
How much does it cost?
Participation is completely free but you may be required to travel for the kick-off or closing event.
What is the time commitment?
Expect to commit 10 hours per week, including live workshops, peer group sessions, interviews and independent work. Most Structured sessions (~3 hrs), independent work (7 hours).
What support will I get?
- Structured curriculum spanning startup principles:
- Entrepreneurial mindset.
- Pitching fundamentals.
- Problem definition & customer discovery.
- Market mapping
- Climate impact and technology roadmapping.
- Toolkits, templates and AI tools.
- Guest speakers and expert advisors.
- Peer squads for accountability.
- Optional co-working space in Wellington & Auckland.
