Fintech Lab
NZ’s leading Fintech startup accelerator
Ready to accelerate your fintech startup? Join Fintech Lab 2027 to help shape the future of finance and plug into NZ’s fast-growing ecosystem.
New Zealand Fintech is attracting more investment, customers and attention than ever. But growth is only part of the opportunity. NZ needs more startups building tools that make banking fairer and cheaper for everyday Kiwis, and that redefine what financial services can be. In the era of AI, starting is easy – but finding customers, building your advantage and scaling? That’s harder than ever before.
The programme is hybrid. Wellington teams work from Creative HQ, Auckland teams from GridAKL, and everyone else joins remotely. We come together in person three times. Thanks to our partners, it’s free to take part and there’s no equity required.
Key dates
2027 Fintech Lab applications open until 22 November.
16-19 March: Kick off in Wellington, alongside NZ’s Fintech Hui
17 March: Launch party -you’re invited!
5-6 May: Programme midway point in Auckland
June: Fintech Festival (dates to be announced)
Why accelerate your startup journey with Creative HQ?
“Creative HQ’s brand and network is powerful. As a fledgling business, it can be difficult to get a foot in the door with the right people. The accelerator was incredible at opening doors…”
– Otto NZ,
Alumni of Fintech Lab 2025
The connections you need, right from day one
We’re opening the programme alongside Fintech Hui Taumata at Tākina in Wellington, when the whole sector is in town. In your first few days you’ll meet your cohort, visit leading NZ fintechs, pitch to a supportive audience and walk away with a world of new connections. Over the next three months you’ll bond with your cohort and grow your network, then come back together for the Fintech Festival in June. You’ll finish the programme with people who can help you grow, and who you’ll stay connected with.
Support from people who’ve been there before
Every week you’ll get 1:1 time with a startup coach who’s in your corner and focused on you. Workshops cover what you need to know, including regulation, legal, payments, security, customer discovery, sales, brand and pitching, and they’re run by people who work in fintech every day. You’ll also be matched with mentors who suit your team and your stage.
Regulatory and investment support, tailored to your journey
Fintech comes with its own rulebook, and the support you need isn’t something you can find online. Learn straight from the source through meetings and workshops on compliance, disclosure and licensing, so you understand the landscape and what applies to you. You’ll meet investors one-on-one early on to learn what they’re looking for and build your capital strategy. We know it works: last year’s founders raised $1.3M during the programme.
Thank you to our partners
Foundation partner
Lab partner
Investment partner
Supporters
FAQ’s
What is Fintech?
Fintech (financial technology) covers any innovation that improves, challenges or reimagines the way financial services are delivered. If your solution works with money, payments, investments or financial products you’re a great match. Examples include:
- Payments & Transactions – digital wallets, payment gateways, cross-border transfers
- Lending & Credit – alternative lending models, BNPL, credit scoring solutions
- Banking & Open Finance – neobanks, embedded finance, open banking APIs
- Wealth & Investment – robo-advisors, trading platforms, digital asset management
- Insurance & Risk – insurtech solutions improving coverage, claims or risk modelling
- RegTech & Compliance – tools helping businesses meet regulatory obligations faster
- AI & Data-Driven Finance – fraud detection, personalised financial insights, predictive analytics
If your startup touches any part of the financial ecosystem, there’s a strong chance it qualifies.
What is Fintech Lab?
Fintech Lab is Creative HQ’s leading accelerator programme for Fintech startups. Over three months, we provide founders with intensive coaching, strategic connections and access to industry partners to accelerate growth and investment readiness.
What stage should my startup be at?
We welcome applications from early-stage to pre-scale ventures. You should have a clear problem definition, early customer insights and a working concept or MVP. Prior funding/investment is not required.
Who is eligible to apply?
Early-stage fintech founders solving real financial problems in New Zealand or globally. Whether you’re building payments, lending, banking, compliance or wealth-tech solutions, if your venture can drive innovation in the financial sector, Fintech Lab is for you.
Can I apply from overseas?
We welcome applications from overseas Fintech startups. You will need to be able to attend key dates in person. As the programme is funded by the New Zealand Government you will be asked to pay either a programme participation fee or equity in your startup.
What are the selection criteria?
Our application form is designed to structure your response in a way that aligns with our assessment criteria. Here is an overview of some of the key considerations:
- Problem/Solution
- Can the team demonstrate that there is a real problem to be solved and that they understand how their solution is a match for that problem
- Growth Potential/Scale
- Is there a large, scaleable market for this startup?
- Team/Representation
- Does the team have the right skills and experience to tackle this problem?
- Does the team contribute diversity to the cohort?
- Impact
- What social/environmental/cultural impact does the team have?
- Are there particular benefits to having them in the cohort or catalytic potential for the wider sector?
How much does it cost?
Participation is completely free but you will be required to travel for the kick-off and closing events in Wellington
What is the time commitment?
Fintech Lab 2026 runs as a hybrid accelerator for three months, combining in-person intensives with targeted coaching and partner engagement sessions. Expect a mix of workshops, 1:1 mentoring, investor readiness preparation and real-world testing. We expect you to be working full-time on your startup to make the most of the programme.
What support will I get?
You’ll access:
- Entrepreneurial skills building
- Pitching fundamentals.
- Problem definition & customer discovery.
- Market mapping
- Financial impact and technology roadmapping.
- Direct introductions to industry leaders, regulators, and investors
- Expert mentors across fintech, legal, compliance, product, and growth
- Connections to key ecosystem players like the Financial Markets Authority and NZ Fintech Fund
- A lifelong founder network from your cohort and alumni community
Join Creative HQ’s Fintech alumni
Chris O’Neill
Senior Innovation Specialist
We’ve seen what happens when the right people, expertise and capital back ambitious fintechs – it works. Our fintech founders strengthen the wider economy and create momentum for others to follow.
Not sure where to start?