Scale Up Wellington
A programme for high-growth Wellington tech companies
We are looking for revolutionaries
If you are one of Wellington’s 10 fastest growing tech companies, Scale Up Wellington is for you. It’s a six-month, founder-focused programme that will empower your team to achieve transformative scale and become one of the shining stars of Wellington’s amazing tech scene.
Through a blend of world-leading expertise, practical advice from successful Scale Up founders and deep peer learning, this programme will build your leadership team’s capabilities, confidence and culture so you can truly change the world.
At the core of the Scale Up Wellington programme are three hands-on retreats, all based in Wellington, designed to help your team grow from early momentum to real scale.
It’s not just for Chief Executives. We’ve designed this programme to connect and support your CEO, COO, CGO and other leaders to tackle the real challenges of scaling a company with intent.
Co-designed in partnership with key Wellington tech ecosystem builders, NZTE and Wellington NZ. Financially supported by Wellington City Council.
If you’re ready to scale you company to be one of the stars of the Wellington tech scene, this is for you.
Key dates
27 March – Applications close
1 April – Selected teams notified.
13 April – Kick-off session (full-day)
4-5 June – Retreat 1 (2-day)
6-7 Aug – Retreat 2 (2-day)
Late Sept – Retreat 3 (2-day)
Oct/Nov – Final Hui (Half Day)
What will the retreats cover?
Leadership development – Transform your leadership as you redesign executive alignment, clarify decision rights, and build a leadership bench capable of scale. Work with experts and successful founders to codify you culture, strengthen team cohesion, and evolve your identity to lead the next stage of growth.
Market assessment and expansion – Interrogate your true market opportunity with disciplined rigour, sharpen your competitive positioning, and refine your international expansion strategy. Guided by founders who have scaled globally, you will stress-test your strategy, segment focus, and specific market access mechanisms.
Operational effectiveness – Build the data-driven systems to scale predictably—while embedding AI into your operating model to unlock productivity and strategic advantage. Focus on unit economics, forecasting rigor, process design and AI-driven automation.
What to expect
Connect, learn and grow with peers while accessing tailored support and practical guidance.
1. Small, selective cohort who all share a “change maker” mindset – 10 executive teams who are hand selected to complement each other.
2. Strong connectivity to place and each other – culturally grounded and regionally connected design, developed in partnership with Taranaki Whānui
3. Bespoke formatted Retreat experiences that balance best practice skill building with specific focus time on your issues and sharing time with your trusted peers
4. Grounded in the growth of the Wellington region with significant regional locations chosen for events and retreats and content connected to place.
5. Advisor connections as needed throughout the programme – law, accounting, marketing, HR and more.
6. Continuity of support over the duration of the programme – regular check-ins across the cohort and role-based squads to discuss ongoing issues and build long-term relationships.
7. Founders helping founders – learn, share and grow alongside your trusted peers in the amazing Wellington ecosystem.
By combining founder-focused learning, tailored advisory support and collaborative retreats, Scale Up Wellington offers a truly unique environment for companies ready to grow with purpose, confidence and lasting regional impact.
Do you have the momentum to scale?
This programme is for leaders in companies that have:
- Revenue roughly $1m–$10m
- 5–50 Full-Time Equivalents (FTE)
- 20–30%+ annual growth
- Accelerant mindset (national or export growth intent)
- Able to commit leadership time to the programme
- Strong potential to contribute to the Wellington region
Selection focuses on market opportunity, leadership ambition, organisational readiness and regional impact.
Get quality time and advice from
Brooke Roberts
Co-Founder, Co-CEO and Director
Sharesies
Leighton Roberts
Co-Founder, Co-CEO and Director
Sharesies
Sonya Williams
Co-Founder, Co-CEO and Director
Sharesies
James Fuller
Co-Founder and CEO
Hnry
Brianne West
Founder and CEO
Incrediballs
Jamie Beaton
Founder and CEO
Crimson Education
Partnering with
FAQ’s
What is Scale Up Wellington?
Scale Up Wellington is a six-month programme designed for up to 10 high-potential scale-up tech companies ready to grow their capabilities, confidence and culture, while connecting with leaders through a cohort of mutual support.
What stage should my company be at?
Scale up Wellington is designed for scale-ups generating between $1–10 million in revenue and with at least Series A funding in place.
What are the selection criteria?
This programme is for leaders in companies that have:
- Revenue roughly $1m–$10m
- 5–50 Full-Time Equivalents (FTE)
- 20–30%+ annual growth
- Accelerant mindset (national or export growth intent)
- Able to commit leadership time to the programme
- Strong potential to contribute to the Wellington region
Selection focuses on market opportunity, leadership ambition, organisational readiness and regional impact.
How much does it cost?
A participation fee of $5,000 per company (programme is valued at over $20,000 per company) – thanks to fantastic financial support from Wellington City Council.
The price includes:
- All programme expenses including ongoing programme management, kick-off session, all experts and facilitation at the retreats, facilitation of squad sessions, connections to advisors and others, and the Final Hui.
- All accommodation and food expenses for up to 3 people for all three retreats (all locations will be in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington).
- All time with advisors for initial sessions (advisors may charge for significant follow-on work)
What is the time commitment?
Scale Up Wellington will take place over 6 months, with the following required time commitments:
- a full-day kick-off session
- 3, 2-day in-person retreats
- A final half-day hui.
Throughout the programme teams will be expected to join monthly 1-hour cohort catch ups and individual monthly 1-hour check-ins with the Programme Director. Teams will also have the opportunity to join monthly squad meetups and 1:1 advisor sessions as needed. We know you are busy and want to keep the major time commitments to the retreats and events.
What support will I get?
Throughout the programme, you will have the ongoing support of the Programme Director to help you prepare for the retreats and connect you to advisors, peers and others over the period of the programme. Within the events and retreats, you will have access to global experts and successful founders who will help you with the following:
- Leadership development – practical frameworks, decision logic and real-world strategies.
- Market assessment and expansion – identifying growth opportunities and building sales momentum.
- Operational effectiveness – leveraging AI, data-driven insights and governance to scale efficiently.
- Technical decision frameworks – making smarter, faster and more aligned choices.
- Practical stories and lived experience – learning from founders who have successfully scaled.
Most of all, we will create a trusted environment where you will build a strong and enduring network of peer leaders who you can share challenges with and who will continuously support your growth.
Brett Holland
Programme Director and Chief Innovation Officer
Inside every ambitious team is the potential to redefine what’s possible. With the right challenge, support and perspective, innovation becomes a force that moves people, systems and entire industries forward.
Want to learn more?