On 12 September 2024, Creative HQ hosted the New Zealand Final of the Startup World Cup, bringing together eleven of Aotearoa’s most promising early-stage tech ventures to compete for a place at the Grand Finale in Silicon Valley. Founders delivered four-minute pitches followed by two minutes of questions, presenting to a panel of judges under a tightly run, international-format competition.
Kitea Health, led by Natalia Lopez, was named the national winner, securing the opportunity to represent New Zealand at the Startup World Cup global competition in Silicon Valley on 4 October 2024. There, the team joined finalists from more than 100 regions worldwide, pitching before global investors, technology leaders and media for the chance to compete for a US$1 million investment prize. Silver was awarded to Irina Miller of Daisy Lab, and Bronze to Ben Scales of KiwiFibre.
Meet the teams in the Startup World Cup New Zealand Final 2024
Kitea Health (1st Place)
Kitea Health is developing what it states is the world’s first micro-implant designed to sense pressure within the brain. The technology aims to shift how chronic neurological conditions are monitored and managed, supporting earlier intervention and improved patient outcomes. Founded in Aotearoa New Zealand, the company combines local research expertise with international ambitions as it advances clinical validation and commercialisation pathways.
Location: Auckland
Website: kiteahealth.com
Daisy Lab (2nd Place)
Daisy Lab builds on New Zealand’s long-standing dairy innovation heritage through development of what it terms “Dairy 2.0” technology. The company produces microbial dairy proteins designed to be processed using conventional dairy equipment, enabling use of existing global manufacturing capacity. This compatibility with established infrastructure differentiates Daisy Lab’s approach from alternative production models that require new or specialised processing systems.
Location: Auckland
Website: daisylab.co.nz
KiwiFibre (3rd Place)
KiwiFibre is part of a new generation rebuilding a harakeke-based industry in Aotearoa New Zealand, where the fibre underpinned early patents and scaled exports. The company uses regenerative fibres to design solutions addressing technical, environmental and social challenges across global supply chains. By advancing practical applications for this native taonga, KiwiFibre aims to position harakeke as a sustainable material contributing to environmental restoration and economic development.
Location: Christchurch
Website: kiwifibre.com
Endo45
Endo45 reflects Aotearoa New Zealand’s practical, self-starting ethos, responding to limited attention given to those living with endometriosis. Drawing on a culture of resilience and care, the company developed a technology-enabled solution focused on restoring foundational health habits that support the body’s natural systems. Grounded in the principles of kaitiakitanga and whanaungatanga, Endo45 connects local values with an approach designed for broader international impact.
Location: Taranaki
Website: endo45.co.nz
Femmi
Femmi is a running and movement platform built around female physiology and menstrual cycle-aligned training, offering personalised running and strength plans, coaching and community connection through its app. Founded by elite Kiwi runners Esther Keown and Lydia O’Donnell, it aims to help women train smarter, build confidence and stay active with support from experts in women’s health and exercise science. The company also fosters in-person weekly run communities and partnerships to extend its mission internationally.
Location: Tauranga
Website: femmi.co
LifeLike Digital
Lifelike Digital is a Māori-founded startup developing Gym Vibe, a platform positioned at the intersection of technology and health and fitness. Drawing on Aotearoa New Zealand’s reputation in sport and digital innovation, the company seeks to contribute to this combined sector strength through immersive fitness technology. With a diverse team representing indigenous and minority talent, Lifelike Digital was the only New Zealand company selected for Futureverse’s accelerator programme this year and reports strong strategic alignment with the Māori-founded technology group.
Location: Auckland
Website: lifelikedigital.com
See Stuff
SeeStuff is a Wellington-based SaaS platform for asset, property and facilities management, developed to simplify workflow, reactive and planned maintenance, lifecycle forecasting and asset performance reporting from a single cloud-based system. It was created out of operational experience in the sector to fill gaps in existing tools and eliminate unnecessary complexity for people managing buildings and infrastructure. The product is owned and developed by Kingfisher Group and is used to support more efficient and cost-effective facilities management outcomes.
Location: Wellington
Website: seestuff.net
Supa
Supa develops community energy solutions using its SupaTech smart AI platform to optimise how electricity is generated, stored and monetised through local microgrids. The company positions its model around placing greater control in the hands of communities while prioritising environmental outcomes. Its team has delivered hundreds of energy projects for businesses across New Zealand and is a leading supplier to schools. Supa frames its work as a community energy movement focused on building lower-cost, resilient and lower-emissions power systems.
Location: Auckland
Website: supa.energy
TamanIon
TasmanIon is developing rechargeable aluminium-ion batteries designed to improve safety, affordability and sustainability for stationary storage and micromobility applications. The company positions its technology as a response to rapidly increasing battery demand across multiple sectors, with a focus on delivering locally developed capability. TasmanIon aims to contribute to more resilient and accessible energy storage solutions within New Zealand and internationally.
Location: Wellington
Website: tasmanion.com
UsedFULLY
UsedFULLY is a Wellington-based cleantech company addressing textile waste by converting unwanted clothing and fibres into high-value industrial materials and circular solutions. Its platform tracks the environmental and financial impact of textiles and redirects end-of-use garments into reuse and recycling pathways. Through proprietary processes, UsedFULLY produces recycled materials such as StrengthTex® for roading and construction applications, reducing landfill, lowering emissions and decreasing reliance on virgin resources.
Location: Wellington
Website: usedfully.com
Volition
Volition positions itself within Aotearoa New Zealand’s track record in advancing disability rights, focusing on complex and often under-addressed challenges. The company frames its work around fairness, inclusion and practical change, seeking to build systems that better serve disabled communities. Drawing on a culture of persistence and optimism, Volition aims to contribute to New Zealand’s ongoing leadership in disability innovation and advocacy on the global stage.
Location: Wellington
Website: Volition.org.nz
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