Māori Startup Accelerator Tupu Returns for Year Three

When Keela Atkinson joined Tupu Accelerator, her kombucha business was a part-time hobby. Today, she's running a full-time company with export dreams, and she says the program changed everything.

Tupu, an eight-week accelerator for Māori-founded startups, just opened applications for its third year. The program helps indigenous New Zealand entrepreneurs transform local businesses into globally competitive ventures.

Developed by Tapuwae Roa in partnership with Sprout Agritech and funded by New Zealand's Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Tupu selects ten startups each year. Founders get expert coaching, guest speakers, personalized mentorship, and crucial business skills like customer validation, market analysis, and intellectual property protection.

Te Pūoho Kātene, Chief Executive of Tapuwae Roa, says the program exists because Māori entrepreneurs have world-class talent but often lack the networks and resources to scale internationally. Tupu bridges that gap.

The results speak for themselves. Nearly nine out of ten founders who complete the program say it fundamentally changed their business trajectory.

Atkinson, co-founder of Mauriora Kombucha, credits Tupu with giving her team the confidence and practical tools to think bigger. Her company went from weekend project to serious export contender in just eight weeks.

The Ripple Effect

Tupu's impact extends beyond individual businesses. By helping Māori entrepreneurs succeed globally, the program creates economic opportunity throughout indigenous communities in New Zealand.

The accelerator also preserves cultural knowledge while fostering innovation. Many participating startups blend traditional Māori practices with modern business models, creating products and services that honor heritage while competing in global markets.

Experienced business coaches Saara Tawha and Brittany Teei lead the program through a mix of in-person workshops, online sessions, and one-on-one coaching. The hybrid format lets founders learn together while getting personalized guidance for their unique challenges.

Past participants include Beings (founded by Léon Bristow), Makachili (Hira Nathan), and Performnz IQ (Pele Aumua). Each startup brought different ideas and industries, but all left with clearer paths to international growth.

Applications close March 23, 2026, giving aspiring founders just under a month to apply. Kātene says the team looks for driven, innovative entrepreneurs ready to take their businesses from local operations to the world stage.

For Māori startups dreaming of global impact, Tupu offers more than business advice—it offers belief that those dreams are achievable.