Are you a student working on a startup, business, side hustle, or project? We have $5000 for student startups at Startup Dunedin’s Student Pitch Competition!

If you’ve been working on a side hustle, running a startup, or tinkering away at something alongside study this year, our Student Pitch Competition this year will give you an opportunity to:

• Get feedback from experienced entrepreneurs and investors

• Access $5000 in funding to support your mahi

• Share and celebrate the work you have been doing

• Receive tailored support to take your next steps

• Connect with the Dunedin’s startup community

Any kind of business is welcome to apply, no matter if you’re a startup, a side hustle, a not-for-profit, a social enterprise, or you’re working on commercialising research.

Dunedin tertiary students of all majors, minors, and areas of study are encouraged to apply from Otago Polytechnic and the University of Otago.

Applications close Friday 19 September at 10.00 pm.
The pitch night will take place Tuesday 7 October, in the evening.

Read all about it here.

Dunedin City Council allocates up to $70,000 per year for innovation and development from the Waste Minimisation contestable fund. Applications are open to any idea, project, initiative, or event that encourages, promotes, or administers waste minimisation activities in Dunedin.

Collaborative projects are encouraged.

Apply here: Waste Minimisation Commercial Grant application - Dunedin City Council

Looking for ways to connect into the digital identity ecosystem? Join these informal monthly drop in/coffee chats for the Digital Identity NZ community. Each session is designed to help you connect, share stories and spark discussion, and runs for 45 minutes to allow more time for discussion and ideas exchange. Read More.

The Mainland Angel Investors will host our sixth investment evening for 2025 on October 15th in Invercargill, Queenstown, Christchurch, Wanaka and Dunedin. Join in to hear from three startups as they pitch their unique value propositions, growth potential, and financial projections. This is a fantastic opportunity to network with like-minded investors and entrepreneurs who are interested in supporting the next generation of successful startups. RSVP Here.

The Generator, a project by MSD and Ka Puta Ka Ora Emerge Aotearoa, helps new start up business owners with seed funding, guidance, and expert coaching for financial advice, setup, and business planning. The team supports community service card holders in financial hardship to explore the feasibility of a business idea, learn business skills and scale up their enterprise.

Applications are now open for their current funding round. If you’re interested, read more here.