Power Your Business Journey: Techweek25 Events for Startups and SMEs

In today’s fast-moving digital economy, startups and small businesses play a critical role in driving innovation and growth. Whether you’re launching your first venture, scaling a product, or looking to future-proof your business, Techweek25 (19–25 May 2025) offers the perfect platform to learn, connect, and grow.

This year’s programme includes practical workshops, insightful panels, and valuable networking events designed specifically for entrepreneurs, founders, and small business owners across Aotearoa. From funding strategies and AI adoption to marketing and team building, here’s your guide to the can’t-miss events that will help power your business journey.

Funding & Investment: Find the Right Fit for Your Growth

Raising capital isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re bootstrapping or chasing venture funding, Techweek25’s investment-focused events will help you navigate your options with clarity.

In Christchurch, start by exploring Bootstraps vs. Backers, a discussion on whether to grow organically or take on angel investment, featuring founders who’ve taken both paths. In Whanganui, gain foundational knowledge at Funding Fundamentals, a practical session covering capital raising stages, types of investors, and the realities of pitching.

For a deeper dive into founder experiences over in Marlborough, Investment Journeys with Puro at Te Au Pūngao offers insights from the team behind one of NZ’s startup funding success stories. And for fintech founders in Tāmaki Makaurau, Building FinTech: From Concept to Market unpacks the regulatory, fundraising, and go-to-market challenges unique to financial startups.

Innovation & Growth: Build a Resilient, Scalable Business

Innovation doesn’t just mean having a great idea—it’s about execution, resilience, and identifying your competitive edge. Diaries of a Māoripreneur (now sold out!) in Auckland features inspiring stories from Māori tech leaders pushing boundaries in tech, while the always popular Growth Jam in the Capital offers rapid fire storytelling from tech founders, open q&a, and plenty of time to connect with peers.

If you’re ready to grow globally, The Secrets of Scale (hosted by Airwallex) brings together successful New Zealand scale-up leaders to share practical insights on the nuts and bolts of doing business across borders. Meanwhile, the Global Growth Playbook in Wellington presents unfiltered stories from founders who’ve successfully taken their ventures to the world.

Marketing & Customer Acquisition: Do More With Less

You don’t need a big budget to build a powerful brand. These events provide practical strategies to help startups and SMEs reach the right customers—without burning through capital.

Scaling into the US uncovers proven tactics for entering the North American market, while Winning Customers on a Budget focuses on SEO and Google tools to help local businesses grow their digital footprint cost-effectively.

In Marketing Strategies for SMEs, learn how to use customer insights and data to tailor campaigns that convert. And Exporter Connect brings together businesses with export ambitions to discuss the power of collective storytelling, and unveils research which reveals when to lean into New Zealand 200 billion dollar brand to build trust in new markets. 

Generative AI: Supercharge Your Productivity

Generative AI isn’t just for tech giants anymore. It’s now a powerful tool for small businesses looking to automate tasks, generate content, and make data-driven decisions faster.

Start with Deloitte's Beyond the Hype, showcasing Kiwi businesses who are leveraging AI on Google Cloud. New Zealand Trade & Enterprise's free webinar: Leveraging AI for Global Market Success, shows how automation and predictive tools can help SMEs scale.

For hands-on learning, Essential Gen AI Skills with AWS is a beginner-friendly workshop that walks you through building and applying GenAI tools. And AI for Good by Aurora explores how to develop ethical, human-centred AI products from day one.

While we're on the topic of productivity, don't miss Xero's free webinar, Powering Productivity: How Tech is Transforming Small Business in Aotearoa, featuring new research and practical examples of how adopting simple digital tools into your workflows can supercharge your business. 

Building High-Performing Teams: People First, Always

Your team is your biggest asset. Techweek25 includes several sessions focused on attracting, developing, and retaining top talent in fast-paced environments.

Rewiring Work presents Deloitte’s 2025 Human Capital Trends, offering insights into the future of work and leadership. In The Role of Tech in Unlocking Workforce Potential, speakers explore how digital tools can improve productivity and wellbeing.

Deep Tech: Founders & Leaders is tailored for deep tech startups looking to build technical yet high-performing teams. And Innovation Starts with Empathy reminds us that culture and inclusion are foundational to growth.

Start, Scale, and Succeed at Techweek25

Whether you're just getting started or looking to scale, Techweek25's SME stream is packed with events that offer actionable insights, expert advice, and real-world strategies. These sessions are designed to meet you where you are—balancing ambition with practical guidance to help you take the next step in your business journey.

👉 Explore the full Techweek25 programme here

Let Techweek25 be the launchpad for your next big move.