Ministry of Awesome launched NEST Christchurch, the first hub in a new national startup network in New Zealand. The 1,100 square meter space is located at 829 Colombo Street. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Deputy Prime Minister Nicola Willis, and Minister Penny Simmonds attended the opening.
Pilot for a wider network
NEST Christchurch will serve as Ministry of Awesome's base and the pilot model for the wider network. The network is designed to connect existing startup hubs, programs, and communities across the country. Founders are expected to gain faster access to space, mentoring, and networks.
Ministry of Awesome
Ministry of Awesome is a national organization headquartered in Christchurch. It runs programs, events, and communities focused on founder-led innovation. CEO Graham Scown noted that Partly came out of Ministry of Awesome.
What the hub offers
The hub provides workstations, meeting rooms, event spaces, recording studios, and changing rooms. Members can also access mentoring, investment support, community connections, and business development. The operating model includes tiered memberships and corporate sponsorship.
The hub model may be replicated by partners in Auckland, Wellington, Whangārei, Taranaki, Nelson, or Wānaka. Ministry of Awesome aims to lift high-growth startups to one per 1,000 people. That would equal about 5,000 total startups.