kiaora@standtall.nz
This year's 54-hour entrepreneurial journey was a sell-out, attracting 35 passionate participants and 13 expert mentors from across the country. The event was made possible through a fantastic collaboration between Stand Tall Community Trust and The Incubator Creative Hub.
The vibrant and creative environment at the Incubator was the perfect backdrop for innovation, offering participant the space to think freely, collaborate and bring their ideas to life. This unique venue played a pivotal role in fostering creativity and productivity throughout the weekend.
The event kicked off on Friday evening with a dynamic pitch session, where participants stepped out of their comfort zones to present their ideas to the group. A total of 13 ideas were pitched resulting in the formation of 5 diverse teams.
On Saturday, the teams hit the ground running- cold calling, conducting surveys and validating their problem areas to ensure the viability, usability and feasibility of their solutions. It was an intense but productive day that saw teams refine their ideas and push their limits.
Sunday was pitch day with all 5 teams preparing to present their final business models to a panel of esteemed judges. Each team showcased impressive progress and creativity impressing the judges with their solutions. The panel which included Tania Lewis Rickard (founder of Kai Aroha), Mitch Lowe (one of New Zealand's leading music promoters), Rosanne Ellis (Director of Innovation at Waikato University's Hiko Hub) and Rodd Taylor (Tauranga City Councilor) had the tough task of evaluating the team's pitches.
In the end, all 5 teams successfully made it to the finish line, demonstrating hard work, dedication and collaborative spirit that made this event so successful.
Startup Weekend Tauranga 2025 was a true celebration of innovation, teamwork and the entrepreneurial spirit! We can't wait to see the impact from this weekend.
Key Facts:
35 Tickets Sold
Youngest Participant: 15yrs Old
Oldest Participant: 55+yrs Old
Female: 60.61%
Male: 36.36%
Non-Binary: 3.03%
Under 18yrs old: 17.65%
18-30yrs old: 23.53%
31-50yrs old: 44.12%
Over 50yrs old: 14.71%
15 Early Bird
20 General Admission
13 Ideas pitched
5 Teams Formed
7 Organisers: Pacale Hyboud-Peron (Lead & Stand Tall Director), Simone Anderson (The Incubator Director), Charlotte Greer, Ruth O’Connoll, Manaia Peina, Tanya Trass, Ruth James
2 Facilitators: Georgia McConnon (Rotorua) & Dan Thurston Crow (Taranaki)
13 Mentors (Tauranga, Auckalnd, Wairarapa, Te Tairawhiti)
4 Judges
TEAMS:
GoQuest - 2025 Winners
Family outdoor adventure experiences
HomeHub
Supply and mapping app for electricians
Femergy
Energy gels for female endurance athletes 
Unreal Estate
Online platform for homeowners to sell directly
Redu
Education provider for students who prefer learning by doing
Feedback
The whole experience was amazing! I am so grateful to be a part of a community that helps with being creative and giving guidance for start up businesses. All the people you meet too! Just amazing.
Thankyou kind regards,
- Zykyia
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Thank you so very much for all of the support and organisation you and your team put into this weekend. All of your hard work and efforts are so very appreciated and nothing you did went unnoticed, even if we didn't express it at the time.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! The experience of this weekend has changed me.
Jessica
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I wanted to let you know that the weekend was so amazing, I’m not sure if I can explain how much it meant to me to be able to join a space like that. When Ruth was speaking last night I could relate a lot because I haven’t lived for very long in Tauranga and I don’t have a community or any friends here yet. Having an opportunity to meet other like minded people is something so special, I have so much appreciation and respect for you putting this event on. I’m sure you’ve had lots of people tell you how amazing it is but I just wanted to let you know even more.
- Azusa
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Absolutely sensational. An amazing journey all in 54 hours.
Would always be great to catch up with like minded people. I have a passion to help people be the best that they can and this certainly filled my cup.
- Gordon
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One highlight for me was the collaboration of the team. It was really good just seeing the sparks and to the bouncing of ideas - it was really cool to see.
As a student in business, it was good that we got to experience pitching and actually using the theory we've learned and real-life experiences to aid our vision. That was for sure an area that developed myself and my skill set. As well I think confidence in speaking verbally in the pitch and in small groups as well. It was interesting collaborating ideas with other people too and seeing where things will go.
- Blessing
Thank You Sponsors:
The Incubator
Stand Tall
Callaghan Innovation
Priority One
Thank You Supporters:
Basestation
University of Waikato
Gen NZ
Toi Kai Rawa
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