Startup Queenstown Lakes drives innovation in our region, by fostering a startup ecosystem.
WHO WE ARE
Startup Queenstown Lakes is a charitable trust established in 2018 to bring together founders, investors and supporters to help diversity the economy, via a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem made up of knowledge and innovative sector businesses.
We are a catalyst and champion for the startup, innovation, and technology community.
Check out our 2024 Annual Report
Startup Queenstown Lakes 2024 Annual Report
Investing in a startup ecosystem is a multiplier for the community. It will not only provide jobs, better wages and roles requiring high skills, but create rewarding opportunities for future generations.
OUR VALUES
We use best practices and proven models from national and globally recognised ecosystems to execute our vision that includes:
COLLABORATION
We collaborate in order to build the capability of entrepreneurs seeking to deliver positive social economic and environmental outcomes.
CONNECTION
We identify and engage with individuals in our community - and connect them with others. We connect expertise with those who need it - leveraging the talent our region has, and we break down barriers and encourage synergies in the ecosystem.
CREDIBLE
We strive to lead with credibility. We have a trusted and positive reputation in the Queenstown Lakes District and within the national startup community, increasing the opportunities to make a positive impact.
CONTRIBUTION
We contribute knowledge, resources, and connections to those in our ecosystem. Our goal is to contribute jobs, better wages and roles requiring high skills. We want to create rewarding opportunities for future generations.
OPTIMISM
Our communication is always positive, to inspire hope. Our region's reputation is a vibrant and fun place to live, work, and play. We share the positive stories of the founders in our region to inspire others and give optimism for the future of our region.
SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT, STARTUP QUEENSTOWN LAKES HAS
Carefully used its funds to deliver programs and activities that have serviced innovators and businesses from across the District.
Built key relationships, upskilled individuals, connected talents together, and engaged people living (and visiting) who otherwise were disconnected from the community.
Co-founded Mainland Angel Investors - in collaboration with Startup Dunedin and Coin South - as a regional Angel network which will encourage more investment in our community.
Built a vibrant community of startup founders, innovators and others who support our Startup ecosystem.
Participated in numerous collaborations and planning sessions with local, regional, and national entities to find ways to stretch those dollars to maximise impact and value that will pay dividends in the future as the groundswell of activity takes place.
Leading a Unified Startup Ecosystem for the District
Startup Queenstown Lakes has unified previously fragmented startup initiatives under one umbrella so that resources are working collectively toward the same outcomes.
We are led by our General Manager, Marco Dingemans, who has a passion to build our local community, develop and oversee our programmes, and to establish the District as an ideal place to live and build new ventures.
We continue to offer Queenstown Lakes District Council with a singular, accountable organisation to work with in this space - using consistent metrics and performance evaluations that enable QLDC’s economic development manager and leadership a consistent, reliable deliverable with complete transparency.
