Global Entrepreneurship Network
New Zealand
Uniting Aotearoa New Zealand's Startup Ecosystem
Join GEN NZ's Unconference and Workshops 2026
GEN NZ Unconference and Workshops return this August 25 & 26 at Victoria University of Wellington. Join entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders, investors, and innovators from across Aotearoa for two days of workshops, collaboration, and conversation designed to strengthen our entrepreneurial ecosystem, kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face).
An unconference is a participant-led event with no fixed agenda, where attendees create the sessions on the day and choose the topics they want to explore together.
GEN NZ Unconference and Workshops are proudly supported by:
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About GEN NZ
Global Entrepreneurship New Zealand (GEN NZ) is the national affiliate of the Global Entrepreneurship Network, a global platform that supports and strengthens entrepreneurship worldwide. It was founded in 2019 to connect and grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
GEN NZ exists to unite Aotearoa New Zealand’s startup ecosystem by:
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Connecting entrepreneur support organisations, universities, investors, regions and government in Aotearoa and beyond.
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Sharing learning and insights, best practices and global knowledge flow, by acting as a national hub
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Championing and enabling the relationships, resources, and conditions that allow the startup ecosystem to thrive.
Our People
GEN membership is open to companies, organisations and individuals that share our mission to connect entrepreneurs with the people and resources they need to thrive, both locally and globally.
As a member, you'll collaborate with others to achieve our shared Ecosystem Vision while adhering to our Code of Conduct. GEN offers a safe and neutral environment for collaboration, communication, networking, and learning. When assistance is needed, members are encouraged to reach out or contact our community moderators.
Our priorities are the greater good of the ecosystem and the well-being of entrepreneurs.
Meet The GEN NZ Trustees
Meet the trustees of GEN NZ, leaders and innovators committed to fostering entrepreneurship across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our trustees guide the organisation’s mission to connect and empower the entrepreneurship community, providing strategic direction and support to help grow New Zealand’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Irene Hao: Auckland
In her day job, Irene is an Investment Manager at Sprout Incubator and Accelerator where she supports disruptive start-ups to scale and grow. Previous to this, Irene spent time investing at VC fund Nuance Connected Capital.
Deeply committed to growing a diverse ecosystem, Irene is also the Program Delivery Lead at OnBoard, which focuses on enhancing start-up board diversity and governance practices. She holds a Master's in Forensic Science from Auckland University and began her career as a chemist.
When she's not working, you can find her traveling the world, exploring different cultures, and eating to her heart's content.
Jenny Douché: Wellington
Jenny is passionate about helping early-stage startups access great advice, connections and incubator services to help maximise their success and wellbeing.
Jenny manages the Startup and Founder programmes at Callaghan Innovation, where she has been since 2020. She has previously participated in a two-year incubator with her startup, ran startup support programmes, completed a PhD on how incubators influence the strategies of startups, and created and taught the Master's of Innovation and Commercialisation at Victoria University.
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Dr Marissa Kaloga: Auckland
Dr. Marissa Kaloga (Auckland) is the Hynds Lecturer of Entrepreneurship at the University of Auckland Business School. She leads research on inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems and designs curriculum in social and creative entrepreneurship, framing entrepreneurship as a pathway for belonging, creativity, and systemic change.
Her practice background includes serving as Director of Innovation at the Economic and Community Development Institute and as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar to Guinea in entrepreneurial ecosystems and financial inclusion. A member of GEN Global’s Research Network, she contributes to international dialogues on the future of entrepreneurship and speaks regularly on building restorative and flourishing entrepreneurial systems.
Dave Moskovitz: Wellington
Originally from the USA but living in New Zealand since 1982, Dave is a professional director and startup investor. He’s been called the “godfather of Wellington startups”, and was involved in the establishment of the AngelHQ – the local Wellington Angel investment network, Lightning Lab – New Zealand’s startup accelerator, and Startup NZ – the national startup support organisation.
Dave is a director for a number of startups and larger organisations such as Open Polytechnic and InternetNZ. Dave is a successful serial entrepreneur, but has also been involved in numerous lexicography projects, nonprofits, social enterprises, and interfaith initiatives. He blogs at http://dave.moskovitz.co.nz/ and tweets @davemosk. He also curates the NZ Startup of the Week website at http://sotw.nz/
Madison Duffy - Dunedin
Madison is passionate about building inclusive, resilient communities across Aotearoa. She holds a Bachelor's of Entrepreneurship and is pursuing a Master's of Applied Science in Environmental Management, with a particular interest in sustainable entrepreneurship that empowers the LGBTQ+ and Disabled communities.
As a GEN NZ trustee and as the Community & Operations Lead for GEN NZ, Madison contributes to initiatives that centre the flourishing of the entrepreneurial ecosystem throughout NZ and hopes to provide opportunities for the next generation of young entrepreneurs. She brings a systems-thinking approach to GEN NZ to co-create the strongest entrepreneurial ecosystem globally, grounded in collaboration, courage, and community.
