GEN NZ Award winners 2024_edited_edited.jpg

Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Awards

GEN NZ Awards 2026

As a token of appreciation, we want to recognise exceptional efforts from individuals and entities that have contributed to making our Aotearoa New Zealand Entrepreneurial Ecosystem amazing. What better way than to bring people together to celebrate them!

So, we would appreciate your help in nominating individuals and/or entities to be recognised in our annual ceremony celebrating their achievements.

The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Wellington on Monday 24 August at 4pm. As a nominator, you can request a free invitation to the ceremony on the last page of this form.

Entries close on Tuesday 4th August at 5pm

Awards Categories and Criteria

Entrepreneur Support Organisation of the Year

For the organisation that has done the best job of supporting entrepreneurs through their journey from discovery to success.

Criteria:

Great reviews from customers
Support their local community
Highly collaborative
Puts entrepreneurs first

Academic / Research Initiative of the Year

For the project from a Tertiary Institute, CRI, or independent research or educational institution that has done the most to help describe and/or raise our entrepreneurial capability

Criteria:

Community minded
Sharing information, progress, and results
Projects likely to increase entrepreneurial success

Māori Initiative of the Year

For a Māori-owned organisation, association, company or entrepreneur that has done the most for inspiring, fostering, or supporting Māori entrepreneurial success.

Criteria:

Kaupapa Māori - services and products
Whakapapa Māōri - founded, owned, and operated by Māori
Whanaungatanga - local, national, global impact
Rangatiratanga - providing leadership
Manaakitanga - uplifting mana

Youth Programme of the Year

For the programme that has done the most for inspiring, fostering, or supporting entrepreneurial success by learners under the age of 25

Criteria:

Great reviews from customers
Support their local community
Highly collaborative
Puts entrepreneurs first

Investor of the Year

For the investor (individual, group, or organisation) that has been the most interesting or impactful for entrepreneurs

Criteria:

Community minded
Liked by founders as well as other investors
Active

Public Sector initiative of the Year

This award celebrates an initiative or programme in the public sector that has demonstrated entrepreneurial innovation or outstanding support of entrepreneurs.

Criteria:

The initiative must have been started in the last 3 years
Either supports intrapreneurial activity within a government agency, or supports entrepreneurs in the wider ecosystem
Demonstrates leadership, creativity, and a commitment to overcoming challenges

NOMINATE NOW

HAVE QUESTIONS?

The Global Entrepreneurship Network New Zealand Awards, hosted annually by GEN NZ, celebrate the incredible winners driving innovation across Aotearoa, recognising rising entrepreneurs, their ventures, and the ecosystem that supports them.

These awards are a truly inspiring celebration of the talent, innovation, and dedication that make Aotearoa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem so vibrant. They bring together leaders, founders, changemakers, and visionaries from across the country to honour the unsung heroes who are shaping a brighter, more connected future

Each ceremony is a powerful reminder of the strength in collaboration and the shared passion driving us all forward. Here's to building an even stronger ecosystem, together!