GridAKL

🌟 Exciting opportunity for New Zealand entrepreneurs and innovators! 🚀 Join key members of the SXSW Sydney team as they share insights and opportunities for New Zealand entrepreneurs, thought-leaders and businesses to participate at this year's event. 📅 Weds 2 April ⏰ 5pm - 7pm 📍 GridAKL / John Lysaght Building More info & registration below ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gb9A2fZH SXSW Sydney 2025 will be held from October 13 – 19th in and around Darling Harbour & Broadway.

🚀 This week marked an important milestone for GridAKL. In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, we often forget to pause and acknowledge the impact of our work. But milestones matter—because they remind us why we do what we do. On Monday evening, the #GridAKL community came together to celebrate 10 years of the hub providing a launchpad for innovation, connection, and economic growth in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. The numbers speak for themselves: $424M in annual GDP contributions, 900+ employees, and 140 businesses calling GridAKL home. More than just a space, GridAKL is a thriving community where founders connect, collaborate, and grow. From early-stage startups to global success stories, our ecosystem is proof that when innovation is nurtured, economies thrive. A huge thank you to our founders, partners, and supporters who have been part of this journey. Special appreciation to our incredible speakers on the night— Dan Te Whenua Walker, @Scott Pritchard, Pam Ford, and Dale Clareburt—for sharing their insights and inspiring the next wave of entrepreneurs. Here's to the next decade of impact! 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/e5y4KC_6 🙌 #GridAKL10Years #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #AucklandTech Adorate M Coby Zutt @Bella Marissa Brindley Catriona Stewart Keren Phillips Paula Cooper Nick Larsen @Maile Erica Benjamin Kimberly Hinds Maree McEnaney Andrea Love Lisa Dreyer Lorraine Hollard Patrick McVeigh Brett O'Riley Nick Hill

In the lead up to International Women’s Day, it seemed apt that the discussion at our GridAKL Startup Ecosystem Enablers Meetup last week, was centred around female founders and female-led Startups, or lack thereof. Our brilliant panel of Josh Comrie, Janine Grainger, Irene Hao and Sasha Lockley, ably guided by the wonderful MC Bridget Unsworth shared their experience and their words of wisdom to a room packed with mostly women (funny that 😊 ) ‘wantrepreneurs’ and serial entrepreneurs. We know that many investors invest in the ‘people’ rather than the ‘product’. Our panel suggested that a successful founder team is comprised of one Product person, one Tech and one Sales…and that preferably, at least one of those people, is a woman. The world is rapidly changing, and to better tackle the life challenges we face, we need more female leaders and women at the helm of great Startups. We need to work together to create an ecosystem that more openly encourages, welcomes and supports female founders and smash down the bias that exists. As well, female entrepreneurs need to better understand their innate power and enormous value- be bold, be more visionary, more courageous. Or as Sasha so eloquently put it - “Get out of your own way. Call out your own B**S. Put yourself out there and be proud of the numbers, shout about your successes.” Let’s keep speaking up, keep pushing forward and let’s make the change. #Bettertogether

🌏 Migrants in Tech: A Thriving Community at #GridAKL 🚀 Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is a city of innovation, diversity, and opportunity. For migrant entrepreneurs in tech, finding the right connections can be a game-changer. That’s why Migrants in Tech has found a home at GridAKL—a space where newcomers can connect, collaborate, and grow in NZ’s thriving tech ecosystem. 🔹 Why Join? ✨ Meet fellow migrants & share experiences ✨ Learn from industry leaders & tech founders ✨ Explore Auckland’s innovation landscape ✨ Build connections for mentorship, business, and friendship Proudly hosted by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, this initiative fosters an inclusive tech community. Keen to be part of it? Connect with Nick Larsen for more details. 📍 Join us at GridAKL and shape the future of tech in Aotearoa! https://lnkd.in/e-cB6wqT #MigrantsInTech #GridAKL #StartupCommunity #TechInnovation Pauli Sosa ✨ Marissa Brindley Paula Cooper Konstantin S. Kenneth Gustilo Coby Zutt @Bella Adorate M

☀️ Early mornings, big ambitions! ☀️ ✨ The GridAKL Get Market Ready Programme is kicking off this morning at GridAKL Startup Hub—yes, on a Saturday, yes, bright and early. That’s the kind of commitment that sets great founders apart. ✨ They’re here to refine their product, sharpen their strategy, and get market-ready—because building something meaningful takes more than just ideas, it takes action. Respect to the founders putting in the work today. The hustle is real. 👏 #GridAKL #StartupLife #FounderMindset #MarketReady #BuildMeasureLearn #MakeItHappen Flavio Hangarter Marissa Brindley Catriona Stewart Keren Phillips Coby Zutt Adorate M @Bella Nick Larsen Pam Ford

Growing a thriving Startup ecosystem begins with meaningful conversations and connecting with good people who genuinely want to help our founders succeed. Please join us for the next GridAKL Startup Ecosystem Enablers Meetup. Wed 5 March 4.30pm - 6.30pm at GridAKl/ John Lysaght, Wynyard Qtr. Our fab panel: **Josh Comrie Serial entrepreneur, Startup Mentor, Investor;  ** Sasha Lockley Social entrepreneur, Co-Founder and CEO Money Sweetspot;  ** Janine Grainger, Co-founder and CEO Easy Crypto;  ** Irene Hao, Investment Manager at Sprout, brilliantly MC'd by Bridget Unsworth Chief Executive, Angel Association of New Zealand will chat about the importance of increasing the number of female founders in Aotearoa. Come along and meet some good people - it's gonna be fun! Please register here: https://lnkd.in/gvZ_mdUC

🚀 Calling all early-stage founders and entrepreneurs! Join us at the GridAKL Auckland Bootstrappers' Breakfast on Tuesday, 25th February, at 7:30 AM at GridAKL (John Lysaght Building, Wynyard Quarter). It's free! ☕ This month, we’re excited to welcome Isabel Munro, CFO Partner at Oxygen Advisors, who will share key insights on commercialising ventures and setting your startup up for financial sustainability. 💡 Whether you're navigating early-stage funding, revenue models, or long-term financial planning, this is your chance to gain practical strategies from an expert who has helped countless startups scale successfully. Bootstrappers' Breakfasts are all about founders supporting founders—a casual yet powerful way to connect, share challenges, and gain fresh ideas to tackle the road ahead. Plus, a light breakfast and great coffee are on us! 📍 GridAKL / John Lysaght Building (Woolworths) 📅 Tuesday, 25th February | 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM 🎟 RSVP now to secure your spot! https://lnkd.in/eQ9MstDT Please tag a fellow entrepreneur who’d benefit from this conversation! 👇 #startupcommunity #entrepreneurship #bootstrapping #founders #AucklandStartups #GridAKL

🚀 Your Startup Journey begins here 🚀 Looking for a place that fuels your growth? At GridAKL, we offer more than just a desk—we provide a thriving community, expert support, and global connections to take your startup to the next level. 💡 Monthly Casual Membership (3 days/week): $326 + GST 🔒 Monthly Permanent Desk: $872 + GST (discounts available for multiple desks!) 🖥️ Hot Desks: $26 (half-day) | $45 (full-day, GST included) 🔹 Access to meeting rooms (for permanent & casual members) 🔹 Global landing pad partnerships (Australia, US, Japan) 🔹 Expert coaching & startup programmes 🔹 A powerhouse community of founders, VCs & mentors 🔹 End-of-journey facilities – Secure lockers, showers, and bike storage to support your active lifestyle Hiring multiple desks? Get a reduced rate! Perfect for startups growing their team. 📍 gridakl.com https://lnkd.in/d2Z8DBVp

🎉 Congratulations to GridAKL Resident Melanie Langlotz on winning the Social Entrepreneur of the Year award at the GEN NZ Awards! 🏆 Her work is an inspiring reminder of how purpose-driven innovation can create real impact. Go Mel! ✨

✨ GridAKL, Auckland’s home for innovators and entrepreneurs! This Global Entrepreneurship Week, we’re excited to celebrate the community of creators, founders, and thinkers that make GridAKL such a unique place to work, connect and grow! #GEW2024 #GridAKL #Entrepreneurship #Community