GetFUNDED! Attract research and commercialisation financing by articulating the impact of your science ideas
GetFUNDED! Is a must-do for publicly-funded researchers. Whether you’re a researcher looking for inspiration on how to take your project to investment, an engineer or designer looking for funding, or an entrepreneur looking for a team to turn your idea into reality, GetFUNDED! is a fantastic way to test your own abilities and meet great people along the way.
An in-person full on one day experience with mentorship, comradeship, market validation, lean canvasing, customer discovery and opportunity assessment tools that allow for deeper insights when marshalling an idea into shape or taking your project to the next level. Come away better prepared to communicate the impact of your science ideas for investment from industry or MBIE. Work with the very best mentors who are ready to help you get the most from your great ideas. Bring a science idea, and watch it soar!
Key learnings include:
- Identifying a value proposition – how to assess an opportunity and narrow down on a core value proposition that meets an identified market need.
- Understand the three ‘abilities’ – Work through Feasibility, Viability and Desirably all three need to align to have the best chance of success.
- Preparing investment/funding case – how to construct an investment case that combines a realistic implementation plan with a strong value proposition.
GetFUNDED puts attendees in an environment to run faster, think harder, apply rigour, and bake more into their ideas with the support of experienced mentors, coupled with a tried and true format, built to create results. Short talk, more action.
What to Expect at GetFUNDED!
GetFUNDED! is an engaging in-person workshop designed to help you develop your funding strategy. We utilize the Miro online whiteboard platform for interactive activities throughout the session.
To ensure a productive workshop, registered participants will receive pre-workshop homework. This includes a brief exercise to familiarize yourself with Miro and an opportunity to provide Alan Hucks and Seumas McCroskery, your facilitators, with some background on your experience and a high-level overview of your idea.
On the day, we'll start with an icebreaker to help everyone connect. Following this, each participant will focus on their own individual idea. Importantly, our activities will concentrate on clearly defining the problems you are aiming to solve, rather than delving into specific solution details, to maintain confidentiality.
Please remember to bring your laptop to fully participate in the Miro activities.
GetFUNDED 2025 North Island
Worser Bay Boating Club
6 June 2025
Location: Karaka Bay Road, Seatoun, Wellington 6022.
Parking is limited in the area
Register your interest for future Get Funded! Events
GetFUNDED Format
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Participants arrive – coffee, mingle, settle |
0830am |
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Introductions, warm up + expectation setting |
0900am |
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Pitch Fire – quick pitches of research projects |
Each participant gets a short time to present their research idea for developing during workshop |
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Meet the Mentors |
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COACHING(whole group) |
What’s the Problem? |
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Activity |
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Lunch |
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COACHING(whole group) |
Desirability |
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Activity |
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COACHING(whole group) |
Viability |
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Activity |
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COACHING (whole group) |
Feasibility |
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Activity |
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COACHING(whole group) |
Bringing it altogether/ Connection to Lean Canvas |
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Activities |
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Group Retrospective |
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Close |
4.45pm |
Frequently Asked Questions:
What's different about GetFUNDED?
This event is focused on improving the fundable proposition behind your research-based ideas. Like a Start-up weekend, this event also offers a fast-paced, awesome and intense experience had by hundreds of motivated researchers, designers and engineers.
What is a research-based idea?
It is based on a defined body of research that you aim to be funded through an investor, industry or funding body like Callaghan Innovation, KiwiNet or MBIE.
Do I have to have an idea to pitch to join GetFUNDED?
Yes, you will work on your idea. Please do!
What about intellectual property - how is this protected?
You are given specific instructions on handling intellectual property early on the first morning of the event. Mentors are also on hand to discuss IP considerations. Note though, this is an open team environment, with attendees from multiple organisations. If you have any concerns, please speak to your organisation’s commercialisation managers prior to attending.
What happens after GetFUNDED?
There are so many possibilities! The day concludes with a “what next list”. You should memorise the names of your new best friends, and appreciate what you have created. Most of all you'll feel richer and smarter for the experience.