Strong heritage, great opportunity: New Zealand's healthtech sector

New Zealand has an impressive heritage when it comes to healthtech innovation, and today healthtech firms rank among some of our most globally successful businesses.

The sector shows significant growth potential. In the 2021-22 financial year, healthtech firms generated an estimated $2.9 billion in revenue, demonstrating a five-year compound annual growth rate of 12.1%.

While device makers currently lead the charge, other healthtech categories are showing promise. For example, digital health, as well as diagnostics and therapeutics (including pharmaceuticals), are expanding significantly. 

And New Zealand’s ecosystem of more than 150 healthtech companies is providing a rich pipeline of early-stage innovation and investment opportunities.

A tailored pathway

Healthtech innovation springs from many different sources in Aotearoa – from research scientists and start-ups to mature firms with established markets, and even entrepreneurs with a great idea but limited health industry background.

The HealthTech Activator understands what the journey looks like for a wide range of entrepreneurs and businesses, and what support they will need at the different stages of their respective journeys.
 
Get in touch to learn more about how we can help.

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Two women working in healthtech manufacturing

Where to connect – and when

New Zealand’s healthtech ecosystem is diverse and growing, and there is a wide range of organisations and networks that healthtech innovators can tap into for funding and support – from government agencies like Callaghan Innovation and MBIE, to member-based organisations like the Royal Society and CMDT, to not-for-profits.

It can be challenging, however, to know what support is out there, and whether you’re eligible to access it.

Here is a snapshot of some of the bodies that offer funding, and the grants and other opportunities currently available to healthtech innovators.

You can learn more about what each organisation offers below.

Download our pdf guide

MBIE

Endeavour Fund

  • Smart Ideas
    Overall $18M/year
    Proposals $0.4-$1M over 2-3 years
  • Research Programmes
    Overall $39M/year
    Proposals over $0.5M/year for 3-5 years

National Science Challenges

  • Overall $680M over 10 years

Partnerships

  • $3.7M/year

PreSeed Accelerator Fund

    A number of other funds available that may be applicable – see MBIE website for details.

    HRC

    A number of other RFPs and funding options are periodically available – see HRC website for detailed funding calendar.

    Other

    Royal Society

    A number of other funds and awards available – see the Royal Society website for eligibility details.

    CMDT

    • MedTech Research Network
      NZ’s community of world-leading researchers, clinicians and other collaborators working in the medtech space.
    • Australia-NZ BioBridge
      The BioBridge provides key connections between clinicians, researchers, and industry acrossAustralia and NZ
    • Te Titoki Mataora – MedTech Translator
      Te Tītoki Mataora, the MedTech Translator, is a multi-faceted initiative focused on growingNew Zealand’s deep tech sector to address healthcare needs. It includes the following:

    Find out more

    The type of support you need for your healthtech innovation will vary depending on whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur, an established business or an innovator new to the field. To help you pinpoint the specific support you need to launch and grow your healthtech innovation, we’ve rounded up a series of reports, articles and resources geared at a range of business types and stages.

    Latest Resources

    Browse more resources on our Articles & Reports page:

    Browse more

    Other resources

    Several organisations offer other types of support, such as training, investment guidance and connections to researchers and other experts. Some useful sites to explore include: