Supporting impact-led businesses to get ready for investment with Ākina

Foundation North is proud to once again be one of the programme partners funding Ākina’s 2022 Impact Investment Readiness Programme (IIRP).

The IIRP provides funding of up to $30,000 for impact-led businesses to spend on professional support that gets them ready for investment.

Announcing the latest round of recipients on its website, Ākina states “After completing the readiness work, recipients typically go on to receive significant investment, and grow their business and impact accordingly. We are pleased to have recipients that are Māori-owned businesses and tauiwi (non-Māori) businesses that are applying Te Ao Māori principles into their business and impact models.”

Recipients based in the Foundation’s rohe are:

• Critical Design – a clean technology start-up specialising in selling furniture made from recycled plastics
• Maui Inc – committed to creating a vibrant aquaculture sector in Te Hiku
• Thinkladder – inventors of a mental health and self-awareness app

The Ākina Impact Investment Readiness Programme is currently the only one of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand. Together with fellow programme partners; The Tindall Foundation, Kiwibank, and WEL Energy Trust, Foundation North is contributing to a funding pool of $300,000 this year.