WHAT WE LOOK FOR | Lightning Lab

Lightning Lab Launch AKL_0070 We’re looking for stellar teams with great ideas in interesting markets.

As an accelerator operating across multiple verticals, Lightning Lab is suited to many different kinds of businesses.

We appreciate originality. If you don’t quite fit the mould but know you’ve got something exciting, don’t hesitate to still contact us with questions.

To move quickly, you need a team. Three founders with complementary skills is ideal, a team of two is our minimum requirement for acceptance into the programme. But again, if it’s only you and you have a great idea, talk to us. We will never turn a great idea away.

Digital is particularly useful for teams with ideas based around:

Applications: Web/Enterprise 2.0, BI/data/analytics, gaming/simulation, etc.

Technology: Web, SaaS, mobile, open source, data integration, middleware, etc.

XX encourages diversity by supporting exceptional women and the companies they run.

The programme is industry agnostic, but teams must be female-led (at least one woman founder per team)

Manufacturing focuses on product-based startup companies. Examples include:

3D printing
Hardware hacking
Biometric sensors
Internet of things

You Might Be

Recent graduates
- A couple of bright sparks straight out of university with a cracking idea.
- You have all of the drive and determination to see if this idea has wings. Lightning Lab provides the structure and guidance to develop the idea into a business.
New entrepreneurs
- A business that is up and running.
- You know it has huge potential but you’re struggling to give this baby the limelight it needs and deserves. Lightning Lab connects you with the investors and mentors you need to take it forward.
Looking for a change
- You’re in a corporate job with commitments. You’ve got an idea but it’s hard to get the time and space to pursue it. Lightning Lab seed funding helps free you up to give it a go.

What You Get

Unparalleled Access – Our experienced entrepreneurs and executives will help you shape and mould your startup into an investable company in just 12 weeks’ time.

Direct Exposure – NZ’s leading investors are engaged throughout the programme and at Demo Day – Phil McCaw, WebFund, Evander Management, Trevor Dickinson, Marcel van Den Assum, K1W1, Sparkbox Ventures and more.

Seed Funding – We provide seed funding to help you focus on your opportunity. Exact investments vary with each programme.

Technical and Business Talent – The best in NZ to bolster your capability. And we’ll pick up the tab.

The 11th Team – The extra support and motivation you get from being on the journey with like-minded people.

Massive Publicity – Exposure that will get you in front of the customers and partners you need.

A Global Network – exclusive access to 55 accelerators around the world with their own set of mentors and investors (as part of the GAN membership).

What You Give

Your complete commitment
- You need to be willing and able to work exclusively on your business, relocate and be based out of the Lightning Lab for the entire 12-week programme.
Equity
- If accepted, we will look for a small equity stake in your business. Remember the total value of the programme is way more than the seed funding.
- Most startups bootstrap and may get the funds together to pay one person full time, usually a technical person and often not a founder.

The Lightning Lab model is a radical step change in what it takes to get a startup up and running. Ultimately, you need to decide between 12 weeks of your life resulting in a known investment pathway or 1 to 2 years of bootstrapping with no guarantee of exposure to investors, mentors and the connections you need to succeed.