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Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s women leaders took centre stage as the city hosted the 2023 edition of Electrify Aotearoa, the largest one-day gathering of female entrepreneurs in New Zealand, bringing together the most ambitious startup founders, operators, investors, and innovation ecosystem supporters.
The conference saw a sold-out crowd of 500 people – 90% female – be part of the one-day event at SkyCity Theatre, with another couple of hundred on a waiting list, according to Ben Erskine at the event’s not-for-profit organiser, The Ministry of Awesome. Nearly two-thirds of attendees were from the Auckland region.
The event was supported by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited through its Auckland Convention Bureau and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Host City Programme. The FIFA Women’s World Cup Host City Legacy and Leverage programme enabled eight female entrepreneurs to attend the event with the intention of strengthening Auckland’s capability and opportunities for wāhine in sport and business.
Electrify’s audience from across the startup sector ranged from Members of Parliament to students, investors and entrepreneurs who enjoyed a power-packed schedule of 40 speakers, networking sessions, inspirational talks, master classes, and real-world discussions on becoming a successful woman founder.
It was really humbling to provide this great platform for the ecosystem to connect and create real action.
“Auckland was a great market to bring together the New Zealand startup community, plus there’s great facilities for conferencing and easy access. It’s an enjoyable place to travel to and there were lots of dining and entertainment options for those who stayed on,” says Erskine.
The event aims to bring the startup community together to focus on generating solutions to the key challenges facing female startup founders – from lack of industry support to access to funding.
“We heard really, really inspiring personal stories and lots of connections were made. You could see it happening in front of you,” Erskine says.
“It was really humbling to provide this great platform for the ecosystem to connect and create real action. There was a really positive vibe. The startup ecosystem believes in this as a movement.”
High-voltage speakers included Frances Shoemack, Founder & CEO at Abel Odor; Dr Olivia Ogilvie, Co-Founder and CEO at Opo Bio; Brooke Roberts, Founder & CEO at Sharesies;
Maru Nihoniho, Founder and Managing Director at Metia Interactive; and Pam Ford, Director Investment & Industry at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited.
Pam Ford says: “Electrify Aotearoa is a special event that we were excited to host in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, the startup capital of Aotearoa New Zealand. The 2023 event provided a fantastic opportunity to learn from accomplished and inspiring wāhine toa and was an inspiration and confidence boost for our female founders and aspiring entrepreneurs.”
Event feedback showed 88% of responding attendees were either satisfied or very satisfied with the speakers and topics presented.
Nearly three-quarters of attendees made three or more valuable new connections at the event, and nearly half developed business opportunities as a result from attending Electrify Aotearoa.
Overall, 82% felt that attending Electrify Aotearoa increased their sense of equity, safety, belonging, and connectedness with the startup community.
Delegate feedback from the event included the comments:
“So many amazing females doing the mahi! What a fabulous community of women who are so articulate and giving of their time to share their stories.”
“The diversity of our startup community and the power of women moving to shape our world is inspiring.”