First Cut

What is First Cut?

Emily Blythe, founder of Pyper Vision, with Pyper Vision dispersal drone.

A place where Aotearoa's entrepreneurs under 30, no matter the stage of their startup journey, can come for community, resources, mentoring, events, and when ready, the opportunity to pitch for investment.

Whether it's to learn, pitch, or just stay up to date, join a community of like-minded entrepreneurs who are passionate about building disruptive, purpose-driven startups.

First Cut is an Icehouse Ventures initiative that was formed in 2015 to enable young entrepreneurs and their startups to thrive.

Our First Cut Challenge has now closed. Subscribe to our community newsletter to be the first to learn of opportunities and events for entrepreneurs.

What is First Cut?

Emily Blythe, founder of Pyper Vision, with Pyper Vision dispersal drone.

A place where Aotearoa's entrepreneurs under 30, no matter the stage of their startup journey, can come for community, resources, mentoring, events, and when ready, the opportunity to pitch for investment.

Whether it's to learn, pitch, or just stay up to date, join a community of like-minded entrepreneurs who are passionate about building disruptive, purpose-driven startups.

First Cut is an Icehouse Ventures initiative that was formed in 2015 to enable young entrepreneurs and their startups to thrive.

Our First Cut Challenge is now open for 2023. Find more details and enter below.

Ways to join the community

First Cut challenge

Our annual challenge for young founders to present their idea or startup. Winners have the opportunity to pitch for up to $1m in investment.

Applications are now closed for the 2023 challenge.

First Cut Cohort

Mentoring, resources and speaker sessions to help inspire and build upon a business idea. The 2023 virtual cohort ran from April 10th - May 12th.

Applications for this year's cohort are now closed. Sign up for news + updates on future opportunities.

News + updates

Sign up for the monthly community newsletter to receive event invites, interesting content, industry insights and updates and links to open roles from the Icehouse Ventures startup community.

Subscribe to the newsletter

First Cut Challenge 2022 winners: Will Murrell & Ben Scales, co-founders, KiwiFibre

The challenge

The opportunity to receive up to $1M in investment

The First Cut Challenge is for every founder under 30 to gain financial support and mentoring to launch and grow their business ideas. There’s cash prizes available and an opportunity for one startup that’s ready, to pitch at New Zealand’s largest investor event for up to $1M in investment.
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If you’re wondering what to include in your pitch, check out our pitch template on the First Cut Resource Hub.

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Join the 2023 cohort

First Cut Cohort

First Cut provides participants with mentoring, resources and speaker sessions to help inspire and build upon a business idea.

This is a virtual cohort running over 5 weeks that finishes with the opportunity to meet in person at a series of speaker sessions and pitch workshops in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

The tools and schedule are designed to provide support around other entrepreneurial programmes or opportunities.

Applications for the 2023 cohort are now closed. Sign up for news + updates on future opportunities.

Virtual workshops

Through weekly online workshops, gain the knowledge to think big about your business idea, learn to build a team and find ways to source funding.

In-person events

Meet other First Cut founders at a series of speaker sessions and workshops held across New Zealand to build a pitch, and gain inspiration and support for your idea.

Meet + connect

Online and in-person, meet and learn from the founders and operators at New Zealand's most exciting companies such as Dawn Aerospace, Pyper Vision, Sharesies and The Curve.

"As a first time entrepreneur, I've valued having a partner like Icehouse Ventures. They hosted me at their Showcase, supported me with FirstCut, led my $700k seed round, and helped me connect with key target customers."

Emily Blythe

FOUNDER & CEO, PYPER VISION

About

Icehouse Ventures

Icehouse Ventures is a venture capital firm on a mission to fuel Aotearoa’s bravest founders. Over the last 19 years, we've scaled to become NZ’s most active early-stage investor. With $320m of funds under management and a portfolio of more than 300 companies. We invest from concept stage through to Series D and have backed the likes of Dawn Aerospace, Halter, Crimson Education, Hnry, Sharesies, First AML and more.

First Cut is an Icehouse Ventures initiative that was formed back in 2015 to enable young entrepreneurs and their startups to thrive. We were, and remain, the only investor in New Zealand who exists to back young founders and provide the unique support they seek.

We understand the bravery and challenges of starting a company from an early age, share a close belief of not wanting to follow the norm and have the desire to build something that creates a positive impact to not only New Zealand but the world.

Some of the Icehouse Ventures team

What is First Cut?

What is First Cut?

First Cut challenge

First Cut Cohort

News + updates

The opportunity to receive up to $1M in investment

First Cut Cohort

Virtual workshops

In-person events

Meet + connect

Icehouse Ventures

Frequently Asked Questions

Find Us

Stay up to date

What is First Cut?

What is First Cut?

First Cut challenge

First Cut Cohort

News + updates

The opportunity to receive up to $1M in investment

First Cut Cohort

Virtual workshops

In-person events

Meet + connect

Icehouse Ventures

Frequently Asked Questions

Some of our team are under 30 but others aren't - are we still eligible to enter?

What stage of development does my startup need to be at for us to enter?

What do finalists and entrants to the First Cut Challenge receive?

Find Us

Stay up to date