International Growth Fund

We assess how closely we work with a business by determining the difference we can make to their business and the potential wider economic benefit of this involvement.

Businesses that we work closely with are allocated an NZTE account manager. They manage NZTE’s relationship with the business and guide the development of a tailored package of programmes and services.

For further information please see our guide on how to access NZTE programmes and services.

Investments may only be made if the funded activity is additional to business-as-usual activities and has the potential to deliver benefits for New Zealand’s economy as well as the business.
The fund may be able to support activities that help businesses improve their:

-knowledge and development of new markets
-business and management capability
-ability to innovate and manage the commercialisation of research and development
-ability to access finance to fund international opportunities.

Businesses that have an NZTE account manager may be invited to participate in the funding process if, during our work together, an activity is identified that could be eligible for an investment from the fund.

There is no formal application form for funding. If a potentially eligible activity is identified, the NZTE account manager will carry out a pre-assessment to determine eligibility before inviting a business to participate.

Once invited to participate, the business will need to provide sufficient information about the activity to support the development of an internal NZTE business case that is used for the funding assessment. 

The NZTE account manager will work with the business to ensure appropriate information is gathered, providing a template or checklist to capture sufficient information at the right level of detail.

We recognise that there is always tension between protecting taxpayer funds and efficient delivery to businesses. The nature of the information required has been researched to ensure we will have the information needed to meet assessment requirements with as little additional effort from businesses as possible.

The potential to deliver benefits to New Zealand’s economy is an important criterion for assessment – without this, an activity will not be eligible for funding.

To gauge the benefits to New Zealand’s economy, we look at the activity’s potential to increase:

-revenue or profits returned to New Zealand
-spend on staff and wages
-spend with New Zealand suppliers
-indirect benefits to New Zealand (for example, introducing new technology, research and development activities, or management expertise into the economy).

The amount of funding we invest depends on the level of global experience the business carrying out the activity has, and their potential to contribute to New Zealand’s long-term economic growth.

Between $100,000 and $1 million of matched funding over five years (up to a maximum of $1 million in a five-year period) may be available to businesses considered more likely to contribute significant benefits to the New Zealand economy, as they are already large and capable, and integrated into the global economy.

Between $20,000 and $500,000 of matched funding over five years (up to a maximum of $500,000 in a five-year period) may be available to businesses considered to have high growth potential with the ability to engage internationally, but which need to develop the infrastructure, skills or global networks to achieve growth.