LAUNCHED 9 MAY 2022
WHAT IS HE KĀKANO?
He Kākano is a seed fund for young entrepreneurs
aged 17-30 years.
It is a unique partnership between The King’s Trust Aotearoa New Zealand (KTANZ), The Ministry of Youth Development (MYD), business and taiohi.
$1 million has been provided by government, via MYD, and is being matched dollar-for-dollar by private philanthropy/business.
He Kākano is a positive economic response to the Covid-19 global pandemic initiative and invests in the future of business. It will grant funds to 100+ young entrepreneurs over the first 2 years.
Since May 2022, we have been inundated with applications for funding from young entrepreneurs.
So far, we have funded 110 youth-led businesses and we have more waiting to pitch to our panel.
We believe the response from young people shows the reality of the current economic crisis and that young entrepreneurs have unique and inspiring ideas about how they want to live their lives.
Discover the stories of resilience, innovation and cultural revitalisation and witness the transformative power of seed funding.
Young people are launching thriving businesses and transforming their local communities, despite tough economic times and high youth unemployment. The King’s Trust Aotearoa New Zealand offers an integrated Enterprise journey for young people aged 17-30 years. It’s free and includes training, mentoring, funding and networking.
Following an interactive workshop, aspiring entrepreneurs write a business plan and budget, and pitch to He Kākano for seed grants of $5,000-$20,000. The Trust have matched $1-million from the Ministry of Youth Development via a powerful collaboration of corporate sponsors, philanthropic donors and community, with young people at the heart.
Meet Our He Kākano Whānau and read their stories here
KETE OF CREATIVITY
The King’s Trust Aotearoa New Zealand has collected an incredible array of product carefully designed by talented young entrepreneurs who’ve been supported with backing from the Trust’s He Kākano Seed Fund.
The Kete of Creativity celebrates the ingenuity of young designers in Aotearoa, it was showcased and auctioned at The Prince’s Trust Global Gala in New York in last April.
All products are curated in Aotearoa. Included in the Kete of Creativity is:
Tasmyn Roach from Awhi (cherish) Company’s taonga (treasures) of Māori designs on blankets and wraps for pēpi (baby) and whare (home)
Ecobase’s natural, biodegradable, gender neutral Ecobalm lip balm made by Mackenzie Annett and Hamish Stayt
Baby playmats and wraps that honour Amy Barratt and Dayna Davendale’s Māori and Pasifika heritage and Bo&Ko’s commitment to diversity
Modern Ritual’s self care products that fuse to gether Jesse Waetford’s passion for plants, nature, culture and rituals
Abalro Health’s Alex Livingstone and Abby Green’s pure Barberry fruit powder – a superfood containing incredible health benefits
Dulve Hemp Milk made from NZ grown spray - free hemp hearts, a allergen - friendly milk alternative created by Miah Faumuina
Rongoā (natural medicines) Māori product made in an eco-friendly and isolated puni (camp) on the shore of Lake Taupō, in the central North Island, by Kohatrade’s Mokoia Rata
In partnership with
Gratitude and thanks to our valued supporters
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