How we work
The Hikurangi Foundation Incubation Model
Our partners are engaged in solving difficult, complex, and long-term challenges. They generally do this in the face of inertia with minimal resource and limited capacity. As a result, they need pro-active support, specialist expertise, and a network of partners to overcome obstacles, and get beyond the threshold of success.
Once the Hikurangi Foundation agrees to support a social venture, we work with them to understand their goal, map a pathway to scale, and identify an exit point/threshold of success where the venture has become:
- Investable;
- Highly fundable;
- Self-sustaining through an enterprise model; or
- Adopted as core practice/model within existing organisations and institutions
We aim to reach this point as quickly as possible by co-designing a package of support that includes three basic inputs:
- Strategic funding - we provide flexible funding to cover critical start-up and expansion costs. These include salaries, capital expenditure, capacity development, and activities that will unlock additional funding.
- Angel+ - we provide hands-on management support and help guide the strategic development of the initiative. We also go the extra mile in order to broker new partnerships and opportunities.
- Compass Network - we broker targeted and value-added engagements with committed and expert professionals who deliver project critical outputs and outcomes.
Throughout development of the venture, we measure results and review progress against clear milestones for core activities, organisational development, and social/environmental impact.
As the work progresses, Hikurangi works with project partners to share learning, disseminate models for replication, and build momentum for the opportunities created by, and connected to, the innovation. We do this through:
- Case studies and multi-media communications;
- Public events;
- Targeted workshops;
- Briefings and consultations; and
- Facilitating a network of engaged partners to take action
The Hikurangi Foundation aims to develop and manage a venture portfolio that is balanced in terms of: focus area, development stage, level of risk, type of business model, geography, and sector engagement.
Read about the social ventures we are currently supporting.
