Founder & Startup Support Programme (FSSP) - Deep Tech Incubation Pilot

Advance notice — not yet open for submissionsExpected tender release: 30 September 2026 — indicative and subject to change

About this advance notice

Overview This is a Future Procurement Opportunity (FPO) listing. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is notifying the market of a potential upcoming procurement to establish the Founder and Startup Support Programme (FSSP) Deep Technology Incubator Pilot. About MBIE administers the Founder and Startup Support Programme (FSSP), which supports high-potential startups. MBIE engages external providers to deliver startup support services through the FSSP. Deep-technology ventures are founded on significant scientific or technological advancements and typically face long development timeframes, substantial capital requirements, complex commercialisation pathways, and technical, intellectual property, and regulatory risks. These factors can create a gap between early-stage research support and the point at which ventures are able to attract private investment on commercial terms. Purpose The Pilot will strengthen support for deep-technology ventures and generate evidence about the effectiveness of different incubation models to inform future government investment decisions. The Pilot is distinct from the existing Deep Tech Incubator Programme. Instructions to Tenderers MBIE intends to approach the market shortly through a one-stage open tender process to engage several providers to deliver these services. MBIE is not accepting questions at this stage. Future Procurement Opportunities (FPOs) are published to notify the market of potential upcoming procurement opportunities only. If you are interested in this opportunity, please subscribe to this FPO on GETS. Subscribers will automatically receive notifications when further information is released, including any Request for Proposal (RFP) or other procurement documents. Enquiries Contact: Karan Kumar Email: MBIEtenders@mbie.govt.nz

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