"There's a lot of companies up here that are looking for funding and looking for expertise and networks, and so that's what we're trying to provide," MacLeod-Smith said.
"Giving access to these amazing mentors that possess experiences and have run tech companies and have networks they can open up, can really help grow these businesses throughout the programme."
Ian Bishop, chief executive of coaching administration business CoachSeek which went through the Wellington programme last year, said the experience and guidance it had provided had significantly accelerated company growth. CoachSeek now has more than 400 customers in 40 countries, with Bishop saying that the company "simply would not be where [it is] today without having gone through the Lightning Lab programme".
"I think the main thing for me is especially the early days of any startup, are absolutely crazy, and so Lightning Lab provided a proven structure to the early stage chaos," Bishop said.
"To my mind it's the single best opportunity here in New Zealand to fully focus on making an idea work, and like I said, it's not just the money it's the expertise and the networks it provides."
The 10 companies will be selected early next year, with applications for the programme closing on December 17. Each of the companies receives seed funding of $18,000 as well as mentoring and programme support from a group of tech and business mentors, with the Lightning Lab programme taking an equity stake in each of the companies in return.
This year's mentors include Greg Cross from PowerbyProxy, Vaughan Rowsell from Vend, Ben Young from digital agency Young & Shand, Claudia Batten entrepreneur and a number of others. MacLeod-Smith said the Lightning Lab team would be looking for digital and technology companies of a range of sizes and backgrounds.
"We're looking for companies with anything from an idea with initial work, through to paying customers with revenue," MacLeod-Smith said.
"It's been fantastic what Wellington's been able to achieve so obviously we're looking to grow on that and make sure it's a success nationally"
Applications for the programme close on December 17, with accepted companies chosen next year. The programme runs from March through to May.
Intensive mentoring
What is the Lightning Lab programme?
Lightning Lab is a 12-week intensive mentoring programme for startup companies providing mentors, networking and seed funding.
Who can apply?
Any small to medium company with an idea and a team through to a formed company with customers and revenue.
When do companies need to apply by?
Applications for the programme close on December 17.
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