"Applications are running in excess of 100. We've got expressions of interest, believe it or not, from as far afield as Russia, Afghanistan, Malaysia, the United States and Sweden," Whittred said.
Despite foreign curiosity, businesses must be New Zealand-based to win the funding.
As well as attracting attention from across the globe, Whittred said the entries so-far have been from a wide range of industries.
They include companies involved in photography, road safety, retail and high-tech research monitoring.
"Each year's there's been (winners working with) everything from coffee to agri-bio. Clearly the judges are interested in good business, good ideas and good potential, he said.
Now in its third-year, the Dragon's Den-style challenge was founded with a $3 million endowment from New Zealand expatriate and former member of the Business Roundtable Charles Bidwell.
Winners are selected by a committee that includes Kim Crawford Wines co-founder Erica Crawford and science and technology investor Neville Jordan.
Piako Gourmet Yoghurt, a previous winner, is now stocked at luxury British department store Harrods and has also signed a deal with Fonterra that will put its yoghurt in supermarkets around New Zealand.
Allpress Espresso, which won in 2009, used the money to build a cafe and coffee roastery in East London.
