Ākina IIRP 2023 Round One Recipients

Ākina is proud to introduce the first round of funding recipients for the 2023 Impact Investment Readiness Programme (IIRP).

Congratulations to the first round of funding recipients, based in Te Moana-a-Toi, Bay of Plenty and Tāmaki Makaurau who are creating innovative ways to create positive impact in housing and climate action. Ākina is looking forward to see what positive impact you create for people and the planet!

About the Ākina IIRP

Ākina exists to transform New Zealand's economy through the power of impact. One way we're doing this is by helping to grow a bigger and stronger impact investing market in New Zealand; one where more funding is available for social, cultural and environmental initiatives.

This programme is designed to encourage more investment into impact-driven pakihi (businesses), and increase the overall impact made by social enterprises and other purpose-led businesses in New Zealand.

The IIRP provides funding of up to $25,000 for impact-led businesses to spend on professional support that gets them ready for investment. After completing the readiness work, recipients typically go on to receive significant investment, and grow their business and impact accordingly. Since the programme started in 2017, Ākina IIRP recipients have been granted $1.1m in funding, and then went on to raise over $89.0m in impact investment … that’s 81 times the amount granted!

“Since the programme started in 2017, Ākina IIRP recipients have been granted $1.1m in funding, and then went on to raise over $89.0m in impact investment … that’s 81 times the amount granted!”

The Ākina Impact Investment Readiness Programme is currently the only one of its kind in Aotearoa. In Australia, the government supports an investment programme similar to this one; and Ākina is calling for the New Zealand Government to accelerate the growth of the New Zealand impact investing market.

Round one recipients:

Truss House

Based in: Te Moana-a-Toi, Bay of Plenty
Impact area: Housing
About: Locally manufactured building system to simplify high performance construction

“Truss House is impact led with a focus on housing equity, sustainability and access. Seeking investment is a daunting process, the IIRP funding awarded by Ākina is an incredible opportunity for our company to feel ready to raise our first round of impact investment here in New Zealand - the unique approach taken by Ākina and their partners is deeply impactful and much appreciated by our team."

- Pamela Aitken, Kim Aitken, Jane Henley, Truss House

Good Grub Agritech

Based in: Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland
Impact area: Climate action
About: Vertical insect farming that turns food waste into high value protein and bio-fertiliser.

“The Ākina grant has been pivotal in the capital raising journey for our impact-driven business. We are so grateful to be able to access professional capital raising expertise, and are now far better equipped to advance our mission and to make a lasting positive impact in our community and beyond”.

- Jessie Stanley, Co-Founder and Director, Good Grub Agritech

The IIRP is run by Ākina, with support from our generous programme partners

It’s not too late to apply!

Applications for the Ākina IIRP are assessed on a rolling basis until all funding is allocated.
Find more info and apply here. Our funders are particularly interested in impact organisations based in Northland, Auckland and Bay of Plenty. Other areas of the motu are encouraged to apply if they believe they meet the criteria too.