Stream One: Discovery

About Stream One

The Government will contribute between $10,000 and $25,000 for successful Stream One projects. The amount the Government co-funds will depend on the project’s total value and assessment score. There is a total of $1 million available for Stream One projects which will be allocated on a first-in-first served basis.

Applicants must have, or can co-source, at least 50% of funding for their Stream One project. ‘In-kind’ contributions will not be accepted as co-funding from applicants for either stream.

Stream One: Discovery co-funding example

What can the funding be used for?

Applicants must use the funding to undertake one or more of the following activities:

• concept validation or testing,
• concept development, including design sprints,
• sourcing relevant expertise, partners, or skillsets to deliver the project,
• consultancy support to develop a project plan,
• acceleration or scaling up testing/advice, or
• business/project plan preparation (e.g., staff time).

The activities may be delivered through an external accelerator or incubator programme with MBIE’s approval.

Application process

The Stream One application process is a one-step process. Applications are open from 10 November until 3 May 2023. Stream One applications will be assessed monthly between December 2022 and May 2023.

Stream One funding will be allocated on a first-in-first-served basis so applicants may wish to consider submitting an application earlier in the programme’s timeline to have the greatest chance at success.

1. Complete your application

Applicants are required to submit a Stream One application form.

Innovation Programme for Tourism Recovery: Application form – Stream One (Discovery) [PDF, 476 KB]

Please use the 'Innovation Programme for Tourism Recovery: Guidance for applicants' while completing your Stream One application form.

Innovation Programme for Tourism Recovery: Guidance for applicants [PDF, 731 KB]

Advice and guidance is available to support your application from either New Zealand Māori Tourism or Business South. To access application support, please email tourisminnovation@mbie.govt.nz and we can link you up.

2. Submit your application

Please submit your completed application form to tourisminnovation@mbie.govt.nz.

3. Assessment of your application

All Stream One applications are assessed by MBIE on a monthly basis. MBIE will notify you of the outcome of your application within 6 weeks.

Your application will be assessed against the following criteria with the most competitive projects receiving funding:

• the extent to which your project delivers on the programme’s purpose and outcomes  
• the applicant’s capability and skills to deliver.

More about the programme's purpose and outcomes

The Government is looking to fund a mix of projects across the programme’s 5 outcomes and different parts of the visitor journey.

4. Deliver your project

Successful applicants will be provided with final documentation, including a funding agreement. From this point, MBIE will work with applicants to schedule regular reporting and a payment scheme throughout the Stream One project. 

The Stream One project must be completed within 4 months.

5. Look to the future

Following successful delivery of your Stream One project, you may wish to consider applying for Stream Two funding to bring your innovation to life.

You will need to complete your Stream One project within 4 months and have your finalised business case ready prior to the closing date for the third and Final Round of Stream Two funding in October 2023. However, not all applicants will be eligible to receive Stream Two funding.

In the first instance, please contact MBIE to determine your eligibility to submit a Stream Two Full Application on tourisminnovation@mbie.govt.nz. Please do not complete a Stream Two Expression of Interest.

For more information see Stream Two: Development