For those curious about what actually happens inside a fintech accelerator, the recent Fintech Lab Bootcamp in Wellington offered a front-row seat. It wasn’t just pitch decks and buzzwords. it was a practical, people-first look at how early-stage ventures build momentum, make decisions under pressure, and stay grounded in purpose.
I’m writing this from the airport, reflecting on the week that was—three days of deep conversation, honest feedback, and real strategies for the road ahead. I was there as a co-founder of Numera, which was selected from a large pool of fintech businesses across Aotearoa to take part in the programme.
Meet the 2026 Fintech Lab Cohort
Alongside Numera, this year’s Fintech Lab cohort featured a diverse group of startups building solutions across AI, compliance, business finance, savings, property data, grants, digital assets, and more.
The teams included:
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Alyrt – AI-powered real-time financial and legislative risk insights for SMEs
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AVCA – AI-driven compliance platform for regulated financial firms
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Count – AI-native accounting platform for NZ small to medium businesses (it just so happens Matt who is a director of Count, is also a director of Parrotdog my favorite beer)
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Feijoa – Everyday app to grow your KiwiSaver with every purchase
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Frontier Property Insights – Re-imagining property data and insights
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Fundsorter – Matches community organisations and charities with grant funding
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HaveMore – Web2.5 bridge between traditional finance and the on-chain economy
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Hello Cashflow – Brings accounting numbers to life so businesses stay in control
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Nashrr – New Zealand’s first all-in-one halal fintech platform
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Numera – Automates accounting compliance with smart data collection and pre-populated outputs (us!)
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Pacific Prosperity Lab – Builds the digital bridge between Pacific innovation and global capital
Together, this group represented a broad slice of fintech innovation everything from AI workflows and digital compliance tools to inclusive savings platforms and impact-focused funding solutions.
These are my biggest learnings from the week.
Stay Anchored in Your Mission: Sharesies’ Early Choices
Richard Clark, Sharesies’ co-founder and Technical Director, shared an open and grounded look at how they approached the early challenges of building a regulated fintech in Aotearoa.
What stood out wasn’t just the technology they built. it was the discipline with which they applied their mission: financial empowerment for everyone. That mission didn’t sit on a slide deck; it informed structural decisions like branding, onboarding design, and even how they invested in technology for the long term.
My key takeaways for business owners / founders:
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Define your mission early and revisit it often.
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Use values as a decision filter, not just a comfort blanket.
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Invest in core infrastructure that supports longevity over short-cuts.
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Retrospectively document decisions so you can explain the “why” clearly later.
Their story reinforced something I already believed: focus and consistency win more than chasing the next shiny idea.
Fundraising Is a Relationship Game
One of the most practical sessions came from the investor panel. The overarching message was clear: fundraising is as much about people as it is about numbers.
Some straightforward guidance from the session:
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Start conversations early at least 6–12 months before you need funding.
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Legal and operational readiness matters as much as your pitch.
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Use stage benchmarks and comparable data to set reasonable expectations.
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A well-aligned lead investor can accelerate closing dramatically.
Rather than seeing fundraising as a sprint, think of it as relationship building. The earlier you plant seeds, the more fertile the ground when you’re ready to grow.
Pitching Is About Connection, Not Just Information
One session that landed hard for me was the pitch masterclass. It wasn’t about getting the perfect slide deck; it was about human connection.
Practical insights included:
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Keep to 2–3 core messages—clarity trumps complexity.
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Script your opening and closing lines—it gives you confidence and shape.
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Avoid jargon and explain your problem like you’re talking with a friend.
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End with a clear “ask”—even if that’s just a deeper conversation.
A simple line I’m taking with me: “our customers have told us they want…”—it embeds demand, empathy, and validation in one go.
Building for the Long Game
Across sessions, one theme stood out: build with intent and resilience.
From technical architecture to governance frameworks, founders who last are those who think beyond immediate milestones. Whether it’s governance, legal hygiene, or customer trust, heavy lifting early pays dividends later.
The cohort, including companies like Hello Cashflow and Alyrt, challenged and inspired one another—showing that thoughtful, practical innovation can thrive even in complex, regulated sectors.
Curious how these learnings could apply to your business? Let’s talk. At Calc, we help founders build financially strong, purposeful companies ready for their next chapter.
