The New Zealand Small Business Assistance Centre
Soft gradient backdrop in deep forest green and warm cream tones, evoking a sense of growth and steady progress.

Success Stories

Real New Zealand small businesses that put government grants and loans to work.

Browse case studies and video testimonials from owners who used available funding programmes to expand, launch products, and grow their teams. Use these examples as a starting point before checking your own eligibility through the Grant Finder.

Run the Grant Finder Browse by Industry

Video Success Stories

Hear directly from founders and operators who received government-backed funding. Each clip walks through the business, the programme they applied for, and how the money was used.

Abstract soft green and amber gradient suggesting a calm interview backdrop with warm stage lighting. Video

Cinema Operator Scales Across the Region

A regional cinema group talks through how multi-year government funding supported new screens and venue upgrades, and what they learned during the application process.

Cool blue and copper gradient composition hinting at a kitchen and workshop setting without showing equipment or people. Video

Nanobrewery Brings a Personal Brewery to Market

The team behind a compact brewing device shares how a small government grant helped move from prototype to first production run.

Muted teal and slate gradient evoking a clinical research environment with soft, focused light. Video

Health Venture Builds a Cancer Research Bid

Founder interview covering how multi-million funding was assembled for a medical research initiative and the role of each programme in the funding stack.

Soft sage green and warm beige gradient suggesting a clean, modern clinic reception area. Video

Health Platform Mobilises Sector Funding

A digital health company explains how a $252,000 government grant supported nationwide rollout and onboarding of healthcare partners.

Articles: How Businesses Used Their Funding

Written case studies that dig into the decisions behind each grant, the documentation the applicants put together, and the outcomes they measured.

Article Sector Focus
From Prototype to Production Manufacturing Equipment and tooling investment
Expanding Into a New Region Food & Beverage Set-up costs and working capital
Hiring a Specialist Research Team Professional, Scientific & Technical Services R&D and skilled hiring
Bringing a Regional Cinema to Modern Standards Arts & Entertainment Facility upgrade and accessibility
Launching a Compact Brewing Product Manufacturing Product development and tooling

Outcomes described in these articles reflect the businesses featured; results vary depending on eligibility, sector, and the specific programme used.

Want to See Where You Could Start?

Run the Grant Finder to check which of the 201 listed programmes may fit your business, then browse regional and industry pages for more context. If you have questions about a specific story or want to talk through your options, the team is reachable on 0800 141 461.

Find Your Funding Funding In Your Region

Video testimonials offer an honest window into how government grants and loans can shift the trajectory of a small business in New Zealand. Listening to founders describe the application process, the support they received, and the practical results of their funding decisions helps demystify programmes that can otherwise feel complex or out of reach. These stories highlight how available assistance has been used for expansion, product launches, and team growth, giving prospective applicants a realistic sense of what is possible. Watching peers walk through their journeys builds confidence and encourages other entrepreneurs to explore whether they too might qualify for similar support.