New Zealand’s fellowship for ambitious young founders

A first-of-its-kind programme offering world-class education and support for entrepreneurial high school students. If you are curious, ambitious, and have the conviction to build something that matters, we want to hear from you.

Applications are now closed | Have questions? Get in touch

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ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP

A new pathway for the next generation of founders

This Fellowship has been designed for exceptional young New Zealanders ready to build what's next, before university, before your first job, before you even have an idea.

As one of five fellows, you will receive a fully funded scholarship, which includes a world-class education pathway through Crimson Global Academy, and a year-long programme with Icehouse Ventures that includes mentorship, engagement with investors, attendance at events, support from other founders, and $10,000 funding to put towards launching and growing a business.

You will have the chance to learn from some of New Zealand's most experienced founders, including Brooke Roberts of Sharesies, Craig Piggott of Halter, Toby Hilliam of Appetise, Stefan and James Powell of Dawn Aerospace, and Jamie Beaton of Crimson Education.

FUNDING

$200,000 to back high school students

Five Year 12 students. $10,000 funding to launch and grow a business. A $30,000 world-class education at Crimson Global Academy. And one year learning from New Zealand’s most successful founders.

WHAT THE FELLOWSHIP INCLUDES

An opportunity to change your trajectory

Crimson Global Academy's world-class learning and development expertise, combined with Icehouse Ventures' networks and resources for startups has the potential to be life-changing.

World-class education

A fully-funded Year 13 place at Crimson Global Academy, valued at $30,000 per student.

Funding and resources

Receive $10,000 in funding to support the launch and growth of your company or ideas.

An expert network

Connect with founders, investors, and operators from New Zealand’s leading companies.

Exclusive events

Attend Icehouse Ventures flagship events, workshops, and founder sessions.

build something that matters

We're not looking for the perfect pitch. We're looking for you.

The Fellowship is open to Year 12 students across New Zealand, with five places open for the country's most exceptional young thinkers.

Fellows are assessed the same way we assess the founders we back: we're looking for those who think bigger, question harder, and have the conviction to build something the world needs before the world knows it yet.

Not polished pitches or formed business plans. Just the drive, curiosity, and determination to find the problem you are meant to solve.

Applications are now closed

Thank you to everyone who applied! We are now reviewing the submissions.
If you have any questions please get in touch or read our FAQs below.

Ts & Cs Apply

"Icehouse Ventures has been part of the Sharesies journey from the beginning, since we were just a team of 6. They have backed us with capital, networks, and shown up when it counted. That consistency over a decade has meant a lot as we’ve grown."

Brooke Roberts

Co-Founder, Co-CEO and Director at Sharesies

FAQs

Application process

‍The application is designed to understand the student’s academic background, personal motivations, achievements, and future ambitions.

The student will begin by submitting basic academic information and a recent transcript. They will then complete a short profile highlighting their aspirations, key accomplishments, and influences, along with their perspective on important future trends.

The application also includes a personal statement where they will share their passions, the actions they have taken to pursue them, and what they have learned along the way. They will be asked to outline their future goals and how they are working toward them, including how the fellowship could support their journey.

Finally, there is an opportunity to include supporting materials and a short video (1-2 minutes) where students can share any additional achievements that strengthen their application.

‍Selection process
‍
‍Each applicant will be assessed in the same way we asses founders we invest in. Our goal is to fairly assess each applicant’s potential by looking at a range of qualities that signal future impact.

We look for:

Passion: A genuine curiosity or deep interest in a particular area, supported by actions taken to explore it.
Ambition: A clear sense of motivation and purpose, including what drives you and why it matters.
‍Leadership & Vision: The ability to identify opportunities or challenges others may overlook, and a track record of taking initiative or bringing others along.
‍Excellence: Evidence of commitment to high standards and meaningful achievement across academics, projects, or extracurriculars.
Resilience: The ability to persevere through challenges, learn from setbacks, and continue progressing.
Entrepreneurial Mindset: Creativity, problem-solving, and a willingness to take action on ideas, demonstrated through real experiences.

We encourage applicants to share specific examples that bring these qualities to life, so we can understand not just what you’ve done, but how you think and approach challenges.

The selection process will involve the following steps:

Submit an application
Tell us about you, your achievements (of all kinds), your passions and your ambitions for the future. Submissions can be made here up until 5:00pm on Sunday 21st June 2026.
We review applications and interview finalists
All submissions are reviewed and more information may be requested where required. We will interview all shortlisted applicants virtually.
We notify the recipients and all applicants
We will contact you privately before Friday 31st July 2026 regarding the outcome of your application, whether you are selected or not. If you are offered a place, you will need approval from your legal guardian to accept the Fellowship.
We announce the recipients
Once the 2026 cohort is confirmed, recipients will be publicly announced on social media and may also be featured in broader media, as well as within the Icehouse Ventures and Crimson Global Academy communities.

Still have questions?

Get in touch with our team directly below.

Contact See full FAQs

New Zealand’s fellowship for ambitious young founders

A new pathway for the next generation of founders

$200,000 to back high school students