Founders & Funders: Auckland Pitch Day
24 October 2025
- Starting Out
- Scaling Up
Pitch Day: Showcasing Innovation, Investment & Opportunity in the Heart of the City
Applications are now closed, and the stage is set for an incredible two-part Pitch Day bringing together founders, investors, and the wider startup ecosystem.
The event begins with the Reverse Pitch (12:00–12:45 PM), delivered in partnership with GD1 and Motion Capital. Up to 10 investors will each pitch for three minutes, sharing their focus areas, what excites them, and how they work with founders. This flips the script, giving startups invaluable insight into how to tailor their pitches and build stronger connections.
After a short refresh, the spotlight shifts to the Founder Pitch (1:15–2:30 PM), where five carefully selected ventures will deliver high-impact presentations, showcasing their unique solutions, traction, and potential for growth.
We’ll wrap up with networking drinks from 2:30 PM, giving founders and investors a relaxed space to connect, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities for collaboration.
Registrations now open
Pitch Day MC
Josh Comrie
Entrepreneur, Investor, Podcaster
Josh Comrie is an entrepreneur turned investor with over 50 startups in his portfolio. Having raised millions in capital and built successful companies himself, he knows the founder’s journey firsthand.
He has led businesses through growth, scale, and exit, and now invests in and advises founders across New Zealand and Australia. Alongside his own ventures, Josh serves on boards, advises on growth and strategy, and has built a reputation for helping founders add meaningful value to their companies.
Josh also shares these lessons with a wider audience through 2 Commas, New Zealand’s most popular business podcast, which explores the realities of starting, scaling, and selling businesses. His work reflects a belief that entrepreneurship is as much about people and purpose as it is about capital and valuation.
Venue
GridAKL / John Lysaght
101 Pakenham Street West, Wynyard Quarter, Auckland 1010
GridAKL / John Lysaght is more than just a workspace — it's a thriving community of visionaries, innovators and change-makers. GridAKL is home to a diverse mix of startups and small businesses working together to create solutions that make a difference.