Creative HQ (Lightning Lab historical)
Current standard terms not publicly specified · New Zealand · Checking status
Lightning Lab is no longer verified as a current standalone accelerator intake. Its operator Creative HQ continues to run funded New Zealand programs such as the eight-week Aurora Climate Activate, whose latest page says to wait for the next 2026 climate program and describes a free, equity-free NZD 5,000-equivalent package for 15 founders.
Tier 3new-zealandregionalaccelerator
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Program intake
We are checking the program's authoritative source for the current application status.
Key facts
| Terms | Current standard terms not publicly specified |
| Stage | program-specific innovation and startup support |
| Applications | Checking status |
| Location | New Zealand |
| Remote friendly | No |
| Warm intro needed | No — open application |
| Sectors | generalist, govtech |
| Status | unknown |
Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.
Background
Lightning Lab is no longer verified as a current standalone accelerator intake. Its operator Creative HQ continues to run funded New Zealand programs such as the eight-week Aurora Climate Activate, whose latest page says to wait for the next 2026 climate program and describes a free, equity-free NZD 5,000-equivalent package for 15 founders.
How the application really works
Monitor Creative HQ's current founder-program pages. Do not use old Lightning Lab terms as a current application or investment offer.
Tips
- Read the cited current official page before applying because program dates and terms are volatile.
- State fit with the documented stage, geography, and attendance model; do not rely on an aggregator's old terms.
- Ask for the complete investment, fee, and follow-on documents when the public page does not publish them.
Watch out for
- No universal Lightning Lab terms. The Aurora example was free, equity-free and valued at NZD 5k in kind.
- Lightning Lab is retained as a historical brand. Creative HQ currently runs separate funded programs; no current generic Lightning Lab intake or universal investment terms were found.
Track record
- Creative HQ's 2025 impact report cites 1,460 entrepreneurs supported, 1,911 jobs, $1.5B alumni value, $350M investment and 45% of alumni active after five years.
Program-specific selection; no current generic Lightning Lab acceptance rate.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this program currently accepting applications?
- Monitor Creative HQ's current founder-program pages. Do not use old Lightning Lab terms as a current application or investment offer.
- What are the current economics?
- No universal Lightning Lab terms. The Aurora example was free, equity-free and valued at NZD 5k in kind.
- How large and long is the program?
- Aurora Climate Activate example: 15 founders; Creative HQ supports many separate programs. Current programs are partner-specific; Aurora was an eight-week hybrid program.
- Can founders participate remotely?
- Program-specific; Aurora was hybrid.
- What happens after the program?
- Creative HQ ecosystem and alumni network; no universal follow-on investment.
Related accelerators
Sources
- creativehq.co.nz/about-us — Official current Creative HQ positioning and history (checked 2026-08-10)
- creativehq.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Creative-HQ_2025_impact_report.pdf — Official 2025 impact metrics (checked 2026-08-10)
- creativehq.co.nz/build-for-founders/aurora-climate-activate — Official current-program example, wait state, cohort, duration, value and contact (checked 2026-08-10)