Tā Koha: The new crowdfunding programme for Māori businesses
PledgeMe and Māori Women's Development Inc are launching a new crowdfunding platform designed especially for Māori entrepreneurs.
Tā Koha will support Māori business and social ventures that wish to use 'crowd power' or whanau supporters to fund the kaupapa they care about most.
It includes an online marae training portal and modules with video, quizzes and practical tests to help all ventures build a successful campaign.
"Crowdfunding enables anyone to turn a business plan or goal into reality. It's really easy to post a campaign on PledgeMe, offer rewards and go out to your whanaū, iwi and wider community to ask for support. If your campaign meets its target, you receive the funding and, in return, your crowd (a.k.a "pledgers") are rewarded.
According to Māori Women's Development Inc CEO Teresa Tepania-Ashton, Ta Koha is way for tangata whenua to learn about crowdfunding fundamentals.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for our people to learn how to maximise this platform for the benefit of their own whanau and community.
Tā Koha will be the first ever indigenous crowdfunding platform to be launched globally. The Government is also supporting the programme under the He Kai Kei Aku Ringa fund and attended by the Minister for Māori Development, Hon. Nanaia Mahuta.
PledgeMe CEO Anna Guenther says, "Tā Koha is about supporting Māori entrepreneurs to use the power of their crowd to fund the things they care about within their community.
"Our PledgeMe team realised that although we had supported over 1,200 campaigns and raised over $27 million dollars, there were not enough Māori actively or equitably participating in this form of community wealth generation.
Tā Koha will kick off the launch party in Auckland this week. The night will launch 11 varied ventures that include eco fibre eyelashes, Kiwi kai, ecotourism, and virtual reality tech that connects individuals to their tribal homelands from anywhere in the world.
The ventures
Seecom – empowering multiple communities through sign language Stay Native – a unique indigenous Air BNB experience Moka – Eco-fibre lashes made from possum fur Flo Clothing – a buy a clothing piece, give one experience for young children and teenagers in need Stay Connected – a powered network for women to access opportunities in life and enterprise Rauawaawa Kaumatua Charitable Trust – developing an elder friendly facility for Kuia and Kaumatua Tolaga Bay Inn – an eco-tourism and enterprise hub on the East Coast Ngahere Communities - Manukau's first Coworking, Events and Maker Space Kirehu Creative a VR/AR company specialising in connecting individuals to their tribal homelands using technology Kiwi Kai – Beautiful steam puddings – crafted just as your Nanny would make them Whenua Warrior – supporting more families to grow their own food – starting with one garden at a time.
