Starting a Business Over 50

Starting a Business Over 50 has been run as a pilot programme by Te Tari Kaumātua – the Office for Seniors in partnership with Univentures. 

Are you aged 50+ and looking to start your own business? This online course recognises the unique position of senior New Zealand entrepreneurs, supporting them to succeed with workshops, start-up tools, business modelling and coaching. This eight week course is designed to: 

• Demystify entrepreneurship and debunk myths around retirement;
• Take participants' ideas and plan them through to the launch stage;
• Empower participants through a practical, ‘learn by doing’ approach;
• Connect participants to expert coaches, mentors and funding opportunities;
• Introduce tools and templates for those aged over 50 to build new successful ventures.

The customised start-up techniques within this course enable participants to check the viability of their initial ideas, before developing them into practical and sustainable business models through 3 stages: 

• Stage 1: an initial 1-to-1 checklist leading to acceptance into the programme
• Stage 2: a series of 4 online modules and supporting workshops, leading to the creation of a business model
• Stage 3: a period of 1-to-1 mentor guidance leading to launching a new business

Get your idea off the ground and learn how to make your business succeed with Starting a Business Over 50. 

To enter this course you must be aged 50 years or older. Successful participants will be selected by Univentures through an interview process, where your proposed business idea or recently started business will be discussed.

While there are no formal prerequisites for this course, we do suggest having a few things to make your learning experience smoother.

It's recommended that you have access to a laptop or desktop computer with a reliable internet connection. Additionally, having a basic understanding of PC literacy, internet proficiency, word processing skills, and file management would be helpful.

Don't worry if you're not an expert in these areas - just some familiarity with managing files, using the internet, and creating/editing documents will be beneficial.

Our courses are flexible, enabling you to plan your study around your other commitments. You can choose to study when it suits you over an 8-week period (except for 4 specific workshop dates & times, to be announced).

The programme consists of 4 self-paced online modules, containing videos, online and downloadable reading content, activities, and a 1-to-1 session with a specialist coach. Each module will be available for a 2-week period. 

Module 1
Getting your business started.

Module 2
Creating your own business model.

Module 3
Digital marketing - reaching and keeping your customers.

Module 4
Finalising your business model and launching your business.

A joint hour-long session with all participants and their coaches will also be held online at the end of each module. This allows participants to network and bring together their learning. 

Dr Chris Kirk

University Enterprise and Innovation Coach

Fiona Cole

Copywriter and Content Marketing Specialist

Lyndal Marshall

Business Coach

Dr Chris Kirk
Chris is an internationally qualified startup instructor and coach, based in Christchurch. He ended his first career as Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Lincoln University. Chris is a natural coach, instructor and entrepreneur, who thrives on helping others to succeed. He has started six business ventures to-date, including Univentures® Ltd, a social enterprise that specialises in assisting those aged 50+ to transform their ideas into viable business startups. Chris has also founded a 'Later-in-Life Innovators' Support and Networking Group in Christchurch, New Zealand. 

Fiona Cole
Fiona Cole is an experienced copywriter and content marketing specialist, based in Dunedin. She started her own business, BigWords, in 2007.  Her expertise extends into building an effective online presence and designing marketing strategies. Fiona has been a business mentor and is a recognised trainer in the digital space.

Lyndal Marshall
Lyndal Marshall is the owner of Value Creators, providing business coaching in the Canterbury region since 2021. With over two decades of experience in business, Lyndal is sharing her first-hand knowledge to inspire other business owners to have pride in the success and impact of their organisation. Her passion is deeply embedded in showing how business values help make decisions, so they can be proud of the impact that their business makes.