NZ start-ups get budget funding boost

The New Zealand government will give an additional $NZ15 million over four years to two programs aimed at supporting high-tech start-ups.

Kiwi start-ups are in for an extra $NZ15 million ($A14 million) of funding as the New Zealand government looks to promote more high-tech exports.

The money, spread over four years, will go towards boosting two schemes aimed at speeding up the commercialisation of research and tech companies, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce says.

The Pre-Seed Accelerator Fund, which helps scientists turn research in commercial products, will get $NZ12 million of the sum, taking its total annual funding to about $NZ8 million a year. The other $NZ3 million will be spent on extending a three-year pilot program to fund new accelerators.