Moodi expands Female Founder Fund across New Zealand

Moodi has expanded its Female Founder Fund to support early-stage women-led businesses in New Zealand and Australia, with $15,000 to be distributed across four founders.

The fund offers no-equity, non-repayable grants: $8,000 for one first-place recipient, $2,500 each for two second-place recipients, and a $2,000 People's Choice Award decided by the Moodi community.

It is open to female founders or co-founders who are actively trading and based in either country, including those building technology businesses. The expanded programme is intended to address the funding gap that continues to affect women entrepreneurs across the Australasian start-up market.

Kate Gatfield-Jeffries, who founded Moodi without investors, loans or external capital, said the fund was shaped by her own experience of starting a business with limited financial support.

"Starting Moodi was incredibly rewarding, but it was also financially and emotionally tough," said Kate Gatfield-Jeffries, Founder, Moodi.

"I didn't pay myself for the first two years, and there were so many moments where a small amount of support would have changed everything. This fund exists to be that support for someone else."

Funding gap

The expansion comes amid continued debate over access to capital for female founders. Moodi cited figures showing female-only founded start-ups receive 2.9% of venture capital investment in New Zealand.

That gap persists despite evidence that women-led companies can produce competitive returns. Against that backdrop, the fund is positioned as a small grant programme rather than a conventional investment vehicle.

Gatfield-Jeffries said the structure was designed to provide direct support without ownership dilution or repayment obligations.

"Too many great ideas never get the chance to grow because the funding system wasn't built with women in mind," said Gatfield-Jeffries.

"This fund is small in the scheme of venture capital, but it's meaningful, practical, and founder-first. Sometimes a few thousand dollars is the difference between giving up or going all in," added Gatfield-Jeffries.

Earlier recipients

The pilot version of the fund drew thousands of applications, with Gatfield-Jeffries reviewing every submission. The first round backed three founders in different sectors across New Zealand and Australia.

Recipients included Hannah Killgour, founder of The Pepi Pozy, a New Zealand business focused on Māori-designed clothing and essentials for pēpi, tamariki and whānau. The 2025 group also included Lucy Kough, founder of Tap the Gap, a fintech platform designed to turn everyday spending into superannuation contributions, and Grace Toombs, founder of June Health, an Australian at-home cervical cancer and STI screening service.

According to Moodi, the businesses used the grants for product development, operations and growth during the early stages of expansion. Individual financial outcomes were not disclosed.

Founder profile

Gatfield-Jeffries has built a public profile in New Zealand's start-up and consumer business community alongside Moodi's growth. The company describes itself as a women's wellness brand and says it has reached more than 200,000 customers across Australasia.

Moodi has also expanded its retail footprint in New Zealand. Its Pre + Probiotic Soda entered more than 500 supermarkets, while Plant Protein Balls launched into retail in early 2026.

Gatfield-Jeffries has also used her platform to speak about building businesses from Aotearoa and supporting more women into entrepreneurship. The expanded fund extends that focus across both sides of the Tasman.

"I hope this fund can help open doors for other female entrepreneurs, because when women build businesses, we all benefit," said Gatfield-Jeffries.