Frequently Asked Questions

Applications for the 2019 xone programme are expected to open early March 2019.

The xone Accelerator Programme is a 6-month programme, starting in July.

The xone team is based in Vodafone’s South Island HQ (CHC InnoV8) in Christchurch. The monthly xone workshops are also held in Christchuch. It is not a requirement for your team to be permanently based in Christchurch during the programme.

No it is not a requirement for you and your team to be in Christchurch. There however is a requirement that your team (founders and relevant team members) is present at our Christchurch HQ for the xone workshops.

Applications for the 2019 xone programme closed on the 15th of April.

We are interested in the following (non-exhaustive list): Mobile Payments and Commerce, Mobile Education and Family, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Machine Learning and Internet of Things (Wearables, Healthcare, Smart Home/City, Agriculture).

However, even if your startup does not fit into any one of these categories, we would still encourage you to apply for our programme.

We welcome applications from enterprises with a social aspect as part of their business model, especially if there’s a good fit with Vodafone or the Vodafone Foundation.

Although we recommend all startups to surround themselves with a team, we will consider applications on a case-by-case basis.

We will consider all applications on a case-by-case basis. We look for startups with emerging technology that is complimentary to Vodafone’s current and future business.

Yes, your startup must be a NZ registered business on the Companies Office website.

It is not a requirement to have your team all based in NZ. We do recommend that key team members are based in NZ during the xone programme in order to easily attend the monthly workshop events.

As part of the xone programme, your startup is given a $25K funding (0% equity). In addition, your startup will have access to co-working space, cloud-computing credits, and network access.

In addition to the $25K funding each startup receives, your startup will have access to co-working space, cloud-computing credits, network access, technical expertise (architecture/app/mobile/UX), access to mentor network, marketing exposure, and access to partnerships – Full list of benefits

Vodafone will take a 0% stakeholding in your business.

Vodafone xone is an innovation lab designed to enable access and experiment with new and emerging technology relevant to Vodafone’s future. The Vodafone xone programme partners with high-potential startups to explore what’s beyond.

The agreement will be available for shortlisted xone companies to view and seek legal counsel. Rest assured, we will be using the same agreement as previous years that was agreeable to the now 20 ventures and their legal representatives in 2016 and 2017, and it did not interfere with any of the companies’ current or future investment deals.