Why StartUp+ was right for Ankita
She wanted to scale, without losing trust
When Ankita, owner of Capture The Bug, chose StartUp+ the business was gaining traction and validating the operating model, but they needed support to scale without compromising on security quality, pricing clarity, or go‑to‑market strategy.
StartUp+ offered the combination of capital, capability and community the business needed to grow with confidence.
Ankita found something she hadn’t experienced with other banks: practical access to capital tailored to her business, which was an early‑stage business, plus a supportive team that understood the startup journey.
For founders like me, speed matters. The support from Kiwibank through StartUp+ gave us the confidence to move faster and expand our reach — including opportunities with major clients outside New Zealand.
Ankita Dhakar (centre), Founder of Capture The Bug, with members of the Kiwibank team at the International Business Awards
How StartUp+ is supporting Capture The Bug
Lending that unlocks growth
StartUp+ is helping Ankita and her team:
- Think bigger and explore global opportunities.
- Build strong relationships through warm networking introductions.
- Access to flexible funding to grow faster, expand reach, and support larger customers.
StartUp+ is about backing early‑stage businesses to challenge the market and status quo. Capture The Bug is a great example — an early‑stage company with a smart solution and real growth potential.
What Capture The Bug does
Capture The Bug is transforming traditional security testing, replacing slow, opaque processes with a platform-driven experience that blends expert testers, automation, and clear reporting. The result: faster, more transparent, continuous security testing designed for modern businesses.
What ambition means to Ankita
Ankita wants to remove friction and turn complex, costly testing into a seamless platform experience that feels obvious once you use it.
Ankita's advice for early‑stage founders
- Start before you feel ready — begin small and talk to customers early.
- Find one paying customer who deeply cares about the problem.
- Take care of yourself — burnout is real in the early days.
It's great to see a bank backing ambitious startups with practical support.
Enquire about StartUp+
Submit an expression of interest
If you meet the eligibility criteria, email your business plan and funding proposal to startup@kiwibank.co.nz
Don't meet the eligibility criteria?
We still want to see how we can help. Get in touch with our business banking team at business.banking@kiwibank.co.nz