Gareth Morgan is making his bid for Parliament official, starting the registration process for his new political party.
Morgan launched The Opportunities Party (Top) last year but said he would wait and gauge interest before registering it with the Electoral Commission in March.
Today, he said he had brought that process forward after signing up more than 2000 financial members - and with an eye on a possible early general election this year.
"With John Key resigning and Labour seeming to be calling by-elections at will, there is a possibility that National will get sick of that tactic and just go early. We have to be prepared for that eventuality," Morgan said.
Top has launched two of its seven core policies so far, one a new tax on equity policy and another focused on bringing in higher-skilled immigrants.