Business Hawke’s Bay and Soda Inc. have formed a partnership that will see start-up support programmes on offer in the Hawkes Bay region.
Business Hawke’s Bay CEO, Carolyn Neville, welcomes the new initiative and believes that the region’s start-up entrepreneurs will significantly benefit from the new partnership with Soda Inc.
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to partner with Soda, who have a proven programme for founders and access to world class mentors.
“This is a valuable addition to the other support that is available and will enable qualifying founders with start-ups to build their capability and grow their companies.
“Business Hawke’s Bay’s partnership with Soda Inc supports Hawke’s Bay’s Regional Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan, specifically actions which are about establishing a small business incubator, accelerator programmes, business growth services and identifying start-ups and high growth firms and barriers to growth and local capability,” says Mrs Neville.
Soda Inc. has supported and been behind many growing start-ups in New Zealand such as beekeeping hive management software, MyApiary and Hop Revolution that recently secured a $3 million investment through the MyFarm Hop Garden Investment initiative.
Founders working on start-ups in Hawke’s Bay can now apply for the Soda programme and access the resources, networks and mentorship on offer.
Soda Inc. CEO, Erin Wansbrough, is excited to get underway with the partnership and get founders that are in desperate need of support into a programme.
“We encourage ambitious people who are working on opportunities that have potential for scale to get in touch with the team at Business Hawke’s Bay and see if this programme is right for you.”
Every company wanting to join the programme will go through an application process.
“There is an application form followed by a meeting to understand the founder’s current challenges and future aspirations for their start-up. If there’s a fit, we’ll invite the founder(s) to present their opportunity to a local panel - ‘a friendly dragons’ den’, and if successful we’ll then work with the founder(s) to craft a customised programme and mentoring match.
“We don’t limit our intake of start-ups to just one profession or level of experience. We’ve worked with a lot of start-ups, entrepreneurs and many businesses ranging in different sizes,” says Ms Wansbrough.
Applications will be assessed as they come in, so people who are interested can apply when they’re ready.
For more information about the Business Hawke’s Bay start-up programme visit www.businesshb.nz.