FRIDAY 18 MARCH 2016

Funding Opportunity for Dunedin Community And Business

Dunedin community groups and businesses with development ideas using the gig are invited to apply for funding from a special pool the city received when it won the Gigatown title.

GigCity Community Fund

As part of the Gigatown prize Chorus pledged $500,000 to assist Dunedin community groups to create initiatives using gig and UFB technology to enhance the development, experimentation and implementation of community, learning and workforce opportunities in the city. A maximum of $20,000 is available per project, unless multiple organisations have collaborated. Applications close on Friday 8 April 2016 before being reviewed by a community panel.

This is the second round of GigCity Community Funding with the following groups receiving funds in the first round:

• Dunedin’s Gasworks Museum to extend IT education for children - $20,000

• Malcam Charitable Trust to develop a Mozilla Hive to connect with youth - $22,000

• St Barnabas Trust to develop an app to manage Meals on Wheels delivery - $20,000

• Urban Dream Brokerage to revitalise vacant shop fronts - $6,000

Applications for the Gig Community Fund must be made on line through the following http://www.gigcitydunedin.co.nz/community-fund/application-form by Friday 8 April 2016.

GigStart Fund

As part of the Gigatown win the city received an additional $200,000 from Chorus and Nokia (formerly Alcatel-Lucent) for Dunedin start-ups to dream big using the gig.

Chair of Startup Dunedin, Nigel Bamford says the GigStart Fund could provide the launch pad for new-to-market UFB-led service concepts. “This exciting opportunity could be a game-changer for a small start up business,” according to Nigel.

The first two rounds of GigStart funding have awarded $107,000. The following start up businesses received funding in the first two rounds:

• Adventure Media Works – online service for the photographic community - $20,000

• Bison - cloud based data management system for the logistics sector - $20,000

• Blue Twist - cloud based systems for the medical sector - $20,000

• Learning with a Difference - animated learning programme for dyslexic children - $12,000

• Photo Toolbox Ltd - cloud based digital asset management system - $20,000

• ResponseAbility - develop an app to help with hazard identification - $15,000

To apply for the Gig Start Fund entrepreneurs must complete the online application at http://www.gigcitydunedin.co.nz and create a short video describing their concept, its benefits and how people will use it. They also need to develop a lean canvas concept business plan and explain why Ultra Fast Broadband is key to the success of the project. Applicants will take part in
a 'Pitch Day' in before the winners are announced.

ENDS.

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