JOINT MEDIA RELEASE: New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Incubators New Zealand

International business incubation conference comes to New Zealand

25 November 2011: An international network of experts and practitioners on science-based regional development and business incubation, The Technopolicy Network, will host its 10th annual conference in Auckland next week (28 – 29 November).

The conference - which will focus on "Science Based Incubators as Connectors in High-Tech Clusters" - is being held outside of Europe for the first time since the network started in 2004, and is supported by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and Incubators New Zealand.

“For New Zealand to be hosting this conference, and having global experts on business incubation here on our own doorstep is a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved in New Zealand’s incubation network to meet and learn from experts from around the world,” Chair of Incubators New Zealand Steve Corbett says. “It gives us confidence that our incubator network is up there with some of the best in the world.”

The Technopolicy Network conference brings together speakers and delegates from around the world including Europe, Asia , Australia and the US, including:
• Michael Enright, Sun Hung Kai Professor of Business Administration, University of Hong Kong and Director of the Asia-Pacific Competitiveness Program, Hong Kong Institute of Economics and Business Strategy, China Global Competitiveness in a post-GFC Era: a Shift in the Balance of Powers?
• R.M.P Jawahar, Indian Association of STEPs and Business Incubators and Executive Director, TREC-STEP India and Vice President of Asian Association of Business Incubators (AABI), India How Global Competition can Foster Successful Incubators,
• Prof. Sir Paul Callaghan, Alan MacDiarmid Professor of Physical Science Victoria University, Successful Scientist & Entrepreneur, New Zealander of the Year 2010, New Zealand Carving Out the Niches of the Global Economy,
• Richard Bendis, President and CEO of Innovation America, United Transforming a Science Based Incubator into a High Growth Innovation and Commercialization Corporation, States
• Mikael Hult, National Incubation Manager at Innovationsbron, Sweden Accelerating Start-ups for International Growth,
• Dinah Adkins, President Emerita, National Business Incubation Association, USA (Conference Chair).

A range of workshops and break-out sessions are also available.

NZTE has supported incubation in New Zealand for the past 10 years, and says that hosting the Technopolicy conference reflects the overall strength of business incubation here.

“New Zealand has a really strong, high achieving incubator network that is celebrating 10 years of helping start-ups grow and thrive,” says NZTE’s Manager Incubator Development Richard White.

“With a strong programme, a global audience, speakers from around the world and a unique Innovation Tour, this year’s Technopolicy conference promises to be an excellent opportunity for discussion, networking and inspiration.”

Full details of the conference including speaker profiles and programme is available here: http://www.technopolicy.net/sbi/

ends

About Incubators New Zealand

Incubators New Zealand is the national body representing business incubation interests in New Zealand. As an organisation, they aim to promote, foster and grow the industry and provide it with a unified voice. A thriving incubation industry is important for New Zealand to successfully commercialise innovation and promote economic growth through entrepreneurship. Established in 2001, this year will mark ten years of Business Incubation in New Zealand. www.incubators.org.nz

About New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is New Zealand’s economic development and trade promotion agency. Our role is to help New Zealand businesses grow bigger, better, faster in international markets. We offer strategic advice, access to networks and influencers, research and market intelligence, and targeted financial support to help businesses on their international journey, and work to promote and support the growth of New Zealand business overseas. NZTE has provided a range of support for incubators in New Zealand for 10 years through its Incubator Support Programme. The Programme is designed to enable the development and growth of successful business incubators throughout New Zealand, and:
o provides funding assistance to seven business incubators around New Zealand
o promotes best practice among New Zealand incubators
o helps connect incubator managers and organisations with an interest in incubation
www.nzte.govt.nz

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