‘The Pick’ Entrepreneurial Competition Entries Closing

Well supported ‘The Pick’ Entrepreneurial Competition Entries Closing

17th July - A rare chance to win the support to start your own business is still open with entries to ‘The Pick’ entrepreneurial contest closing Monday 24th July.

Organisers are encouraging Northlanders to submit their ideas this week and make most of this opportunity which could turn their dream into a reality.

“Now is the time to get your thinking caps on and spread the word. It’s a chance for friends, family members, or anyone you know who has ever had a great idea for a business in Northland to put their case out there and see where it could lead,” says organiser Kayla Tattley.

Hosted by The Orchard Business and Events Hub in Whangarei and supported by Northland Economic Development Agency Northland Inc, the competition will see an initial pool of 20 entrants selected to present their ideas to a highly experienced panel of judges.

“The competition offers an exciting chance for every day Northlanders to put their ideas in front of a very talented group of people who know what it takes to see businesses succeed,” Tattley says.

The line-up includes Northlands Chamber of Commerce CEO Tony Collins, General Manager for Business, Innovation and Growth in Northland, Joseph Stuart, The Young Enterprise Trust’s Dr Colin Kennedy, and successful entrepreneurs’ Roger Winton and Greg Currie.

Support for the contest has been garnered from a host of sponsors and contributors which will see it’s winners receive thousands of dollars’ worth of products, services, and personnel to establish their business.

From marketing advice and advertising vouchers from Media Works, to a tailored Vodafone package and acceptance into an incubation programme, the prize package also includes, graphic design, accounting, and IT packages, sales workshops and exposure to start-up business investors. At the end of the year, the top ideas will showcase their businesses at the Whangarei A & P show.

“You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. For now, it’s just as easy as putting pen to paper and giving us a business idea in a snapshot. It doesn’t have to be fancy or complex – just simple ideas from every day Northlanders wanting to start their own business,” she says.

Entries are open to individuals or groups of up to four people who live in Northland across five categories which include rural, health & wellbeing, food & beverage, tourism and general.

Entrants have until 24 July 2017 to submit their ideas at www.thepick.co.nz.

Key dates:

24 July: The Pick Entries close.

7 August: Top 20 ideas are judged and announced

1 December: Five winners announced

2 December: Top 20 ideas invited to showcase their businesses at the Whangarei A & P Show.

Sponsors and contributors for the prizewinners include Media Works, Vodafone Digital Mobile, ANZ, MYOB, E-Centre, Northland Inc, The Orchard Business and Event Hub, Fan Brown Partners, Plus Chartered Accountants, Channel North, Chamber of Commerce, UIT, Catapult your Business, Big Fish Creative, Monster Graphics, Whangarei A&P Society, Northland Youth Development Trust, the Young Enterprise Scheme, Microwise, QRC, NDHB, On Farm Safety, and Northland Inc’s Regional Promotions Team.

ENDS

The website for The Pick: 2017 Business Ideas Competition is www.thepick.co.nz.

Further information about The Orchard Business and Event Hub can be found at www.theorchard.co.nz.

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