Providing a launch pad for Kiwi businesses

Media release, embargoed
until 5pm, Friday February 5

Providing a launch pad for Kiwi businesses

Innovative New Zealanders keen to set up their own business will have a chance to turn their dreams into reality in a competition being run as part of the Planet 2010 Communications and Technology Conference in Auckland next month.

The Telecommunications Industry Group (TIG) is offering 10 start-up companies the chance to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges at Launch Pad, a public competition which will take place during the Planet 2010 conference on March 12 and 13.

The winner will receive $70,000 worth of IT, marketing, legal and accounting services, as well as three Hewlett Packard Netbooks and 12 months’ account management support from four of the competition’s sponsors, WorldxChange, Republik, Hudson Gavin Martin and MYOB.

The second and third place-getters will receive prizes of $10,000 and $5000 sponsored by the Ministry of Economic Development.

The 10 start-up companies selected to take part in Launch Pad will be short-listed from a field of applicants who must submit their entries through either a New Zealand business incubator or a university technology transfer office (TTO). Each incubator or university TTO can enter business plans for up to two start-up companies. Entries close on March 1.

TIG chief executive officer Rob Spray says his organisation is committed to helping innovative New Zealanders achieve their goals.

“We see Launch Pad as a way for us to find and champion New Zealand’s best start-up companies, and help them grow their ideas into something spectacular.”

Simon Martin, a partner at Hudson Gavin Martin, which will provide legal services to the winner of Launch Pad, says that innovation is vital for New Zealand’s economic future.

“Competitions such as Launch Pad provide a great platform to raise the profile of and further stimulate this innovation. We are delighted to be able to sponsor a competition that supports new businesses to achieve their potential.”

Julian Smith, general manager of MYOB, which will provide accounting software and support to the winner of Launch Pad, says he hopes the competition will encourage New Zealand entrepreneurs to get out, get started and realise their dreams.

"We understand the challenges, demands – and sheer excitement – of setting up a new business, and we look forward to helping some talented new Kiwi entrepreneurs create a new success story through Launch Pad.”

Paul Clarkin, chief technology officer at WorldxChange, which will provide telecommunications services to the winner of Launch Pad, says his company is proud to be associated with the competition.

“I’m delighted that we will be able to help creative Kiwis turn their ideas into reality.”

For more information about Launch Pad, visit www.planet2010.co.nz/launchpad

--

About the Telecommunications Industry Group (TIG)
www.tig.org.nz

The Telecommunications Industry Group (TIG) was formed in May 2009 as a single voice for the telecommunications industry and to increase its contribution to New Zealand society and economy.

As well as providing a focal point for consolidated industry efforts, innovation and leadership, TIG spearheads communication and dialogue between the industry and other parties. It aims to raise the awareness of the New Zealand business community and public to the contribution telecommunications make to the economy; to provide members with high-quality research on issues of shared interest; to better align industry members with other industry stakeholders; to be a forum for fresh thinking and debate on telecommunications operation and infrastructure investment issues; to provide input and advice from the telecommunications industry to Government; and to develop and drive initiatives on industry skills and new blood.

The industry is the largest private investor in New Zealand, employing more than 14,000 people, and has a significant impact on the country’s GDP. TIG members have invested more than NZ$12 billion in infrastructure in the past decade and NZ$2.5 billion in the current fiscal year.

© Scoop Media