Hawke’s Bay becomes a Regional Business Partner

Hawke’s Bay becomes a Regional Business Partner

Venture Hawke’s Bay and Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce have been jointly-appointed as one of 14 Regional Business Partners, under a new business investment scheme by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST).

NZTE and the Foundation’s business investment programme TechNZ will work through this local partnership to support business growth and innovation. The regional Partners will be the first point of contact for businesses seeking advice, funding and expertise to grow their businesses, and to undertake research and development activities.

Hamish Campbell, the Foundation’s Manager of Investment Services said of the scheme, “Our Partners have helped companies around New Zealand undertake innovative projects to develop new products, employ undergraduate and Master’s students, and engage experts to assess their R&D strategy and provide advice.”

NZTE Acting Director of Performance Improvement Euan Purdie added, “It provides an excellent opportunity for the key entities in each region to work together to determine their economic strategies and help them identify businesses in their region that will deliver on those.”

Speaking from Hawke’s Bay, Chief Executive of the HB Chamber of Commerce, Murray Douglas, is extremely supportive of the partnership.

“Building business capability is a key objective of HB Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber is delighted to partner with Venture HB and government to deliver this scheme,” said Murray.

Sam Wood of ATI Engineering Ltd recently worked with Venture Hawke’s Bay to access TechNZ funding for some of their research and development projects, and said, “It really was invaluable having someone on our doorstep to talk us through the funding available and to help us with the application process. I was amazed at how straightforward and quick the whole process actually was; painless really.”

The Chamber of Commerce’s role will be to carry out business capability assessments, develop action plans and provide specific business assistance. They will also administer the NZTE voucher scheme which will enable qualifying businesses to access government funding for training, coaching or other business capability up-skilling services. Capability building services will be delivered through approved providers.

Venture Hawke’s Bay’s key role will be to assist businesses to access funding and advice for research and development projects. In 2009/10 Venture Hawke’s Bay enabled over $3.5m of TechNZ government funding to support 46 Hawke’s Bay businesses undertake projects.

The HB Chamber of Commerce has also entered into a partnership with the Hawke’s Bay Maori Business Network to assist with the development of business capability for Maori-owned businesses.

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