Top Tech CEO Joins Go UK Judging Panel

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Top Tech CEO Joins Go UK Judging Panel

Andrew Hamilton of the IceHouse Joins the GO UK Judging Panel

Auckland, 21 December 2011 - UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) announced today that it has appointed the founding CEO of one of New Zealand’s most successful incubators, the Icehouse, to its judging panel for the prestigious GO UK competition where New Zealand companies are invited to submit business plans for a chance to win a $30,000 prize package.

Andrew Hamilton was the founding CEO of The ICEHOUSE in 2001 and he has also been Chair of Incubators New Zealand and Angel Association New Zealand (still a councillor), is a Board member of ICE Angels and also a Board member of ANZATEC – the Australian New Zealand Technology Forum based in Silicon Valley, a group which is tasked with creating a better gateway for NZ and Australian technology companies to enter the US.

Her Excellency the British High Commissioner, Mrs Vicki Treadell, says she is delighted that Andrew has joined the judging panel.

“A judge of Andrew’s calibre and experience will bring significant value to the GO UK competition and the New Zealand companies that enter can be assured that they will get a thoroughly professional and highly qualified assessment of the business plans they submit.”

Her Excellency Mrs Treadell notes that to date there has been strong response with entries to its Go UK business plan competition from a range of companies from around New Zealand wanting to set up in the UK, despite uncertainty in the European economy.

“UKTI and I have been impressed by the quality of New Zealand businesses that are looking to establish a presence in the UK and so have entered the GO UK competition. New Zealand is a true incubator of some fantastic and genuinely innovative companies that are export focussed from day one. The GO UK competition is ideal for any New Zealand businesses that are thinking about the UK market and accessing the neighbouring European Union and we encourage everyone to enter,” Mrs Treadell said.

“GO UK has the ability to boost the confidence of New Zealand business owners, encouraging them to make the expansion. It is the perfect opportunity for those entrepreneurs with both the savvy to navigate the market and the audacity to make the most of a challenging but potentially highly rewarding prospect,” she adds.

Mrs Treadell also says that UKTI has a long track record of helping New Zealand businesses successfully establish themselves in the UK market and the GO UK competition aims to build on that.

“Kiwi businesses have a fantastic opportunity to win a $30,000 prize package to the UK including business return airfares on British Airways as well as business consultancy services from AMac Limited together with business registration and six months accountancy support from Kevin Beare & Co. Moreover, New Zealand businesses get the same opportunities and benefits in the UK as local companies do thanks to the unique memorandum of understanding between the New Zealand and UK Governments.”

The deadline for entries for the Go UK competition is 5pm Friday 9 February 2012.

The New Zealand finalists will be announced in February 2012.

To enter the Go UK competition and for more information please go to http://ukinnewzealand.fco.gov.uk/go-uk
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