NZ Firms to Build Global Technology Bridges During Techweek

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NZ Firms to Build Global Technology Bridges During Techweek Tauranga

Shortly the best and most innovative of the Bay of Plenty’s technology talent will showcase and share their world leading innovations with regional, national and importantly international guests.

Techweek’18 Tauranga from May 21 to 25 aims to inspire and grow not only the technology, digital and scientific sectors, also the wider business, social enterprise, student, iwi, local and regional communities through connecting, sharing and collaborating.

The headline event of the week is 10 Billion Mouths on Wednesday 23 May at the ASB Baypark Arena in Mt Maunganui includes an international delegation. It combines an agritech, future of food focus for participants to learn about the fast moving developments in the sector; from presentations and a private session of investment pitches from New Zealand businesses ready to scale their operations who support premium food products.

Keynote speaker for the day is leading venture capitalist Arama Kukutai, co-Founder & CEO of Finistere Ventures, a San Diego based firm specialising in global agritech investments. Mr Kukutai said, “ the international delegation attending the 10 billion mouths conference hope to partner with Agritech New Zealand.”

Agritech NZ is to be launched next week during Techweek NZ in Tauranga, as part of the NZTech alliance. “We want to build a country partnership with New Zealand that can help drive two-way tech transfer and benefit our mutual networks that seek to commercialise and share the benefits with the world of more sustainable, productive and quality agricultural outcomes,” said Kukutai.

AgritechNZ is a purpose driven, membership funded organisation committed to building a world class agritech eco-system whose members share a passion for the opportunities that agritech can generate.
“Mr Kukutai’s keynote address will be significantly more than just another conference speech.” says Peter Wren-Hilton, Executive Director of Agritech NZ. “His presentation will explain just how New Zealand’s agritech sector can become part of a global alliance designed to improve access to global capital as well as access for New Zealand agritech companies to offshore markets to help feed the world.” said Wren-Hilton

Over 30 leaders from technology, scientific, agritech and social enterprise sectors will be speaking in a curated programme of 15 events across the week. Some events include mini expos and sessions where people can talk directly to inventors, innovators, learning about and experiencing technology.

Techweek Tauranga involves discussing some of the big challenges that lie ahead for society globally, attendees will learn what we can, and are doing about surmounting those issues here in the region. The leading edge solutions being thought of and invented here and opportunities these create for the Bay of Plenty, our communities and our economy will become evident throughout the week.

OTHER KEY TECHWEEK’18 TAURANGA EVENTS

The launch event for the week is the Trustpower GrowPlenty - Puna Tonuitanga ideation workshop at Basestation in the Tauranga CBD, on Monday between 1pm and 4pm. There are four 3 hour sessions in total over 2 days, a few tickets are still available to both evening sessions on Monday and Tuesday nights between 5pm and 8pm which, of course, include supper.

Also on Monday, is Part 1 of Design Leading Thinking for Social Services and Not for Profits a 2 hour webinar workshop based on ‘Integrating Design and Systems Thinking’ with local facilitation by Socialink and webinar content from Stanford Social Innovation Centre in the United States. Part 2 continues on Thursday 24 May, both sessions are at the Tauranga Historic Village.

Australian based, Argentinian inventor, advisor and explorer Gus Balbontin is the keynote speaker at Unlocking Regional Growth through Innovation on Thursday. Formerly the Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer for Lonely Planet, Balbontin will, along with other leading NZ thinkers be discussing the economic value of innovation, disruption, research and development in regional growth.

Closing the week Friday is another event focussed on social good Leading Change in Regional NZ Impact Investing with major Trusts exhibiting workshopping and discussing the paradigm of long-term good in social investment.

Many events are free to attend and there are events centred around digital technology and investment aiding both start-up and social enterprises. Investors will also be available to discuss angel, start-up, growth and impact investing.

Students and community groups across the region are participating in Techweek’18 Tauranga thanks to the Tauranga City and Western Bay of Plenty District Councils.

People interested in attending events in Tauranga can find out more and book online at the Techweek NZ website following the link http://clik.vc/twtga

Techweek’ 18 Tauranga news, images, video and details about events, sessions and speakers are updated online at the Techweek’18 Tauranga’ facebook page.

Followers can use the hashtags #goodfortheworld #twnz18 #twtga18 on social media to post and stay updated during Techweek.

ENDS

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