Enterprise Debate in Dunedin

Enterprise Debate in Dunedin

Industry New Zealand’s first ‘Venture Forum’

Turning brilliant ideas into profitable businesses will be the subject of vigorous discussion at Industry New Zealand’s first ever ‘Venture Forum’ held on 18 September in Dunedin.

Industry New Zealand Chief Executive, Neil Mackay says Venture Forums are a new Industry New Zealand initiative designed to provoke thinking and action on topical business issues.

“Critical to developing an enterprise culture in New Zealand is having the opportunity to debate and discuss key business issues. The Venture Forum is an important part of Industry New Zealand’s ongoing dialogue on the subject of enterprise.”

Mr Mackay says the Dunedin Venture Forum will be the first of many to be held around the country. “Each Forum will have a specific topic for discussion based on a lead story featured in a recent issue of Industry New Zealand’s Venture Magazine. The topic in Dunedin will be commercialising intellectual property (IP).

“Guest speakers with diverse views on the selected topic will address audiences at each Forum. There will also be the opportunity for the audience to participate in the discussions and put their own views forward. Basically, if they have an opinion on the subject, we want to hear it.

“The topic of how to turn ideas into business opportunities is extremely important to New Zealand if we want to prosper economically. The Venture Forums will assist in uncovering the key issues needing to be addressed so we can all work together to take New Zealand ingenuity to the rest of the world.”

Neil Mackay says Dunedin is an ideal venue for the first Venture Forum. “Dunedin is very rich in ideas and new concepts. Otago University was the first University in New Zealand and now the brains behind some of New Zealand’s most advanced biotechnology companies. The University’s Centre for Innovation has settled over 46 business deals in the last two years.

“Dunedin based companies such as Pacific Edge Biotechnology Limited and Blis Technologies have done extremely well. If we could produce more companies that have successfully commercialised IP, we would be well on our away to a very prosperous future.”

Business leaders, educationalists, and local government representatives from throughout Otago have been invited to the Forum, which will include presentations, panel question-and-answer sessions, and open audience debate.

Bridget Wickham, Board Member of Industry New Zealand, will facilitate the Forum.

Venture Forum presenters and panel members include: Professor Dick Bellamy, Dean of Science, University of Auckland Ross Brown, Chief Executive, Aotea Jones Group Ltd, Dunedin Stuart McKenzie, Quest VC Ltd, Dunedin Dr Ian Smith, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Otago Max Shepherd, Zenith Technology Corporation Ltd, Dunedin Neal Wallace, Agri-Business Editor, Otago Daily Times Dr Julian Williams, Principal Adviser, Ministry of Research, Science & Technology

“The Venture Forums are part of our commitment to inform, foster and develop New Zealanders’ attitudes to enterprise, business growth and business success,” says Mr Mackay. Summaries of Venture Forum presentations, panellist comments, and audience discussion will be available on the Industry New Zealand website http:// http://www.industrynz.govt.nz following the event.

EDITOR’S NOTE Industry New Zealand was set up by the Government in September 2000 as New Zealand’s economic development agency.

Venture Forums serve as a vehicle for Industry New Zealand’s dialogue on the subject of enterprise. The Forums provide participants with the opportunity to debate and discuss topical business issues critical to developing an enterprise culture in New Zealand. The topic for each Forum is selected from a recent issue of Venture Magazine. The Venture Forums are part of Industry New Zealand’s commitment to inform, foster and develop New Zealanders’ attitudes to enterprise, business growth and business success.

© Scoop Media