The ICEHOUSE calls all budding entrepreneurs

The ICEHOUSE calls all budding entrepreneurs

11 October 2008

Do you have a brilliant business idea?

Can you sell your idea in 60 seconds?

Do you need assistance to take your business idea to the next level?

Business growth centre The Icehouse and the University of Auckland’s commercialisation arm UniServices are looking for entrepreneurs to compete in a real life ‘Dragon’s Den’ business pitch competition with over $45,000 of prizes up for grabs.

‘Fast Pitch The Icehouse’ is being held on Wednesday 12 November at the Auckland University School of Business with two pre-finals dates in the lead-up where entrants receive pitch coaching and pre-finals vetting.

CEO of The Icehouse, Andy Hamilton, says,

“This competition is a great opportunity for anyone with a business idea to get it into action, pitch it in-front of a panel of judges and live audience and potentially walk away with a huge boost to their beginnings.”

CEO of Universervices, Peter Lee, says,

“Fast Pitch is a great way to perfect your pitch in an elevator. The University of Auckland is behind this competition not only for its own staff and students but the wider community”.

Prizes for Fast Pitch The Icehouse include a three month residency in the ICE Accelerator start-up incubator programme worth over $10,000, Escalator Investment Ready consulting services valued at $3000 as well as a HP computer, $1,000 cash, Microsoft software, Gen-i Broadband T-Sticks, and more. It also includes the right for any winner to pitch their idea to the investor supporters which include angels and VCs from NZ and Australia.

The competition is seeking entrepreneurs and people with great business ideas with growth and export potential to follow in the tracks of graduates and current residents of the ICE Accelerator programme.

Hamilton says, “The Icehouse has worked directly with 65 start-up companies and over 2,000 established companies and our growing network of advisers, angel investors and coaches has helped companies secure almost $35 million in investment since 2001. Fast Pitch The Icehouse is a new step, turning a real life business pitch into an opportunity to win prizes and get in front of potential investors.”

Icehouse success story examples include mobile banking and payments technology company M-Com which recently signed a major deal with the largest provider of information technology services to the banking industry in the US, and Blackhawk, a vehicle tracking and security system.

Visit www.theicehouse.co.nz/events for more information about entries and prizes.

About The ICEHOUSE

The ICEHOUSE is a business growth centre focused on making a difference for New Zealand.

Our founders wanted to help more New Zealand companies to succeed here and internationally. They understood that these success stories would have a significant and long-term impact on New Zealand’s prosperity which is critical to our future.

Since 2001, The ICEHOUSE has worked with 65 start-ups and over 2000 established businesses. Its guidance and mentoring has allowed businesses to raise close to $35m for start-ups.

Visit: theicehouse.co.nz

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