Kiwi Landing Pad Launches Catapult to the US Community

Kiwi Landing Pad Launches Catapult to the US Community

27 September, San Francisco

New Zealand tech's home away from home Kiwi Landing Pad formally launched Project Catapult to its San Francisco based supporters this evening.

Project Catapult is a new program run by Kiwi Landing Pad in San Francisco with full support from its private sponsors and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment.

Following a preparation phase in New Zealand, Project Catapult participants spend four weeks at the Kiwi Landing Pad to accelerate the design and development of their products and business models. They will be able to connect with relevant people and organisations in the heart of the global tech entrepreneurialism.

Landing Pad Managing Director John Holt also formally welcomed Catherine Robinson to her new role as the San Francisco Director. Robinson has extensive startup experience and co founded Wellington based startup Aptimize which was acquired by San Francisco based Riverbed Technologies in 2012.

"We are very excited to have Catherine on the team and to have new Landing Pad residents and visitors welcomed by someone who understands the journey of building a global business from New Zealand successfully."

Launch attendees, many of whom are accomplished Kiwi and US entrepreneurs were given details of the Project and heard from the latest participant, David White from Hamilton who pitched his startup IndieReign.

“Project Catapult is just another example of how we can maximize the benefits of Kiwi Landing Pad and help established companies grow faster in market while also exposing earlier stage entrepreneurs to the realities and requirements of going global through Project Catapult says Holt.”

Kiwi Landing Pad is collaboration between the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment and prominent tech investors including Sam Morgan, K1W1 (Sir Stephen Tindall), Valar Ventures (Peter Thiel), Powerband (Craig Elliott), Movac (Phil Macaw) and Evander Management (Simon Holdsworth). ENDS

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