Budding Businesses Get Helping Hand

Budding Businesses Get Helping Hand

Dunedin (Wednesday, 18 March 2015) – National and local entrepreneurs will gather in Dunedin next week to give budding businesses a boost.

Dunedin’s fourth Startup Weekend is being held at the Otago Polytechnic’s new student hub from 27 to 29 March. It means entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and innovators will converge to launch new businesses.

Dunedin City Council Enterprise Dunedin Business Development Advisor Chanel O’Brien says the non-profit, community-building event will bring together entrepreneurs from different backgrounds, including software developers, marketers, designers and anyone who wants to be involved in starting a new business.

“This is an opportunity to launch a start up business in 54 hours, with the support of experienced mentors and a chance to pitch to judges and investors at the end of the weekend.”

Having won the Gigatown competition, Dunedin’s gigaspeed broadband will be another advantage for budding entrepreneurs.

Lead organiser Jason Beck says, “The beauty of the Startup Weekend model is that it is low commitment and high impact. If you have ever considered entrepreneurship, but didn’t know where to start, Startup Weekends are a fantastic first step. Whether you are a full-time student or a stay-at-home mum, most people can spare a weekend.”

Also taking part is Global Startup Facilitator Dave Moskovitz from Wellington. He is a professional director and early-stage investor in a number of start up businesses, including The Appreciation Engine, ShowGizmo, Ponoko and 8interactive. Mr Moskovitz will talk about helping entrepreneurs and their start ups from inspiration to global success.

Enterprise Dunedin Director John Christie says,” The Grow Dunedin Partnership aims to support Dunedin businesses through the Economic Development Strategy by building and retaining the skills and knowledge of existing residents and attracting the skills we need to Dunedin. Events like the Startup Weekend are a way of building a hub for skills and talent.”

Entrepreneurs from Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin will be on hand to provide advice and support. They will include Anna Guenther (PledgeMe), Geoff Brash (SLI Systems), Jose Ganga (RentLogics), Lani Evans (Thank You Payroll), Rebecca Twemlow (Firebrand), John Enlow (ADInstruments Ltd), Jason Leong (PocketSmith), Matt Gorman (Galloway Cook Allan), George Phillips (Cloud Cannon) and Rueben Skipper (Timely).

The event has received local sponsorship from organisations such as the University of Otago, the Otago Polytechnic, Datacom, Timely and Polson Higgs. Startup Weekends across the country are supported by a range of national sponsors, including Massey University, Xero, Microsoft Bizspark and BNZ.

For more information, visit www.up.co/communities/new-zealand/dunedin/startup-weekend.

ENDS

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