Northland's biggest start-up competition is about to kick off

Entries are sought for a business ideas contest in search of innovation. Photo / Getty Images

Northland's biggest start-up competition is about to kick off with the region's economic development agency hosting the business ideas contest in search of innovation.

Those with business ideas are now being called on to enter The Pick:18 - Seed and Grow Your Business.

There are two streams to the contest – Seed start-up workshops for early-stage businesses running in Whangārei, Kaitāia, Dargaville and Kaikohe this month, and Grow, an investment-readiness programme with workshops in Whangārei in September, October and November. They will also be streamed online.

Participants will attend the one-day Seed workshops to help get their ideas on track, while the Grow workshops provides a comprehensive programme to guide participants along the investment journey and prepare them for raising capital.

"Last year, there were 147 entries and 27 finalists, many of which we are still working with through our business incubation programme," said Jessica Henderson, the early-stage business adviser with Northland Inc.

"The Pick:18 is for any Northlander who wants to learn," she said.

The winners of each will be invited to pitch at the Northland Investor Showcase in Whangārei on November 12, which Northland Inc is hosting with the support of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the Angel Association New Zealand.

The event will focus on helping the chosen business to raise capital for growth, to encourage Northlanders to invest in businesses and start-ups and to shine a spotlight on some of the excellent stories about Northland, our clients and about what we are achieving at Northland Inc.

Registrations from participants close on September 7 and participants are asking to sign up at www.thepick.co.nz.