Let's talk about winners, says contest organiser

The coordinator of a national business competition believes New Zealand needs a "national conversation" about selecting and supporting business "winners."

Bridget Wickham, whose Great NZ Business Venture contest will come to a glittering finale on Tuesday, has been appointed to the board of Industry NZ, which took over the Government's business assistance programmes yesterday.

She is "overwhelmed" by the passion, energy and creativity of the 1450 teams entered in the contest.

"Anyone who is depressed about New Zealand should talk to these budding entrepreneurs, who are so enthusiastic and fired up about their opportunity," she said.

But she said the contest also revealed that start-up businesses need affordable advisers who could help them develop their business plans, make the right contacts and raise capital.

"There are a lot of global pressures," she said.

"We have been able to assist them with understanding their global markets, assisting them with contacts to gain access to financing, and assisting them with networks such as consultants and others - maybe potential overseas partners."

Some local economic agencies, such as the Canterbury Development Corporation, already provide this kind of service. But the Auckland City Council has disbanded its economic development agency.

"It doesn't seem to me that there is the same degree of support in Auckland as there is in some other places, particularly Christchurch."

Bridget Wickham said Industry NZ may be able to fill the gap with new programmes like its enterprise awards of up to $10,000 for entrepreneurs to test and develop concepts with strong growth potential, and its proposed support for business "incubators."

But the country needed to guide support to growth sectors.

"I think we have not had a strong strategic vision," she said.

"As a consequence, we may not have directed our resources quite as intelligently as we could have.

"We can't do everything, and in business you tend to concentrate on what you are best at and dedicate resources to making sure you maximise that opportunity.

"We need a national conversation about what we are trying to do, what we can do as a country and how we can make sure we all share in the benefits of that."

Tourism and forestry were examples of areas that were "very important to the future of the country" and the country could help with training and infrastructure.

Two of the seven finalists in the Great NZ Business Venture are tourism ventures: a bobsleigh-style tube ride proposed by Angela Ashcroft of Ohakune, and an internet-based travel booking system developed by Aucklander John Allen.

The contest has been sponsored by leading businesses, including Lion Nathan, Carter Holt Harvey, Fletcher Challenge, ASB Bank, Sky City, Deutsche Bank, Russell McVeagh, Deloittes, Bell Gully, Ernst and Young and the Herald. The winner will receive $80,000 on Tuesday.

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