Incubate programme growing

SUPPLIED

New and emerging start-up businesses have flourished in Rotorua over the past year and are being nurtured to achieve their full potential in the Rotorua X Incubate programme.

The initiative, sponsored by Grow Rotorua, Waiariki Institute of Technology and Mark Copeland Lawyer, sees start-up businesses - established for less than two years - go through a 12 week mentor programme to equip them with the skills and knowledge to achieve their business goals.

Applications for the programme have rapidly increased from just two applications in April 2014, to 18 applications last month. Of the 18 applicants, nine businesses were selected based on their growth potential to take part in the programme.

Firestation founder and chief coach, Darren McGarvie, said the programme was able to grow from just three businesses to nine, thanks to Grow Rotorua's funding support of an extra six businesses to take part.

Mr McGarvie said the number of applicants suggested a positive future for Rotorua's economy and it was increasingly important to ensure new businesses were supported in the difficult and often stressful start-up phase.

Participants are mentored through six modules ranging from marketing to employment law, tax, web design, sales strategies and governance.

Toro Sports Management director, Gabriel Morales, said the success of previously run courses encouraged him to apply this time round, to successfully become an incubate participant.

"The incubate programme is a fantastic opportunity to learn business skills which I needed to acquire to ensure I was up to the challenge our business is bringing.

"The programme has been filling out all the gaps we have in terms of business knowledge and it has given us insight into a lot of areas."

Mr McGarvie said the programme would not be able to go ahead without the support and generosity of sponsors and facilitators, giving their time and resources.

"We aim to inspire start-up business to launch and grow, with Incubate being vital to building the confidence required to do so.

"Incubate is committed to nurturing and supporting those emerging businesses, and ensuring they are savvy enough to not only achieve their objectives, but bring about greater growth to the Rotorua economy.

"As well as receiving invaluable knowledge, the selected businesses also have the opportunity for extensive networking - more important in today's business environment than ever before.

The programme is a partnership with sponsors and facilitators BDO Rotorua, Firestation, Employment Manufacturer Association (EMA BoP) and the Toi Toi Foundation. Financial sponsors are Grow Rotorua, Waiariki Institute of Technology and Mark Copeland Lawyer.

The nine businesses currently in the programme are:
• Toro Sports Management
• Local Technology Limited
• Plaisted Publishing House LTD
• DDI Rotorua
• The Rogue Stage
• CIP Tech LTD
• Mix Media Events
• Go Robot LTD
• Quality Service Solutions Limited

The 12 week programme runs from 25 March - 24 June every week on Wednesday 1pm to 3pm.