Business Associations on the Coromandel Peninsula
We recommend joining a business association or making contact with one to help you with advice, to get a good understanding of the district and to establish valuable business networks.
Business Growth Services - Waikato
Waikato Innovation Park delivering Business Growth Services
New Zealand Trade & Enterprise and Callaghan Innovation’s initiative to boost business capabilities in our region is being delivered by Waikato Innovation Park as the Regional Business Partner.
RBP Waikato is the natural first point of contact for businesses in seeking government assistance, is responsible for managing the initiative; giving eligible business owners free access to funding, advice and support. Through this programme, the Regional Business Partner Waikato has distributed tens of thousands of dollars towards business training and more than $10million in technology and development funding to businesses throughout the region.
The Business Growth Services Team will work with companies all across the Waikato, from Taupo to Whitianga to Pokeno. We offer a free business assessment service to determine the priority needs of each business, and then will help plan how to develop and innovate to accelerate and sustain growth. We will signpost other providers that could help, and will determine a business’ eligibility for funding support from either the Capability Voucher programme or the R&D grants programme.
The Food Innovation Network capabilities are also delivered out of the Waikato Innovation Park
Training and Capability – Funding and Support to grow exports
Most business owners and managers are expert in the delivery of their core product or service, but nearly all admit to needing better skills in some areas to manage and lead their business. This is particularly true for businesses experiencing rapid growth or change in their exports.
The Business Growth programme can help you to identify and prioritise those skill gaps, and offer referrals to training or coaching programmes and providers to build that capability.
The Voucher program offers funding support towards training costs for eligible businesses. This support is available to businesses with a strong strategy for growth, with higher levels of support offered to those in the export value chain.
Research and Development - Funding and Support
Business research and development (R&D) is a key driver of innovation, business success and economic growth. Good ideas and smart research lead to new products and services, smarter ways of doing things and unique points of difference for your business. NZ’s most successful companies are those that invest regularly in R&D. We encourage you to become one of them.
Waikato Innovation Park delivers the Callaghan Innovation business investment and R&D support programme. We can invest into a company’s development programme if it offers the opportunity to grow and become internationally competitive. Small start-ups through to large established exporters can all qualify.
We’ll tailor our funding and support to meet your needs. Investment is usually provided at an average rate of 40% of the full cost of the R&D project spend. Or we may be able to help in other ways by advising you on R&D strategy or connecting you with technology, research or commercialisation experts.
Council Business Support
Council is ready to help big projects and developments navigate their way through all the different Council departments that will need to be involved.
For further information contact Colleen Litchfield.