Rotorua X to give a boost to start-ups and new organisations

Rotorua X is seeking applications for the third round of Incubate, a fully funded programme to help new businesses and social enterprises succeed and grow.

Over three months participants will receive a spot in a co-working space, group coaching sessions and training modules to build business capability to help them on the path of success.

The Incubate programme is free thanks to sponsorship from Waiariki Institute of Technology and Mark Copeland Lawyer. The programme was designed by Rotorua X, a charitable trust set up to inspire, grow and launch businesses and social enterprises in Rotorua. It is supported by other organisations including BDO, EMA, Flair Marketing and AdviseMe.

Rotorua X Chairman and Incubate Programme Director Darren McGarvie said this was the fifth Incubate programme to run; the third for Rotorua, and Kawerau kicked off their second cohort last week.

"Feedback from all participants has been really positive. This programme is making a difference to how participants set-up or run their business or organisation," he said.

"Establishing and growing a new enterprise is challenging. There are so many different things they need to be across. The Incubate programme gives the participants coaching and training to set goals, implement actions and increase overall success through business planning to help them work on their business or social enterprise," Mr McGarvie said.

"We have seen a wide range of participants through Incubate. They have ranged from fledging start-ups to existing businesses and charities who wanted to take their organisation to the next level from a diverse range of industries," Mr McGarvie said.

Hoani Kake a.k.a HAZADUZ completed the Incubate programme last December to help develop a business mindset to his musical career and he highly recommends others to apply.

"Being part of Incubate has changed the way I look at things. It encouraged me to concentrate on my business as full time work as opposed to a hobby, applying many of the different strategies I picked up from the coaching sessions," he said.

"Being surrounded by experienced business people and mentors was the most beneficial part of the programme. It exposed me to a range of people from different industries who I could call on for advice."

"I thoroughly enjoyed Incubate. It really helped me understand what I needed to do to advance my business," he said.

Local upcoming Fashion Designer Sarah Seerden also encourages other fledging business owners to go through the Incubate programme.

Through her experience with Incubate she now has a business running using marketing tactics and ideas that she wouldn’t have thought of originally.

"Incubate was so helpful to me and really helped develop my fashion design label and business. Having support when I needed it and meeting new people who are running their own business was really beneficial."

"It’s a great programme and I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to start their own business," Ms Seerden said.

Rotorua X Incubate will commence mid-March 2015. Local businesses and social enterprises are invited to register their interest online at www.bit.ly/Incubate