PowerUp is all about growing, connecting, and supporting ideas and capability, and harnessing the expertise and passion required to develop Taranaki’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Enterprises, ideas, and individuals will be supported and enabled as PowerUp connects them with a range of new and existing services and opportunities, helping to grow their capability, and broaden their understanding of what they thought possible.
We’ve built PowerUp to bring together Enterprise and bright ideas, and we’re working to build smart, connected communities, so ideas, entrepreneurship and innovation can continue to thrive in Taranaki.
We’re keeping it simple; as easy as one, two, three, with our Grow, Connect, Tell approach.
Grow
PowerUp Business Ready
Get business ready with PowerUp.
PowerUp Business Ready, delivered in partnership with SODA Inc., takes you through a 6-week programme, where you’ll gain the tools and knowledge to build and grow your business or progress your innovative idea.
If you’ve got the next big idea bubbling away, are a startup or an early-stage business PowerUp Business Ready is for you. You’ll have access to a framework and expertise to help you develop, build, and grow your business capability.
PowerUp Business Ready is FREE! It will only cost you your time and commitment.
After the six weeks, you also have the option to have a 1:1 consultation with a business coach to review your learnings, go through their business planning canvas and receive important feedback to ensure you’re Business Ready.
Key dates:
Applications open 11 April and will close 5 May 2023.
Successful participants will be notified no later than 15 May 2023.
Spaces are limited and the programme kicks off 23 May 2023.
Terms and conditions apply
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Week one |
Tuesday 23 May |
6pm – 8pm |
The Plymouth International, New Plymouth |
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Week two |
Monday 29 May |
6pm – 8pm |
Auto Lodge Motor Inn, New Plymouth |
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Week three |
Tuesday 6 June |
6pm – 8pm |
The Plymouth International, New Plymouth |
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Week four |
Tuesday 13 June |
6pm – 8pm |
The Plymouth International, New Plymouth |
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Week five |
Tuesday 20 June |
6pm – 8pm |
The Plymouth International, New Plymouth |
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Week six |
Tuesday 27 June |
6pm – 8.30pm |
The Plymouth International, New Plymouth |
PowerUp Kickstart
PowerUp Kickstart, an accelerator-style idea and pitching competition, ran in 2021 and 2022 to help build capability and confidence amongst the region's entrepreneurial community. Around 80 big thinkers joined a business programme to shape their business idea or progress their startups. The competition was narrowed down to five finalists who sold us their bright idea for the chance to pitch to win $10,000 cash to take their innovations to the next level.
PowerUp Kickstart 2022 finalists and winners, congratulations to:
Pam and Frey Livingston, Tokaora Diagnostics, PowerUp Kickstart 2022 winner
Paul Gledhill and Sophia Joy, Surface Swimgear, WITT People's Choice Award winner
Isaac and Cathi Drought, Planta
Michael Parker, Hiko Surf
Jayden Clark and Ashkan Azarkish, EzSoil
2021 finalists and winners:
Glen Stephens, Sol + Sea, PowerUp ideas Comp 2021 winner
Lauren Oehme and Leon Power, Nano Bubble Agritech, WITT People's Choice Award winner
Jenni Matheson and Mrinali Kumar, Kinda Ice Cream
Remy Zynfogel, Calypso Science
Karen Danenhauer, MamaGaia
Watch the highlights from our PowerUp Kickstart Finals Night
To keep up-to-date with all things PowerUp and the latest entrepreneurial inspiration and insights from people making it happen in Taranaki, sign up for our PowerUp email newsletters.
Connect
Entrepreneur Ecosystem
No enterprise or entrepreneur should operate in isolation. In Taranaki, there is an entire ecosystem of networks and support made up of many interdependent systems, agencies, businesses, and networks available to you, as entrepreneurs and enterprises, to ensure you have every opportunity to flourish. The guide will help you navigate through, and explore the ecosystem.
If you are an entrepreneur, a startup, or an established enterprise looking to innovate or grow, this guide will help you understand where you fit within the ecosystem. It will connect you with peers and guide you to the advice and support you require, no matter where you are on your journey.
Startup Taranaki
Startup Taranaki is a team of motived volunteers passionate about growing a strong, innovative and inclusive startup scene in the Taranaki region. Through events and programs, they inspire people to be brave in their actions and create companies that have a positive impact.
Get straightforward, free financial guidance for your business with NZTE money matters
Better financial planning and forecasting are the simplest tools you can use to create a more resilient business and prepare for growth.
NZTE Money Matters offers panel talks and one-to-one sessions with independent experts who can provide practical advice and answer your questions on everything from foreign exchange to forecasting to accessing grants and support.
Tell
PowerUp Podcast
Listen to our latest PowerUp Podcasts telling the stories of some of the region's entrepreneurs.
The PowerUp Podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Castbox and wherever you get your podcasts.
Subscribe now
Read about some of our innovative entrepreneurs
gallery
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