ecentre business incubator showcases NZ’s upcoming startups

A diverse group of Kiwi startups have graduated from ecentre's Sprint Global programme, and will be featured at the annual ecentre Innovation Showcase in early August.

Sprint Global, the business incubator hosted by Massey University, selected 11 startups to take on the challenge of 'going global'.

ecentre's Innovation Showcase, held on 8 August, showcases startups at different stages on the innovation pipeline, from ideas to early stage businesses, all of which have set their sights on international growth.

Of those graduating, seven will take part in an in-market immersion week in Silicon Valley during October 2019, including attending the TechCrunch Disrupt conference and exhibiting in the New Zealand pavilion at Startup Alley hosted by ecentre.

ecentre CEO Jackie Young says, "We're thrilled to see our second cohort graduate from Sprint Global this year, ready to take on the challenge of going global.

"By giving founders access to mentors, sector experts, investors and other resources in the startup ecosystem, we've helped seed the next wave of startup success stories. We're looking forward to showcasing these dynamic founders who are fuelling New Zealand's startup ecosystem," Young says.

Sprint Global 2019 graduates include:

• Bee Intelligence: software and technology for precision apiculture from hive to jar (Wellington)
• Demandlytix: advanced analytics for business planning and management (Auckland)
• Narrative Muse: connecting audiences with women authors' and filmmakers' work (Auckland)
• Sparrows: tracking and monitoring of freight for supply chain and logistics insights (Auckland)
• Chippur: app-based employee wellbeing programme (Auckland)
• Guardian Angel Security: health and safety hardware/ software solutions for lone workers (Auckland)
• iLose: weight loss app for coaches and clients (Northland)
• Investify: investment research tools for retail investors (Auckland)
• PICMI: cloud-based software for simplifying the employment process for agricultural seasonal staff (Tasman)
• Trickle: beer tracking hardware/ software solution to minimise keg wastage in hospitality (Auckland)
• Yonder: digital assistants for smart tourism businesses (Taranaki)

More than 20 top entrepreneurs and experts shared their experiences with founders through ecentre's Sprint Global incubator programme, which is designed to help accelerate customer acquisition and raise awareness of global markets.

Young says, "We look forward to seeing this year's graduates build on their successes, as we have seen for previous graduates such as Niesh and Termius, who secured substantial support and investment following the Sprint programme.

Sprint Global is supported by foundation partners Massey University and Callaghan Innovation, along other partners and supporters including, Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED), EY and Hudson Gavin Martin.

Callaghan Innovation start-up programmes operation manager Max Thompson says, "Sprint Global has helped these tech-enabled businesses systematically work toward their product-market fit and accelerate the process of getting early customers.

As New Zealand's innovation agency, Callaghan Innovation provides funding for Sprint Global through its Founder Incubation Programme.

ATEED general manager economic development Pam Ford says startups play an important role in the local economy by making a significant contribution to economic growth.

She says, "As Auckland's economic development agency, ATEED's goal is to support the growth of quality jobs for all Aucklanders. One way we do this is by backing entrepreneurial culture and the job and investment opportunities it creates.

"We're delighted to work with accelerator programmes like Sprint Global, which are recognised internationally as having a positive impact on the growth and survival of startups," says Ford.