The Icehouse signs trans-tasman partnership deal

The Icehouse and muru-D, the Australian start-up accelerator, have entered a partnership for the benefit of start-ups on both sides of the Tasman.

The agreement will see muru-D and The Icehouse sharing best practice acceleration princples, connecting Australian and New Zealand start-ups and mentors, fast tracking their access to potential investors and customers, and extending the reach of the start-ups involved.

Annie Parker, muru-D co-founder says, "New Zealand is well-known for its healthy entrepreneurial environment, so it made sense for us to look across the Tasman for our first global partnership.

"In today's global economy we cannot operate in isolation; we're confident this partnership will help us secure and encourage the best entrepreneurial talent.

She says, "Our first muru-D global partnership will substantially increase the number of opportunities for both our current class and alumni, as The Icehouse gives us access to their extraordinary network of investors.

"The opportunities the muru-D start-ups can tap into through The Icehouse, particularly those seeking investors for Series A funding, are tremendous."

The Icehouse is one of the longest standing business growth hubs in New Zealand, and has been supporting owner-managers and entrepreneurs for more than a decade.

Andy Hamilton, The Icehouse CEO says, "Over the past 14 years we have helped more than 250 start-ups to raise $117m of funding, with nearly 50% of this funding coming from our fantastic angel investor network, ICE Angels.

"We've been very impressed with the calibre of muru-D's start-ups and the ecosystem it has built to support them.

"We're keen to leverage its excellent business and technology relationships and share our learnings, so that together we can help attract the best investors for our communities.

muru-D is a key part of the Telstra Software Group, who is currently focused on growing its global footprint.

Along with teaming up with The Icehouse, Telstra has recently made acquisitions and partnerships across Asia, Europe and the US.

Charlotte Yarkoni, Telstra Software Group president and muru-D co-founder, says, "The strategic partnerships muru-D are undertaking are key as we build a thriving global ecosystem of entrepreneurs.