This programme is a key action in the city’s post-Covid Economic Recovery Plan and it aims to boost support for business development.
It helps from the early stages of ideas through to the high growth and international potential of the business by giving appropriate support within the broader ecosystem.
ChristchurchNZ, University of Canterbury (UC) Business School, the Ara Institute of Canterbury, and the Ministry of Awesome through the Te Ōhaka - Centre for Growth & Innovation have decided to work together on the network.
Together they aim to identify, support, and accelerate the growth of Christchurch's most ambitious start-ups and scale-ups of businesses.
Acting Christchurch Mayor, Andrew Turner, said a joined-up approach to supporting new and growing businesses is an important area of focus for the city’s Economic Recovery Plan.
"Carving out a clear path for growth, providing expert advice, supporting risk-takers and connecting them with our business community offers a strong platform for growth and in turn for sustainable economic recovery”, said Turner.
ChristchurchNZ website stated, "Whether your business is moving into recovery mode and looking for guidance or is focused on building capability and growth, there are resources and support available through the Regional Business Partner Network (RBP) designed to help you"
Ministry Of Awesome, Chief Awesome Officer, Marian Johnson, said if you have a high growth startup idea the programme puts it into an incubation programme, allowing your startup to grow quickly with a global ambition.
This creates Christchurch to not just be a garden city but a 21st-century city where innovation is at its core.
ChristchurchNZ Commercial General Manager, Boyd Warren, said, "Our recovery plan has an immediate aim to save and grow jobs and in the medium/long term reposition Christchurch as a smart sustainable city to ensure intergenerational wellbeing."
"This combined approach will create pathways for smart ideas to quickly get the support needed to develop, grow and ultimately create more world-class businesses here in Ōtautahi Christchurch."
The partnership provides targeted support for high growth businesses, and those from Māori and Pacific communities, and includes incubation programmes, innovation challenges, business mentoring and access to investor and commercial networks.
