Thanks to the generous sponsorship from Waiariki Institute of Technology, Mark Copeland Lawyer and Grow Rotorua we are about to kick off our third cohort of Incubate in Rotorua. This is a fully funded business capability programme to help launch and grow ideas.
Over 10 weeks participants will receive a spot in a co-working space, group coaching sessions and training modules to help them on the path of success.
For new (or new-ish) enterprises it is so important to get help and support. It can be overwhelming to start something from scratch and you have to be across so many different aspects – from marketing to planning, distribution and administration to name a few. You really need to be a jack of all trades when you first start out. Most often you are busy doing the doing that there is little time to work “on” your enterprise.
A recent study of successful entrepreneurs in the US asked them what they would do differently if they had their time over. Access to business coaching and strategic planning were common things at the top of the list.
The Incubate programme provides critical support, guidance and learnings for start-ups and young enterprises. It helps develop and embed a strategic approach to their idea, business or charity.
During 2014 we had 14 business and social entrepreneurs complete Incubate. Another 13 have just started in Kawerau. Feedback from participants has been extremely positive and that is has helped them focus on what they need to do be implementing and executing to be successful.
We urge anyone who has a business idea or whose commercial or social enterprise is less than two years old to put their name forward for the next cohort of Rotorua X Incubate. The programme will start mid-March and participants need to commit to attend a two hour session weekly for the duration of the programme.
Apply online at www.bit.ly/Incubate by Friday 6 March 2015.
Author: Darren McGarvie is the Chairman of the Rotorua X Charitable Trust and the Programme Director of Incubate.