News
Festival Opening: Keynote Speaker Annah Stretton -
Mon 5th August – 9.00-9.45am We are excited and thrilled to have Annah Stretton as the keynote speaker for the opening event of the inaugural Rotorua Innovation Festival Taiopenga Auaha 2019. Annah is a perfect fit for #Innovate2019; a four-day…
Empowering Women to Break the Cycle -
Mon 5th August – 10.00-10.45am Reclaim Another Woman (RAW) is an innovative New Zealand first. It is a programme that works to break the cycle of female repeat offenders. Annah Stretton will share how her social enterprise RAW is helping…
Connecting Tamariki and the Environment -
Mon 5th August – 11.00-12.00pm Tiaki Early Learning Centre on the shores of Lake Rotorua at Hinemoa Point has received many accolades for their innovative approach to fostering environmental guardianship in pre-schoolers. They are teaching the next generation from an…
Rotorua Innovation Festival: A Solution for Mental Health, Trauma Recovery and Anxiety -
Mon 5th August – 1.00-2.00pm There is no doubt that we are facing a mental health epidemic. It’s evident in the news, our communities and even among our friends and family. The Thrive Programme is a completely new and innovative…
Environmental challenges and their impact on our lives -
Mon 5th August 2.15-3.15pm Details to come …. Date/Time: Monday 6th August 2.15-3.15pm Rotorua Lakes Council – Council Chambers – 1061 Haupapa St, Rotorua Complete the registration form below to attend any of the Innovation Festival events. For more info…
How to Best Use Your Intellectual Property -
Mon 5th August 3.30-5.00pm In a global world where things are shared instantly on social media it is crucial you are aware of all the tools available to identify and commercialise your intellectual property. Mark from Mark Copeland Lawyers will…
What is Social Enterprise -
Tues 6th August 9.00-10.00am Darren McGarvie will cover what is social enterprise and things you need to consider when launching your own social enterprise. Date/Time: Tuesday 6th August 9.00-10.00am Rotorua Lakes Council – Council Chambers – 1061 Haupapa St, Rotorua…
Finding Your Motivation (Your Ikigai) -
Tues 6th August 10.15-11.15am Staying motivated is crucial to launch and grow commercial and social enterprises. This session Darren McGarvie from Firestation will help you unlock ways to motivate yourself to achieve your goals for your enterprise. Date/Time: Tuesday 6th…
Effective Boards -
Tues 6th August 1.30-2.30pm Governance is a major factor in the success and sustainability of an enterprise. An effective board should drive an organisation’s purpose, culture, oversight and legal compliance. Join Darren McGarvie co-founder of Firestation and Chair of Rotorua…
Online Marketing Essentials -
Tues 6th August 11.30-1.00pm Marketing is essential for any commercial or social enterprise. Rachael McGarvie, co-founder of Firestation and Trustee of Rotorua X, will cover the foundations you need in place plus how to drive your organisation forward with online…
Developing your Innovative Edge -
Tues 6th August 2.45-3.45pm This session covers the basic numbers you should understand for businesses and non-profits. Darren McGarvie co-founder of Firestation and Chair of Rotorua X will go through: Help define and evolve your idea. Darren McGarvie co-founder of…
Understanding your Numbers -
Tues 6th August – 4.00-5.00pm This session covers the basic numbers you should understand for businesses and non-profits. Darren McGarvie co-founder of Firestation and Chair of Rotorua X will go through: * How to understand your financial numbers * Whether…
Successful Angel Investment -
Wed 7th August – 10.15-11.15am Do you think angel investment could be the golden egg for your business or start-up? Join us for this session with Angel Investor Julian So, who will answer all your questions such as: * What…
Lighting up workplace health -
Wed 7th August – 11.30-12.30pm There is a greater focus on employee health and well-being than ever before. Join us for this session for Clark Nemeth from Antipodes LED to share how innovative workplace lighting can not only save you…
Launching eco-friendly inspired brands -
Wed 7th August – 1.00-1.45pm All organisations need to master telling their story and purpose. Melissa Woods, co-owner of award-winning brand agency Woods Brand Innovation will share her journey of launching Salt Bags NZ and weaving her purpose into the…
NZ Tech Business Success: From Launch to Sale. -
Wed 7th August – 2.00-3.00pm Hadleigh Ford is the founder of SwipedOn, an app based visitor management system. He will share his journey launching a business, securing $1million in angel investment and then successfully selling the business for $11 million…
Rotorua Innovation Festival: Keynote Speaker – Mark Lucas – Rotorua X Connect Event -
Wed 7th August – 5.30-7.00pm Ten years ago Rotorua X launched to provide a different type of business event that focused on connection and inspiration. An event for the future leaders of our town. In today’s entrepreneurial speak we disrupted…
Grant Panel Q&A -
Thurs 8th August – 9.30-10.30am Ever wondered how grants are decided? Wanted to ask the funding organisations questions to improve your grant application success? This session is your chance. We have a selection of Bay of Plenty grant organisation representatives…
Successful Sponsorship Pitches -
Thurs 8th August – 11.00-12.00pm Raising sponsorship can be hard, especially for smaller and newer social enterprises and charities. Rachael McGarvie trustee of Rotorua X and co-founder of Firestation will talk you through creating an effective sponsorship pitch deck and…
Rotorua Innovation Festival Close: Keynote Speaker Tiny Deane -
Thurs 8th Aug – 4.00-5.00pm To celebrate the closing of the inaugural Rotorua Innovation Festival Taiopenga Auaha 2019, we are thrilled to have Tiny Deane as our keynote speaker. Homelessness is an ever-increasing issue in New Zealand. Tiny Deane, from…
Get Ready for Online Marketing – 4hr workshop -
Many business owners make the mistake of thinking they can dive straight into using Facebook, Instagram and Google Ads without any sort of plan. It’s a real hit and miss strategy. Sometimes it can work, but a lot of the…
Online Marketing Course -
Online marketing is crucial to ALL businesses and social enterprises. But there are so many different components to marketing your business online it can be overwhelming. This online marketing course will go through each component one week at a time…
Subsidised business training in Rotorua – Applications open for March-April cohorts -
Applications are open for the next round of subsidised business training in Rotorua, suitable from people who have an idea for a business through to a small business that has been operating less than five years. ACTIVATE This is our…
INCUBATE Case Study – The Event Girl -
Rebekah had a boutique wedding and event planning services business for over three years when a friend urged her to apply for INCUBATE. She had only just left paid employment to focus fully on growing her business. “This course has…
INCUBATE Case Study – La More Sweets -
Linda and Ian had owned a sweets and ice-cream business in Tirau for eight months before signing up for the INCUBATE Programme. Their shop La More Sweets sells range of international sweets, old time favourites and a growing range of…