The Entrepreneur Development Programme
The Entrepreneur Development Programme was launched in 2008 in response to a market shortage of entrepreneurs willing and able to create high growth businesses in New Zealand. Within six months of launching the programme, Upstart was nominated as a finalist in the Vero Excellence in Business Support Awards in the Education Category, based on the strength and innovation of the programme.
Participants are selected based on:
- Their entrepreneurial characteristics.
- Their passion and drive.
- Their desire and potential to create and lead a high growth business.
- Tenacity
- Success orientation
- Resourcefulness
- Can do attitude
- Communication and presentation skills
- Willingness to learn and coachability
It is common for participants to have some tertiary business qualifications, or to have demonstrated some entrepreneurial flair and tendencies.
Since its inception the Programme has evolved to provide participants with an opportunity to create and assess ideas for your own business, while benefiting from hands on experience investigating and commercialising inventions or startups…, all with the guidance and support of the Upstart team. During this time you will have the opportunity to develop your skills, talents and networks, and profit share. The term and hours associated with Programme are not fixed so it is suitable for people who may also be working or studying at the same time.
You will also have the opportunity to connect with, learn from, and work with other likeminded people in the Programme.
It’s hoped that by the end of the Programme the participant will have a business concept and foundation worthy of incubation.
Benefits of the Entrepreneur Development Programme
For Participants:
- “Hands on” learning programme.
- Access to new technologies and ideas from which to grow their own business.
- Grow the size of their business networks/connections to business partners.
- Smooths the transition into high growth business.
- Business guidance and support from experts in their fields.
The Community:
- Creation of new high-growth businesses in the community increases jobs and the wealth of the local economy and New Zealand.
Programme Content:
It is expected that while in the Programme the participant will experience a personal assessment including building an understanding of personality style, industry and business preferences, resource assessment, market validation and scoping, foundational concepts, sales and marketing, channel partnerships and internationalisation, finance and accounting, leveraging and building team, production/manufacturing, exit strategy.
Participants will have access to premises, mentors, networking opportunities with other entrepreneurs and participants, connection to partners and networks, and the possibility of a contribution of up to $5000 towards business growth and development.
Expressions of interest to join the Programme are invited now. Please email for further information or to request an application form. There is no charge to participate in the Programme.
Upstart also welcomes the opportunity to speak with students who are happy to volunteer their time and knowledge in exchange for work experience in high growth companies.
Upstart thanks sponsors and contributors to the Entrepreneur Development Programme:
