Raglan businesses ‘amped’ for free advice service

Raglan businesses flooded in to take advantage of the new free business support service that started at the Waikato District Council offices last week.

The free service is the result of a successful collaboration between Waikato District Council’s economic development team, Open Waikato, and Waikato Innovation Park.  It is available in Raglan on the second Thursday morning of every month, but the unprecedented demand for the first month saw last week’s sessions extended for the full day.  Bookings are now already coming in for the March sessions.

“We’re stoked at the uptake for the free service,” says Waikato Innovation Park business growth advisor Novell Gopal. “I’m pumped to meet with the businesses booked in as I can already see great potential for growth in export markets and R&D. They’re a very innovative group in Raglan.”

Waikato District Mayor Allan Sanson says, “We’re keen to support people and businesses that bring economic growth and employment to our communities so it’s great to see this service taking off so fast.”

The hour-long sessions offer local businesses the opportunity to meet with a business growth advisor to discuss their growth aspirations and to get advice about the tools they need to get there.

The service, part of the innovation network available in Tuakau, Paeroa, Tokoroa, Hamilton and now Raglan, offers start-ups and existing businesses advice on ways to seize growth opportunities, including exporting, and funding for research and development, and how to deal with technical roadblocks or take on new skills in order to do so.

Businesses who wish to book in for the service will need to be fast as March sessions are already being filled. Email info@openwaikato.co.nz, visit www.openwaikato.co.nz/invest for further information or phone 0800 252 626 to book in.

For more information please contact:

Crystal Beavis
Senior Communications Advisor
Waikato District Council
07 824 8633
communications@waidc.govt.nz