Innovation Community

3months are a web and mobile-web software company who can take your vision and turn it into an award winning, world class web application. Our lean, agile development process, great open source technology (Ruby on Rails) and smart, friendly team means we can deliver working web software quickly (often in days or weeks) and cost effectively. We work with our clients in an environment of trust and transparency (clients often move in with us and truly become part of the team) where risks are shared, progress is constantly visible and change is embraced. Visit http://3months.com/

ACACIA LAW Did you hear about the takeaway place in Nelson that got into trouble from Burger King after calling its burger a “whopper” for 12 years? They could have avoided the drama (and expense) if they had spoken with Acacia Law first. Investing a few hundred dollars up front, could have saved them thousands in legal fees today. Want to know if your business is at risk of infringing the rights of Big Business? Can you afford not to spend $100 on an initial meeting with us? Excellent Intellectual Property advice does not have to come at a high price. We can tailor a package to your specific needs and ensure that it does not blow your budget.

Email us for a free (no obligation) IP information brochure brightideas@acacialaw.com - www.acacialaw.com

A J Park is New Zealand’s leading intellectual property (IP) law firm. They specialise in patents, trade marks, designs, and copyright. A J Park also has a team of IP litigation specialists, and a team of commercial lawyers who are experts in commercialising technologies. A J Park acts for around half of New Zealand’s top 100 companies, and represents the interests of almost half of global Fortune 500 companies in New Zealand. The firm was established in 1891 by Andrew John Park. Today in 2010, A J Park is regarded as the ‘clear leaders in IP’.

When you’ve got a bright idea, talk to us to make sure you get the right intellectual property advice. We can work with you to identify, protect and develop your intellectual property to create opportunities for the future as your idea and business grows. Knowing you have intellectual property is one thing. What you do with it is what makes the difference. Baldwins – working with innovators for 114 years.

Blue Dot is a local advisory firm that provides start-ups and small businesses with a comprehensive range of Human Resources expertise and services to reduce their workload, minimise risk, contain costs and accelerate business growth.

We understand the workplace factors that influence employee engagement and productivity and work with our clients to develop a workplace culture and management processes to support their strategy.

Get the most from your employees and achieve your goals. Sign up for regular HR tips at www.bluedot.co.nz

You need a great story to give your idea or business the wings to fly. Anamika Vasil works with innovative businesses that are launching a new product or service or want to take their business to the next level. She produces cost-effective communications and marketing strategies focused on lifting a business’s bottom line.
Anamika will identify the key messages that will set your business apart from your competitors and excite your target audiences, whether they are potential customers, partners or investors.

Anamika, who is founder of Communicator, has a wealth of experience working as a marketing and communications consultant with small and medium-sized businesses and understands their unique needs.

Anamika would love to have a chat about your business. Contact her on 021 494 005 or by email, anamika@communicator.co.nz. Visit her business success blog at www.kiwiswhofly.wordpress.com.

Dulux has been part of the New Zealand community since 1939, and today we are the country’s largest manufacturer of quality paint products. Throughout our history we’ve led the way, creating products for New Zealand’s unique conditions and formulated using only the highest quality materials.

Dulux offers an extensive range of products to meet your needs; interior, exterior, enamels, interior and exterior effects, metal protection, mould protection, prepcoats and ceiling. Plus the majority of Dulux products carry the tick of approval from Environmental Choice.

Luxurious and majestic, the Embassy Theatre is a state-of-the-art picture palace. With a large single screen in a beautifully refurbished auditorium, the Embassy offers an experience that harks back to the classic hey-day of cinema. Enjoy a glass of wine or antipasto platter while you watch anything from the latest blockbuster, subtle art-house film or returning classic. The Embassy Theatre also has a newly-restored lounge and foyer space; ideal for a wide range functions and events. Come along and experience for yourself this New Zealand icon, Wellington’s home of great films.

Ernst & Young’s worldwide Strategic Growth Markets Network is dedicated to serving the changing needs of rapid-growth companies. For more than 30 years, we’ve helped many of the world’s most dynamic and ambitious companies grow into market leaders. Whether working with early stage venture-backed businesses or international mid-cap companies, our professionals draw upon their extensive experience, insight and global resources to help your business achieve its potential. It’s how Ernst & Young makes a difference.

Foundry Creative is proud to be the creative agency behind the Bright Ideas Challenge brand and website. We believe that effective design can create change, drive loyalty, and increase presence in the marketplace. We have helped many New Zealand businesses launch their bright ideas, enabling them to grow and become hugely successful on the world stage.

Foundry Creative is a full service graphic design and branding agency based in Wellington. Check out some of our bright ideas at www.foundrycreative.co.nz.

We'll find the best people with the right skills, who are available to help your company solve its challenges from concept to commercialisation and all steps in between.

We provide confidential and fast access to new knowledge and skills to solve technical and market related questions. We use our extensive international networks featuring leading universities, research institutions and companies.

Chris Lipscombe is an experienced strategic planner, marketer and business adviser with a successful background in graphic design, publishing, marketing and IT. Chris established his company Ground Zero in 2000, providing strategic planning, capital-raising and business facilitation services to Wellington-based clients, with a particular focus on helping creative ICT companies enter offshore markets. Since 2004 he has been taking young business leaders to China, and brokering profitable business partnerships between companies in New Zealand and North Asia. Chris has tertiary qualifications in the arts, marketing and international relations, and is currently Deputy Chair of the Wellington-Xiamen Association.

With a long history of providing timely and sound Intellectual Property (IP) advice to inventors and innovators from its central Wellington base, Henry Hughes is your IP specialist. No business is too small or idea too big! As part of your team of specialist advisors we work with you to ensure appropriate and full cover for all your IP in New Zealand and beyond. Good luck to the Bright Idea Challenge entrants! Vist www.henryhughes.co.nz

The Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) is the body which represents professional engineers from all disciplines in New Zealand. The terms "engineering profession" and "professional engineer " are used by the Institution in the broadest possible way, to include all those who use a systematic process of analysis, design/synthesis and implementation, strive to operate in a responsible way, are governed by a code of ethics set by their peers, and engage in continuing professional development to maintain the currency of their competence.

IPENZ is committed to encouraging and supporting engineers at every stage of their career, and to promoting wider understanding of the profession in New Zealand.

Kea is New Zealand’s global network. Our mission is to connect New Zealand with the rest of the world by building a network of global citizens who take an active interest in the future of our country. Kea is especially committed to supporting organisations and individuals who help grow the New Zealand economy through international trade and investment, or help build New Zealand’s brand and reputation on the world stage.

Kea’s global headquarters are in Auckland and it operates four regional offices in Sydney, Shanghai, London and New York. We also maintain a growing network of Kea chapters and other affiliated groups across New Zealand and around the world.

Back in 2002, we launched with a thought: New Zealand needs a better banking alternative—a bank that provides real value for money, that has Kiwi values at heart, and that keeps Kiwi money where it belongs—right here, in New Zealand.

Just a few short years later, we have more than 650,000 customers, with hundreds more joining each week. We have more than 800 Kiwibank staff around the country and a nationwide ATM network. We're in more than 300 PostShops, which means we can stay open longer than other banks, even on weekends in many places.

KPMG Business Advisory is passionate about delivering the best service and solutions, tailor made and relevant to your business environment. Jon Holmes (Partner), Gavin Holley (Director) and the Wellington Business Advisory team are dedicated to assisting your business develop and improve no matter where you stand in the growth cycle.

At KPMG, we can assess your ‘bright idea’, review your current market position and your prospects for success and identify areas where you could benefit from strategic assistance. Our business is about providing practical solutions to help your business grow profitably and our main focus is on adding real value.

www.kpmg.com/nz

Massey University is New Zealand's defining university. Throughout its 80-year history Massey has played an important role in the development of New Zealand through its ground-breaking research and leadership in agri-food, creativity and commitment to innovation as well as close links with communities and industry.

Massey is a comprehensive, multi-campus university offering internationally recognised degree programmes in business, engineering and technology, sciences, design, humanities and social sciences, and finance.

The National Bank has been helping New Zealand businesses succeed for over 130 years.

As a National Bank Business Banking customer you’ll get your own dedicated Business Banking Manager who can connect you to specialist expertise when you need it. We realise that each business is different and through our invaluable business resource centre and free workshops, we can offer more than just banking.

From business planning to financing, talk to The National Bank about how we can help you turn your Bright Idea into reality.

Visit our business resource centre www.businessresourcentre.co.nz or our website www.nbnz.co.nz/business

Nature Coast Enterprise promotes the sustainable economic development of the region by providing support, information and assistance to the business community while attracting new resources and investment to Kapiti-Horowhenua. We undertake regional development projects by facilitating business – council – government liaison, developing industry cluster groups and business networking opportunities, hosting business functions and fostering employment and skills development.

Nature Coast Enterprise also promotes Kapiti and Horowhenua as a tourist destination through development of the region’s tourism strategy, marketing and branding. Services include product development, advice, information and training for tourism businesses.

The New Zealand Wind Energy Association (NZWEA) is a membership-based industry association. We work towards the development New Zealand’s wind as a reliable, sustainable, clean and commercially viable energy source. We believe wind energy can, and should, produce 20% of New Zealand’s electricity by 2030. Wind energy uses a mature and proven technology. Its fuel – the wind – is a reliable, free energy source that produces cost-competitive electricity without any greenhouse gas emissions.

QV is New Zealand's largest valuation, property information and property service provider. Our operations span the entire country, as well as Australia and the South Pacific. We carry out mass appraisals for rating and taxation purposes, assess market valuations in the residential, commercial and rural sectors, and provide property information, services and consulting at individual, corporate and national levels. QV’s Customer Solutions team is focused on driving innovation throughout QV in order to better meet customer needs. QV employs a “fresh-eyes” approach to do this though various brands, including QV, Darroch, QV Australia, Egan National Valuers (Aus) and PropertyIQ.

Rainey Collins has been providing quality professional legal services to business people just like you since 1919. However, far from being a “stuck-in-the-dark-ages” firm, we provide a modern approach in modern offices in the heart of the Wellington CBD. We assist small business owners, corporate and government clients and are passionate about helping individuals develop their bright ideas, both in the city and throughout New Zealand. Whether you are in business, or developing a business idea, you need all your legal bases covered. We can offer what many other lawyers cannot … a “one-stop-shop” … specialist legal advice in all areas relating to your business.

Like the clients he works with, Rumi is focused on quickly generating breakthrough ideas, or vision@speed as likes to refer to it.

But it’s the next step where Rumi has built his reputation – helping his clients take the ideas, muster the right team, and bring these innovative concepts through into a prototype or pilot; often involving himself in finding the key early-adopter market for the new innovation.

As Rumi says “when an idea is born, most people spend their time thinking about ‘how’ to do it; whereas you need to be thinking about ‘who’ you are going to partner with, to get the idea off the ground - crack that and the ‘how’ soon emerges.

If your team needs a creative boost to generate and realise some breakthrough ideas, Rumi would love to start the conversation with you – check out www.rumishivaz.com.

StarNow is an online casting and audition service designed to help casting professionals find talent.

Launched in London in 2004 by 3 Wellingtonians and ex TradeMe Developers, StarNow has over 1.4 million registered members around the world. Designed to help talent take control of their own careers they have placed over 120,000 casting calls and have some fantastic success stories. With a staff of 14 operating out of Wellington StarNow is the biggest casting website in the UK and is rapidly growing in Australia and NZ

www.starnow.co.nz

Sticky Pictures is a Wellington based boutique production company. It specialises in creating engaging, story driven, well executed content across a range of media, with a particular focus on film.

Operating since 2000, Sticky Pictures has had multiple success both locally and abroad, being the only New Zealand production company to win awards at the Cannes, Sundance, Berlin, Aspen, Mexico (to mention a few) film festivals for the same project.

Sticky Pictures unique and successful relationship with some of New Zealand’s most prominent companies continues to deliver benefits to both parties and are integral to Sticky’s commitment to development, integrity and quality.

Syro is a project management company specialising in marketing and communications. Ours is a team of seasoned professionals who have served on the front lines of the country's leading design, advertising and marketing organisations. We use our specialist knowledge in all aspects of communications to guide and lead the client and a team of suppliers to produce high quality, targeted, effective and measurable communications. If the beads on a bracelet represent the individual components of a communications project, we’re the string that pulls it all together. We take care of it, we take the pressure off, we make it work – we make it happen.

TechNZ has the expertise and resources to boost your research and development programme.

We help companies undertake vital research and develpment (R&D) projects. Innovation is an essential part of keeping a business sustainable and competitive.

We're the business arm of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, and each year commit nearly $50 million dollars to hundreds of New Zealand businesses.

TechNZ can provide funding of up to 50 percent to assist companies in developing their R&D projects.

The Church is a branded communications agency that creates content and conversation via graphic and interactive design, motion graphics and video.

Founded in 2000 by four young men with a bright idea and a dream to change an industry for the better, we are living proof that a spark can turn into a flame and eventually a fire.

We can’t wait to see your spark and bring your story to life. www.thechurch.co.nz

Founded by Sam Morgan in 1999, Trade Me now has over 2.5 million registered users and 5.5 million auctions listed per month. Apart from general goods, you can also find vehicles, property and jobs on the site.

With so many auctions, there are always a few stand-outs. Recent examples include a flying hovercraft, coffee breaks with Kiwi celebrities (supporting Oxfam), and 2x “captured ghosts”.
Trade Me also owns the dating site FindSomeone, accommodation sites Travelbug and Holiday Houses, and Old Friends.

Tuatahi Racing Axes & Saws manufacture racing/work axes and saws and export to over 20 countries.

Not only do we produce racing axes and saws for competition woodchopping, but over recent years have developed a working range of axes and saws. Feedback from customers has been excellent and this line is swiftly growing. Our customer base is extremely varied, from farmers wanting to cut scrub and firewood, to US Forest Service Employees using these tools in heritage area's.

Continual research and development is paramount and is crucial to supplying quality products of the highest standard.

Viclink helps staff and students turn the world-class research at Victoria University of Wellington into commercial opportunities.

Viclink supports entrepreneurs and researchers from throughout the University to bring their ideas to the community, whether working with industry collaborators to make discoveries into new products, supporting world class researchers to bring their methodology and knowledge to the general public, or mentoring, assisting and providing support for student businesses, our aim is always the same: making smart connections to bring the great ideas within the University out to the community.

The leader in independent vehicle inspections for your motoring peace of mind.

Vehicle Testing New Zealand (VTNZ) is NZ’s largest single provider of vehicle safety inspection services – many people know us from the 85 big orange testing stations we have around the country.

VTNZ’s core business is Warrant of Fitness and Certificate of Fitness inspections as an agent for the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA). We also offer Entry Certification vehicle registration, RUC, driver licensing, pre-purchase inspections and a new pre-service inspection called WoF+Check-Up.

Three important components of our customer value proposition are convenience (Check in… drive on), independence (we don’t do repairs) and trust (we are the vehicle safety experts).

WebFund engineers start-up success by cultivating ideas, people and resources as well as providing incubation, seed capital, strategic advice, governance, access to networks, technical know-how, and plenty of elbow-grease. Do you have what it takes to be our next investment?

Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) has had an important place in the Wellington region for over 100 years. It is the key regional provider of vocational and applied education, with over 150 programmes offered from its campuses in Petone and Wellington.

WelTec offers nationally and internationally recognised qualifications in disciplines ranging from Business, Information Technology, Hospitality, Sports and Recreation to Visual Arts, Creative Technologies, Engineering, Addiction Studies, Counselling and Construction. Programmes are offered from certificate and diplomas to the bachelor and graduate diplomas. With over 11,000 part and full-time students WelTec has flexible delivery options for almost all type of situation.

Find out why thousands of students choose to study at Whitireia each year... make your decision to gain an internationally recognised qualification with one of New Zealand’s leading education providers with Whitireia!

Whitireia Community Polytechnic is a New Zealand government owned quality education provider recognised internationally. At Whitireia we are committed to catering for undergraduate and postgraduate levels of study. Whitireia is also renowned for its industry links enabling it to consistently maintain current industry standards in its education leading to employment pathways.

Y&R Wellington is an advertising agency – evolving into an ideas agency, because we believe creativity is far more than just ads. We generate, produce and deliver smart ideas that get results for our clients. Our skills spread from research to strategy, brand, creative and media. We create ad campaigns, iPhone apps, social media movements, online tools and more. Our motto is to ‘resist the usual’ in order to produce work that generates change. Real change. Measurable and accountable change. The kind of change that shifts the category and repositions competitors. www.yr.co.nz