MARK TAYLOR/Stuff
Foreign diplomats mingle with regional business leaders at Waikato Innovation Park in Hamilton – now Soda has taken over as another important cog in the wheel of business development in the region.
Hamilton-based operator Soda Inc has taken over as the agency which will help drive business growth in Waikato.
It’s gained the contract to be Waikato’s “regional business partner” after economic development organisation Te Waka decided against continuing.
Soda expects to support about 500 Waikato businesses annually.
The regional business partner network is funded by the Government. It connects firms to advice, support, resources and funding to accelerate business growth, strengthen capability and support entrepreneurship.
“In this new role we will provide independent support and enable access to the wide range of Government business growth support and funding available through Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment and Callaghan Innovation,” Soda chief executive Erin Wansbrough said in a statement.
Te Waka said it had decided not to re-tender for the regional business partner contract earlier this year. It felt others were better placed to provide these services ”allowing us to focus on more strategic impact initiatives across the region,” said chairperson Hamish Bell.
