default-output-block.skip-main
National | Bay of Plenty

Programme to support Kawerau businesses set to run again

A programme established to help businesses succeed in Kawerau will run for the third time.

Kawerau X Incubate is a 12-week programme that provides businesses with coaching in both group and one-on-one sessions for established organisations or emerging businesses wanting to launch a new product or service.

The programme has had five intakes, two in Kawerau and three in Rotorua, with more than 40 graduates.

Helen Stewart, director of KEA Inc says KEA is excited to offer Kawerau enterprises a third round of the programme.

“For Kawerau to thrive we need to support initiatives that will boost Kawerau’s economy.  It’s crucial that we help and support people who take the risk and start a business or social enterprise.”

“The Incubate programme offers a mix of coaching and training with the focus on participants setting goals, implementing actions and increasing success through business planning.  It teaches participants the importance of spending time working on the business and, after 12 weeks they will walk away with a business plan to help them succeed,”

“We have already had more than 20 participants through the programme in Kawerau and feedback has been extremely positive.”

“The training they receive is invaluable, but participants get the bonus of developing business networks. The groups support each other, learn from each other and help each other,” Ms Stewart says.

Since the programme's inception, many people within both Kawerau and Rotorua have found it beneficial.

One participant Debbie Henton was fed up with how long it was taking to make progress with her business initiative.  She saw the Incubate programme advertised and put her name forward.

“I found Incubate helped me with the accountability factor of just making time to focus on growing and improving the business.  It made all the difference,”

"It helped me make progress thanks to everyone's encouragement to just do it, in particular the programme director Darren McGarvie.  He kept us accountable to make progress and challenged us to challenge ourselves.”

Kawerau X Incubate will kick off later this month and local businesses and organisations are invited to apply for the programme online.

If you are interested, check out the website for more details.