Media release

17 May 2013

Innovative start-ups inspired by Wynyard Quarter

Arrive Supplied has won a hotly contested competition involving teams of Auckland entrepreneurs who had just 54 hours to develop new high-tech business ideas and take them from prototype to investment pitch.

Auckland Start-up Weekend, proudly sponsored by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), saw 79 entrepreneurs form 12 teams to pitch 40 innovative ideas in just 54 hours.

Participants seemed inspired by the event’s location, enjoying a weekend at the base of one of the country’s most internationally recognised high-tech and innovative design companies – Emirates Team New Zealand’s base in Wynyard Quarter.

“The creativity, innovation and determination displayed by the weekend’s participants was incredible – it’s a real testament to Auckland’s innovation eco-system, the work of the volunteer mentors representing some of the most successful existing tech company entrepreneurs and executives, and the business capability of its emerging entrepreneurs,” says Brett O’Riley, ATEED’s Chief Executive.

Arrive Supplied won for its strong concept to get essential supplies to visitors hotel rooms using e-commerce.

“Congratulations to Arrive Supplied. The concept fits well with ATEED’s ambition to encourage more visitors and drive their spend through applying greater innovation and a high-tech business approach, making it easy to utilise digital technology to source destination information, make bookings and communicate while in Auckland,” says Brett O’Riley.

“Auckland must continue to build on its strong base and develop more innovation based companies and entrepreneurs to achieve the ambitious growth targets set in the Economic Development Strategy.

“Sponsoring Auckland Start-up Weekend is just one way ATEED is helping entrepreneurs to understand their competitive advantage. That is crucial if Auckland is to meet its ambitious annual targets of regional export growth greater than 6 per cent, GDP growth greater than 5 per cent, and productivity greater than 2 per cent.

“ATEED is working with Waterfront Auckland and the private sector to establish an innovation precinct in Wynyard Quarter to support ICT and digital businesses – from start-ups to multinationals – to achieve global success and the Start-up event held in the heart of the Quarter was a taste of the kind of exciting innovation which will be showcased in the precinct in the future.”

After the weekend’s success, another is planned for Auckland in November this year.

Startup Weekend is a global movement of active entrepreneurs learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. It has staged over 400 events in 100 countries.

Ends

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