Media release
9 October 2012
The ICEHOUSE and ATEED partner to fuel city’s businesses
Top business growth centre The ICEHOUSE and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) have formalised
their partnership to help create an environment in which Auckland’s innovative high-growth businesses can thrive.
The partnership continues the two organisations’ history of working together to showcase Auckland’s innovation,
encourage research and development in high-tech sectors, and stimulate angel investment in promising companies.
The first component of ATEED’s $70,000 investment is its support of the New Zealand Angel Investment Showcase jointly
organised by The ICEHOUSE and ICE Angels. The event on 23 October in Auckland will give 15 companies the chance to
impress an invited audience of more than 200 potential investors.
Angel investors who attended last year’s Investment Showcase invested $2.5 million across 11 of the 17 start-ups which
presented. Companies which attracted investment covered the spectrum of industry sectors, including 1Above, Caldera
Health, Nextspace, Photonz, Nexus6 and MiniMonos.
ATEED Chief Executive Brett O’Riley says the collaboration with The ICEHOUSE is a great fit with the council
organisation’s vision: “ATEED is focused on delivering key priorities in Auckland’s Economic Development Strategy, which
was launched by the Mayor last month. This will create a city where innovation thrives, a city with a skilled workforce,
and a city of opportunity which attracts crucial investment.”
“Exciting collaborative developments such as the Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct, which will be a superb asset for
Auckland when the first stage is completed in 2014, are fertile ground for ATEED, The ICEHOUSE and other organisations
to ensure Auckland has a world-class business environment.” The ICEHOUSE CEO Andy Hamilton says he is pleased to make
the relationship official: "ATEED’s work with Auckland businesses complements our goal of significantly accelerating
growth of entrepreneurs and owner-managed businesses across the region.
“We are excited at the future possibilities of this partnership, given our common focus and the successful work we have
already done with ATEED."
Named one of the top 10 start-up business growth centres in the world by Forbes magazine, The ICEHOUSE is focused on
developing owner-managers and entrepreneurs who will shape the future of New Zealand’s economy. The ICEHOUSE has worked
with more than 3500 ambitious owner-managers – from start-ups to established multi-million dollar companies – and aims
to enable 1000 internationally capable, competitive and ultimately successful organisations by 2020. It has helped raise
more than $50 million capital through its Angel Investors group – New Zealand’s largest.
The partnership will also see the two organisations work together on initiatives including ICE Angels Chinese Group
(regular meetings of Chinese investors in Auckland) and The ICEHOUSE’s popular monthly entrepreneur events First
Wednesday for ambitious entrepreneurs.
Ends