Media Release
For release: 4 September 2013
Health drink maker wins business kick-start
- Firms from Nelson, Bay of Plenty and Auckland win top prizes in ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Contest -
A Nelson firm that makes ‘superfood’-based drinks for the health conscious has taken out one of New Zealand’s top
business awards after pitching its business plan to a Dragon’s Den-style panel of expert judges in Wellington today.
Chia Limited won the ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Competition supreme award for the best overall business plan. The
award comes with a prize package worth more than $58,000 to further grow the business.
Bay of Plenty-based natural children’s products company The Little Adventure and Auckland’s Oncall Systems, which
developed a revolutionary web and smartphone-based replacement for personal pagers in hospitals, took out second and
third prizes respectively. Each received a $5000 cash award from ANZ.
Fourteen regional winners received a $1000 prize. To see all the regional winners go to: www.anz.co.nz/flyingstart
Fred Ohlsson, Managing Director of ANZ Business Banking, says: “These are true leaders in innovation and
entrepreneurship whose ambition is backed with detailed business plans to carry their ideas through to commercial
success. These awards give them the recognition they deserve and will help them unleash their exciting business
potential.”
This is the third year of the ANZ Flying Start competition, sponsored by ANZ in partnership with business.govt.nz, which
aims to highlight the importance of good business planning.
“A strong business plan is a key part of building any successful business. That’s why we’re proud to continue our
partnership with business.govt.nz through our sponsorship of the ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Competition. The quality
of the more than 600 entries from across the country shows great promise for the future of the small business sector and
the New Zealand economy,” says Mr Ohlsson.
ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Contest supreme award: Chia Limited
Chia Limited produces naturally flavoured bottled drinks containing the chia seed, a natural ‘superfood’ that is a rich
source of vegetable Omega 3, complete protein, minerals, electrolytes, fibre, and antioxidants. The Nelson-based firm is
co-owned by father and daughter Ben and Chloe Van Dyke, who share a passion for health and sport.
Second prize: The Little Adventure
Bay of Plenty-based The Little Adventure, a natural baby and children’s products company based around a unique new wool
material, is the brainchild of Blythe and Anna Rees-Jones. They aim to take their new material (trademarked as
Naturesclip), and the Little Adventure products they make from it, to the world.
Third prize: Oncall Systems
Auckland-based Oncall Systems, founded by Dr Aidan Gill, is behind Smartpage, a revolutionary web and smartphone-based
communication system for use in hospitals instead of personal pagers. Smartpage allows nurses to send comprehensive
messages to smartphones, with immediate acknowledgment that their task is received. Messages are delivered in seconds
rather than minutes, and doctors can reply straight away.
ENDS