Hokitika Co.Starters graduate

Celebration night

Co.Starters is a nine-week business start-up and development programme that equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the insights, relationships and tools needed to turn business ideas into action.

The recent graduating class included a range of established and soon-to-open businesses. The group was supported by facilitators Hannah Fitzgibbon and Dave Ritchie, along with weekly guest speakers from the local business community.

The celebration night was hosted and catered by two of the programme’s graduates - Aaron Shaw at the soon-to-open Sunset Point Brewery and Col Pieper from Te Rere Organics and Kitchen.

DWC Programme Coordinator Rachel Doolan was impressed with the level of community support for the programme.

“It’s fantastic to see members of the Hokitika business community giving their time to come share knowledge and inspiration with these budding entrepreneurs.”

Ms. Fitzibbon said the Co.Starters Programme is a great introductory business course for new businesses and existing businesses who want to pivot, review or refine their offering.

“The participants learn technical business skills and information, but more importantly, they develop with a community of like-minded, values-driven people. It was a delight to facilitate Hokitika's recent cohort and to see the benefits of these courageous business people flowing into our region."

At the end of the celebration night the audience were asked to vote for the ‘best pitch’ and the graduates voted on the ‘most improved participant’.

Stephen Shrives took home the prize for best pitch of the night on his business Earth Star Concepts and Designs Ltd, while Liala Gianstefani, Panacea Natural Health, won the prize for most improved participant.

To register your interest in the Co.Starters programme, please contact DWC on events@dwc.org.nz