MARK TAYLOR / Stuff
Foreign diplomats mingle with regional business leaders at Waikato Innovation Park in Hamilton – now Soda has taken over as another key gear in the wheel of business development in the region.
Hamilton-based operator Soda Inc. has taken over as the agency that will help drive business growth in Waikato.
He was awarded the contract to be Waikato’s “regional business partner” after the economic development organization Te Waka decided not to proceed.
Soda expects to support about 500 Waikato businesses annually.
The regional business partner network is funded by the Government. It connects firms with advice, support, resources and funding to accelerate business growth, strengthen capacity and support entrepreneurship.
“In this new role, we will provide independent support and access to the wide range of government business growth support and funding available through the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment and Callaghan Innovation,” said Soda CEO Erin Wansbrough. said a statement.
Te Waka said he had decided earlier this year not to tender again for the regional business partner contract. It feels others are better placed to provide these services “enabling us to focus on more strategic impact initiatives across the region,” said Chairman Hamish Bell.