(MENAFNEditorial)
TAURANGA – 23 January 2015: Wharf42 the New Zealand-based business connector focused on identifying high-potential NZ technology start-ups getting them to Silicon Valley and plugging them into that region’s vast technology ecosystem today announced the launch of its 2015 Silicon Valley Acceleration Program Meteoroid.
At the launch event hosted by the Basestation Innovation hub in Tauranga the invited audience heard from a number of high profile speakers including: Jim Donegan United States Consul General to New Zealand; Hon Simon Bridges Minister of Energy & Resources Minister of Transport & Deputy Leader of the House; Peter Withers inaugural Regional Director Americas for TradeNZ (now NZTE) & Chair of the MBA Executive Council (2013-2014); Graeme Muller Chief Executive New Zealand Technology Industry Association; and Peter Wren-Hilton Founder of Wharf42.
The Meteoroid Program has been designed to enable New Zealand startup and early stage ICT businesses accelerate their entry into Silicon Valley. Accessing relevant business development and investor networks in Silicon Valley is a key component of the Program. That is why this New Zealand managed program will be run out of the Plug and Play Tech Center Silicon Valley’s largest business incubator.
Peter Wren-Hilton Wharf42 founder says “Our Silicon Valley team is made up of a group of experienced entrepreneurs and sophisticated investors. This team is dedicated to supporting the Program by facilitating access to the Valley’s extensive eco-system of angel investor networks venture capitalists tech and corporate partners”.
“In New Zealand” Wren-Hilton continued “we are working with a number of service partners whose experience of Silicon Valley and the North American market will help the startup and early stage businesses accepted into the Meteoroid Program prepare for market entry. We are hugely excited by the opportunity that the Meteoroid Program will bring to New Zealand’s rapidly growing ICT sector”.
Jupe Tan VP Plug and Play International says “Headquartered in Sunnyvale CA Plug and Play’s global network includes 300+ tech startups 30+EIRs and a community of leading universities and corporate partners. With over 100 VCs over 50 strategic corporate investors and Plug and Play internal funding our access to potential investors is unparalleled”.
Tan continued: “We are delighted to partner with the Meteoroid Program. We are working with Wharf42 to provide access to the mentoring investment and corporate partner networks that will enable New Zealand entrepreneurs connect with Silicon Valley’s vast innovation ecosystem”.
Wharf42′s 2015 Meteoroid Acceleration Program will commence in June 2015. Details of the Meteoroid Program can be found at www.meteoroid.co.nz
About Wharf42
Wharf42 is dedicated to assisting New Zealand start-up and early stage companies connect with Silicon Valley the world’s leading innovation hub. With offices in both Tauranga New Zealand and Sunnyvale CA Wharf42 provides mentorship support and growth capital to its portfolio companies.
For more information please check out www.wharf42.co.nz
About Plug and Play
Plug and Play is a startup accelerator specializing in growing technology startups. Headquartered in Sunnyvale California Plug and Play’s global network includes over 300 tech startups 180 investors and a community of leading Universities and Corporate partners.
Globally Plug and Play International has launched programs and activities in Singapore Canada Spain Russia and Germany.
Since its founding in 2006 Plug and Play startups have raised over US$1.2 Billion in funding. In 2013 alone Plug and Play invested in over 80 startups globally in 10 countries. From unique industry networking events to education-emersion programs international programs to M&A Plug and Play has everything tech startups need to get organized connect and grow.
Plug and Play portfolio companies include PayPal Lending Club Danger and Dropbox.
For more information please check out www.plugandplaytechcenter.com
Media Enquiries:
Peter Wren-Hilton
Wharf42
e: peter@wharf42.co.nz
m: +6421791120
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.