Wanaka’s business eco-system is heating up

With a busy year behind it the Centre of Unique Business Evolution (CUBE) in Wanaka is ramping up its efforts for 2017 with several initiatives planned to get underway in the New Year.

The CUBE is an economic development group and is charged with the development of innovative opportunities for existing local businesses, attracting new business to the Upper Clutha and helping grow the local economy.  It was established as part of a broader business development plan that was implemented in conjunction with the Gigatown Campaign in 2014.

Since inception the CUBE has established the collaborative co-working space ‘The Cell’ on Helwick street, held several Co.Starters courses (9 week programmes for start-ups and entrepreneurs - which has had 27 participants to date), facilitated the installation of fibre for high speed internet in the Wanaka CBD and hosted a range of expert advice drop-in sessions and events for start-ups and businesses. 

In July Jason Watkins was appointed Business Development Manager for the CUBE and the last five months have been spent working on ongoing CUBE initiatives and refining the framework for how the CUBE will engage with the Upper Clutha business community.  This framework will be known as the CUBE ‘square of engagement’ and is displayed on the CUBE website.

Jason says "the CUBE website is our shop window and people will be able to access a lot of useful information about the CUBE activities and up to date news and events.  We hope that visitors to the website will take the time to look around and see what may apply to them and their business endeavours.  We encourage people to go online and register on the site and this includes people looking for business support or those who may wish to volunteer their time as a business mentor”.

 Air New Zealand have partnered the CUBE and anyone who registers with the CUBE before the end of January 2017 will go in the draw for return flights for two to Auckland.  Jason says “we have received fantastic support from Air New Zealand for this registration campaign and this complements the ongoing support that the CUBE receives from its other key partners, QLDC, Ignite Wanaka and Chorus”.

This article was originally published by The CUBE and has been republished by Startup Queenstown Lakes to complete our archives.