Sophie Wiltshier: Helping Entrepreneurs Innovate
Sophie Wiltshier works for Callaghan Innovation. The government agency helps businesses commercialise research and development.
SQL: Describe your job and how long have you been supporting the Queenstown Lakes district?
Sophie: The Government announced in January that we are going to be transferred to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and some of the new Primary Resource Organisations (PROs) that are going to be setup. I’m a customer navigator, so I look after about 50 Frontier Ventures across Aotearoa. Over the last three years, I’ve supported businesses that are accessing research and development funding to the value of about $3 million, just for my customers alone.
Picture: Sophie mentoring a team at Startup Weekend Queenstown.
SQL: How did you get involved with Startup Queenstown Lakes?
Sophie: I met Marco and Janine, then the first real event I was able to contribute to was the 2023 Startup Weekend, which involved mentoring and guiding the teams and the competitors. We had some really cool people, and it was a wonderful initiative to work closely with them, helping shape their ideas in a fast-and-furious 54 hours.
SQL: How has supporting SQL programs and workshops impacted your role?
Sophie: I meet incredible local innovators through SQL, that I wouldn’t have otherwise met, those that have a grand idea, and I relish the chance to connect them to the innovation ecosystem. It’s a network, and the power of our local and regional economy comes from the dedicated people that are here.
I often get called upon to go through my little black book to keep connecting those more established entrepreneurs with the SQL team, that can be mentors or speakers for events, to share their stories for fledgling startups.
Picture: Sophie supporting innovation and growth.
SQL: What impact do you think you have supporting SQL and its founders?
Sophie: I help prepare startup founders for their commercialisation journey and the biggest impact is being here for them and keeping them on track and accountable. Being a founder can be a lonely journey, but SQL are the team that champion founders and provide real support they can rely on.
I enjoy getting creative in how to run a business; everyone is different. I volunteer with SQL by attending events, meeting founders, and keeping our Central Otago region connected to the wider ecosystem - be it through our Regional Business Partner Network, Business Mentors, and Founder Support Programmes.
As a reminder, grants and tax incentives will remain available to all founders that need financial support to de-risk their investment in research and development.
SQL: How would you describe SQL in one word?
Sophie: Ambitious.
Story written by Startup Queenstown Lakes