Stephanie joins judges
Innovate 2018 is open for business.
The competition is sponsored and run by BCC (Building Clever Companies), an organisation whose purpose is to promote innovation and business.
It has been running since 2013 and in 2017, Rachel Farrell and Stephanie Buckeridge from Dannevirke were among 20 selected from more than 100 entries to pitch their ideas to judges and reach the final of six.
Stephanie went on to compete in the final six and when the results were announced she was the first recipient, receiving a CQ Scholarship which entitled her to membership.
This was a huge accolade for Stephanie as you cannot apply — you have to be invited. Membership is for two years and the award is valued at nearly $4000 per year.
Since then she has been put into two groups of entrepreneurs, one group which provides mentoring in skills she needs and another in which she is able to mentor others in skills she has.
Already she has been hosted by three other members of her group, two in Wellington and one in Palmerston North, and expects soon to go to Invercargill for another before she hosts her group in Dannevirke.
She has found the whole experience extremely rewarding, gaining support and guidance from CEDA’s CEO Peter Ellingham and BCC CEO Dave Craig. Her Scrub Collab products are in wide demand and on August 4 her branding will become trademarked.
There is still much to do in the production and marketing of her products and Stephanie is looking forward to the process.
In the meantime, Stephanie has spoken as one of five “Young Guns” to 60 Year 12-13 secondary students at the NZ Business Week on Tuesday, July 9, hoping to inspire them with her own story of success.
She is also thrilled to be placed on the judging panel for the 2018 Innovate Challenge which is now open and closes with the finals in November.
Stephanie says the programme is slightly different from last year with money going to placegetters as well as the winner. She recommends people entering if they have a business idea.
Go to WWW.innovate2018.co.nz to enter.
■ Last November Stephanie was excited to receive her scholarship but was even more amazed when her name was called out a second time to receive the Mark Sainsbury Award worth $1000.