Getting a leg up on finance
An initiative which saw hundreds of female entrepreneurs pitch their business ventures in hopes of securing investment has been narrowed down to 10.
The initiative, called SheEO, was launched in New Zealand in October, fronted by former Telecom chief executive and My Food Bag co-founder Theresa Gattung.
SheEO is a global scheme which seeks 500 women to contribute $1000 each to create a funding pool of half a million dollars.
The money is then distributed among five female-led ventures as an interest-free loan.
Of the businesses that applied, 100 met the criteria, and 10 finalists were chosen.
The five winners will be announced next month.
One of the finalists is Nelsonbased chia seed energy drink company Chia, which was founded by Chloe Van Dyke in 2012.
In 2015, Chia began exporting to Asia, starting with Singapore which growing health food market, followed by Malaysia.
Last year, the company started selling its beverages in Hong Kong, with Taiwan next on the cards.
Another business hoping to make the final five is DermNet NZ.
DermNet NZ is an online skin disease website, which was founded by specialist dermatologist Dr Amanda Oakley.
The site, which claims to be the world’s most frequented medical website for skin diseases, has a database of photographs and information about skin.
Meanwhile, Rebecca Stewart and Ange Wither have pitched their social enterprise firm Pomegranate Kitchen.
The company employs former refugees who prepare Middle Eastern-style food for group catering events and individual lunch delivery.
Another company vying for the support of SheEO is the Memory Foundation, founded by sisters Gillian Eadie and Dr Allison Lamont.
The sisters write books, develop neuro-games and host memory training programmes to help people in their 50s and 60s build brain resilience and reduce the effects of memory loss in later life.
The other companies in the running include a skincare company, microartisanal goats cheese, and woollen blanket business.
SheEO was the brainchild of Canadian businesswoman Vicki Saunders, who operates the scheme in Canada and the US.
In December, Gattung said the investors, who were called ‘‘activators’’, not only gave money, but could offer their support and become a mentor.
‘‘It’s signing on to give women a leg up, because it’s so much harder for women at that stage of their business to get funding.’’
"It's signing on to give women a leg up, because it's so much harder for women at that stage of their business to get funding."
SheEO top 10 finalists:
Chia - DermNet - Dove River Peonies - Guardian Angel Security - Little Yellow Bird Mama’s Brew Shop - Memory Foundation - Cilantro Cheese Pomegranate Kitchen ShearWarmth