The $50,000 major prize winner was awarded to BIMcache, a new company that intends to deliver a suite of unique industry and software-specific tools to assist the work-flow process and productivity of building industry professionals and CAD software users. Their first product, BIMcache Manager, is initially targeted at the world’s fastest growing and most popular CAD software package which has 320,000+ users and growth of 30% per annum. Orders have already been placed by seven large international architecture, engineering and design practices for this product even though the product is not scheduled for release until next month.

BIMcache will receive $30,000 in seed capital to grow their new enterprise, and approximately $20,000 of in-kind professional support services, while two runner-up prizes of $5,000 cash each were awarded to Life Incorporated and BONZ.

Life Inc, which produces environmentally friendly bottled water, was chosen for its environmental point of difference that is enabling it to take advantage of a market that is growing by 18% per annum. Their revolutionary bottles and labels - made from plant sugars - look and feel like traditional plastic but are compostable to soil in just 8 weeks. Bottled water is just the first of many consumer products in the pipeline for Life as it looks to fully utilise biopolymers.

BONZ is an idea to commercialise a new biomaterial based on significant research and IP developed by a team of scientists within Victoria University. This technology will address an unmet need: a manufactured bioceramic capable of replacing bone and teeth. In an industry like orthopaedics this will solve major problems such as bone grafts replying on human tissue donors, metals or plastics used in joint replacements not lasting long enough and needing to be replaced, and the fact that the human skeleton does not accept any of these materials as part of the skeleton. While still very early stage at this point the judges selected this as a runner-up due to its enormous global potential and potential applications across a wide range of industries.

The nine entrants, chosen from almost 200 entries, were selected to pitch their ideas to a judging panel of some of Wellington region’s most successful entrepreneurs and investors. These final nine applicants each had only twelve minutes, on the cable car’s climb to the top of the hill and back again, to convince the judges that their business idea should win the major prize.

This year’s judges included Sam Morgan of TradeMe fame, Sarah Gibbs of global skincare company Trilogy, Dion Mortenson from Movac, venture capitalist Mark Dossor and current MP and serial entrepreneur Mark Blumsky who chaired the judging panel.

The final nine shortlisted entrants each have only seven minutes, on the cable car’s climb to the top of the hill, to convince the judges that they should be the $50,000 major prize winner.

Business ideas selected by the judges for the final stage were extremely diverse and ranged from the utilisation of technologies such as GPS and mobile internet through to more traditional businesses such as clothing manufacture and beverages.

Over the past two months shortlisted entrants have received high value business coaching and specialist advice from competition partners such as Deloitte, Bank of New Zealand, Escalator, Ellis Verboeket and Terry, Foundation for Research Science and Technology, Rogen SI, The Business Centre and Grow Wellington.

After receiving all this, nine businesses have been selected to pitch their ideas to some of the Wellington region’s most successful entrepreneurs. Most of the Judges from last year have returned including Sam Morgan of TradeMe fame, Rod Drury from Xero, Dion Mortenson from Movac and venture capitalist Mark Dossor. Sarah Gibbs of Trilogy has joined the panel this year along with Mark Blumsky who will chair the judging panel.

The winners will be announced on Thursday night at a function hosted by Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast on behalf of the major sponsor Wellington City Council. The shortlist include:

BIMcache
BONZ
Instinct Entertainment
Knowhere.co.nz
Life Inc
Skinny malinky
ToBe
Unite and Prosper
Valuecruncher

Successful applicants are

Baby Angel
Beyound the Grid
BIMcache
BONZ
Create-Ed
Deluxe Industries
Final Furniture
Gabrielle Sorenson
Getsmart
Instinct Entertainment
Katalyst Lighting
Kathleen Ferrier
Konrad Hickson
Knowhere.co.nz
Life Inc
LittleBell Productions
Miki Szikszai
Ooortnews
Skinny malinky
The Boyd Method
Tinker Doodle
ToBe
Unite and Prosper
Valuecruncher
Webstruxure
Webstuffdone

Congratulations if you have been shortlisted for Stage 2.

Do you have a business idea that is waiting to take off?

Grow Wellington is looking for the next generation of business superstars in the Wellington region; we want to find them and help them develop into vibrant world-class enterprises.

“Activate” is an intensive four-month programme that has been designed by Grow Wellington’s business incubator, Creative HQ, to help entrepreneurs get focused and turn their business ideas into reality.

To find out more check out www.growwellington.co.nz/activate

Good luck