Planned Presentations:

Launching Your Deep Tech Startup: From Garage To Greatness

Jon Sandbrook, Investment Manager, WNT Ventures

It’s the entrepreneurial dream – build an international product with a huge opportunity and transform the world. It’s a long road, but some of the core ingredients for success are ubiquitous. In this topical and practical session deep tech investor Jon Sandbrook will share insights from the front lines of working with deep tech start-ups in some of NZ’s most innovative sectors, including aerospace. The time has never been better to take action and start building the companies and products that will underpin our future. Fortune favours the brave, and the informed, so this session is a great place to start.

Starting Up

Mads Moller, Lead Advisor and Oliviah Theyers-Collins, Programme Manager,  ThincLab Canterbury

An overview of the Canterbury startup ecosystem as it relates to the aerospace industry and the unique position we find ourselves in post COVID-19 . This talk will help you navigate the field of opportunities and support for starting and growing a startup venture right here in Christchurch.

Setting Up Your New Business The Right Way

Joelle Grace, Partner, Lane Neave

It is important to start out on the right foot when setting up your business.  Getting it wrong can put you, your ideas and your other interests at risk.  Joelle will discuss the options you should consider in starting your business including whether a company structure may be right for you, as well as other initial business structuring considerations.

Raising Capital In A Covid Environment

Peter McDonald, Investment Manager, NZTE Investment

Raising capital for innovative/ growth stage companies can be difficult in the best of times, what does this look like in a Covid environment? Peter will talk about how to best position your company for investment and the impact of investment flows in a Covid environment

The Start Up Environment & Callaghan Grants

John Hamilton, Business Advisor, CECC

For decades John has had his finger on the business pulse of what’s going on in Christchurch.  He’ll share his knowledge and insights.

The Genesis and Growth Of An Aerospace Company

Geoff Comber, General Manager, Nova Systems (NZ)

20 years ago, an RAAF fighter pilot had a good idea while completing his MBA, then from the front seat of a PC 9 aircraft he shared his idea with his flight test engineer.  From there, Nova Aerospace was created.  Now, with offices in Australia, NZ, UK and Singapore, and 700 people, Nova Systems is a leading system engineering consulting company that has branched out from their aerospace test and evaluation beginnings.  A talk on how it happened and where it is now.

Taking Flight: Social Licence, Sustainable Innovation And NZ’s Emerging UAM Industry

Anna Kominik, Country Director, Wisk NZ

Wisk New Zealand is working to certify and bring to market the world’s first self-flying, eVTOL air taxi. As a joint venture between The Boeing Company and California-based Kitty Hawk Corporation, the company is recognised internationally for not only its technological innovation but also for the relationships it has built across Government, with business, community and iwi.  In this talk, Anna presents the Wisk New Zealand story, its operations and the value of relationships in building a new industry.

Hope to see you at the event!

Aerospace Christchurch

A special thank you to our event sponsor Nova Systems, venue sponsor University of Canterbury and support by ChristchurchNZ.