"Without commitment you never START but more importantly without consistency you never FINISH." Denzel Washington.

Join us to discuss potential support for your business idea.

Why should YOU attend this workshop

• YOU harnessing your entrepreneurship is the answer to unemployment
• YOU addressing underlying issues like trauma is the answer to your success
• YOU can be who you want to be!
• YOU can lead as you desire
• YOU are the master of your own waka

Workshop Objectives & Outcomes

Objective

• The objective of this workshop is to encourage entrepreneurship despite limited resources.
• The main aim is to discuss challenges and solutions/ tools to enhance access to finance by start-ups via different sources in New Zealand.

Outcomes

• Identifying which source of finance (Government funding, crowd funding, venture capital, angel investment group) is suitable for your business idea.
• Awareness of eligibility criteria and application process for each source of funding
• Finance options available including those for Māori & Pasifika businesses.
• What is the alternate course of action if you are not eligible for government funding.

Who should attend this workshop

This workshop is open to everyone and anyone who just needs to get started.

*Free for those on the unemployment benefit, volunteers, solo parents and youth (up to 24 years old). Terms and conditions apply.

About your presenter

INU AKEREI MARESALA-THOMSON - Co-Founder, Director and Chief Consultant at A & K Thomson Limited | Business Mentor for Ministry of Social Development (NZ) FlexiWage Business Startups Programme | Mentor for the Founders Institute of New Zealand | Chief Executive Officer Trust MYRIVR | Co-Founder and Director of Engagement and Innovations MYRIVR Technologies

Akerei is a multi award winning leader, entrepreneur, businessman, consultant, investor and founding member of the Founders Institute of New Zealand launched in 2020. He has 15+ years of experience creating and implementing business plans, research and delivering projects for public and private sectors, small businesses, and pre-launch start-ups. He has international experience in the USA, Europe, Middle East, South America, and Australasia. He has gained experience transitioning through several key roles, within the public and private sectors including Police Senior Sergeant, CEO, General Manager, Director, Governance, Commercial Relationships, Investor and Entrepreneur.

Behind all of these cool things however, Akerei was a child sex abuse victim, a suicide survivor, youth gang member and attended 4 high schools in New Zealand before being sent back to Samoa. His message is "we all are exposed to some form o f trauma in our lifetime. Some more than others. Having the resiliance to overcome those experiences can be the secret sauce to your success. So, dont aspire to make a living or just get a job, aspire to make a difference. The rest should fall in place.

RECENT CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Semi-finalist for the New Zealander of the Year Awards 2022 in the TradeMe Innovations Category

Nominated for Westpac Auckland Business Awards 2021

Recipient SAYN Award for Services to South Auckland Rangatahi 2021

Recipient Toloa Kenese Award, Ministry for Pacific Peoples 2021

Winner Pacific Business Trust Innovation Award 2020.

Recipient of Electoral Commission SunPix Leadership Award 2018.

Recipient of SBN Excellence in Innovation 2018.

Nominated for New Zealand Hi-Tech Solution for Public Good 2019.

Nominated for New Zealand Philanthropic People’s Choice Award 2019.

International keynote speaker on Leadership, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship