A start-ups full potential can only be achieved by successfully advancing on all fronts. The challenge is start-ups are often resource starved. The ICEHOUSE Incubation Programme fills this gap with customised support and mentoring that provide expertise, real-life experience and guidance on funding and connections to investors if considered appropriate.

The ICEHOUSE helps you acquire resources more efficiently by leveraging proven processes, Executives in Residence (EiRs) and a valuable network and partnerships. These people and processes are geared towards start-ups’ four “areas of crucial need”: Expertise, Environment, Networks, and Investment Assistance. These people and processes are geared towards start-ups’ four “areas of crucial need”: Expertise, Environment, Networks, and Investment Assistance.

1. Expertise
Receive access to ICEHOUSE EiRs and advisors. Our experts support you in all areas of business growth including:  strategy, market validation, funding and exit strategy, finance, product and service development, customer acquisition, marketing, sales, and governance.

2. Environment
Our incubation-focused environment is flush with specialist resources, events, seminars, and some of New Zealand’s top entrepreneurs.

3. Networks
Receive direct access and personal referrals to highly-skilled experts covering all business domains, technical fields, and geographies – both local and international.

4. Investment Assistance
We support our residents from pitch to funding. This includes developing strategies, identifying fund raising opportunities and accessing people and resources.

Benefits

All start-ups are different and all entrepreneurs have unique aspirations. As a result, the success of the start-ups going through the programme comes in many different forms. In general terms, the goal of the Incubation Programme is to help entrepreneurs create and grow successful companies with:

• Fully developed structure, systems and plans
• Effective governance and management
• Established trading record
• Steady turnover growth
• Global opportunities identified
• Likely to have attracted equity investment

Alternatively, working through the Incubation Programme with The ICEHOUSE may also result in a more rapid recognition that a start-up should not move forward. Realising this early saves entrepreneurs significant amounts of money, time, and grief.

Case Studies

Tracey Orange – Co-Founder of DirtyMan (ICEHOUSE Resident 2010 – current):

“Obviously there is cost involved with it [working with the ICEHOUSE] but for us that cost is minimal in comparison to everything else. It keeps everything going and if we are going do this then we are willing to fork out that money. We need that support and that advice. We now have a really strong understanding of the market and what needs to be done and that has been a key thing that has come out of the Incubation Programme. And even if DirtyMan hadn’t succeeded we would still come out of this learning a lot of things and would be ready to do something else.” 

To read more about DirtyMan’s journey with The ICEHOUSE download the full case study here.

Chris White – Co-founder and CEO of BigLittleBang (ICEHOUSE Resident 2008 – 2010)

“Being in The ICEHOUSE means there is somebody to talk through problems with, and even if they are not the person to solve the problem, they will help you find the right person to get the answers you need. The ICEHOUSE were also key in organising the seed funding for the company which enabled us to take the product from a demo to an actual working multi-player game that we could take to schools and get feedback from kids while using it. There was a lot of work done on investment material and pitches with The ICEHOUSE but then also reaching out to people in the investment community to get feedback before even making the first pitch – I don’t think I would have even started down that road without The ICEHOUSE because I wouldn’t have known what to do.”

To read more about BigLittleBang’s journey with The ICEHOUSE download the full case study here.

Glen Slater, INRO Technologies Ltd (ICEHOUSE Resident  2007 – 2008)

“The ICEHOUSE is a rocket shop that will put your business to the test! They require integrity and intellectual honesty from every entrepreneur who walks through their doors. They guided us through raising over $3m and building relationships with gorilla companies on a global scale. The ICEHOUSE – not for the faint of heart, but worth every heartbeat.”

Todd Wachrow, POCKETVouchers (ICEHOUSE Resident 2008 – 2009)

“The most beneficial experience I have had as an entrepreneur by a long way.  The processes and structures The ICEHOUSE delivered made me re-look at our business and go back to square one in some respects.  It’s real world, no-bullshit advice, from people who actually ran their own businesses.  Being around other start-up businesses in the incubator is also hugely motivating.  I learnt in three months what would have taken me 24 otherwise.”

Scott Blackwood, CEO, Unimarket (ICEHOUSE Resident 2006 – 2007)

“Every aspect of our business has benefited from the experience.  It helped me to figure out who we are and where we’re going and then accelerated the journey to get there.  The process was very engaging, but at the same time I managed to develop, sell and deliver our product to market.  I was reassured that we had a business model that would work, and I could perform with confidence.  My only regret is that we didn’t join the ICEHOUSE earlier.”

Marcus Whittington, co-founder, SentryBay (ICEHOUSE Resident 2001 – 2002)

“If your product needs to be international to become substantial you need to have the experience. You need someone who is going to assist you with the actual internationalisation of the product – someone who has done it before and understands the different business models you can choose – and how to implement them. For us we found those people via the ICEHOUSE. Without that support it would have been a lot harder to export successfully from New Zealand. Many entrepreneurs don’t understand that and that’s where they fall down. Paul Adam, our ICEHOUSE Mentor had experience in getting international venture capital and taking businesses overseas. That experience was very useful to us.”

Partnerships and Networks

Who you know isn’t everything – but it sure does help!  As a resident of the ICEHOUSE Incubation Programme you have access to our extensive network of staff, partners, associates, alumni, expats, mentors, companies, government agencies and potential customers.

The ICEHOUSE itself is a collaborative partnership between The University of Auckland Business School, BNZ, Boston Consulting Group, Telecom NZ, Ernst & Young, HP, Microsoft. These partners cover many business segments and can provide residents with a wide range of assistance, from legal advice through to technology and marketing expertise.

Some additional benefits Incubator residents gain from our network include:

• Access to world-renowned speakers, academics and business leaders at ICEHOUSE events.
• Regular workshops about issues central to start-ups like product development, market development, building teams, venture capital and intellectual property protection.
• Introductions to key government agencies who assist with development, market penetration and R&D, including NZ Trade & Enterprise, Investment New Zealand, the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, and Technology New Zealand.
• Access to the University of Auckland’s staff, research and business knowledge resources.
• Access to The ICEHOUSE partners’ international networks, including several offices in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Executives in Residence

EiRs are proven entrepreneurs and business leaders. They act as mentors and work one-on-one with residents of the ICE Start-up programmes, providing guidance and feedback and ensuring that all available resources are leveraged throughout the programme.

The ICEHOUSE is working with over 20 EiRs with different skills, experiences and background. You can find profiles of some of our current EiRs here.

Events

First Wednesday Seminar

On the First Wednesday of every month, The ICEHOUSE opens up to ambitious entrepreneurs who are hungry to understand the steps to start-up business success. The First Wednesday Seminar is an opportunity to spend an afternoon with the experts at The ICEHOUSE Business Growth Center and learn about our Five Rules of Successful Start-ups.

Find out more and register for the next workshop here.

Hatchery Entree Workshop for Start-up Entrepreneurs

The ICEHOUSE invites ambitious entrepreneurs who are hungry to understand the fundamentals of start-up success and learn more about the ICEHOUSE Hatchery Programme. The Workshop is designed for people that have a great idea and want to figure out the next steps. The Workshop  will give attendees an introduction to the three modules of the ICEHOUSE Hatchery Programme.

Find out more and register for the next workshop here.

Investment

The Incubation Programme costs $1,500 + GST per month, plus 6% ICEHOUSE equity in the business. Due to the highly customised nature of the programme the length varies a lot, but most start-ups progress through the programme within 6-12 months.

Find out More and Apply

• Find out More:
  • Download the Incubation Programme overview and
  • Contact Kevin Park on k.park@theicehouse.co.nz or 09 308 6203
• Apply :

1. Complete the Business Profile Form and email it to startup@theicehouse.co.nz. You are welcome to send a business plan or company overview with your application if you have one.
2. After reviewing the  Business Profile Form, successful applicants will be invited to a screening session.  This session will run for 30 minute with a panel of Executives in Residence, and  includes your presentation and Q & A time.
3. Applicants who meet criteria will receive an offer and agreement.