<h3>Navigating the SME support networks</h3> <p>It can be daunting trying to decipher all the various subsidies and small business grants in NZ. What's worse is spending time investigating your options, only to discover you're not eligible.<br> </p> <p>But good business advice is also crucial in a crisis, and the more information you have about your current operations and your new business idea, the more help you'll be able to access. So, make sure you've spent some time in the business planning stage and have organised your finances before approaching any business advisors, mentors or funding officers.<br> </p> <p>Here are a range of support networks you can access (please note most funding grants are contributions to costs, for example, they may pay 50% of an approved price, rather than 100%).<br> </p> <h3>The Regional Business Partner Network (RBP)<br> </h3> <p>A regional business partner network between NZTE and Callaghan Innovation acts as a gateway to a wealth of advice, knowledge, capital raising and funding opportunities for SME businesses. Growth Advisors in 14 regions are available to assess your established business and help you connect with the right resources and experts to build capability and grow.<br> </p> <p>For more information and to register see: <a href="https://www.regionalbusinesspartners.co.nz/" target="_blank">www.regionalbusinesspartners.co.nz</a></p> <h3>Callaghan Innovation<br> </h3> <p>This New Zealand government-funded agency offers multiple grants that aim to promote research and development (R&amp;D). The principal grants are:<br> </p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.callaghaninnovation.govt.nz/grants/student-grants" target="_blank">Student grants</a>: you as an existing business can access a student at minimal cost to either help you on a specific project, commercialise the student's research project, or build links between your business and New Zealand universities to access additional R&amp;D opportunities.</li> <li><a href="https://www.callaghaninnovation.govt.nz/grants/getting-started-grants" target="_blank">Getting started grants</a>: A getting started grant will help you launch new R&amp;D activities from troubleshooting, basic prototyping, project planning, technical feasibility studies, development of an Intellectual Property strategy or determining product specifications and user requirements.</li> <li><a href="https://www.callaghaninnovation.govt.nz/grants/project-grants" target="_blank">Project grants:</a> build your knowledge by allowing your business to push boundaries and uncover new scientific or technical expertise and understanding.</li> <li><a href="https://www.callaghaninnovation.govt.nz/grants/growth-grants" target="_blank">Growth grants</a>: helping you build your business model offshore. Review the <a href="https://www.callaghaninnovation.govt.nz/sites/all/files/guidelines-growth-grants-evidencing-eligible-rd-rdi-2019.pdf" target="_blank">guidelines for eligibility</a>.</li> </ul> <p>Please note that these grants are for businesses that comply with Callaghan's criteria.<br> </p> <h3>Te Puni Kōkiri's Māori Business Growth Support<br> </h3> <p>Te Puni Kōkiri helps Māori business owners and entrepreneurs with co-funding from advisors who can provide business support and essential start-up costs for new ventures and help new businesses identify opportunities. To be eligible, most of your business owners must identify as Māori. In addition, you need a business plan and have attended Inland Revenue's Introduction to Business workshop. Find out more about Māori Business Growth <a href="https://www.tpk.govt.nz/en/whakamahia/maori-business-growth-support" target="_blank">here</a>.<br> </p> <h3>Kiwi Business Boost</h3> <p>The Kiwi Business Boost website offers various online events tailored to specific business challenges and sectors if you're looking for advice. So whether it's a deep dive into digital marketing or a guide to cyber-security, a wealth of material is available to help you learn.<br> </p> <p>For more information, see: <a href="https://www.tools.business.govt.nz/boost/events" target="_blank">https://www.tools.business.govt.nz/boost/events</a><br> </p> <h3>New Zealand Trade &amp; Enterprise<br> </h3> <p>If you're an exporter, NZTE is also offering specific advice on a range of business management topics:<br> </p> <ul> <li>Leading people &amp; wellbeing</li> <li>Cashflow</li> <li>International travel</li> <li>Freight &amp; logistics</li> <li>Managing risk</li> <li>Insurance</li> <li>Supply chain</li> <li>Staying connected with markets</li> </ul> <p>For more information, find out <a href="https://www.nzte.govt.nz/page/getting-started-with-nzte" target="_blank">how to get started</a>.<br> </p> <h3>Business Mentors New Zealand<br> </h3> <p>For a longer-term arrangement, Business Mentors New Zealand provides up to 12 months of confidential, one-on-one business mentoring for small business owners who are trading, want to grow, or need help to solve specific business challenges.<br> </p> <p>For more information, prices, and to register, <a href="https://www.businessmentors.org.nz/" target="_blank">click here</a>.<br> </p> <h3>Rātā Foundation<br> </h3> <p>The Rātā Foundation provides grants for not-for-profit organisations in Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury and Chatham Islands. The grants support operating costs and project costs, such as salaries, rent, administration costs and power and phone connection fees. Find out more <a href="https://ratafoundation.org.nz/en/funding" target="_blank">here</a>.<br> </p> <h3>Work and Income<br> </h3> <p>If you're a new business owner or out of work due to the local labour market, Work and Income may be able to help you. The Business Training and Advice Grant provides funding schemes to assist with business skills training, planning, advice, reporting and more. Find out more <a href="https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/business-training-and-advice-grant.html#null" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;<br> </p> <p>New businesses who need help to be self-sufficient may also be eligible for startup business grants to provide financial support for new equipment, legal costs, start-up stock, materials, renovations or one-off payment start-up costs.<br> </p> <p>&nbsp;Find out more <a href="https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/self-employment-start-up-payment.html#null" target="_blank">here</a>.<br> </p> <h3>Next steps<br> </h3> <ul> <li>Get in touch with ASB by <a href="https://www.asb.co.nz/small-business-banking/small-business-banking-options.html#contact-us" target="_self">enquiring online, visit a branch</a>, call 0800 272 222 or contact your banker for small business grant information or a small business loan.</li> <li>It's best to <a href="https://www.regionalbusinesspartners.co.nz/" target="_blank">contact</a> and register online with your local Regional Business Partner first. They will provide you with available government assistance options, such as small business grants, low-cost business advice and mentoring.&nbsp;</li> <li>Talk to other small businesses who have accessed grants or subsidies, find out what process they went through and ask for a referral.</li> <li>Ask everyone; you can find suitable grants through smaller business networks, industry associations, non-profit organisations and special interest groups.</li> </ul>