BNZ Start-up Alley is an opportunity to take your start-up to the next level. It might just be the helping hand you need and it’s certainly a promotional opportunity you won’t get anywhere else.

8 Start-ups. 2 winners. There's 8 opportunities at Webstock ‘13 at the BNZ Start-up Alley. If your start-up is chosen you’ll be able to tell everyone at Webstock what you’re about and pitch your start-up to our panel of expert judges in front of a live audience. Two start-ups will win $10,000 and more!

The Finalists

And the eight finalists are:

The Judges

  • Rowan Simpson — Our MC

    Photo of Rowan Simpson

    Rowan Simpson is an experienced software developer, business person and investor. But (just between us) he has a secret passion to present a reality television show. This could be his big break!

  • Tom Coates

    Photo of Tom Coates

    Founder and president of Product Club, former Yahoo! Head of Product for product incubator Brickhouse & creator of Fire Eagle. Adviser to Lanyrd and Weathermob.

  • Miranda Mulligan

    Photo of Miranda Mulligan

    Journalist, designer and an Internaut! Executive Director of The Knight Lab. Formerly Design director for digital at The Boston Globe.

  • Rod Drury

    Photo of Rod Drury

    Rod Drury is CEO and founder of NZX-listed Xero. Rod was NZ Herald Business Leader of the year in 2012, in the New Zealand Hi-Tech Hall of Fame, NZ Hi-Tech Entrepreneur of the Year in 2006 and 2007, World Class New Zealander for ICT in 2008 and an Honorary Fellow of the NZ Computer Society.

  • Harry Ferreira

    Photo of Harry Ferreira

    Harry is the National Manager - Small Business at BNZ. He has lead impressive growth of BNZ's focus on NZ Small Businesses. Outside of BNZ he has started and run successful businesses of his own in both South Africa and New Zealand.

  • Stephen Bowe

    Photo of Stephen Bowe

    Stephen is Head of Online at BNZ. He has a wealth of experience when it comes to all things digital, and knows all about the speed at which the digital world moves! He relocated to NZ last year following a successful digital media career in Australia.

The Prize

Two finalists will each win:

  • $10K in cold, hard cash from BNZ to propel your start-up business
  • Return trip for 2 to Silicon Valley, San Francisco to meet with top international names in the web industry
  • Opportunity to meet influential people in the NZ web industry

As a finalist you will:

  • Receive a Small Business banking package from BNZ, including $500, great credit card terms, access to a business mentor and more.
  • Receive two free tickets to Webstock '13 — Thursday 14 and Friday 15 February.
  • Be able to create a space in Start-up Alley on the first day of Webstock, Thursday 14 February and promote yourself to attendees and speakers.
  • Be part of the BNZ Start-up Alley event on Thursday night at Webstock. Three minutes to pitch yourself to judges. Five minutes to answer their questions. All in front of a live audience.

Who can enter?

  • You need to be a start-up. It’s a loosely-defined word, but we know it when we see it.
  • You’ll have less than 5 employees.
  • You’ll be a New Zealand company.
  • You’ll be operating in the web/tech arena. We’re not too prescriptive about this but you’ll be within that broad focus.
  • You’ll probably be more than just an idea. While we’re not going to rule out someone with an idea for a start-up (because it may be that ONE IDEA TO RULE THEM ALL) we’re giving priority to working code, prototypes and customers.

The fine print

Please read the Terms and Conditions that apply to the event and competition. PDF version
By entering into this competition it is deemed you have read the Terms & Conditions
You agree to be used for promotional purposes by Webstock and the BNZ
You agree to interviews as required