Budget Week Blow - Govt Axes Experts Backing Innovative Kiwi Start-Ups
Callaghan Innovation that supports the next wave of innovative Kiwi companies.
This Friday, 15 highly skilled business innovation advisers at Callaghan Innovation will be shown the door.
"The Government is sacking these smart and successful business advisors while loudly beating the drum about its economic growth agenda - it's hypocritical, and makes no sense," said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
The team supports Frontier Ventures - innovative start-ups in the science and technology area that have the potential to be world beaters.
"If the Government want to nurture the next Rocket Lab, then the wrap around services offered by the commercialisation team are exactly the support start-ups need to go to the next level.
"These are industry experts hired from the private sector who've been helping young companies navigate the commercial world and prepare them to scale up and succeed.
"This is fully funded, expert advice - a critical service being axed with a proven track record of success with no thought as to the impacts.
"There is no government agency picking up this work - the next wave of smart, innovative Kiwi entrepreneurs is being left high and dry. The service will not be picked up by the private sector as these companies are fledgling businesses with limited resources.
"It's ironic that the Government just last week announced additional venture capital funding but is pulling the rug from under the very service that helps start-ups get to the stage of being able to seek venture capital.
"Sacking these people is all about saving money, not securing a prosperous future for New Zealand - it's just another short-sighted decision by the Government without regard to consequences, as we have seen across the public sector."
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