Funding
Developing products can be a complex undertaking and financing can be challenging. It is important to have a good view on the cash flow requirements over an entire project and to understand your funding options. There are many different ways to get support, if and when it’s needed.
Research and development can be capitalised and can be considered at the outset, prior to any development. If an external investment is required to fund the programme, 6-12 months should typically be allowed to develop a business case and secure external funding.
The development of new materials, products, foods, and start-up businesses may require a more robust business case at an early stage to provide more detail about the variable applications and the financial requirements through commercialisation.
From NZTE capability vouchers to Callaghan funding, from Angel networks to crowd funding — we have worked with them all, and can help you navigate the funding landscape.
NZTE Capability Development Vouchers
If you have aspirations to grow your business you might also be eligible for a New Zealand Trade and Enterprise supported Capability Development Voucher, which is offered through the Regional Business Partners network. We are accredited under the NZTE program and offer a workshop series catered to your product development needs. The capability vouchers can be used as partial payment towards the cost of capability development and training.
The Art of Product Development
This workshop series is for start-ups, SMEs, or large corporate organisations, whether you’re pre-market, in launch mode, or seeking to grow post-launch. The Art of Product Development takes you inside Locus’s award winning integrated development approach which helps generate new insight-driven products that create a real impact.
We can help assess which workshops work best for your project and get you on your way to better innovation.
Each workshop consists of a series of presentations followed by team workshop sessions, designed to enable your company to become more successful in developing and delivering new products to market.
You can participate in all three workshops in the series or elect to attend the specific workshop that best suits your individual needs.
IDENTIFYING WINNING PRODUCTS
Explore the key reasons why you need to innovate. This workshop shows you the value and power of research to identify new insights, ideas, and opportunities. It will help you identify winning products early on and set up research and development projects for success.
Session length: 1 day
Full cost: $2,500
With voucher: $1,250
SUCCESSFUL PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
An effective product development process is your company’s most valuable asset. Locus will teach you to manage dynamic new product development programmes, from idea to final product, more quickly and easily, especially when the odds are stacked against you.
Session length: 1 day
Full cost: $2,500
With voucher: $1,250
CREATING MARKET VALUE
Providing a framework for how to commercialise new ideas successfully, this third workshop teaches you the fundamentals of commercialisation, portfolio planning, and innovation strategy. It helps you to plan your commercialisation strategy, create attention, engage the market, and perfect your entry.
Session length: 2 days
Full cost: $5,000
With voucher: $2,500
COMBINED SERIES
Get the full spectrum by completing all workshops. We can tailor each workshop to suit your unique situation.
Session length: 4 days
Full cost: $10,000
With voucher: $5,000
Callaghan Innovation
Callaghan Innovation provides support and R&D grants for the best of the best in New Zealand to inspire and pursue technological growth. We have been working closely with Callaghan over the years and know our way through the jungle.
They offer support, from early stage R&D developments, project-specific challenging R&D projects, to three-year grants aimed at increasing R&D investments. They aim to connect you with New Zealand’s innovation sector and business experts who’ll show you how to launch your idea as a business venture.
GETTING STARTED GRANTS
Are you in the early stages of R&D? The Getting Started grant will help take your product, process, or service from development to commercialisation.
PROJECT GRANTS
Is your business new to R&D or trying to expand it? A Project Grant can help you take on larger or more challenging R&D.
GROWTH GRANTS
Is your business an experienced R&D performer? This three-year Growth Grant will help you increase your R&D investment.
DISCOVER CALLAGHAN INNOVATION
Learn more about Callaghan Innovation grants by heading to their website here.
Angel Networks
Another pathway for investment is through Angel Investors; high-net-worth individuals that are passionate about investing in early-stage or start-up companies for an equity ownership interest.
Angel Networks have been steadily growing in NZ and are extremely important part of our innovation eco-system. Angels not only invest their money, they also invest their experience in business development and mentorship for start-ups. Expect a high quality, collaborative approach under strong governance.
We have been fortunate to have been working with Angel Investors on numerous projects and will continue doing so in the future. We are happy to chat to you about our experiences as well as how Angel Investment might work for you.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding can be a good piece of the puzzle for capital raising. It can be explored once a product or service is in the pre-production phase to raise money for tooling, or once it is ready for market.
This type of funding is aimed at gathering lots of small amounts from a large group of people. Typically, this is done through online platforms, like Kickstarter, which tends to work on a donation- or rewards-based system.
Another growing area is equity-based crowdfunding, where investors can own a piece of the company, starting with relatively low investments.
If you need funding at any stage in your development, contact us and we can help you explore your options and get you back on your feet.