Southland company receives funding for teaching resource

Essential Resources is a Southland success story – a young, fast-growing educational exporter that is using regional alliances to advance new innovations.

The Invercargill-based company publishes teaching resources in print and ebook formats for schools in New Zealand, Australia, the UK and other overseas markets. Essential Resources has always been quick to adopt technological advancements, but new innovative tools take time, capital and a great deal of hard work to get them from concept to working model. Poised to launch iUgo, its new, online curriculum planning tool for New Zealand teachers, the company has received a very welcome grant of $170,000 from the Ministry of Science and Innovation (MSI).

“The ability to access funding essentially came about through local networks,” Essential Resources Managing Director, Nicola Smith, said.

The company’s accountant, Graham Dick, raised the idea of looking for export funding opportunities. After a couple of phone calls they made contact with Venture Southland’s Enterprise Services Manager, Alistair Adam. He assisted with the first, smaller, funding application; hosted the Ministry of Science and Innovation’s (MSI) Senior Business Manager, Sue Pauwels, in Invercargill; and supported the application for the larger Innovation grant.

“The whole process really makes you plan and assess what you’re doing and if you’re going about it the best way; it was tough, but it was rewarding and I’d recommend other export-focused businesses find out what they may be eligible for,” Mrs Smith said.

Enterprise Services Manager Alistair Adam said that Venture Southland had secured the Regional Business Partner programme, which for the first time provides MSI, Research and Development (R&D) funding and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) training to businesses in the region.

“Research and Development is a key driver of business success and economic growth and Essential Resources is a great example of how Venture Southland can help with this.

“The process of applying for funding can sometimes be daunting but it is not difficult. We were pleased to be able to assist and provide Essential Resources with support and advice where needed. We encourage other Southland businesses to get in touch with Venture Southland and find out how we can help them,” Mr Adam said.

Capability Development involves Venture Southland Economic Development staff assessing a business to determine its needs then directing it to the appropriate training courses, advisors or information. Venture Southland can also provide eligible business with a 50% subsidy for training courses.

Regional Business Partners are part of a nationwide network of organisations that can help businesses access information, funding, training and development services. The network was set up and is funded by NZTE and MSI to support business growth and innovation in New Zealand’s regions.