US Natural Products leader Gary Hirshberg returns to NZ for the 5th annual Hirshberg Entrepreneurship Institute. New Zealand entrepreneurs are invited to come together online with colleagues in the US and other parts of Oceania.
Day 1 and 2 of HEI 2021 will offer practical, hands-on advice about financing, sales, marketing, and eComm, using real-life case studies featuring companies in all stages of growth, from emerging start-ups to well-established brands seeking to branch into other markets. In addition, speakers will talk about their experiences with organizational challenges, finding personal balance, managing change, and key concerns that are fundamental to growing an enterprise in today’s competitive marketplace.
Day 3 of HEI 2021 is dedicated to having over 25 investors from NZ and the US online listening to as many as 10 pitches for investment over the course of the day. Our last three HEI pitching days resulted in some serious and successful raises, and this year promises to be even better. Once you register, you will be asked if you would like to apply to be considered to make your own pitch presentation. Even if you are not ready to submit your application, this is a great opportunity for you to watch and learn from those who are. You will also learn from the investors’ questions and responses. Don’t miss this valuable day.
Join US and NZ business leaders who will help companies large and small “up your game,” whether you are adjusting to the new environment, seeking to export or in a position to grow a healthy sustainable business.
Case Studies
Do you have a question or challenge about how best to structure your business, secure capital, or position your brand for success? Over the course of two finance sessions, two marketing/brand positioning sessions, and one e-Comm session, 10 entrepreneurs will have the chance to get personalized, cutting-edge advice from a group of world-class experts.
This is a fantastic opportunity to receive insights and advice from CEOs and Founders who guide hundreds of millions of dollars of businesses from start-up to Fortune 500. And if you are not ready to submit your own pitch, we guarantee that you will receive fantastic insights and ideas from watching and hearing these live cases.
Submit your case study application online here! Please note that you must be registered for the event in order for your application to be considered. If you prefer, you may download and submit a PDF version of the application.
Fundraising Pitches to Investors
Raising money is key to any growing company. And now is a particularly good time for healthy brands to pitch for investment with the health and green sectors booming. Our last three HEI pitching days resulted in some serious and successful raises, and this year promises to be even better – we will have over 30 investors online via Zoom listening to 13 pitches over the course of the day. And if you are not ready to submit your pitch, this is a great opportunity for you to watch and learn from both those who are and also from the investors’ questions and responses. Don’t miss this valuable day.
Submit Your Fundraising Pitch Application
The easiest way to submit a pitch to our cohort of investors during the online event is to request access to our event site and you will be able to create a pitch application on your dashboard to submit for consideration at the Institute. Please note that all pitch applicants must be registered to attend the conference.
If you would prefer to download and submit a PDF version of the pitch application you can do so by choosing the appropriate file below:
- Pitch to Investors Application for New Zealand Businesses
- Pitch to Investors Application for US Businesses
Comments about the 2020 HEI:
“To be able to connect and gain insights with panelists of this calibre has been an exceptional opportunity for our business. It is the perfect first step on the journey to US exports.” – Florence Van Dyke, Chia Sisters (Auckland NZ)
“Fantastic insights, anecdotes and suggestions from Gary and his team of US gurus! Exceptionally valuable for any kiwi business seeking long-term success in the US market”. – Rob Simcic, Little Beauties (Richmond, Tasman NZ)
Comments from a 2020 HEI Case Study presenter:
“Being an entrepreneur can be a real rollercoaster and it is easy to end up feeling like you are riding alone. It’s events like this that bring the thrill back to the ride and help us remember that our fellow entrepreneurs are happy to share experiences and can shine a light on things that we are too absorbed to see.
Just listening to the panel and seeing how much attention they gave to each case – what a great team and a wealth of knowledge.
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and we are already putting the learnings and advice to work.”
–Derek Moffat, Best Bones Broth (Auckland NZ)
Check back often for more event details.