Supported by prominent New Zealand technology investors as well as the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Kiwi Landing Pad can offer New Zealand technology companies either short or long-term residence at their office in San Francisco. Tenants gain access to a wealth of experience and are able to create invaluable networks in the US technology, business and investment community. Kiwi Landing Pad was established in 2011 to help selected high growth New Zealand technology companies establish and grow their business in the USA.
What kind of services do you offer to NZ businesses at the Kiwi Landing Pad?
Kiwi Landing Pad (KLP) was established as a non profit in 2011 by leading New Zealand technology entrepreneurs. KLP provides a landing point for an increasing number of Kiwi technology businesses wanting to expand into the US. Being a resident at KLP means reducing a lot of the risks and time taken around initial office setup. The real value for companies is being able to help accelerate their business development plans through the knowledge, networks and curated community that has been built around KLP.
How do Kiwi businesses get involved with Kiwi Landing Pad and what requirements do they need to meet?
Setting up business in the US is expensive and time consuming – we work with technology companies that have the resources and commitment of key people to focus on the market intensely, which makes them credible and viable in the local environment which is very, very competitive. Anyone who is not prepared to do that is not a target for KLP as ultimately it affects the credibility of our sponsors and community which is a extremely valuable asset in the business culture of the USA.
Who’s behind the Kiwi Landing Pad?
Catherine Robinson – Director, San Francisco
Catherine is a specialist in communications and marketing for technology business with particular focus on brand creation, media relations, shareholder communications and internet marketing strategies for early stage technology companies. Catherine relocated to San Francisco following the acquisition of Aptimize by NASDAQ listed Riverbed Technology in July 2011. Prior to this she was a founding team member of ActionThis, an online project management software start up and Xero an online accounting software company.
Catherine joined the Kiwi Landing Pad as it’s Director based in San Francisco in September 2012, and brings her extensive
experience in commercialising technology and strategies for entering the United States market.
John Holt – Managing Director, Wellington
John is a serial entrepreneur passionate about Technology, Innovation and New Zealand. Based in Wellington New Zealand, John has worked as a senior executive in multinational corporations Xerox, HP, IBM and ANZ Banking Group and now focuses on internet based technologies and commercialisation opportunities.
In 2006 he co founded Sonar6 an HR Technology company which he was CEO and Director of until 2012 when the company was acquired by NASDAQ listed company Cornerstone on Demand. John acts an advisor and part time executive for a number of tech companies in New Zealand and San Francisco and is a Director of Generator, Kiwi Landing Pad and Technology and Innovations New Zealand.
Web: www.kiwilandingpad.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/kiwilandingpad
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KiwiLandingPad
Email John Holt: john@klp.org.nz
Email Catherine Robinson: catherine@klp.org.nz
