Join us at this Coffee & Jam where you’ll hear first from Boyd Warren, General Manager Innovation & Business Growth at ChristchurchNZ. Boyd will talk about ChristchurchNZ’s innovation strategy to grow the city’s startup & innovation ecosystem and create high-value jobs. Christchurch Regional Economic Development Agency (ChristchurchNZ) has recently received the ‘Best Practice for Integrated Economic Development and Planning’ at the Economic Development NZ annual conference.

Next, you’ll hear from Mark Rocket, CEO of the Christchurch-based Kea Aerospace and President of Aerospace Christchurch, and Liz Eden, Head of Business and Investment Attraction at ChristchurchNZ. Liz will speak about what’s happening in the Christchurch aerospace landscape; Mark will then take your through how Aerospace Christchurch plays a key role in nurturing and growing this ecosystem.

This is expected to be an informative session as always, so make sure you come along to learn and meet your startup tribe!

Meet your speakers

Boyd Warren
General Manager of Innovation & Business Growth @ChristchurchNZ

Boyd Warren is ChristchurchNZ’s General Manager of Innovation and Business Growth, leading the economic development team striving to increase the resilience and competitiveness of local businesses and retaining and growing high-value jobs in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Boyd brings considerable previous business and commercial experience including owning and operating businesses in e-commerce, communications technology, retail and adventure tourism. His most recent role prior to joining ChristchurchNZ saw him manage large and complex business units in a large trans-Tasman business, Fairfax Media (now Nine), through periods of significant disruption.

Boyd will be speaking about ChristchurchNZ's Innovation Strategy for Christchurch

Mark Rocket
President @Aerospace Christchurch

Mark is an Internet and aerospace entrepreneur. He started successful Internet companies in 1998 and was the seed investor and Co-Director of Rocket Lab from 2007 to 2011. In 2018, Mark started Kea Aerospace with two main objectives; firstly, to build an aerospace ecosystem in Christchurch and, secondly, to find an exciting new commercial aerospace project. The first goal has contributed to the development of Aerospace Christchurch, which runs regular meetups. The second goal is developing a global fleet of solar-powered aircraft that fly in the stratosphere.

Mark will be speaking about what’s happening in the Aerospace scene in Christchurch

Liz Eden
Head of Business and Investment Attraction @ChristchurchNZ

Liz is responsible for the strategy and operations required to attract large-scale businesses and capital to the city. Included in her role is responsibility for the Aerospace and Future Transport Supernode. She works with industry, local and central government to facilitate growth and drive sector success for Canterbury.