Kia ora

At the start of July we invited female entrepreneurs from all around New Zealand to apply for Rise Up – a new seed grant competition with a cash prize of $10,000! We had almost 100 applications from Whangarei to Invercargill and now have selected the final top five.

The five Rise Up finalists are: Billie Jo Hohepa-Ropiha, founder of BDÉT; Florence and Chloe Van Dyke, co-founders of Chia Sisters; Gaelle Thieme, founder of Dust & Glow, Wendy Quach, founder of &Again; and Dr Angela Lim, co-founder of Clearhead.

We would love you to be part of the live audience as these inspiring female entrepreneurs share their ideas.

The top five applicants will work through a series of founder focussed workshops and will then pitch their business to an expert judging panel.

Hosted by the gorgeous Taaniko Nordstrom from Soldiers Rd Portraits, and with special guest speaker Kendal Collins from Sisters United, you are bound to be inspired by these fabulous wahine.

There will also be an opportunity to vote for your favourite pitch on the night. The idea with the most votes will receive the People's Choice Award, sponsored by Amazon Web Services.

Our mates at Good George, Remedy Kombucha and Invivo Wines are providing the drinks and finger food will be available throughout the evening.

Tickets are FREE but there are limited tickets so please register your interest in attending now!

Thanks to all the epic sponsors who helped make this event possible - Callaghan Innovation, Wintec, Chow:Hill Architects, Tompkins Wake, Amazon Web Services, Good George, Remedy Kombucha, Invivo Wines and StoryTech.