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Media Release
14 March 2016
Samsung and The Icehouse team up to launch Samsung
Springboard
A competition for Kiwi tech companies to take a leap onto a global stage with mentoring
opportunities and $30,000 prize money.
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Tuesday, 25th August – At an event in Auckland yesterday, The Icehouse
and Samsung Electronics announced the launch of Samsung Springboard – a competition designed
to cast the spotlight on savvy and innovative Kiwi tech leaders. Targeting local technology start-ups
and SMEs with the potential for global success, the competition will offer finalists a range of mentoring
and networking opportunities and resources, with the grand prize including a cash investment of
$30,000NZD. Entries opened 24th August, with the selected finalists set to compete in a live pitching
event on November 5th,
As part of the Samsung Springboard program, the five finalists will have access to leading business
mentors and workshops to perfect their pitch. The winners will be selected by a panel comprising of
some of the most influential Kiwi business leaders, including Managing Director of Samsung New
Zealand Kenny Yeon, CEO of The Icehouse Andy Hamilton, PowerbyProxi CEO Greg Cross, Samsung
Enterprise Director Verdon Kelliher and Dr. Michelle Dickinson (aka Nano Girl). As well as the top cash
prize and potential to connect into the global Samsung network, special prizes include $10,000
developer funding, a tenancy at Kiwi Landing Pad in San Francisco including flights, Samsung products
and workshops from The Icehouse.
Kenny Yeon, Managing Director of Samsung New Zealand, says the idea of the Samsung Springboard
came from Samsung’s aspiration to offer invaluable opportunities, resources and global scope to New
Zealand’s emerging tech entrepreneurs which will enable their future success.
“With our international profile and commitment to changing the world through innovation, Samsung
initiated Springboard as an excellent way of elevating our local business talent, and encouraging
development in the local technology sector,” says Mrs Yeon.
The Icehouse jumped straight on board when Samsung pitched the idea to them. Andy Hamilton, CEO
of The Icehouse says the purpose of the Samsung Springboard is to elevate tomorrow’s leaders in
technology which is a great fit with The Icehouse.
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“The Icehouse is all about growing Kiwi businesses and we’re committed to creating a high performing
New Zealand economy where ideas and businesses thrive. We saw the Samsung Springboard as a
great programme that aligned with our core values and also a chance to celebrate and raise awareness
for Kiwi tech talent and innovation,” says Andy Hamilton, CEO of The Icehouse.
One of the Kiwi tech talents who will be entering the Samsung Springboard is I Measure U, a
measurement and analysis system for unparalleled information around body movement. Mark Finch,
Founder of I Measure U, explains why they’re keen to get involved.
“We’re very excited about participating in the Samsung Springboard. We’re always looking at new ways
of getting noticed internationally and this competition provides a great way to do just that, especially
with one of the world’s greatest tech giants! The pool of prizes provide a great incentive that will help
us make the transition into the US, and most importantly open doors into potential dealings with
Samsung Global.”
ENDS
About The Icehouse:
The Icehouse is a business growth hub. We work with a wide range of businesses at various stages
of growth - from entrepreneurs launching new ventures through to successful owner-managers
wanting to take their business to the next level. We are in a unique position to give our customers the
skills, clarity and support to grow their business or fast track their startup because no-one gets them
better than we do.
New Zealand is a country of small and medium-sized businesses. The Icehouse was founded in 2001
in recognition of the importance of this sector to the NZ economy. We're committed to creating a high
performing New Zealand economy where ideas and businesses thrive and we believe that to unleash
the economic potential, we need to lift the capabilities and aspirations of owners, entrepreneurs and
people who run start-up and SME businesses to enable them to take the business forward.
Since 2001, we have worked with over 5,000 ambitious owner-managers and entrepreneurs. On
average our established businesses grow revenue by 12% every year; that’s 2.5 times faster growth
than the average NZ business. Our start-ups have collectively created over 900 jobs, raised more
than $117m in funding and have generated over $325m in revenue.
The Icehouse is owned by a not-for-profit trust and backed by the financial support and expertise of
the New Zealand government and an extensive group of committed partners that includes: AJ Park,
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Bank of New Zealand, Deloitte Private, HP New Zealand, Microsoft New Zealand, Spark, Visa and
our founder The University of Auckland Business School.
For more information visit www.theicehouse.co.nz
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and
technologies, redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital
appliances, printers, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. We
are also leading in the Internet of Things space through, among others, our Smart Home and Digital
Health initiatives. We employ 319,000 people across 84 countries with annual sales of US $196
billion. To discover more, please visit our official website at www.samsung.com.nz.
Contact:
Grace Havill, The Icehouse, g.havill@theicehouse.co.nz, 09 308 6238
Sally Vernon, Samsung NZ, s.vernon@samsung.com, 021 833 630