Parnell Innovation Award, 2025 - Parnell

INTRODUCTION

Parnell is a diverse business district known for having a range of highly innovative organisations from multinationals right through to fledgling start-ups.

The newly launched Parnell Innovation Award will celebrate outstanding innovation within our community. We invite emerging businesses based in Parnell to showcase their innovative projects and their positive impact on our area and beyond.

PRIZES

  1. Judging will be conducted between the middle of April and the end of May.
  2. Prizes will be awarded at a function in Parnell to take place on the 18th June 2025.
  3. The First Prize of $6,000 will be awarded to the winning entry, and will be delivered by a bank transfer into your chosen business account. 
  4. The Second Prize of $4,000 will be awarded to the runner up, and will be delivered by a bank transfer into your chosen business account. 
  5. The winner will receive 10 hours of coaching or mentoring from one of the Icehouse coaches, worth $3,650.
  6. The winner will receive a consultation for a start-up in the deep tech sector from Outset Ventures. 
  7. Both the winner and the runner-up will receive a 2-hour ‘Know Your Numbers’ session, valued at $2,500, courtesy of Cahill Accounting. This session offers a comprehensive review of the business’s finance function, covering reporting and best-practice processes, along with a 101 of the Profit and Loss and Balance Sheet Statements. Additionally, it includes a review of the business structure, asset protection and goals of the shareholders to ensure alignment with the business.
  8. Both the winner and the runner-up companies will be profiled in online magazine NZ Entrepreneur (published right here in Parnell) courtesy of Founder Media Group – value $1,250 each. 
  9. The top five finalists will receive a R&D 30 minutes online funding session from EY. The session will be tailored to the specific project of the business and focused on evaluating the project’s eligibility for the R&D Tax Incentive and other schemes. 

Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this award:

  • Your business must be based in Parnell with a fixed address and plans to remain for the next 12 months.
  • Your business should be 2-5 years old, or if your business is older, you must substantiate that you are actively working on a current innovative project that aligns with the award’s objectives and criteria. 
  • The award is open to businesses in various industries, including technology, sustainability, healthcare, and more.
  • Innovations can be at any stage, from proof of concept to market-ready.

Your innovation must meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • It introduces a new approach to achieving positive change in your chosen area of focus.
  • It inspires others, whether individuals or organisations, to adopt new perspectives and actions.
  • It addresses an issue typically overlooked by businesses.

Key Notes:

  • Entry Deadline: midnight on Wednesday 2nd April.
  • Ensure all personal and contact details are accurate, as they will be used if you are selected as a finalist.
  • It’s best to have all materials prepared before starting the application.
  • You can save and resume your application at any time before submitting.
  • You are not able to edit your entry after submission.
  • Remember to upload all supporting files before submitting.
  • Please note in your submission if any information should be kept confidential, as the winning entries will need certain information to be made public. 
  • There is no cost to enter the award.
  • Finalists must be willing to attend a 3-minute Zoom pitch with the judges.

Thank you, but this competition is now closed

TERMS & CONDITIONS

THE COMPETITION

The Parnell Innovation for Positive Change Award (the “Competition”) is organised and promoted by the Parnell Business Association (PBA).

By participating in the Competition, applicants consent to receive communications from PBA related to special offers, news, and events, which they can opt out of at any time.

The Competition begins on 12th February 2025 and closes at midnight on 2nd April 2025. Entries submitted after the deadline will be disqualified.

The Competition offers a range of prizes as follows:

  • The First Prize of $6,000, is funded by the Parnell Business Association and will be awarded to the winning entry, to be delivered via bank transfer to the business’s chosen account.
  • The Second Prize of $4,000, is funded by the Parnell Business Association and will be awarded to the runner-up, to be delivered via bank transfer to the business’s chosen account.
  • Additional Prizes as advertised above: 

A panel of judges will select the winner based on the award’s eligibility and judging criteria outlined in the application materials.  All judging decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding outcomes.

COMPETITION ENTRY

To enter, applicants must:

  1. Eligibility: Confirm eligibility based on criteria, including Parnell business location, business age (2-5 years old, or if older, substantiation for an active current innovative project that aligns with the award’s objectives and criteria), plus information on the type of innovation.
  2. Application Form: Complete and submit the online application form provided on the PBA website.
  3. Supporting Documentation: Upload required documentation as outlined in the application form, including project descriptions, proof of location, and other supporting materials.
  4. Deadline Compliance: Submit all required materials by the entry deadline of 2nd April 2025.

By entering, applicants agree to abide by these Terms and Conditions, and their entry implies acceptance of the Competition rules.

PRIZE COLLECTION AND CONDITIONS

  • The Prize Winners will be announced following the judging process.
  • If notified as a winner or runner up, the cash prizes will be delivered by a bank transfer into their chosen business account and other prizes arranged with the relevant sponsoring company.
  • The Prizes cannot be transferred or exchanged.

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS

  • Privacy: All applicant information will be kept confidential during the judging stage and used solely for the purposes of the Competition. Applicants need to specify in the entry which information should not be made public, should they be the winners.
  • Publicity: The Winner agrees to have their name and image published by PBA in connection with the award.
  • Rights Reserved: PBA reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions or to cancel the Competition at any time if there are not sufficient entries or if deemed necessary for any reason whatsoever.
  • Eligibility Exclusions: PBA staff, Board Members, and their immediate families, as well as Competition judges, are not eligible to enter.
  • Limited Liability: Cash prizes are provided by the Parnell Business Association and will be awarded directly to the winners. Any third-party prizes, offers, or services are independent of the Parnell Business Association and subject to the respective provider’s terms and conditions. The Parnell Business Association is not responsible for the fulfilment, quality, or availability of third-party prizes, and winners must coordinate directly with third-party providers to claim and utilise such offers.. 

For any inquiries regarding the Competition, please contact the Parnell Business Association at 2 York Street, Parnell, Auckland, or email info@parnell.net.nz.