If you’re starting out in business, or need support to grow your enterprise, Venture Taranaki can provide guidance and support.

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Enterprise Support

Whatever sector, size or stage your business is at, Venture Taranaki’s team of Enterprise Advisors is here to help.

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Entrepreneurship & Startup

Getting your enterprise idea off the ground or adding a new entrepreneurial part to your existing enterprise can be a hard task. Find out about the workshops, programmes, and support for new business and new ideas. 

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Business Events, Training, and Workshops

Find workshops, seminars, training programmes, networking events and more.

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Advisory

Our confidential advisory service can help you grow your enterprise. overcome challenges and help you to develop your business skills. 

Advisory
Raising Capital

Is your enterprise investment-ready? Is investment the right pathway to help you get to the next level? Explore resources for business, and get in touch with our Investment Advisor.

Raising Capital
Pakihi Māori

Connect with Māori entrepreneurs, learn about Māori business in Taranaki, and find resources to help grow your enterprise in the spirit of whanaungātanga.

Pakihi Māori
Sector Development

Venture Taranaki supports both established core industries and emerging sectors in many different ways, from facilitating cluster groups, to project management and trade show support.

Sector Development

Do Business, Invest, Innovate and Export Story

Enterprising Opportunity

New Zealand's rising star.

Enterprises and entrepreneurs thrive here - take a look at our Business, Export, Invest, and Innovate Story.

Taranaki Entrepreneur Ecosystem Guide

No enterprise or entrepreneur should operate in isolation. In Taranaki, there is an entire ecosystem of networks and support made up of many interdependent systems, agencies, businesses, and networks available to you, as entrepreneurs and enterprises, to ensure you have every opportunity to flourish. This guide will help you navigate through, and explore this ecosystem.

Request support

Our Enterprise Advisers are available to talk through your business aspirations and connect you with the resources you need. If you would like someone to contact you, please fill in this enquiry form. 

Meet the team

Jennifer Patterson
General Manager Economic Development

Taranaki born and raised, Jenn has been with Venture Taranaki for over a decade, as a Business Advisor, Business Analyst, and Corporate Services Manager. With a background in journalism, marketing, and business development, she is passionate about helping enterprises in Taranaki grow. Outside the office, you’ll find Jenn racing mountain bikes and coaching kids at Mangamahoe Forest.  

Natacha Dunn
Enterprise Lead

Originally from France, Natacha moved to Taranaki in 2010 with her young family and is now proud to call Taranaki home. With a background in supply chain from the UK automotive industry, she now relishes her role as Enterprise Lead, helping enterprises, and the region grow. Natacha enjoys bringing people together and exploring ways to share Taranaki’s talent with the world. Away from the office, she makes the most of family time down at the beach, catching up with friends and enjoying the local arts and restaurant scene. 

Jane Moffitt
Senior Enterprise Adviser

With a background in recruitment and human resources from UK, Australia, and NZ, Jane brings passion and experience to the team. As a talented connector, and big-picture thinker Jane enjoys being part of the growth of our region, its people, and enterprises. Jane considers it a privilege to be part of this amazing province. Away from the office she enjoys exploring Taranaki on her e-bike, going to the beach with her labradors, as well as being spoilt for choice for great places to drink coffee with friends. 

Nick Field
Enterprise Adviser

Nick has a background of more than 20 years of international new product development and innovation, delivering award-winning product designs to global markets. He has a master’s degree in design process innovation. When the surf is flat, Nick enjoys being able to help Taranaki startups get started and established companies to co-fund their growth. 

Kayleen Schoeman
Mentor Manager and Startup Coordinator

An experienced programme coordinator skilled in customer service, volunteer recruitment and relationship management, Kayleen is proud to be Taranaki born and bred. She is passionate about building a strong and vibrant community to live, work, and play. When she’s not running the Business Mentors programme, Kayleen enjoys playing the ukulele, volunteering as a Companion for the Taranaki Seasons for Growth programme and running around after her family and farmyard friends on their lifestyle property.

Ronelba Blanco
Enterprise Advisor

Originally from Venezuela, Ronelba moved to Taranaki in 2012 with her family and is now a proud Kiwi. She's an engineer with a master's degree in business admin and over 25 years of experience in the energy industry, project and stakeholder management, business planning, and digital marketing, bringing a unique blend of expertise to the team. Ronelba's enthusiasm lies in getting to know local businesses and supporting their growth journey. Away from the office, she loves cooking, meditating, and spending time with family and friends.