Global Expert – find and fund offer

Otago businesses wanting to accelerate the delivery of their product to market can now get access to a world of experts, and if they are quick they could get the first $2000 of the expert’s fees paid for.

Global Expert is a search service provided by TechNZ, which finds experts for New Zealand businesses needing technical, marketing or distribution assistance. As a Government service, it has unique access to a range of specialised, pre-screened and qualified experts from leading research organisations, universities and companies.

Ross Grey, Business Development Advisor at the Dunedin City Council, who promotes the services offered by Global Expert and TechNZ to Otago businesses, says Global Expert was set up to help New Zealand businesses build more competitive products, shorten time to market and get help with critical decision making.

“It’s fast. Within 10 to 15 days, Global Expert provides a qualified list of experts to the business, allowing the business to decide who to work with. It opens doors and opportunities for businesses that they can’t access on their own.

“Businesses are using Global Expert to accelerate their product’s delivery on to market – at all stages of the innovation process from design and development through to international distribution,” he says.

Mr Grey says there is an added incentive for businesses to try the Global Expert service before the end of February. The first 50 companies nationwide who meet TechNZ and Global Expert’s search criteria are being offered $2000 towards the costs of contracting an expert of their choice. The business may also qualify for more expert funding through TechNZ on a matched 50/50 basis.

“This is a great opportunity for local businesses to find business solutions and, with the $2000 offer, that advice is surprisingly good value. I would urge any business in Dunedin to get in quick.”

Dunedin company Seperex Nutritionals Ltd has used Global Expert. Andrew Sansom, Scientific Officer of the nutritional food ingredient company, said they used Global Expert to locate someone to find a solution to a technical issue they couldn’t solve in-house.

“We’ve used Global Expert on several occasions and have found the service to be very valuable” he says. “Results were delivered within the time-frame given and I would definitely use Global Expert again under similar circumstances”.

The Dunedin City Council is a TechNZ regional partner, providing Otago businesses with local access to investment support for business research and development.

More information is available from Ross Grey, DCC Business Development Advisor, on (03) 474 3509 or at rgrey@dcc.govt.nz or www.frst.govt.nz.