University's ecentre marks a decade of innovation

The University’s ecentre has marked a decade of supporting business innovation by showcasing some of its success stories at a tenth anniversary celebration.

The business incubator, which is based on the Albany campus, has helped more than 200 companies since it was founded in 2001.

Entrepreneurs including Sir Stephen Tindall together with visionary academics Dr Bryan Chrystall and Dr Chris Kirk – who are among the ecentre founders –were among the 120 guests at the celebration at the Takapuna Boating Club.

Among the ecentre successes are market research company Perceptive, web design company Zeald.com and 3D graphics specialists Marops, which was placed in the Deloitte Fast 50 last year. Cleanflow Systems, which has developed world-leading technology to assess water pipes, grew from the ecentre and now sells into 35 countries worldwide – employing nine Massey University graduates in the 13-strong firm.

Steve Corbett, chief executive of ecentre, said over the past three years ecentre companies had contributed more than $30 million to New Zealand in export revenue and creation of such successful technology companies would drive New Zealand business forward.

He said many companies had benefited from having access to Massey University experts and the ecentre was now managing commercialisation from the Albany campus.

The ecentre was established in 2001 with assistance from a loan from the Tindall Foundation. Sponsors such as Sir David Levene and Sir Stephen Tindall still work closely with the ecentre.

It is currently planning to expand the ecentreSprint programme, a 12-week programme that assists entrepreneurs to determine whether their business idea is workable.