Registrations open for 2019 Kāpiti PopUp Business School

Following on from the success of the inaugural Kāpiti PopUp Business School in 2018, the free ten-day business course is coming to Paraparaumu again in 2019.

Budding business people living or working in Kāpiti will get the chance to learn practical ways to get a business idea off the ground, thanks to the support of the Kāpiti Coast District Council, Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (WREDA), and the Ministry for Social Development (MSD).

Mayor K Gurunathan believes this is an opportunity not to be missed, and will help Kāpiti continue to grow and thrive.

“We’re very excited to be a big part of bringing this opportunity to Kāpiti again this year because it’s all about supporting business growth and creating jobs.”

“We had a great turn out last year with an average of 55 people coming along each day to the course, and we’ve seen some exciting new businesses popping up across Kāpiti as a result. Over 60% of participants have either started, or are in the process of starting a business,” says Mayor K Gurunathan.

“We know there are people out there with great business ideas who just need some extra confidence and skills to help them tap into their potential to get out there and start-up.”

“We have around 5000 business units registered in Kāpiti, many of which are sole operators/self-employed, which goes to show Kāpiti is a great place to establish a business.”

Building on a UK model started in 2012, the New Zealand model has successfully delivered similar courses in Porirua, Upper Hutt, Tolaga Bay, Tairawhiti Gisborne, Auckland and Whanganui, in conjunction with local government and business supporters.

PopUp Business School Aotearoa founder Tony Henderson-Newport says the programme offers participants everything they need to get a business idea off the ground.

“We’re about giving people the confidence to start as well as the basics around financial and legal set up. The learning environment means participants gain new skills and have fun while they’re doing it,” he said.

“Then it’s about a really positive step-through of everything from finding a premise to building an online presence. In the end it’s about winning customers and launching fast.”

“If this sounds like you or if you’ve always wanted the chance to create your own business, then register now.”

Course registrations are now open on the PopUp Business School Aotearoa website. The course will run from 24 June to 5 July, five days a week between 9.30am to 2.30pm each day.