BNZ Presents: The Virgin Business Challenge
FaceMe wins Virgin Business Challenge
Winner announced
FaceMe has been crowned winner of BNZ Presents: The Virgin Business Challenge, after being judged best by some of New Zealand's top entrepreneurial and business minds.
FaceMe has developed a video conference system that is compatible with any device and allows anyone, anywhere to video conference with quality calls. The company will receive $100,000 cash, one-on-one time with Sir Richard Branson, a BNZ business education scholarship, mentoring from BNZ and Virgin executives, and flights around the world courtesy of Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand, as part of a prize package specifically designed to connect their business to the world.
The Challenge searched for a clever kiwi company which has passion and drive, creativity and innovation, and has demonstrated a desire, as well as the potential, to go global. BNZ Director Partners and Challenge judge, Anthony Healy, says FaceMe exemplifies everything this challenge is about, and says the high calibre of all entries was outstanding and an encouraging sign for New Zealand's economic future.
"FaceMe demonstrated it has what it takes to go global. It's safe to say the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in New Zealand, with so many kiwi companies ready to take the next big step."
Following a rigorous vetting process, the top ten finalists pitched live to a dragon's den style judging panel on 15 December. One of the judges, Virgin Head of strategy and corporate development Keith Roberts, says picking a winner was an incredibly difficult decision.
"All of our ten finalists are already success stories, and extremely passionate about their businesses. The judging panel is very happy with our decision, and know that FaceMe will represent New Zealand well on the world stage."
Find out more about all the finalists, and their exciting business ventures.
BNZ Presents: The Virgin Business Challenge prize package
One hour with Sir Richard Branson, at a time and location to be confirmed with the winner.
Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia will provide the winning business with a world of opportunity via an exciting travel package which includes your choice of domestic and trans-Tasman destinations, as well as flights to the global business capitals of London, New York and Geneva
- two return flights for two (four return flights in total) on Air New Zealand's domestic network
- two return flights for two (four return flights in total) on Virgin Australia's trans-Tasman network from New Zealand to anywhere on its Australian network
- return flights for two from New Zealand to London on Air New Zealand
- up to $10,000 NZD for return flights from New Zealand to New York and / or Geneva (maximum total four returns) on Virgin Australia group of airlines
Flights are limited to economy class, must be taken within 1 year of the winner being announced, and cannot be resold or exchanged for cash. Please see the full Terms and Conditions PDF 1MB for further information regarding the travel package.
10 hours mentoring (in aggregate) from senior executives from the Virgin Group and BNZ. These teams may assist with introductions to help the winner meet the right people and create a great environment in which the business can succeed
12 months access to Virgin meeting rooms in Sydney, London, New York or Geneva offices.
12 months access to over 20 BNZ Partner Business Centres around New Zealand.
Capability development funding to the value of $10,000. For example, the winning business might choose to apply the funding to attend the ICEHOUSE Owner Manager programme or to receive similar capability development such as a business mentor or capability expert
$100,000 cash prize from the BNZ to support the internationalisation of the winning business.
The prize package is subject to the full BNZ Presents: The Virgin Business Challenge terms and conditions PDF 1MB
The top ten finalists
The below businesses will pitch live to a Dragon's Den style judging panel, and the winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in Auckland on December 15.
FaceMe Ltd - facemeconference.com
FaceMe has developed a business-focused video conferencing system that is compatible with any device and allows anyone, anywhere, to video-conference with excellent quality of calls.
1Above - fly1above.com
1Above is an electrolyte-enhanced drink containing many daily vitamin B needs and polyphenol extracts, both key to supporting circulation when flying as well as minimising the effects of jet lag.
Rocket Lab - rocketlab.co.nz
This multi discipline business is focused on the rapid development of high quality, innovative technologies for the space and defence sectors.
MiniMonos Ltd - minimonos.com
MiniMonos is a virtual world for children who love to play and love the planet. The site has core messages of sustainability and community focus embedded throughout, with every purchase made on MiniMonos going towards supplying clean water to kids in India.
Konnect Net Ltd - konnect.co.nz
Konnect Net provides business process management solutions for the insurance, corporate and health sectors, aiming to provide more efficient ways of managing interactions within these sectors.
PowerbyProxi Ltd - powerbyproxi.com
PowerbyProxi is a global market leader in the commercialisation of wireless power solutions. It is leading the way in the ‘miniaturisation' of wireless power technology.
WilliamsWarn Ltd - williamswarn.com
WilliamsWarn has developed the world's first personal brewery, enabling customers to make professional quality beer in seven days from their own home.
Sonar6 - sonar6.com
Sonar6 makes performance reviews simple, rewarding and useful for managers, employers and human resources professionals. The system provides the simplest way to help businesses make better people decisions.
KlickEx Corporation Ltd - klickex.com
This new system of low-cost currency exchange technology connects millions of people, with a focus on expatriate work-forces in emerging nations, who send regular payments home to support their families.
The Collective - thecollectivedairy.com
The Collective manufactures, distributes and markets high-end dairy products including gourmet yoghurt, yoghurt drinks and cheeses in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Meet the Judges
Anthony Healy
Anthony joined Bank of New Zealand in November 2009 to lead BNZ Partners. As a career banker, he was excited with the challenge of leading the development of a new model in Business banking, combining Business, Agribusiness and Private banking in a new relationship model. Anthony's responsibilities include Bank of New Zealand's corporate and property banking teams.
Read the full bio
Keith Roberts
Keith is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and is responsible for Virgin Group's strategy and new business development. Previously he was the Australian Country Head of Virgin Management Asia Pacific, responsible for managing the interests of the Virgin Group in Australia. Read the full bio
Bill Buckley
An Engineering Company founder of BSL for over 30 years, Bill has never wavered in his support for the Company. He has been the driving force through the toughest recessionary times to the most prosperous. He has come up with the most innovative ideas which has made the Company a leading edge facility. Read the full bio
Sarah Kennedy
Sarah was recently appointed as CEO of RD1 and GM of Fonterra Enterprises. Rural retailer RD1 is 100 per cent owned by Fonterra and is the leading rural supplies company in New Zealand. Fonterra Enterprises includes NZAgbiz and International Nutritionals Limited (INL) - a Joint Venture between RD1 and Wilmar Gavilon, importing supplementary feeds to New Zealand.
Read the full bio
Derek Handley
Derek is a founding LP of New York based mobile seed-fund Eniac and an angel investor in a number of emerging start-ups most notably Booktrack and Snakk Media where he also serves as Chairman. Read the full bio
Anthony Healy
Anthony joined Bank of New Zealand in November 2009 to lead BNZ Partners. As a career banker, he was excited with the challenge of leading the development of a new model in Business banking, combining Business, Agribusiness and Private banking in a new relationship model. Anthony's responsibilities include Bank of New Zealand's corporate and property banking teams.
Anthony brings considerable breadth and depth of experience across banking and financial services, having held a number of senior executive and director-level roles in an 18-year career that has spanned New Zealand, Australia, Asia and the Middle East.
He firmly believes that we need a thriving business sector to create the sort of New Zealand that kiwis want. This passion permeates the Partners business he leads, and could be seen in Bank of New Zealand 's decision to keep lending to businesses as the Global Financial Crisis unfolded throughout 2009. Bank of New Zealand stood by businesses when they needed the support of their bank. As a result, more people kept their jobs, maintained their lifestyle, and kept their family lives intact.
An Australian, Anthony has a young family, and is enjoying New Zealand and the many delights of the Kiwi lifestyle.
Keith Roberts
Keith is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and is responsible for Virgin Group's strategy and new business development. Previously he was the Australian Country Head of Virgin Management Asia Pacific, responsible for managing the interests of the Virgin Group in Australia. Keith initially joined Virgin in March 2008, as a member of the aviation sector team, and has spent time working with each of the 4 airlines Virgin has an interest in. He is on the board of Virgin Australia and Air Asia X.
Prior to joining Virgin, Keith was a management consultant at Bain and Company for 9 years, working with companies to set strategy and improve operational performance in Australia, South Africa, the US and Latin America.
Keith completed a Bachelor of Business Studies at Massey University, and a Master of Commerce (Hons) at Auckland University. Outside of work, Keith enjoys travel, snowboarding, surfing and running, and supporting new business development (including Builderscrack.co.nz in NZ).
Bill Buckley
An Engineering Company founder of BSL for over 30 years, Bill has never wavered in his support for the Company. He has been the driving force through the toughest recessionary times to the most prosperous. He has come up with the most innovative ideas which has made the Company a leading edge facility.
Bill has never said no to anything without suggesting a better solution. He has lead the entire team at BSL into the unknown on many occasions, first into the silicon chip implantation industry, flat panel, synchrotrons, research solar and now the medical Proton and Photon Therapy Systems that will revolutionise cancer treatments of the future.
There is no end to the enthusiasm of this man and he takes all with him, making BSL a company that few can compete with and customers wish to be vendors to. Nothing stands in his way. He always finds a way around or makes it into an advantage for BSL.
He has strong ties to New Zealand and has never wavered in the decision to move closer to the markets, standing behind his production staff and investing in the equipment needed to produce the fantastic machinery BSL produces.
Sarah Kennedy
Sarah was recently appointed as CEO of RD1 and GM of Fonterra Enterprises.
Rural retailer RD1 is 100 per cent owned by Fonterra and is the leading rural supplies company in New Zealand. Fonterra Enterprises includes NZAgbiz and International Nutritionals Limited (INL) - a Joint Venture between RD1 and Wilmar Gavilon, importing supplementary feeds to New Zealand.
Originally qualifying and working as a Veterinary Surgeon, Sarah specialised in animal health and nutrition and aquaculture. She returned to University to study marketing, management and business finance. At the same time, she worked for NRM Ltd, progressing from Nutritionist/Aquaculture Specialist through to General Manager.
In 1995 and 1996 Sarah won TVNZ Marketing Awards and was a finalist in the 1997 TVNZ Marketer of the Year. Her next move was to Tegel Foods Ltd as Business Manager – Retail Markets. In this role, she was responsible for all the sales, marketing and product development of chicken products into the New Zealand Retail market.
Sarah joined Healtheries as Managing Director in 1998. Healtheries expanded through organic growth and acquisition which included the repurchase of the Healtheries brand in Australia, McFarlane Laboratories, National Healthfoods and Aussie Bodies Sports Nutrition Company.
In 2007 Healtheries and another company 'Nutralife' was purchased by Next Capital Health. Sarah was made Group CEO and spent two years integrating the two companies to form 'Vitaco Health Ltd' which is now the third largest Health and Wellbeing company in Australasia.
In 2007 Healtheries and another company 'Nutralife' was purchased by Next Capital Health. Sarah was made Group CEO and spent two years integrating the two companies to form 'Vitaco Health Ltd' which is now the third largest Health and Wellbeing company in Australasia.
At the end of 2009 Sarah resigned from Vitaco to go travelling. Whilst overseas she was accepted to do a Sloan Fellowship in Global Leadership and Innovation at MIT (Boston), graduating in June of this year.
Sarah is excited to be back in New Zealand and to be joining RD1.
Derek Handley
In 2001, Derek founded mobile marketing and media company The Hyperfactory, with his brother Geoffrey Handley. At the time of its acquisition by Meredith Corporation (NYSE:MDP) in 2010 it was the largest independent mobile advertising and marketing agency in the world, most awarded globally and listed by Entrepreneur Magazine as a Top 100 Brightest Idea in 2010.
In 2011 when Derek was named one of 125 World Class New Zealanders and a Sir Peter Blake Trust Emerging Leader; 2010 a New Zealand Herald Business Leader of the Year; 2009 the Ernst & Young 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year' in New Zealand and one of the 40 Most Influential People in New Zealand Telecommunications in New Zealand for 2006-2007.
Derek is a founding LP of New York based mobile seed-fund Eniac and an angel investor in a number of emerging start-ups most notably Booktrack and Snakk Media where he also serves as Chairman.
Derek is a founding LP of New York based mobile seed-fund Eniac and an angel investor in a number of emerging start-ups most notably Booktrack and Snakk Media where he also serves as Chairman.
