Regional Business Partners powering Christchurch startups

The support network powering Christchurch startups

Christchurch startups know how to hustle. Increasingly, they also know they don’t have to do it alone.

For oVRcome founder Adam Hutchinson, that change is palpable. “I think the one thing that ChristchurchNZ has changed for me personally, has been just the ability to sleep at night knowing that someone's got your back,” he says.

How does the system support small business?

That sense of backing sits at the heart of the Regional Business Partners (RBP) Programme – a nation-wide, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment-funded scheme delivered in Canterbury through a joint venture between ChristchurchNZ and Business Canterbury. Designed for small and growing businesses, it connects owners with advice, training and co-funding so they can move faster and with confidence.

ChristchurchNZ Chief Executive Ali Adams sees the pressure points every day. “Small businesses are the backbone of the New Zealand economy, and often for someone who is starting up, it can be a lonely place to be. It's great if you can get any level of support, either from people who are undergoing the same challenges, or from the broader ecosystem.”

What growth advisors do?

The RBP programme is a key part of that ecosystem in Canterbury. Support comes through a team of business growth advisors who sit down with owners, unpack their goals and constraints, and match them with the right kind of help – whether that is management training, innovation support or introductions into the wider network.

It’s a simple but effective model: in the past year alone, Canterbury advisors have helped 600 businesses access services, distributed around half a million dollars in central government funding for capability building, and supported 93 innovation grants with a combined $10 million in co-funding.

For Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann Watson, the numbers matter less than what they represent. “Running a small business can be incredibly challenging and also very rewarding,” she says. “Having a business advisor sit alongside you to listen, understand, and share some of that burden, then connect you to the right advice at the right time, is hugely valuable.”

Many owners arrive with a vague sense that something isn’t working; the first task is to name it. “One of the most important components is to really understand what the pain points might be – often the business doesn’t necessarily know,” Watson says.

The network spans providers across the region including Enterprise North Canterbury and South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, giving advisors a deep bench of specialist support to draw on.

How the RBP programme supported growth for oVRcome

For oVRcome, that support has come in several forms. The Ōtautahi-based startup delivers virtual reality exposure therapy to help people manage anxiety and now works with clinicians and organisations around the world. “The support that we've been able to access through ChristchurchNZ, with the help of our business advisor, has been pretty incredible for our journey,” Hutchinson says.

Co-funding has helped tackle issues from product distribution to developing a commercial model, while support through the R&D Tax Incentive has buoyed the company’s research-heavy strategy.

Talent has been another major win. “I think the biggest opportunity that ChristchurchNZ has created for us has been being able to access some world class students from the University of Canterbury. They've started with an initial student grant, but they've stayed on and been employed by oVRcome,” he says.

Those students have gone on to support research, data and product development as the company grows.

Why keeping growth in the region is important

This is exactly the kind of outcome the RBP programme is designed to produce: innovative local firms choosing to build, hire and invest in Christchurch.

How does the RBP support regional growth?

Hutchinson’s advice is simple: use what’s available. “The support we’ve accessed has been fundamental in helping us solve major business challenges,” he says.

“They’ve looked out for us, understood our challenges, and connected us with the right support. It’s been an absolute game changer and, honestly, has helped us sleep better at night – something that’s incredibly important on this journey.”

How can I access business support?

Register your details for free on the RBP website and you'll be connected with local knowledge, experts, networks and funding to support your business.

Key takeaways

• Christchurch founders are increasingly tapping into structured regional support to accelerate growth and reduce isolation.
• The government-funded Regional Business Partners Programme provides access to capability training, innovation grants and expert advisory services.
• Delivered locally by ChristchurchNZ and Business Canterbury, the programme supported 600 businesses in the past year and facilitated significant co-funding for innovation.
• Growth advisors work closely with founders to clarify challenges and connect them with targeted solutions across Canterbury’s business ecosystem.
• Christchurch-based VR therapy startup oVRcome leveraged RBP support for commercial development, R&D incentives and talent acquisition.
• The programme helps innovative firms build, hire and invest locally, strengthening the Christchurch economy.