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Inspiring Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs  

Intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs - new short courses at Ara inspire and grow capability

Ōtautahi Christchurch residents now have the opportunity to develop their own business and innovation ideas further with the launch of two new courses at Ara Institute of Canterbury designed to help identify, validate and commercialise great ideas.  

Simon Anderson ChristchurchNZ’s regional growth manager said the courses strengthen the city’s innovation ecosystem by providing the fundamental skills and resources needed to generate, test, develop and commercialise a business idea. 

The two courses – ‘Business Accelerator’ and ‘Innovation Accelerator’– are both short 12-week courses that can be undertaken on their own or credited towards degree or graduate diplomas.  

“These courses will give people the confidence and skills needed to take their idea to the next stage. Ultimately, supporting our aim to catalyse more start-ups in Christchurch, adding fuel to our economy, creating jobs and supporting livelihoods,” said Anderson.

These courses will give people the confidence and skills needed to take their idea to the next stage. Ultimately, supporting our aim to catalyse more start-ups in Christchurch, adding fuel to our economy, creating jobs and supporting livelihoods," 

Simon Anderson - ChristchurchNZ’s regional growth manager

Both of the new Ara courses will be taught by Jacob Varghese, who manages the accelerator and corporate innovation programmes within Te Ōhaka. 

The new ‘Business Accelerator’ is designed to give students the skills and insights that will enable them to validate and commercialise their own business ideas, using proven industry frameworks. Designed to be a hands-on course, participants will focus on one of their existing business ideas or gain group input towards identifying one, then undertake customer engagement and validation processes to test the viability of their idea and its commercialisation potential. 

The ‘Innovation Accelerator’ is focused upon building innovation and entrepreneurial capability in employees of Canterbury businesses so they can capitalise on innovation opportunities within their organisation. Students will learn how to analyse organisational processes and identify potentially transformational opportunities, and then go on to develop a business case for developing them. The course also covers the profiles of the various groups in New Zealand that work to support national innovation.

Find out more about the new courses at the Ara Institute of Canterbury.

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