The Pick

TAITOKERAU Northland is full of great business ideas!

The Pick is your chance to put your business concept to the test. Develop, refine, and validate your idea alongside like-minded entrepreneurs, with access to expert insights and real-world feedback over the 10-week programme.

Finalists will be selected to pitch to a panel of Northland business leaders, and the winner will take home a tailored support package to help them take their business to the next level.

Entries to The Pick 2025 have now closed.

We look forward to bringing you the stories behind this year's co-hort as they engage in the 10 week Business Accelerator programme
over on our social media channels.

www.facebook.com/NorthlandIncNZ

www.instagram.com/northlandincnz

he Pick 2024 Pitch Night with winners on stage

The Pick 24 Pitch Night FB Highlights 002 1N2A8664

The Pick 2024 Pitch Night with winners on stage

PRIZE PACKAGE

We have some amazing prizes up for grabs for our winners and finalists in The Pick '25.

Courtesy of The Pick 25 Partners and our Premier Sponsor – McKay:

Up to $5k in cash prizes for the top three finalists
Three to six months of Growth Advisor Support with the Regional Business Partnership Network (Northland Inc)
Registration of the Winner's business with New Zealand Company's Office
Promotion of winner/s businesses post Pitch Night

Courtesy of BDO Northland Ltd

Up to two hours financial mentoring per month for three finalists, for three months
One Xero training session for all five finalists
One-year free Xero subscription for one finalist

Courtesy of NorthChamber and Business Mentors New Zealand

Three business mentoring vouchers valid for 12 months

Courtesy of One New Zealand

3 x Business Fibre connections for free (12 months) $1200 value each
2 x Phone of value $699

Courtesy of Westpac New Zealand Ltd

Banking guidance for up to three finalists for three months

WHAT DOES THE PROGRAMME COVER?

Over the 10-week programme, you’ll refine your idea, understand your market, and develop a winning strategy through customer insights, competitive analysis, and business modelling. Learn how to craft a compelling value proposition, master your finances, and build the right team to bring your vision to life. With workshops on pitching, networking, and securing investment, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to turn your idea into a thriving business. Don’t just dream it—build it with The Pick!

Northland Inc CE Paul Linton opens the formal presentation stage of the evening which was held at Forum North in 2024.
A business showcase event was held alongside the pitch night so finalists could promote their business ideas.
Pitch Night is a great opportunity for entrants to network with judges and potential investors.
Entrants also used the Showcase event to enable judges and potential investors to sample their products.
Five finalists were chosen to pitch their product ideas to the judging panel. As part of the programme, they were given help from expert presenters and storytellers to prepare their pitch decks for the event.
The Judges panel was made up of potential investors, sponsors and local business people.
Our five finalists nervously await the announcement of the Supreme Winner.
Sharee Wilkinson from Moka Fibre was the supreme winner of The Pick 2024.

People from all walks of life have joined us for the programme since it started running in 2017.

Read about our winners of The Pick 2024

HEAR FROM one of our previous winners
Vince - Vegetable Mince

Winner of The Pick 2019, Debbie Stowe, developed her idea for a gluten free, vegetable mince, Vince, during The Pick programme. Originally applying with an idea to launch organic granola, the programme workshops soon revealed the granola market did not offer a compelling gap for a product like hers.

“It was through this work, that I uncovered that the potential for a new organic granola brand in the New Zealand market was limited. With the support of The Pick team, I pivoted my idea to a recipe I had developed for my daughter, who was struggling with food allergies. Launching a business in this space was close to my heart.”

During The Pick 2019, Debbie developed a brand identity, a packaging design, and a plan to grow the business – eventually going on to win the competition. Within a year of The Pick, Vince could be found on the shelves at New World Onerahi, Farro, Pak n Save Whangarei and New World Regent, as well as selling direct to customers online, and through smaller health food retailers.

“Without The Pick, the idea for Vince may not have been developed into the business it is today. The workshops, facilitation, and networking opportunities ensured I had the base to grow Vince from an idea to a functioning business. Four years on, I’m now working full time on Vince, and moving to a larger manufacturing facility in preparation for our nationwide launch, in 2024.” she says.

PARTNERS
Bringing you The Pick 2025

The Pick is a Northland Inc initiative, delivered in 2025 in partnership with NorthChamber, Whāriki Te Tai Tokerau and MSD (Ministry for Social Development).