Jump Start business competition, EDA - Business Competition Winner

Wearable Art Jump Start Competition Winner

Steve Wallace, Shirt Addiction, is the lucky winner of the Jump Start your business competition prize of $65,000.00 and hopes Hamilton's shoppers will get hooked on his ever-changing range of screen printed T-shirts from his retail shop in Centre Place scheduled to open on 1st November.

Steve is looking forward to the challenge of changing from focusing on wholesale to taking time to build customer relationships in the retail environment.

Opportunity Hamilton business coach Sandy Turner looks forward to provide mentoring assistance to Steve.

Runner up Cupcake Creations was the people's choice, but Shirt Addiction's business plan impressed the judges.

Jump Start your business

Hamilton is located close to both of New Zealand’s major ports at Auckland and Tauranga. Three tertiary institutions, - The University of Waikato, Wintec and Te Wananga o Aotearoa are located in Hamilton. The University of Waikato generates three percent of the region’s total revenue and nearly $1 billion for the New Zealand economy as a whole. Hamilton is a student city, with more than 46,000 people in tertiary study. The ultra fast broadband rollout has begun in Hamilton. It is expected to boost economic growth by 1.3%. Hamilton's $68.4 million Claudelands Convention and Exhibition Centre includes a 5,000-capacity multipurpose indoor arena, 1,500-capacity conference centre and upgraded exhibition facilities. Hamilton is the second fastest growing population centre in New Zealand behind Auckland. Hamilton is New Zealand’s largest inland city, and fourth largest urban area. Hamilton is on the main tourist route between Auckland and Taupo. Hamilton is the heart of the Waikato. Hamilton has a land area of 98.6 km2 (New Zealand's smallest city in terms of land area). The average age in Hamilton is 31.3 years compared to 35.9 years nationally. Hamilton has a youthful population - around half of residents are under 30 years old. Research and development plays an important part in Hamilton's economy - the city is home to more than 100 PhD scientists Hamilton is known as New Zealand's science capital and is an ideal place to become involved with forward-thinking innovators. Hamilton's sister cities are Sacramento, USA, Saitama, Japan and Wuxi in People's Republic of China. Hamilton's location in New Zealand's growth triangle - Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty - make it a hotbed of economic growth. The website www.investwaikato.com matches global investors, suppliers or partners with Waikato business owners looking for connections. Dairy farming is at the heart of the region, with today's agricultural developments centred on high-tech innovations within the biotechnology, new foods, sensor and software sectors. The World Bank's Ease of Business Survey 2011 ranked New Zealand an impressive third of 138 OECD economies and first for both starting a business and protecting investors. Waikato is known for equine excellence, with the highest number of horses per region in New Zealand. Most horses bred in the region are for export, with thoroughbred horse exports totaling about $160 million annually.