Dave Craig is positive about the future and sees massive
opportunities while knowing most are operating in a
‘business is not usual’ framework.
“We are a
long standing developer of entrepreneurial talent and
creating the conditions for start-up companies to flourish.
We created the first co-working space in Palmerston North at
The Factory and I have been privileged to lead the Innovate
programme for nearly ten years,” explains Dave who has
been respected for developing significant relationships,
stakeholder engagement and helping entrepreneurs and
businesses grow by providing pathways and networks. Dave is
well-known in the Palmerston North Manawatū region for his
understanding of leveraging community business nous and
basketball management and playing skills.
“We sit in
a geographically important region in New Zealand,”
continues Craig. “And, together with our Board,
colleagues, experienced business leaders and young
start-ups, we will be focused to help solve big problems yet
agile to always do what we say we will do –
well.”
New Chair Murray Georgel has been a Director
at The Factory since 2015, is an Investor and supporter of a
number of start-up companies and Board member of several
local organisations, covering for profit and not for profit
in infrastructure, health, agri-tech and performing
arts.
Murray says of outgoing Chair Derek Walker that
“he is leaving us with the legacy of good governance and
achieving objectives set out from the start.”
Derek
continues that “The Factory is a well-respected innovation
centre regionally and nationally which is a credit to
outgoing CEO Dean Tilyard and the team.”
Dean has
been named Venture Partner at Finistere Ventures, the global
Venture Capital firm focused on future foods and connected
capital for the agritech sector. Dean is responsible for
Finistere Ventures in New Zealand with offices at The
Factory.
Notes to the Editor:-
- The
Factory is responsible for helping validate companies
business models with accelerator and investment programmes
and other growth initiatives - Dave Craig is an
internal hire and demonstrates developing local talent as
well as promoting from within seizes
opportunities - Derek Walker has been Chair at The
Factory since inception. He is passionate about The
Factory’s programmes and his most rewarding initiative is
with the growth of Sprout’s national reach and its spin
out into a new separate national technology investment
incubator, Sprout
Agritech.
