My name is Paul Kerssens and I represent Impact Hub Waikato. We serve as an eco-system builder in the Waikato for Impact Enterprises. We connect, enable and inspire impact entrepreneurs to accelerate their impact through the means of business and profit.

We collaborate with Venture Centre as a partner in the Bay of Plenty on multiple occasions and have been doing so for approximately a year. With the entrepreneurial programmes Impact Hub offers we have worked with Pascale and Jo from Venture Centre in the delivery of workshops, making connections with mentors and service providers and helping each other in raising awareness for each others offerings. 

I believe Venture Centre has built up a unique and wide network and eco-system for social enterprises in the Tauranga region and broader. They have a good overview of the regional sector and are able to make relevant and meaningful connections. They also have good expertise in early/idea stage ventures and bringing them to the next level of their entrepreneurial journey. I believe they have the talent of identifying the needs of the entrepreneurs and connecting them with the right stakeholders.

Venture Centre has the unique position and track record to create and accelerate the social enterprise sector in the Bay of Plenty and potentially broader through the national and international networks they are part of. With that they are able to support and grow the sector, making entrepreneurs more successful and thus enabling and growing the movement of business for good, creating positive impact besides profit.

With the years of experience the Venture Centre has in supporting and connecting early stage entrepreneurs they can be seen as stable and reliable partner in creating positive change.