A Tauranga-based technology connector focused on identifying high-potential New Zealand technology start-up businesses to help plug them into Silicon Valley was launched today.

Wharf42 was envisioned and is backed by the founder of Tauranga-based company Pingar, Peter Wren-Hilton, who has first-hand experience of taking a high-growth New Zealand technology start-up global via the Silicon Valley connection.

'Wharf42 exists to help early stage technology companies to grow and connect on a scale and at a speed which just isn't possible from within New Zealand” says Peter.

He shared his vision with technologist Brett Roberts, who, for the past 10 years, has been involved in mentoring and advising early stage technology companies via the ICEHOUSE incubator, University of Auckland's Spark program, Microsoft's Imagine Cup and Startup Weekend events. Brett is the chief executive for Wharf42.

'New Zealand is a country of innovators and entrepreneurs, however, the concentration of innovators is not matched by onshore funding and growth opportunities,” says Brett.

'Wharf42's mission is to substantially increase the flow of New Zealand tech companies into North America and a technology ecosystem which includes a robust network of seed, venture capital and other funding.”

Brett's background includes co-founding business strategy consultancy Business IQ Limited and 12 years in a variety of senior management roles in Microsoft's New Zealand subsidiary.

Wharf42 fully supports the efforts of NZ Trade and Enterprise and the Ministry of Science and Innovation as well as other government organisations and technology ecosystem partners and incubators.

'Our goals of fostering innovation, creating jobs and generating export earnings are in complete alignment,” says Brett.

'We have strong relationships with these organisations and, in addition to being complementary to the existing community of business incubators and accelerators, we will also help provide those agencies with a clearer picture of New Zealand's technology entrepreneur community.”

Wharf42 is working with Western Bay of Plenty economic development agency Priority One.

'Priority One is very pleased to be working with Wharf42,” says Priority One CEO Andrew Coker.

'Whilst Wharf42 has a broad New Zealand focus, we believe that the fact they are located here in Tauranga will help us identify existing tech start-ups in the Bay of Plenty and attract others who wish to take advantage of the lifestyle, infrastructure and investment opportunities which exist here.”

From day one, Wharf42 will have a broad New Zealand focus and will work alongside the existing network of New Zealand incubators and accelerators, including the ICEHOUSE.

'Wharf42 provides a great conduit for Kiwi tech start-ups to get to Silicon Valley in a timely and efficient manner,” says ICEHOUSE chief executive Andrew Hamilton.

'In the past this has always been a somewhat complex process and I believe Wharf42 will be a great partner for organisations such as the ICEHOUSE who are constantly working to identify and grow the next generation of entrepreneurs here in New Zealand.”

In Silicon Valley, Wharf42 will partner with the Plug and Play Tech Center, home to over 300 global start-ups and located in Sunnyvale, the heart of the Valley, to provide funding, advisory, legal and other services along with office space.

'The Plug and Play Tech Center is ideally placed to help New Zealand tech start-ups develop and connect into the Silicon Valley ecosystem,” says Plug and Play Tech Center president Candice Wu.

'We look forward to working with Wharf42 and a variety of innovative and creative kiwi companies.”

Wharf42 has also partnered with SVForum, the leading connector of start-ups in the Valley ecosystem.

'SVForum is the foremost entrepreneur network in Silicon Valley,” says SVForum chief executive Chris Gill.

'We look forward to working with the Wharf42 team to help connect innovative New Zealand start-ups to some of the most exciting entrepreneurs, investors and tech company opportunities in the Valley.”

Although his new role as Wharf42's CEO is a full-time one, Brett will remain a partner, director and shareholder of Business IQ, which itself is experiencing substantial growth and counts a number of NZ technology companies as its clients.