Beyond logs, kiwifruit and fertilizer – a group of Western Bay businesspeople have plans to add innovation to the region's reputation.

The group, of self-employed professionals, has launched a survey to learn what city businesses believe is needed to foster innovation in the region.

Bay of Plenty Innovation survey organisers Tina Jennen and Jo Allum want to hear ideas from businesspeople on how to foster innovation. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

Survey co-organiser Jo Allum, who produced the survey with Tina Jennen, says the research aims to find out what is needed to create a supportive environment to foster innovation in Tauranga.

Jo, who runs Yojo Design from Priority One's 'Ignition' co-working space, says it is all about discovering what Western Bay innovators need to grow their ideas from seed to success.

"The Bay of Plenty Innovation Survey aims to collect data about the level of ambition and entrepreneurial activity of people here in the Bay. It's a way to reach out to entrepreneurs and find out what they need to develop their business ideas."

Jo has been blown away by the diversity and determination of fellow local entrepreneurs since joining Ignition last year, and she says there are world-class ideas being created all around us.

'People working on food-technology, public health innovations, hard-core science that improves farming practices, aquaculture initiatives.

"These ideas will generate new jobs and new industries by broadening the BOP economy – selling and distributing crops of knowledge to the world.”

Tina, who will analyse the results, is urging all entrepreneurs – from those at school to successful investors – to take part in the survey to help make the Bay the perfect place for innovative business people. To take part in the innovation survey, visit: www.bopin.co.nz.