Voting for the Launchpad people's choice award will now open on February 23 - with the winner of the $20,000 prize to be announced in March.
Sponsored by Contact Energy and the Department of Internal Affairs, Launchpad began in October last year. The programme has seen social enterprise hub the Akina Foundation support eleven successful up-and-coming enterprises with practical hands-on business mentoring and development support.
This has included access to funders and impact investors to help get them off the ground and transform their ideas into thriving, self-sustaining businesses.
To mark the teams development, three milestones have been awarded since October by Contact Energy.
Wilding and Co, the Queenstown company making essential oil from wilding pines, picked up the most innovative idea and most improved enterprise awards and ARCO, the initiative working with Kaikohe youth to produce high end furniture, won the community engagement award.
