Straker given grant for plan

By RICHARD WOOD

Straker Interactive has overcome some of its difficulties with Industry New Zealand and landed a Biz Enterprise grant for $11,000.

In August the software developer and exporter criticised Industry NZ's handling of a grant application for up to $100,000.

Straker's main gripe was that the software development tools it uses were given as one of the reasons for declining. But the firm's managers were also unhappy with the time it took to process.

The grant Straker has now received is to develop a business plan and requires an equal contribution from Straker.

Managing director Grant Straker said it came down to needing a business plan in order to apply for further funding from Industry New Zealand, but he is not sure whether he will take it further.

"I guess it still comes down to all the effort and mucking around for $11,000. It's nice and you're not going to knock it because it's good to get it if somebody gives you something. But it still is not really going to assist you."

Straker says the $100,000 he wanted earlier in the year would have been a great help in managing cash flow at a time when the company was attacking overseas markets.

"Over that period since January this year that would have made a difference each month enough for a business of our size to actually be a reasonable benefit.

"For us everything comes down to when you're going to grow your business and you're putting everything you possibly can into these overseas markets."

Straker said UK turnover this year would be between NZ$1.5 million and $4.5 million, and the firm is about to open an office in Sydney and further expand into the Asia Pacific region.

He said the Government needed to stop trying to control investments and cut taxes instead.

"As long as they try managing it and controlling it on a one-for-one I don't think you're really going to see a major difference."