Enter the Dragons

Brave souls with ingenious ideas to help businesses reduce their greenhouse gas emissions are invited to take part in Nelson City Council’s Dragons’ Den – Climate Change edition event and potentially win funding from Council’s Climate Change Business Grants.

With a total funding pool of $25,000 on offer, Council is looking for businesses who want to pitch their climate change initiative to our three dragons; Wakatū Incorporation board member and director Miriana Stephens, Commercial Development Manager at Cawthron Eric Swale, and environmental lawyer Sally Gepp KC.

Chair of Council’s Climate Change Taskforce Aaron Stallard says the dragons will make a formidable team. “There’s years of experience and gallons of expertise between our three dragons, who will all bring a unique perspective to the event. If you have a business idea that will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, that also has a social or community component, in Nelson, I strongly encourage you to step forward and apply,” he says.

 
“I would love to see ideas that focus on the areas responsible for most of our greenhouse gases as these are the areas where innovation can have the biggest impact. Transport is the number one producer of emissions in our region, followed by stationary energy (that’s things like heating and lighting of our buildings). Projects that involve the agricultural sector would also be an area of interest as emissions from this industry have the biggest impact on a national level.”

 
The Dragons’ Den event will be filmed in front of a live audience at the Boathouse in Tahunanui on 19 March. MC for the night Deputy Mayor Rohan O’Neill-Stevens says he’s prepared to make sure applicants can face the dragons without fear.

 
“If you’re applying you will get some time with Council staff to help prepare your pitch. You will be presenting in front of a friendly audience of people who want to see you do well. Our Dragons will no doubt ask some searching questions but you’re not going to be facing Smaug.

 
“The $25,000 fund could be awarded to one idea or it could be split in some way on the night.”

 
Applications to the fund open on February 3, and businesses must complete and submit an online form to take part. Successful applications must meet the criteria for the fund, the most important being that it focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. All relevant details can be found at nelson.govt.nz/climate-change

Funding will be provided to the winning applications following the Dragons’ Den event. Winners will then have 12 months to complete their projects using the allocated funding.

 
At the end of the 12-month period, winning applicants will be required to submit a report detailing how the funds were spent, as well as the impact your project has made in reducing emissions. 

 
Businesses wishing to talk with Council staff before making an application should email: climatechangeteam@ncc.govt.nz.