Wharf42, the New Zealand-based business connector focused on identifying high-potential Kiwi technology start-ups and setting them up in Silicon Valley has announced the imminent arrival of two leading thought leaders in technology, Bill Reichert and Adiba Barney.
Set to visit the country between May 3-8, Barney is CEO of Silicon Valley Forum while Reichert is the Managing Director of Garage Technology Ventures.
The visit features events in Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch and is designed to enable early stage tech businesses and members of the New Zealand investment community connect and learn more about the current tech and investment landscape in Silicon Valley.
“Wharf42 is working with Silicon Valley Forum, Garage Technology Ventures, Plug and Play and other entrepreneurial and investment networks in the Valley to help open up this vast ecosystem to potential high growth New Zealand tech companies,” says Peter Wren-Hilton, founder, Wharf42.
“This visit is part of a longer term strategy to help New Zealand entrepreneurs and investors meet and connect directly with key members of that ecosystem.”
Barney is the CEO of SVForum - Silicon Valley´s largest and oldest non-profit organisation, dedicated to educating and creating relationships within the technology and startup community.
“I am excited to be meeting the local entrepreneur and investor community,” Barney adds. “SV Forum is dedicated to assisting start-ups from around the world connect with the Silicon Valley ecosystem.
“We are delighted to be working with the team at Wharf42 to help New Zealand entrepreneurs along that journey.”
Meanwhile Reichert, with over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur and operating executive, heads up Garage Technology Ventures, a seed-stage and early-stage venture capital fund company.
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“New Zealand is well-known as a country where innovation is of the highest international standard,” he adds. “Taking that innovation offshore and effectively commercialising it however means that tech companies need to understand the market they are targeting.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to share my perspectives on the U.S. market and the Silicon Valley ecosystem, and also to have the opportunity to find some brilliant start-ups for Garage Technology Ventures.”
Barney and Reichert will visit New Zealand with the support of Wharf42, Callaghan Innovation, Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development, Grow Wellington, Canterbury Development Corporation and ASB Bank.
Join the CIO New Zealand group on LinkedIn. The group is open to CIOs, IT Directors, COOs, CTOs and senior IT managers.