Compass network
Our trusted network of partners provide specialist expertise and pro-bono support to our ventures.
The people and ventures we support are often tackling difficult and complex challenges with minimal resources and limited capacity.
The Compass Network has created valuable impact for our ventures, with proven results in a number of areas.
What we look for
Our ventures need pro-active support, specialist expertise and a network of partners to support them throughout their germination, incubation and graduation stages.
We develop partnerships with individuals and organisations that have more than 10 years’ experience in their area of expertise.
We look for people and organisations with experience in the following areas:
- Business models and business planning
- Strategic thinking and review
- Market and partner assessment
- Financial planning, modelling, and reporting
- Business development and financing proposals
- Governance
- Management coaching
- Scientific and/or technical advisory
- Performance measurement
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Marketing and creative
- Communications strategy and public relations
- IT and operations
- Legal support
How it works
We meet with each potential partner to ensure they have a sound understanding of our organisation and what the Compass Network involves.
We can also explore ways to involve junior and intermediate employees on a case-by-case basis.
We scope and broker each engagement based on the needs of our ventures as they progress.
The assignments tend to fall into three categories:
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Core deliverable
Deliver a specific piece of high-value work for the venture. Compass partners can help to accelerate a venture’s development by delivering a key part of the business plan that they don’t have capacity or the capability to undertake themselves. Recent examples include advising on an appropriate legal form and governance model for community energy enterprises and marketing and business appraisal for a venture looking to expand their reach into new sectors and locations across New Zealand.
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Task force
Work with a venture on an intense and concise assignment. This will often take a ‘design lab’ format – where a selection of appropriate Compass partners come together to workshop an early stage venture and develop a business plan for the venture to take forward.
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Mentoring
Compass partners can commit to a long-term, one-to-one engagement with a venture to provide professional support, external challenge and perspective.
What our partners gain
- the chance to work with and advance some of the most entrepreneurial ideas emerging in the sustainability space across New Zealand
- the opportunity to support individuals and organisations to maximize their impact
- the ability to contribute specific skills and expertise – rather than just volunteering time
- professional development for teams
- potential fit with CSR strategies and the opportunity to develop on-going partnerships and programmes.
If the Compass Network sounds like a good fit for you or your organisation, we’d love to hear from you. Contact [email protected] to discuss getting involved.
