The ICE Accelerator EiRs are proven entrepreneurs and business leaders. They act as mentors and work one-on-one with residents of ICE Accelerator, providing guidance and feedback, and ensuring that all available resources are leveraged throughout the programme.
Dave Booth
Dave began his career with Databank Systems training in financial management, organisational development and recruitment processes. He then went on to set up www.iwantoneofthose.com, a gifts and gadgets website that soon became one of the fastest growing internet companies in the UK – now employing over 150 staff with annual sales of $25 million. Dave works with The ICEHOUSE to bring about practical and effective solutions in all facets of business. “Keep things simple, avoid re-inventing the wheel, make use of the networks available and identify and implement practical strategies. “
Dr Helen Cross
Over the course of her career Helen has helped a wide range of companies raise over $30 million in capital and grants. Having worked with some of New Zealand’s leading start-up and high-growth companies, including JMI, Aerospace, Optima Corporation, Esquires and Quinovic, she is an experienced business analyst and strategist. Her areas of expertise include international growth planning, capital and grant raising, strategic business planning and financial modeling.
Mark Hardie
Mark is a former General Manager of Gen-i, a NZ owned company that turned over $180million p.a. during his tenure. Significant milestones included restructuring the sales teams, heading a team that won one of the largest outsource contracts at that time (Air NZ/Ansett Australia) and participating in the sales process of Gen-i to the market, at a sales value of $62m. “My career has primarily been in the sales and marketing area of information technology solutions to business problems. I help businesses in both sales team management and strategies for successful client interface.”
Duncan Ledwith
A highly experienced international business leader and entrepreneur, Duncan specialises in all facets of business strategy, notably market validation, entry strategies and international growth. He started his first company at the age of 21, forming 3 more since then based in Europe and the U.S.A and now resides on numerous NZ Company Boards and Advisory Groups. “I can help companies grow, through my experience in local/national, pan European and global business strategy, marketing, sales and team management.”
Carmine Masiello
Carmine has over 15 years entrepreneurial and managerial experience in the IT and media industries. He developed and sold a multimedia production and a postproduction company in Italy before moving to NZ. He is the founder of eBUS, a digital solution to facilitate TV Commercial production and distribution. eBUS was previously a resident of the ICE Accelerator and is currently operating in New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and India. Carmine is also an ICE Angel member.
Dr Leith Oliver
With over fifteen years experience as the owner and managing director of a furniture manufacturing and retail chain business, Leith is well placed to advise our residents in all fields of business management and development. Leith offers specialist expertise in retail, manufacturing and franchising – having set up 20 retail franchises and national and international distribution networks for four of his own businesses to date. He has also designed and launched many of The ICEHOUSE’s growth programmes.
Jaco Pretorius
Jaco is a former Principle of TIAX LLC, the technology and innovation division of Arthur D Lottle Inc. where he led the products group. Before that he was a founding member of Midé Technology Corporation, a high-technology research and development house. Jaco developed, manufactured, installed and maintained products for the US DoD, NASA, and fortune 500 chemical, pharmaceutical and aerospace companies. Currently, Jaco consults in the areas of product development, intellectual property, technology strategy, business growth and forensic engineering.
Duncan Shand
With 15 years corporate experience across a number of industries, a career highlight for Duncan remains his rebranding of Air NZ and development of their long-haul market offering. Duncan has also managed the re-launch of one of New Zealand’s pioneering biotech exporting successes, before being asked to rejuvenate ihug’s market profile and business. In 2004 Duncan founded InsideOut – a company focused on developing breakthrough business growth by applying specialist expertise. “I believe that to succeed you need real passion, a real crusade and you need to ensure that your business has real advantages over what’s currently in the market. If there’s no need for your product or services, then there’s no business.”