FAQs

Regional Business Partner funding partially pays for training and development costs to upskill business owners, managers and key decision makers. The training must improve management capability and help grow your business. 

Most training is in the form of workshops or courses and can cover a wide variety of business topics.

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The funding is limited to business owners, senior managers and key decision makers.

You must also be a registered and trading business with less than 50 full-time employees.

Soda is the Regional Business Partner for the Waikato region. If your business is not based in the Waikato, you can find your local provider here.

No, it’s free!

Read the FAQ’s for unregistered service providers on the Regional Business Partner website.

Startups can access free one-to-one coaching and support through Startup Aotearoa.

1. Check the eligibility criteria here.
2. Register with the Regional Business Network here.
3. One of Soda’s Business Growth Advisors will contact you to make an initial appointment (usually online).
4. Undertake a discovery session so we can understand your business and business needs.
5. Soda will email you an action plan including service providers and workshop/course options.
6. After reviewing options and proposal from service provider, you decide which workshop/course/service provider to use.
7. Funding is allocated via the RBP Network portal. You will receive an email with a link in it to confirm the funding and please take note of the amount that you will be responsible for. 
8. Begin training at a mutually agreed date.

• If your business is innovating, we can help you navigate and access a variety of R&D and innovation funding options available through Callaghan Innovation. Find out more
• We offer a range of workshops which you can see here.
• Startups can access free one-to-one coaching and support through Startup Aotearoa.
• Our Soda Speaker Series is held in Hamilton every two-three months and is a free two-hour workshop focused on a relevant business topic. Check out our social media pages or sign up to our monthly newsletter so you don’t miss out.
• Our RISE UP programme offers tailored support for female entrepreneurs. In 2024 we will be running a series of Power Lunch events focused on supporting women in business and female founders.
• We also have a free Resource page on our website where you can find all sorts of practical information and tools for business owners and founders.