Competition Paves Way To US Market

The founder and marketing manager of learning management systems company Litmos have created a competition for Kiwi entrepreneurs to get their business humming in the US.

Booster Seat 2011, created by Rich Chetwynd and Nicole Fougere, offers the chance to win space at the Landing Pad, the Kiwi-run, San Francisco business development base. Together with return flights and 30 days’ accommodation, the prize value is $10,000.

The pair wanted to give something back to the Kiwi entrepreneurial community having exited Litmos, says Fougere. Litmos was acquired last month by Callidus Software.

The contest is open to New Zealand residents involved in web startups, growing businesses wanting to enter the US market, or those with a business idea they want to bring to fruition.

The Icehouse CEO Andy Hamilton will help Chetwynd and Fougere judge the winner.

The Landing Pad is supported by Kiwi investors including Sam Morgan and is located in San Francisco’s technology hub.

Entries can be emailed to boosterseat2011@gmail.com by 14 August.