Three-day program in Fiji provides business-building advice, help in applying for global competition; workshop applications due October 5
CARMEL, CA, September 26, 2016—Fish 2.0 will hold a free three-day business development workshop for Pacific Islands seafood businesses in Suva, Fiji, November 8–10, 2016. Participants will receive expert advice on communicating about their business, training on pitching to investors, and guidance on succeeding in the 2017 Fish 2.0 competition.
Fish 2.0 is a global business competition that connects seafood businesses with investors, giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to win cash prizes, gain international visibility, find strategic partners and attract new investments. Foundations, investors and seafood industry leaders support the competition and interact with participating businesses.
In 2017, the top three businesses from a dedicated Pacific Islands track will be invited to pitch to investors at the November final event at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. Over 60 percent of the enterprises participating in Fish 2.0 2015 gained investment, new partners or new customers from connections made during this event.
Fish 2.0 invites seafood businesses throughout the Pacific Islands to apply
The Suva workshop is open to both startups and established businesses from throughout the Pacific Islands; assistance with travel costs is available. Attendees are not required to participate in Fish 2.0, but they will receive help with completing an application for the competition, and will learn what investors are looking for.
Alfred Kalontas, founder of ALFA Fishing in Vanuatu, started on his path to becoming a 2015 Fish 2.0 winner by participating in a 2015 Pacific Islands workshop. He says the whole experience transformed his business. “Right from the Fish 2.0 workshop through to the finals, the Fish 2.0 journey has been the best morale booster and value-add to my original idea,” he says. “Fish 2.0 is truly where investors are connected directly to seafood businesses, regardless of economy or size.”
Workshop and competition impact draws sponsors
The U.S. State Department is returning as a workshop sponsor, noting that “this unique and innovative program enabled sustainable fisheries and seafood companies from the Pacific to receive mentoring and connect with investors in the United States.” Pacific Islands Trade and Invest and the Forum Fisheries Agency also are joining as sponsors for the Pacific Islands track. The World Wildlife Fund – Pacific office is partnering with Fish 2.0 to support Pacific Islander business leaders who want to participate.
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Detailed workshop information is available . For questions, please contact Qela Waqabitu by email at qwaqabitu@wwfpacific.org or 679-331-5533.
About Fish 2.0
Fish 2.0 connects seafood businesses and investors to grow the sustainable seafood sector. Working through our unique global network, competition platform and events, Fish 2.0 participants collaborate to drive innovation, business growth and positive impact. Entrepreneurs meet potential investors, partners, and advisors that help them accelerate impact and growth. Investors and experts get early access to investment opportunities and learn about emerging technologies and trends. And industry leaders gain direct access to sustainable seafood suppliers and partners.
About WWF
WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. More information: panda.org
Media contacts
Fish 2.0
Sandra Stewart, Thinkshift Communications
sandra@thinkshiftcom.com
415.391.4449
WWF-Pacific
Tui Marseu
tmarseu@wwfpacific.org
679.331.5533
