Dare you enter the Dragons’ Den?

Nelson City Council and the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce presents an evening of Climate Change action and innovation at the Boathouse.

If you have a business idea related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions you can apply to pitch it to our trio of Dragons. Those who succeed in taming them will get up to $25,000 funding from Council’s Climate Business Grant.

The three mystery Dragons sitting on the treasure will be announced soon. 

Relevant dates:

• Applications open - 3 February 2025
• Applications close - 2 March 2025
• Dragons’ Den event - 19 March 2025

If you have a project that fits the bill visit the Climate Change section on Council’s website to read the grant guidelines and apply!

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY HERE

This event will be a fantastic night for networking, inspiring climate action and celebration as we applaud the successful grant applicants on the night.

Make an evening of the event and enjoy Boathouse drinks and meals, available to purchase on the night.

Book tickets for the Dragons' Den event via the Chamber of Commerce: https://www.commerce.org.nz/event/dragons-den

Please consider car-pooling, busing, biking or walking to the Boathouse.

Sally Gepp

Sally is a fearless advocate for environmental justice, having waged battles and overcome oppressors in Courts throughout the land. Her prowess has been recognised by the King himself, who has called on her to be his own Kings’ Counsel.

When not in Court, Sally is a board member of Lawyers for Climate Action and also lectures in resource management law at Victoria University of Wellington, helping to sharpen the minds of the next generation of environmental lawyers. 

Despite being the only non-mountain biker in the city, she is a committed Nelsonian and is looking forward to hearing hopeful applicants’ ideas for how to Make Nelson Great Again (at reducing carbon emissions). 

Eric Swale

The Tallest, Loudest Dragon in the Den. At 2 metres tall with a voice that needs no microphone, Eric Swale doesn’t just hear pitches—he commands them.

As Commercial Development Manager at Cawthron Institute, he turns cutting-edge science into commercial gold, forging high-impact industry partnerships along the way. With a background in law, finance, and eight years in London’s high-stakes world of advisory, private equity, and corporate development, Eric knows a winning idea when he sees one.

If your pitch is weak, he’ll let you know—loudly. But if it’s strong? He’s got the strategy, connections, and firepower to help take it big. Bring your best. And maybe some earplugs.

Miriana Stephens

A powerhouse from Ngāti Rārua, Ngāi Te Rangi, and Ngāti Ranginui, Miriana’s not just about business – she’s about impact. With a BA in NZ History, a Law Degree, and a knack for balancing four kids (some still at home), she’s a 2016 Aotearoa NZ Māori Woman Business Leader awardee.

Over 20 years, she’s built businesses and co-authored books that mix Te Reo Māori with English, making entrepreneurship accessible to all. As a director at Wakatū Incorporation, she’s driving a 500-year vision for a better future.

Leading AuOra™, Miriana’s all about reconnecting whānau to whenua, protecting the environment, and tackling climate change.

Brave souls with ingenious ideas to help businesses reduce their greenhouse gas emissions are invited to take part in Nelson City Council’s Dragons’ Den – Climate Change edition event and potentially win funding from Council’s Climate Change Business Grants.

With a total funding pool of $25,000 on offer, Council is looking for businesses who want to pitch their climate change initiative to our three dragons; Wakatū Incorporation board member and director Miriana Stephens, Commercial Development Manager at Cawthron Eric Swale, and environmental lawyer Sally Gepp KC.

Chair of Council’s Climate Change Taskforce Aaron Stallard says the dragons will make a formidable team. “There’s years of experience and gallons of expertise between our three dragons, who will all bring a unique perspective to the event. If you have a business idea that will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, that also has a social or community component, in Nelson, I strongly encourage you to step forward and apply,” he says.

“I would love to see ideas that focus on the areas responsible for most of our greenhouse gases as these are the areas where innovation can have the biggest impact. Transport is the number one producer of emissions in our region, followed by stationary energy (that’s things like heating and lighting of our buildings). Projects that involve the agricultural sector would also be an area of interest as emissions from this industry have the biggest impact on a national level.”

 
The Dragons’ Den event will be filmed in front of a live audience at the Boathouse in Tahunanui on 19 March. MC for the night Deputy Mayor Rohan O’Neill-Stevens says he’s prepared to make sure applicants can face the dragons without fear.

 
“If you’re applying you will get some time with Council staff to help prepare your pitch. You will be presenting in front of a friendly audience of people who want to see you do well. Our Dragons will no doubt ask some searching questions but you’re not going to be facing Smaug.

 
“The $25,000 fund could be awarded to one idea or it could be split in some way on the night.”

 
Applications to the fund open on February 3, and businesses must complete and submit an online form to take part. Successful applications must meet the criteria for the fund, the most important being that it focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. All relevant details can be found at nelson.govt.nz/climate-change

Funding will be provided to the winning applications following the Dragons’ Den event. Winners will then have 12 months to complete their projects using the allocated funding.

 
At the end of the 12-month period, winning applicants will be required to submit a report detailing how the funds were spent, as well as the impact your project has made in reducing emissions. 

 
Businesses wishing to talk with Council staff before making an application should email: climatechangeteam@ncc.govt.nz.