Do you have a great health-related idea but are not quite sure how to take it to the next level? Perhaps you already have a product or service and want to know more about what you need to do to successfully get into the United States market?

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is holding workshops later this month that offer the chance to hear directly from United States and New Zealand experts on opportunities in the United States health sector, and learn more about how to best position products and services in the largest health market in the world.

The workshops are part of NZTE’s new business development initiative Focus on Health – A New Zealand Innovation Challenge, which aims to help New Zealand companies, individuals and not-for-profit organisations maximise opportunities in the growing United States health market – a market that spends over US$2 trillion every year on healthcare and plans to spend an additional $135 billion over the next few years, including $20 billion on health technology alone.

Workshops will be held in Auckland (16 June), Christchurch (17 June), Dunedin (18 June) and Wellington (19 June).

Key speakers and topics include:

• Bringing New Zealand Medical Innovation into the United States: Creating wealth through collective wisdom. Jay Srini, Chief Innovation Officer University of Pittsburgh Insurance Services Division. Jay was recently named as one of US Computerworld magazine’s Premier 100 Information Technology Leaders for 2009. She is also one of six judges of The Challenge.
• Open Innovation - How to Collaborate in a Competitive Environment. John Eyles, Research and Alliances Leader, Telecom New Zealand.

The workshops will also include a discussion session focusing on bridging the gap between end-user problems and those with possible health solutions. Representatives from various agencies and health delivery organisations including the Ministry of Health, District Health Boards and Microsoft New Zealand will outline frontline health problems and issues.

Workshop speaker and Challenge judge Jay Srini says: “It is clear to me that the primary care practices in New Zealand have been quite innovative. My job is to funnel innovation by bringing competencies, regardless of location or industry together. I'm looking forward to providing something from my experiences to New Zealand.”

The workshops are free of charge, but you do need to register online at www.nzfocusonhealth.com. Venue details and a full agenda are also available online.

About Jay Srini

Jay Srini is the Chief Innovation Officer for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre (UPMC) Insurance Services Division where she is responsible for developing the methods, tools and strategies that result in innovative health care solutions and positive consumer experiences. She also serves on the board of Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) in addition to serving on the advisory board of select technology firms in Pittsburgh. Jay was recently named as one of US Computerworld magazine’s Premier 100 Information Technology Leaders for 2009.

About The Challenge

Focus on Health – A New Zealand Innovation Challenge provides an opportunity to get connected with influential business leaders and health professionals in New Zealand and the United States, receive mentoring and support to fast-track health solutions into the United States, and the chance to win a possible share of over $500,000 of in-kind and cash prizes. For more information visit www.nzfocusonhealth.com

For any enquiries please contact:

Dana Findlay, NZTE, ph 09 354 9058 or 027 211 2025, email: dana.findlay@nzte.govt.nz

Bob Pinchin, Sway.tech, ph 09 984 4141 or  021 223 8506, email bobp@swaytech.co.nz