Business South
Business South Inc. is a non-profit membership-based business association serving Otago and Southland businesses in southern New Zealand, delivering training, advocacy, business advisory, and workforce development through the Accelerator, AdviceLine, Pathways Hub, and Regional Business Partners services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1861
- HeadquartersDunedin, New Zealand
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Business South does
Business South Inc. is a non-profit, membership-based business association serving southern New Zealand, formed from the merger of the Otago Chamber of Commerce and the Otago Southland Employers' Association. The organization delivers integrated business support services through approximately 18 staff members organized into business/legal services, operations and learning & development, advocacy, innovation navigation, and regional Business Navigator roles. Core programs include the Accelerator (a free business assessment tool), AdviceLine (free unlimited HR and employment-relations advisory for members), professional development training (covering sustainability, health and safety, and AI for business), business advocacy to local and central government, sustainability and Toitū carbonzero support, and the Pathways Hub encompassing 4Trades, Business Mentors NZ, Workforce Central Dunedin, and the Young Enterprise Scheme for workforce development.
Revenue is generated through three principal streams: recurring membership subscriptions from businesses across Otago and Southland (Dunedin, Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago, Waitaki, Clutha, Southland); government contracts including the MBIE Regional Business Partners contract and Callaghan Innovation partnership that position Business South as the regional delivery agent for innovation and capability funding; and professional services revenue from training programs and event sponsorships including the biennial Grand Business South Awards. Distribution is conducted through regional Business Navigators deployed across defined territories, supplemented by a member mobile app, email communications, BA5 networking events, MET (Manufacturing/Engineering/Technology) series, and quarterly business surveys used for advocacy. There is no proprietary technology platform; the digital infrastructure consists of a website, member app, and standard CRM supporting membership management.
The organization operates as a core member of the BusinessNZ Network and NZ Chamber of Commerce Alliance, providing members with national advocacy reach and direct engagement with the Prime Minister and government ministers. CEO Mike Collins leads the executive team; the board is chaired by Dominique Dowding (CEO Grand Casino) and includes representatives from Dunedin Airport, University of Otago, Mitre 10, Findex, Downie Stewart, LandPro, Platinum Recruitment, and Farra Engineering. Strategic partnerships include a Memorandum of Cooperation with the China Chamber of International Commerce (Qingdao) for trans-Pacific trade access, and enterprise partnerships with Datacom, Xero, 2degrees, and Otago Community Trust.
Business South firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Business South
- Legal name
- Business South Inc.
- Website
- https://business-south.org.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1861
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Business South Inc. is a non-profit membership-based business association serving Otago and Southland businesses in southern New Zealand, delivering training, advocacy, business advisory, and workforce development through the Accelerator, AdviceLine, Pathways Hub, and Regional Business Partners services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Business South industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Chamber of Commerce and Business Association Services
- NAICS
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (541611)
- SIC
- Services-Management Services (8741)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Leadership, Management & Teamwork for Business (EDAMAHAI), Marketing, Branding & Sales Skills (EDAMAHAG), Career Exploration & Industry Exposure (Guest Speakers, Company Visits) (EDAMAHAJ)
Keywords
Where Business South is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dunedin
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Business South business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Business South operates as a membership organization with businesses across Otago and Southland paying for access to services including the Accelerator, AdviceLine, training, export support, business advocacy, sustainability guidance, and workforce development programs.
- Government Contracts: Business South receives funding and contracts from government agencies including MBIE (Regional Business Partners contract) and Callaghan Innovation to deliver business support, innovation navigation, and workforce development services.
- Training and Events: Revenue generated from training programs and event sponsorships, including the biennial Grand Business South Awards gala dinner.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Business Mentors NZ - Up to one year mentorship |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Business South product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Business South is a non-profit membership-based business association that provides business support, training, advocacy, and workforce development services to businesses in the Otago and Southland regions of New Zealand. Formed from the merger of the Otago Chamber of Commerce and the Otago Southland Employers' Association, it offers programs including the Accelerator business assessment, AdviceLine HR/legal support, training, export assistance, sustainability services, business advocacy, and the Pathways Hub for workforce development.
Product overview
Business South is a membership organization (not a software product) serving as the combined Otago Chamber of Commerce and Southern Employers Association. It operates as a platform of integrated business support services organized around: The Accelerator (core assessment and growth program), AdviceLine (free HR/legal advisory service), Training (professional development courses), Business Advocacy (government lobbying), Sustainability services, Pathways Hub (workforce development including 4Trades, YES, SOREC Academy), Innovation support (Innovation Navigator, R&D Experience Grants), and member benefits (Business South Endorsed, Accredited Service Partners). Additional offerings include the Business South Phone App, Events (BA5 networking, MET series, Awards), Export support, and research (Quarterly Business Survey). The organization connects members to national networks through BusinessNZ and NZ Chamber of Commerce Alliance.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The Accelerator A free business assessment program that works like a warrant of fitness (WOF), evaluating what is working, what is not, and providing a clear plan for next steps. Available to businesses across Otago and Southland.
- AdviceLine A free members-only service providing unlimited call access to support employment-related questions and concerns, including legal and HR advice. Reached via 0508 656 757.
- Exportation Support Assistance with export documentation, helping businesses in Otago and Southland simplify the complex process of exporting goods and services.
- Regional Business Partners (Business Strategy and Growth) Support for businesses looking to start, grow or develop, delivered through Regional Business Partner connections and funding, funded under MBIE contract.
- Training A comprehensive range of professional development training including sustainability, health and safety, AI for business, and other business skills courses.
- Business Advocacy Voice of business representation advocating to local and central government on issues affecting members, minimizing barriers to business success.
- Sustainability Services Commitment to sustainability support including training, mentorship, resources, and guidance on sustainable business practices and carbon reduction.
- Pathways Hub Workforce development platform encompassing 4Trades, BMNZ, WFCD, MnM, and YES programs for attracting, retaining, and developing workforce in the southern region.
- Business Mentors NZ
- Business South Phone App
- R&D Experience Grants Innovation support program facilitating internships for undergraduate students across innovation-led businesses, funded through Callaghan Innovation partnership.
- MET Series Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology networking and showcase series featuring local companies, panels, and facility tours.
- Innovation Navigator Support service identifying innovative local businesses and helping them access Callaghan Innovation funding and assistance for R&D and business evolution.
- Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) Program where secondary school students (years 12-13) set up and run real businesses, creating products and bringing them to market, with regional finals and national competition.
- SOREC Academy Southland and Otago Regional Engineering Collective academy supporting manufacturing and engineering workforce development.
- Fair Pay Agreements Support Information, FAQs, webinars and AdviceLine support helping members understand and navigate Fair Pay Agreements legislation.
- Business South Endorsed Seal of approval program strengthening brand visibility, signalling to Southern businesses that members deliver what they promise.
- Accredited Service Partner Program Recognition of trusted service providers with experience, reliability and commitment to supporting Otago and Southland businesses.
- The Grand Business South Awards Biennial premier event celebrating business excellence, recognizing innovation, creativity and success across the southern region.
- Quarterly Southern Business Survey Regular business sentiment survey providing insights on regional economic conditions, used for advocacy work at central and local government levels.
- Invest Ōtepoti Dunedin Growth plan developed by Business South to attract investment, back businesses, and unlock new opportunities for Dunedin city and region.
Companies that use Business South
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Business South technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Business South partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.
- BusinessNZcoreBusiness South is a core member of the BusinessNZ network, the peak advocacy organisation for New Zealand business. Through this partnership, members benefit from national-level advocacy, access to resources, and representation at the highest government levels.
- New Zealand Chambers of CommercecoreBusiness South is a member of the NZ Chamber of Commerce Alliance, providing cross-regional business connections and collective advocacy capabilities.
- MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment)coreBusiness South holds a Regional Business Partners contract with MBIE, enabling delivery of business capability support and funding programs to Otago and Southland businesses.
- Callaghan InnovationcoreBusiness South's Callaghan Innovation team provides access to innovation funding, grants, and support suitable for all stages of the business lifecycle. The partnership includes the Deep Tech Incubator program and innovation navigator services.
- China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC), Qingdao ChamberstrategicBusiness South signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with CCOIC Qingdao Chamber to promote trade and economic relations between the two cities, opening opportunities for southern NZ businesses to build relationships in the Chinese commercial centre.
- Otago PolytechniccoreOtago Polytechnic has been a member since 1990 and collaborates on sustainability initiatives. The organization is committed to carbon neutrality by 2030 and was the first NZ tertiary institution to join the Climate Leaders Coalition.
- University of OtagocoreThrough the University of Otago Business School (Platinum Sponsor of YES) and the Audacious Program supporting startups like Education Perfect, the partnership supports youth entrepreneurship and business education.
- Southland and Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC)strategicBusiness South is committed to supporting Engineering and Manufacturing in the south through SOREC, including the SOREC Academy for workforce development in these sectors.
- Young Enterprise Scheme (YES)coreBusiness South supports the YES program for secondary school students (years 12-13), helping students set up and run real businesses. The organization expanded the program to Queenstown and Wanaka.
- 4 TradescorePart of the Pathways Hub, 4 Trades connects employers with workforce development programs to attract, retain, and develop tradespeople in the region.
- Workforce Central Dunedin (WFCD)coreBusiness South is part of WFCD, working to ensure the city has the workforce needed to deliver key infrastructure projects including the $1.5B new Dunedin Hospital development.
- DatacomstrategicDatacom announced as principal sponsor for Mindz in Action 2025, supporting youth career development events.
- XerostrategicBusiness South joined forces with Xero to provide exclusive training and resources for accounting software to members.
- Business Mentors NZcoreBusiness South acts as an agent for Business Mentors NZ, connecting small businesses with experienced mentors. The service has supported over 80,000 small business owners with access to 1,500 mentors.
- Queenstown Chamber of CommercecorePartnership in the Regional Chamber Hub to support business across the South Island.
- Wānaka Chamber of CommercecorePartnership in the Regional Chamber Hub to support business in the Wānaka region.
- Southland Chamber of CommercecorePartnership in the Regional Chamber Hub to support business in the Southland region.
- 2degreesstrategic2degrees joined as an Enterprise Partner, providing telecommunications services and support to the business community.
- The Grand CasinostrategicNaming sponsor of The Grand Business South Awards and sponsor of Wahine Connection event.
- EMA (Employers and Manufacturers Association)corePart of the BusinessNZ Network providing employment relations support and resources.
- BusinessCentralcorePart of the BusinessNZ Network supporting businesses in the central region.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Business South competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Auckland Business Chamber: New Zealand's largest regional chamber, also affiliated with BusinessNZ and offering membership, advocacy, training and international trade services to NZ businesses. Directly comparable to Business South in operating model and service mix, but operating at much greater scale in Auckland.
- Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce: Christchurch-based chamber and BusinessNZ-affiliated body delivering advocacy, training, international trade and HR-advice services to Canterbury businesses. Closest functional analogue to Business South outside the Otago/Southland region.
- Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce: Wellington's regional chamber providing business support, advocacy, training and member services under the BusinessNZ umbrella. Directly comparable in service portfolio and member-based model to Business South.
- Waikato Chamber of Commerce: Hamilton-based regional chamber offering membership, advocacy, training and networking services to Waikato businesses. Operates the same chamber-of-commerce-plus-employer-relations hybrid model in a different region.
- Business Central (New Zealand): Lower North Island chamber and BusinessNZ member offering membership, employment relations, training and advocacy services. Sister-network partner to Business South via the BusinessNZ umbrella.
Broad incumbents
- BusinessNZ: National peak advocacy body for NZ business, of which Business South is a core member. Provides national-level lobbying, policy work, and EMA network coordination that complements and overlaps with regional chambers' advocacy role.
- EMA (Employers and Manufacturers Association): Northern NZ-focused employers and manufacturers association providing employment relations, training, and advocacy under the BusinessNZ umbrella. Overlaps directly with Business South's employer-relations and training mandates.
Others
- Regional Business Partners Network (MBIE): Government-funded national network of business support providers (of which Business South is one) delivering capability-building and innovation services. Acts as both a partner and a partial substitute for Business South's own delivery.
Regional players
- Southland Chamber of Commerce: Invercargill-based regional chamber operating within Business South's Southland territory as part of the Regional Chamber Hub. Adjacent rather than fully overlapping, with shared events and member referrals.
- Queenstown Chamber of Commerce: Queenstown-based regional chamber also part of the Regional Chamber Hub with Business South. Serves overlapping tourism-heavy membership in the Queenstown Lakes district, partly competing and partly partnering on local events.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Business South social profiles
Digital presenceBusiness South financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Business South leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Business South funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Business South M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Business South
What does Business South do?
Business South is a non-profit membership-based business association that provides business support, training, advocacy, and workforce development services to businesses in the Otago and Southland regions of New Zealand. Formed from the merger of the Otago Chamber of Commerce and the Otago Southland Employers' Association, it offers programs including the Accelerator business assessment, AdviceLine HR/legal support, training, export assistance, sustainability services, business advocacy, and the Pathways Hub for workforce development.
Is Business South a public or private company?
Business South is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Business South founded?
Business South was founded in 1861. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Business South based?
Business South is headquartered in Dunedin, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Business South make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are government Contracts and training and Events.
Who are Business South's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Auckland Business Chamber, Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce, Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce, Waikato Chamber of Commerce and Business Central (New Zealand). Broad incumbents are BusinessNZ and EMA (Employers and Manufacturers Association). Regional Business Partners Network (MBIE) is listed as an others. Regional players are Southland Chamber of Commerce and Queenstown Chamber of Commerce.
Does Business South have an API?
No public API is recorded for Business South.
What industry is Business South in?
Business South's product category is Chamber of Commerce and Business Association Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAOAM, Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs, with a secondary code of EDAMAHAI, Leadership, Management & Teamwork for Business. Its NAICS code is 541611 and its SIC code is 8741.