Coffee & Jam is Christchurch’s longest running weekly lunch break for the entrepreneurial, startup, and innovation ecosystem.

It’s a great place to see ordinary people doing extraordinary things, be inspired, network, and share in an innovative space.

At Coffee & Jam, you will meet new people in the Christchurch entrepreneurial ecosystem and you’ll hear from local, national, and global speakers.

There’s free coffee, bread, and jam for everyone.

Sound like your cup of tea (or coffee)? Join us every Tuesday from 12:30-1:30 in the EPIC building!

This week’s first speakers is:

1. Sakthi Priya Balaji Ranganathan

Sakthi is the founder of JIX reality – a tech startup that delivers virtual and augmented reality experiences that can market, entertain, teach, or guide. Sakthi was the regional winner of last year’s NZ Space Challenge where he worked alongside Orbica to deliver an experience that could guide Antarctic explorers safely across the ice. He strives each day to “cultivate design and innovation in the next generation of curious minds by inciting passion.” JIX Reality is based out of both the local Greenhouse in Christchurch and Te Papa in Wellington. His background is in graphic design, yet prompted to “do the impossible,” Sakthi decided to quit the 9-5 and start his own company.

1. Dave Armstrong Dave is formerly a business banker from BNZ, who will share with us a little bit about his new venture with Sidekick Commercial – a financial advisory business who work closely with startups on developing financial and funding strategies that allow their ventures to scale and succeed. His work as the Senior Advisor for Sidekick, with a focus on supporting small to medium size businesses with their financial and funding strategies.  He works closely with startups to raise capital and ensure robust finance foundations.