Space. The final frontier. No, not that kind of space. We’re talking about space on our good old, little pale blue dot. Namely, space in the B:HIVE, the new co-working space at Smales Farm just north of Auckland’s city centre.

But space is expensive. That’s why we’re offering up a solution for one lucky startup as part of the Race for Space competition.

Here’s what’s up for grabs: 12 months rent-free in the flexible, high-tech, industry-connected and beautifully-designed B:HIVE, as well as furniture for all employees, internet connection and usage, management by the B:HIVE concierge team of all the day-to-day office management business owners have to deal with (allowing the winner to really focus on their business and not have to worry about their office overheads and operation), and the chance to make important business connections with other clever companies that you can’t really put a price on. Oh, and bragging rights are kind of a given.

You’ll also get PR support from the pros at Lily & Louis. Attention is oxygen for startups and these folks will make sure you get it.

You’ll also receive editorial coverage in Idealog. You’re reading this, so you already know our audience consists of some very well-connected Kiwi entrepreneurs and business owners who are always looking out for the next big thing and know a good investment when they see one.

So, how do you go about entering the competition? Thankfully, it’s pretty simple.

If you’re a business between six and 24 months old with ideally fewer than six employees, an established business plan and you are ready to accelerate, all you need to do is upload a video between 30 and 60 seconds long to the campaign website, raceforspace.idealog.co.nz. We want you to showcase your brand, service or product in action. 

There’s also an online registration form to fill out. In it, you’ll be asked to provide your dream for your business, what steps have you taken so far, what makes you different, how being in the B:HIVE would help your business and what success will look like 12 and 24 months from now. These answers will be public (we also need a small amount of confidential information) and the six top entries will go through to the next round, where they will pitch their business idea in front of a panel of judges including Smales Farm’s Greg Smale, Zuru’s Anna Mowbray, Unfiltered’s Jake Millar, Untouched World’s Peri Drysdale, Vend’s Vaughan Rowsell, Idealog’s Elly Strang and My Food Bag’s Cecilia Robinson. Bonus points, naturally, for creativity.

So how can you stand out from the crowd? Greg Smale has some tips.

“It would be great if they could show us what their aspiration for their business is and what steps they have taken to achieving this. We’re particularly interested in people who are disrupting a category or taking a new approach to solving challenges or improving how things are done. The trick will be to express things simply and clearly in a memorable and compelling way. It would be great to see how their idea provides real benefits to consumers or businesses.”

The winner will join an ever-growing list of innovative companies that are already calling B:HIVE home.

“The B:HIVE’s current 60-plus tenants are a combination of companies with between one and 150 staff, sharing breakout and meeting rooms and facilities across each of the four business floors while enjoying their own dedicated areas,” he says. “The types of tenants that find the B:HIVE appealing are those that want a productive and vibrant environment for their employees. Staff attraction and retention is an important issue for business owners so if we can assist with dealing with this challenge then that’s fantastic.”

The building was designed by BVN and Jasmax and the brand-new hospitality precinct was designed by Paul Izzard Design. Smale says businesses that are growing rapidly find the B:HIVE hugely beneficial as they are able to ‘adjust’ the office space requirements up or down as their business evolves. Added to that flexibility, furniture, fitout, utilities, concierge and security services and cleaning are all included in the rental, as well as access to all the shared amenities and facilities throughout the building.

“Companies aren’t locked in to traditional leasing arrangements, so they avoid the substantial business interruption and capital expenditure usually associated with having to change premises. It derisks business growth – something that any business would find appealing, especially startups.”

Not only that, there are also regular events and activations in the vicinity, including food trucks, BBQ kits and outdoor movies.

The entire Smales Farm development is changing rapidly and Smale says the aim is to increase the diversity of the businesses there until it becomes a full, mixed-use destination. A number of big corporates have already moved their offices to the North Shore location and up-and-coming startups are seeing the benefits too.

“These days technology is enabling people to work from wherever they want, something that’s revolutionising how we work, especially amongst millennials. Spending 80 hours a year stuck in traffic is not high on their priority list. They’re seeking workplaces that entail easy access, a range of transport solutions, open green spaces, events, activations, good amenity and hospitality that’s vibrant and community focused.”

So, as you can see, The B:HIVE has all the things a hungry startup needs to scale-up – and wind-down. And if you enter your business, you could be part of it.

• Entries close on May 18. Head to raceforspace.idealog.co.nz for more information and to enter your business.