Dunedin Manufacturing Holdings has been launched as an incorporated society, and aims to crowd-fund the purchase and expansion of an existing craft chocolate manufacturer, Otago Chocolate Company (Ocho) in Dunedin.
Today, the man behind the campaign, Dunedin businessman and city councillor Jim O'Malley, said the call for expressions of interest from experienced company directors was "an important milestone''.
The initial focus was on an establishment board of three directors, to help grow Ocho into a "significant'' premium chocolate manufacturer over the following year, he said.
Dr O'Malley's earlier pledge campaign - designed to test support for purchasing the Cadbury factory - had garnered indications of financial support potentially worth up to $5.8 million.
The campaign's focus switched to setting up a company to make quality craft chocolate earlier this year, but Dr O'Malley remained confident $2 million could be raised within hours to progress the new approach.
The establishment board's first role would be to appoint a chief executive and confirm a strategic plan for the first phase of the company's growth, he said.
It would also oversee investment in new chocolate manufacturing machinery, the move to new premises, the development of chocolate tourism and the growth of premium sales, he said.
The establishment board was due to be appointed by mid-October, after which the Pledge Me crowd-funding campaign would begin on October 31, he said.
It was expected two more board members would be appointed after the first year, including one representing Ocho employees, he said.
