The scholarship package, provided by Chorus and supported by the Cube and Ignite Wanaka Chamber, comprised a cash fund of $2000, mentoring from Chorus, entry into the Cube Business Mentors initiative, membership of Ignite Wanaka and other benefits.
Cube business development manager Jason Watkins said it was ``extremely difficult'' for the judging panel to pick a winner out of the three finalists as all the entries were of a high quality.
In the end it was awarded to Claire Iredale, of Wild Diamond Botanical Spirits.
Wild Diamond is a craft micro-distillery manufacturing botanical spirits.
``The judges really liked the local nature of the business and the fact it was an offering that could be attractive to locals and visitors alike,'' he said.
The scholarship funding can be utilised for initiatives such as financial services, planning and marketing advice, professional training and costs associated with branding and website development.
Mr Watkins said the scholarship was aimed at people starting out. It was a hand-up when they need it the most, with access to funding and other essential services to assist them on the journey to business success.
The finalists and eventual winner were chosen based on their answers to questions on the Entrepreneur Scholarship entry form.
The questions related to how the scholarship could assist the entrepreneur, what drove them to be entrepreneurial and why they wanted to do business in the district.
The other two finalists were Nick Stevenson and Candice Warren; and Anna van Riel and Marieke Miller.
The scholarship was announced at the third entrepreneur speaker series session at the Edgewater on Thursday night.
