Pumpkin Patch founder Sally Synott and LanzaTech co-founder Sean Simpson are among five new directors to join the board of Auckland University's business incubator The Icehouse.

Chairman Greg Cross said the appointments would enable The Icehouse to gain ongoing insight and advice from some of New Zealand's most successful entrepreneurs.

''These appointments were planned as part of our ambitious 3000.org.nz target which aims to accelerate growth of New Zealand's economy by radically increasing internationally capable and competitive businesses by 2020,'' he said.

Synnott founded the now publicly listed children's clothing company Pumpkin Patch in 1990 and is still a non-executive member of the board. Pumpkin Patch began after she identified a gap in the market for a specialised retail brand offering design-driven kidswear.

Simpson is chief scientific officer and co-founder of sustainable fuels start-up LanzaTech. Now a multinational company, Lanzatech recently attracted investments from Vinod Khosla, one of the world's leading clean technology investors.

The three other new directors are Colorado-based technology entrepreneur Claudia Batten, Profile Foods founder Bernie Crosby, and internet marketing pioneer Tim Williams.

They join current members Chris Quin, acting CEO of Telecom, Greg Whittred, Dean of The University of Auckland Business School, Anthony Healy, director of business and corporate at Bank of New Zealand, and Peter Lee CEO of Auckland University's commercialisation arm UniServices.

- © Fairfax NZ News