NEWSROOM
University of Auckland’s 2023 GUESSS Survey Highlights Challenges and Opportunities in Student Entrepreneurship
The 2023 Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students’ Survey (GUESSS) has provided a snapshot of entrepreneurial ambitions among students at the University of Auckland. While the results show incremental progress since the University’s first participation in 2018, they also underscore persistent gaps compared to global trends. With over 226,000 responses globally from 1,300 universities in 57 countries, the survey offers a comprehensive view of student entrepreneurship, showing both its promise and challenges.
Lagging Behind Global Averages
Entrepreneurial ambition at the University of Auckland continues to fall below global benchmarks. Only 6.2% of students expressed an intention to start their careers as entrepreneurs, compared to the global average of 15.7%. This figure increases to 20.9% five years post-graduation, yet still trails the global average of 30%.
“These results highlight the need for a cultural shift,” said Professor Rod McNaughton, Academic Director of the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). “New Zealand’s future depends on innovation and entrepreneurial thinking, not just among founders but across all sectors. The survey shows we have more work to do to nurture these qualities in our students.”
The report also reveals a persistent gender gap. Five years after graduation, entrepreneurial aspirations among male students rose to 23.9%, compared to 19.4% among female students. This disparity, also evident globally, suggests a need to support female students in their entrepreneurial endeavours further.
Entrepreneurship Education: A Mixed Picture
Education is a powerful lever for fostering entrepreneurial intentions, yet the survey shows gaps in participation. A striking 79.9% of University of Auckland students have not taken any entrepreneurship courses—far above the global average of 58.8%. While compulsory course enrolment has increased slightly, from 7.4% in 2021 to 8.9% in 2023, elective participation has declined.
“We see great potential here,” said Darsel Keane, Director of CIE. “Students who engage in entrepreneurship education often change their perspective on entrepreneurial careers. The challenge lies in reaching more students and showing them how these skills can prepare them for an unpredictable job market. You can reach more students through the curriculum than through extra-curricular programmes. Our Hynds Fellows programme seeks to do just that, embedding opportunities to develop entrepreneurial competencies in existing courses across campus.”
Students who had taken entrepreneurship courses rated their learning outcomes positively, particularly in identifying business opportunities and building networks. However, these outcomes remain below global averages, suggesting room for improvement in the intensity and delivery of curriculum design.
Creating an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Only 14.9% of University of Auckland students are nascent entrepreneurs—those currently trying to start a business. This compares to a global average of 25.7%. Meanwhile, active entrepreneurship—a measure of students already running businesses—is just 7%, significantly below the global average of 11.1%. These figures highlight the need for stronger support systems to help students transition from entrepreneurial intention to action and recognise self-employment as a valid career path.
McNaughton emphasised the importance of building an entrepreneurial ecosystem: “To achieve the University’s aspiration of being a powerhouse of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, we must create an environment across the University where students see entrepreneurship as a natural and rewarding career choice.”
CIE is at the forefront of this effort, offering a range of programmes that blend learning with practical experience and business support. However, Keane noted that more collaboration is needed: “We can’t do this alone. Building a robust pipeline of entrepreneurial talent requires working with high schools, career advisers, and industry partners. Government also needs to play a role, signalling the importance of entrepreneurship to New Zealand’s economy and future.”
Insights for the Future
The GUESSS survey provides valuable insights that can guide strategic improvements. The data will support further research into how entrepreneurship education can better serve diverse student populations and address disparities, working towards a more inclusive ecosystem. These insights will also help the University refine its offerings and strengthen its position as a regional leader in entrepreneurship education.
“The survey is more of a roadmap than a report card,” said Keane. “It shows us where we are and where we need to go to ensure that entrepreneurship is seen as a viable and exciting career option for all students and to support those who have already started on this path.”
Implications for New Zealand
The stakes are high, not only for the University but for New Zealand as a whole. With innovation and entrepreneurship widely recognised as key drivers of economic growth, the country’s ability to compete globally depends on cultivating entrepreneurial talent. The University of Auckland has an essential role to play in this effort.
“New Zealand needs entrepreneurial leaders who can create jobs, drive innovation, and tackle complex global challenges,” McNaughton said. “This isn’t just about starting businesses. It’s about developing mindsets and skills to enable our graduates to lead and innovate in any context.”
The Path Forward
The survey results suggest an imperative to embed entrepreneurship more deeply into the University’s culture and curriculum to meet and exceed what is happening globally. This means expanding access to entrepreneurship education, enhancing experiential learning opportunities, and fostering a more inclusive environment that supports diverse entrepreneurial ambitions.
“The future of work is changing,” Keane said. “We need graduates who aren’t just prepared to fill existing jobs but have the skills and confidence to create new opportunities. That’s what entrepreneurship is all about.”
With its commitment to innovation and ongoing efforts to close the gap with global peers, the University of Auckland is poised to make a lasting impact for its students and New Zealand’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The GUESSS survey will be administered again in 2025.
The 2023 Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students’ Survey (GUESSS) has provided a snapshot of entrepreneurial ambitions among students at the University of Auckland. While the results show incremental progress since the University’s first participation in 2018, they also underscore persistent gaps compared to global trends. With over 226,000 responses globally from 1,300 universities in 57 countries, the survey offers a comprehensive view of student entrepreneurship, showing both its promise and challenges.
Lagging Behind Global Averages
Entrepreneurial ambition at the University of Auckland continues to fall below global benchmarks. Only 6.2% of students expressed an intention to start their careers as entrepreneurs, compared to the global average of 15.7%. This figure increases to 20.9% five years post-graduation, yet still trails the global average of 30%.
“These results highlight the need for a cultural shift,” said Professor Rod McNaughton, Academic Director of the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). “New Zealand’s future depends on innovation and entrepreneurial thinking, not just among founders but across all sectors. The survey shows we have more work to do to nurture these qualities in our students.”
The report also reveals a persistent gender gap. Five years after graduation, entrepreneurial aspirations among male students rose to 23.9%, compared to 19.4% among female students. This disparity, also evident globally, suggests a need to support female students in their entrepreneurial endeavours further.
Entrepreneurship Education: A Mixed Picture
Education is a powerful lever for fostering entrepreneurial intentions, yet the survey shows gaps in participation. A striking 79.9% of University of Auckland students have not taken any entrepreneurship courses—far above the global average of 58.8%. While compulsory course enrolment has increased slightly, from 7.4% in 2021 to 8.9% in 2023, elective participation has declined.
“We see great potential here,” said Darsel Keane, Director of CIE. “Students who engage in entrepreneurship education often change their perspective on entrepreneurial careers. The challenge lies in reaching more students and showing them how these skills can prepare them for an unpredictable job market. You can reach more students through the curriculum than through extra-curricular programmes. Our Hynds Fellows programme seeks to do just that, embedding opportunities to develop entrepreneurial competencies in existing courses across campus.”
Students who had taken entrepreneurship courses rated their learning outcomes positively, particularly in identifying business opportunities and building networks. However, these outcomes remain below global averages, suggesting room for improvement in the intensity and delivery of curriculum design.
Creating an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Only 14.9% of University of Auckland students are nascent entrepreneurs—those currently trying to start a business. This compares to a global average of 25.7%. Meanwhile, active entrepreneurship—a measure of students already running businesses—is just 7%, significantly below the global average of 11.1%. These figures highlight the need for stronger support systems to help students transition from entrepreneurial intention to action and recognise self-employment as a valid career path.
McNaughton emphasised the importance of building an entrepreneurial ecosystem: “To achieve the University’s aspiration of being a powerhouse of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, we must create an environment across the University where students see entrepreneurship as a natural and rewarding career choice.”
CIE is at the forefront of this effort, offering a range of programmes that blend learning with practical experience and business support. However, Keane noted that more collaboration is needed: “We can’t do this alone. Building a robust pipeline of entrepreneurial talent requires working with high schools, career advisers, and industry partners. Government also needs to play a role, signalling the importance of entrepreneurship to New Zealand’s economy and future.”
Insights for the Future
The GUESSS survey provides valuable insights that can guide strategic improvements. The data will support further research into how entrepreneurship education can better serve diverse student populations and address disparities, working towards a more inclusive ecosystem. These insights will also help the University refine its offerings and strengthen its position as a regional leader in entrepreneurship education.
“The survey is more of a roadmap than a report card,” said Keane. “It shows us where we are and where we need to go to ensure that entrepreneurship is seen as a viable and exciting career option for all students and to support those who have already started on this path.”
Implications for New Zealand
The stakes are high, not only for the University but for New Zealand as a whole. With innovation and entrepreneurship widely recognised as key drivers of economic growth, the country’s ability to compete globally depends on cultivating entrepreneurial talent. The University of Auckland has an essential role to play in this effort.
“New Zealand needs entrepreneurial leaders who can create jobs, drive innovation, and tackle complex global challenges,” McNaughton said. “This isn’t just about starting businesses. It’s about developing mindsets and skills to enable our graduates to lead and innovate in any context.”
The Path Forward
The survey results suggest an imperative to embed entrepreneurship more deeply into the University’s culture and curriculum to meet and exceed what is happening globally. This means expanding access to entrepreneurship education, enhancing experiential learning opportunities, and fostering a more inclusive environment that supports diverse entrepreneurial ambitions.
“The future of work is changing,” Keane said. “We need graduates who aren’t just prepared to fill existing jobs but have the skills and confidence to create new opportunities. That’s what entrepreneurship is all about.”
With its commitment to innovation and ongoing efforts to close the gap with global peers, the University of Auckland is poised to make a lasting impact for its students and New Zealand’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The GUESSS survey will be administered again in 2025.
EMAIL
CIE@AUCKLAND.AC.NZ
POSTAL ADDRESS
THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND BUSINESS SCHOOL
PRIVATE BAG 92019, AUCKLAND
