Volunteer

All of our programmes blend leading academic thought, cutting-edge teaching methodology, and real-life experiences from people who have been there and done it. To bring our programmes to life, we rely on volunteers from the entrepreneurial and business communities to share their experiences and empower the next generation of changemakers. 

We invite you to get involved in any of the opportunities below (or even all of them!): 

Velocity Ideas Challenge Judge (May 2025) 
This Challenge is also known as the “1,000 words for $1,000 competition”. Around 300 entries are assessed by 60-80 judges with relevant knowledge and expertise. In judging teams of three-four, you will evaluate about 10-15 entries, selecting the best ones to be nominated for a prize. The time commitment is about 10 hours over three weeks. 

Ignite Innovation Mentor (August – September 2025) 
For 10 weeks, participants attend regular workshops and learn the basics of venture creation, with a focus validating their ideas with their target market. The teams that are ready to progress their idea will be matched with a mentor to help support them on their journey by providing advice and guidance. Teams are encouraged to enter the Velocity $100k Challenge at the end of the programme. The time commitment is 1 hour per fortnight over eight weeks (though many mentors invest more time).

Velocity $100k Challenge Judge (September 2025)
Approximately 50 judges read around 90 entries to the Velocity $100k Challenge. Each judging team assesses about 8 to 10 entries. The submissions for this Challenge are more in-depth and frequently more technical. The judges select 15 teams to go through to the final round of the competition. The time commitment is about 10 hours over three weeks.

Summer Lab Mentor (January – February 2026)
A four-week ideation and validation programme. Frequently this is the first step for participants into entrepreneurship. The programme finishes with a team presentation to a panel of judges. The time commitment is about 2 hours per week over three weeks. Please note that this programme is based on very early-stage ideas. 

Other ways to get involved (throughout the year) 
We are always keen to hear from people in the entrepreneurial ecosystem who would like to contribute to the development of our students and staff. Whether you would like to be a volunteer speaker or explore the opportunity to run a workshop within our existing offerings, please register below. 

“Supporting smart, enthusiastic people learn and grow in their understanding is perhaps the most rewarding thing you can do – and in this case, we’re working with the brightest talent in New Zealand.  So many of the teams are looking to truly change the world with their innovations – and they know it’s possible because of those who have gone before them in earlier years.  It is immensely rewarding for the mentors to see real life outcomes, sometimes many years later, from a team that benefitted in its early days from just a few hours of your time.”

Debra Hall – entrepreneur, investor, director.

 

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Become a sponsor

Many of our successful programmes have only been possible due to the vision and generosity of our sponsors who share our values of instilling an entrepreneurial ethos into the next generation of New Zealanders. 

Sponsors benefit greatly from their involvement in our programmes through opportunities to identify and establish relationships with top talent, to network with others in New Zealand’s entrepreneurial ecosystem with top talent, to network with others in New Zealand’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and through brand association with a cutting-edge centre at New Zealand’s leading university. 

Sponsor testimonials

“We had such a great experience and I had a number of our people thanking us for the opportunity to participate and engage with the students and their fresh new ideas.” 
Darryl-Lee Wenderlborn, Managing Director of Beca 

“We know we need to explore the impact of disruptive technologies so we can build a sustainable port that enhances social, environmental and commercial outcomes. By partnering with the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, we can learn so much from the talented young people who are the future leaders of New Zealand.” 
Tony Gibson, CEO of Ports of Auckland 

“Yealands has enjoyed being a part of the Solve It programme for two years now. We recognise that what is being done through the Solve It programme lines up perfectly with our philosophies around innovation, and see the programme as a way to continue to drive innovation in our business, by using the great minds of future leaders within our community. With Yealands core focus on Sustainability, the programme allows us to explore a multitude of sustainable business solutions in a very short, but meaningful amount of time. Our intention is to move the ideas forward in our business, to not only show our continued dedication to sustainability and innovation, but to illustrate that the Solve It programme is not only working, but is important to the success of New Zealand businesses today.” 
Avram Deitch – Global Marketing Manager, Yealands 

If you are interested in partnering with us as a sponsor, we are keen to find the right opportunity for you. To start the conversation, please contact Kimberley Ansell, CIE Manager, at kimberley.ansell@auckland.ac.nz 

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Become a donor

If you are inspired by our mission to unleash the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Auckland and are interested in donating, we would love to hear from you.

Connect with us by contacting Darsel Keane, Director, Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at: d.keane@auckland.ac.nz.
 

Thanks to our generous donors who enable a world of opportunity

Tony Falkenstein
Hynds Foundation
Sir Owen G Glenn KNZM, ONZM, HonLLD
Beca
Chau Hoi Shuen Foundation
Hynds Foundation
Li Ka-Shing (Canada) Foundation
PwC 

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Innovators and Entrepreneurs Pledge –
Commit now, Contribute later 

Prosperity and productivity are more than just economic measures – they represent the essence of human progress. For over two decades, the University of Auckland Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) has been at the forefront of cultivating entrepreneurship in Aoteaora New Zealand. 

As we look ahead, we are prepared to make a transformative leap. Our vision is to enhance our impact by nurturing talent and scaling innovative ideas, ensuring that our nation remains competitive and globally relevant, and fostering prosperity within our community. 

We invite you to be part of this exciting journey by joining the Innovators and Entrepreneurs’ Pledge. This pledge offers a meaningful way to give back—allowing you to commit now and contribute later. Your future support will help CIE scale its efforts to inspire, educate, and support the next generation of innovators. 

This is an opportunity to join an exclusive network of like-minded individuals who, like you, support the development of innovators and entrepreneurs at the University of Auckland. The Pledge is flexible and non-binding and allows you to proudly state your intention of making a gift to the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the time of a successful event. 

By making this pledge, you will: 

• Join a community of entrepreneurs who receive exclusive CIE updates and invitations to special events, including an annual alumni gathering. 

• Have the option to be listed on the Innovators and Entrepreneurs’ Pledge website and gain visibility through CIE’s communication channels, showcasing your achievements and contributions. 

Pledge to Give Back 

We invite you to complete the form below and make the Innovators and Entrepreneurs’ Pledge. This flexible and non-binding pledge allows you to give back when you experience success. 

The Innovators and Entrepreneurs’ Pledge

If you’re able to give a gift now, we’d love for you to do so. Thanks for considering this opportunity to support our vision, now and as we look to the future. 

We look forward to staying connected and supporting your journey. 

The CIE Team