Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland has launched a brand-new researcher hatchery that will enable researchers to identify new ways to make an exponential societal or commercial impact through their research.

The University of Auckland’s Venture Lab incubator programme continues to nurture and support aspiring entrepreneurs, as the latest cohort wraps up their six-month experience with great success. Their learnings were shared at a recent showcase event held for the University’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Navigating different markets with different healthcare systems can be challenging. Duncan Cunninghame, Vice President of Business Development at The Insides Company, is helping to chart the course in the complex European market and is driven by an entrepreneurial mindset to deliver health impact at scale.

Danny Garg’s mind has always raced to solve problems ever since he was a child. It was this creative energy that helped fuel Danny to build his thriving business, Valka Yoga, selling sustainable, functional yoga mats and accessories. With over 20,000 yoga mats sold so far, Danny is committed to his company’s goal of producing ‘the most eco-friendly yoga mat in the world’. Valka Yoga proudly proclaims the title of ‘New Zealand’s leading supplier of ethically and sustainably sourced yoga mats and accessories’ and is making gains in the Australian market. Now, Danny has his sights set on the United States of America.

Avantika Gupta has her eyes firmly set on the future; as a vice president of the investment team at Type One Ventures, Avantika works daily with innovative ideas and forward-focused founders and is optimistic that innovation and entrepreneurship are the keys to creating a better future for all humanity.  

Dr Simon Malpas, the CEO and founder of Kitea Health and Professor of Physiology and Bioengineering at Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland, recently shared his insights on raising capital and emphasised the importance of investing in innovation for New Zealand's economic growth and resilience.

The Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) recently welcomed 200 Māori and Pacific Year 10 students participating in the Mānawa Mai Future Me programme delivered by Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland. Future Me aims to inspire and inform Pacific and Māori young people about options within higher education. Students participated in workshops hosted in CIE’s two innovation hubs, designed to showcase how technology can support innovation and creativity.

Andrew Chen, University of Auckland Research Fellow at Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures and Venture Partner at Matū Group, says stepping into the mind of investors can help founders increase the likelihood of developing a connection and securing funding.

Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland has been named as runner up for Entrepreneurial University of the Year (Asia Pacific) for the Triple E Awards. Peter Rachor (Business School Professional Teaching Fellow) was also a finalist in the Entrepreneurial Educator of the Year category,and recieved the most votes in an international people’s choice survey.

Double honours are flowing for Formus Labs as the start-up led by Thor Bessier, an alumnus of the University of Auckland Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), snatched two prestigious titles at the 2023 NZ Hi-Tech Awards.