We’re looking forward to welcoming our University community back on campus with a range of exciting activities taking place at Kura Matahuna /Unleash Space, our innovation hub and maker space, and our brand new Te Ahi Hangarau Technology Hub.

Rod McNaughton is a professor of entrepreneurship and Director Innovation and Professional Development at the University of Auckland. He has extensive experience developing entrepreneurial ecosystems and helping start-ups launch and grow, and is an internationally-recognised thought leader on entrepreneurship issues.

Sugar Wallet, an app co-founded by University of Auckland alumni, is on a mission to make investing simple for the everyday Kiwi. It is designed to help users get into healthy investing habits without having to pick stocks and funds, and allow them the financial freedom to achieve their life goals.

Business students at the University of Auckland are learning to harness the power of VR technology and metaverse platforms to solve complex problems in business scenarios and work through topics of global importance.

FormusLabs, a venture co-founded by University of Auckland Professor Thor Besier and alumnus Dr Ju Zhang, has raised $5m USD towards their pre-operative planning software designed to assist orthopaedic surgeons with delivering joint replacement surgeries. 

Toku Eyes AI technology scans eyes to predict the likelihood of blindness, stroke or heart disease. What sounds like science fiction is now science fact, currently operating in over 70 clinics worldwide. Having recently completed a $3.6 million investment round, the venture is now looking to expand operations from New Zealand, Australia and India into the United States.

A group of 23 primary and intermediate school students visited Unleash Space to participate in three interactive workshops exploring the world of STEM.

Manzana is a new creative space and community supporting women entrepreneurs who are driven to change the world. Founded by University of Auckland alumnae Dil Khosa and Ché Zara Blomfield, the co-working space offers workshops, events, and networking opportunities.

The Velocity Innovation Challenge winners were revealed at a prize giving event, with each receiving part of a $20,000 prize pool.

BioFab, a biotechnology company founded by a team including University of Auckland alumni, are making a sustainable alternative to expanded polystyrene. They are using New Zealand fungi to grow a compostable and functional fungal mycelium packaging material they call mushroom packaging.