NEWSROOM
Students gifted inspirational entrepreneurs retreat
13 May 2021
A diverse group of student and graduate entrepreneurs from the University of Auckland Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) have been gifted a place in an intensive entrepreneurs retreat where they were challenged and inspired to fulfil their potential.
Participants were selected from the University of Auckland’s Velocity entrepreneurship development programme – high-potential individuals who have demonstrated resilience in pursuing their venture idea. CIE Programme Manager Judith Marecek says “These young entrepreneurs have an incredibly diverse range of ventures. Everything from satellites to pacific medical interventions to seafood industry innovations. What they have in common is their dedication to bringing something new to the world and a passion to get the most out of life”.
The experience was made possible by Tony Falkenstein, CEO and majority shareholder of publicly listed company Just Life Group Ltd. Tony is a serial entrepreneur who has started over 50 companies. His experiences have made him passionate about the potential to fast-track individual and societal success through experiential business education.
Originally, participants were due to visit Silicon Valley as part of the Vanguard Programme that was established by Tony and is administered by CIE. Tony says “The Vanguard Programme was established to be a milestone memory point in the individual participant’s life, giving entrepreneurial students the opportunity to open their minds to international opportunities. Silicon Valley is a very special community, where collaboration is the norm. Covid has stopped travel, so we are conducting a learning experience different from Silicon Valley but very special in its own way.”
Held at Waitakere Resort and Spa, the three day experience consisted of workshops, reflection sessions and a daily bush walk. Guest speakers included a range of founders, CEOs, and inspirational leaders. Many of the participants cited a talk by paralympian Cam Calkoen as being particularly touching and motivational.
Vanguard Programme participant Dr. Kate Riegle Van West, founder of SpinPoi, says she has come away from the retreat reinvigorated. “It was such a great opportunity to be immersed in the entrepreneurial world without any distractions. The speakers were very different but they were unapologetically themselves and had a confidence in their ability and intuition. It was inspiring and motivating to learn from and connect with other entrepreneurs. I feel very lucky and promise to pay it forward and continue to make a positive change in the world.”
13 May 2021
A diverse group of student and graduate entrepreneurs from the University of Auckland Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) have been gifted a place in an intensive entrepreneurs retreat where they were challenged and inspired to fulfil their potential.
Participants were selected from the University of Auckland’s Velocity entrepreneurship development programme – high-potential individuals who have demonstrated resilience in pursuing their venture idea. CIE Programme Manager Judith Marecek says “These young entrepreneurs have an incredibly diverse range of ventures. Everything from satellites to pacific medical interventions to seafood industry innovations. What they have in common is their dedication to bringing something new to the world and a passion to get the most out of life”.
The experience was made possible by Tony Falkenstein, CEO and majority shareholder of publicly listed company Just Life Group Ltd. Tony is a serial entrepreneur who has started over 50 companies. His experiences have made him passionate about the potential to fast-track individual and societal success through experiential business education.
Originally, participants were due to visit Silicon Valley as part of the Vanguard Programme that was established by Tony and is administered by CIE. Tony says “The Vanguard Programme was established to be a milestone memory point in the individual participant’s life, giving entrepreneurial students the opportunity to open their minds to international opportunities. Silicon Valley is a very special community, where collaboration is the norm. Covid has stopped travel, so we are conducting a learning experience different from Silicon Valley but very special in its own way.”
Held at Waitakere Resort and Spa, the three day experience consisted of workshops, reflection sessions and a daily bush walk. Guest speakers included a range of founders, CEOs, and inspirational leaders. Many of the participants cited a talk by paralympian Cam Calkoen as being particularly touching and motivational.
Vanguard Programme participant Dr. Kate Riegle Van West, founder of SpinPoi, says she has come away from the retreat reinvigorated. “It was such a great opportunity to be immersed in the entrepreneurial world without any distractions. The speakers were very different but they were unapologetically themselves and had a confidence in their ability and intuition. It was inspiring and motivating to learn from and connect with other entrepreneurs. I feel very lucky and promise to pay it forward and continue to make a positive change in the world.”
EMAIL
CIE@AUCKLAND.AC.NZ
POSTAL ADDRESS
THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND BUSINESS SCHOOL
PRIVATE BAG 92019, AUCKLAND
