University of Auckland incubator sets a new cohort of innovators into the world 

The 2024 University of Auckland Venture Lab incubator programme recently concluded with a celebration event, showcasing participants transformative growth and innovative breakthroughs. This year’s cohort featured an impressive lineup of ventures, addressing critical issues from sustainable technology to advanced health solutions. The teams each demonstrated exceptional creativity, determination, and the potential to make a lasting impact. 

Hosted at Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland, Venture Lab is a free six-month programme managed by the Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). The by-invitation-only programme is delivered for the winning teams of CIE’s Velocity $100k Challenge, plus a select group of participants from CIE’s Research to Innovation Hatchery. The cohort are supported to develop new skills and networks to turn their start-up ideas into viable, real-world ventures.  

Venture Lab participants are supported throughout the programme by Venture Lab Manager Ken Erskine and Duncan Ledwith, who are each experienced entrepreneurs and investors. Ken and Duncan had weekly check-ins with each team and coached them through progressing their start-up idea.  

CIE Programme Manager Sandy Lin says “Having the chance to witness the growth and accomplishments of this year’s cohort has been truly special. The highlight has been watching the teams grow, bond, and support each other in a way that might not have happened if it wasn’t for the Venture Lab programme. It has been rewarding to see the progress made by these teams over the last few months and shows the importance of nurturing talent at the University of Auckland through programmes like Venture Lab if we want more successful start-ups.”  

2024 Venture Lab cohort: 

CycleMate: CycleMate improves the quality of life for menstruating people by making sanitary care accessible in challenging environments like trades and hiking. We develop innovative disposal kits that ensure safe and hygienic waste disposal, with components like sanitary wipes, hand sanitizer, and disposal bags. Our mission is to empower all menstruating individuals by addressing their unique needs and promoting equity in sanitary care. 

Glowguard: MELITTA SKIN is a women-led skincare startup leading in sunscreen innovation. Our mission is “protection first,” emphasizing sun safety and inspiring effective sunscreen development. Our flagship product, GLOWGUARD, is a next-generation SPF 50 that provides broad-spectrum protection for 4 hours, double the duration of most sunscreens. 

Geofuturo Analytics: GeoFuturo Analytics (GFA) uses GIS and advanced algorithms to analyze geospatial patterns and predict trends. We turn complex spatial data into actionable insights for healthcare, government, urban planning, environmental monitoring, and market analysis, helping clients make informed decisions and drive innovation. 

Ripple AMS: Ripple AMS (formerly RESYS) has transformed from a Research Project Management System to a comprehensive platform that eases academics’ administrative tasks. It streamlines research organization, teaching management, contracting, and service duties with tools like time management platforms, collaboration boards, and AI writing assistants.  

Sabzika: Sabzika helps greenhouse growers reduce crop losses from plant diseases and pests by detecting issues early with our advanced monitoring system. Our solution aims to prevent outbreaks and minimize pesticide use, offering a more sustainable and efficient approach to crop management. 

Smartbell: At Smartbell, our vision is to revolutionise the fitness industry by integrating cutting-edge technology to optimise workouts and empower individuals to achieve their weight training goals. This state-of-the-art wearable device, designed for high-performance gym enthusiasts, automatically tracks vital workout metrics such as weight, reps, sets, velocity, and force. By guiding users through various exercises and providing real-time feedback, Smartbell helps prevent injuries and enhance performance.

Taringa HealthTech: The team at Taringa HealthTech is all about people’s hearing health. Hearing loss affects one in six people around the world. We are developing a new medical technology for the assessment of a patient’s hearing loss type and for delivering treatment for hearing loss. 

WasteXpert: WasteXpert™ was founded in 2023 with a mission to revolutionise the waste management industry through innovative solutions and a commitment to sustainability.