Velocity Ideas Challenge

About the Programme:

Do you have an idea to solve a social issue, tackle an environmental problem, or seize a market opportunity? Maybe your idea is inspired by university research?

Submit an entry of up to 1,000 words showcasing your solution for the chance to win $1,000! Open to all students and staff at Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland, this challenge is designed to ignite innovation and celebrate fresh thinking.

Our judges are on the lookout for ideas with the potential to fly. Winners receive a cash prize – no strings attached. Use it to develop your idea, kickstart your venture, or however you choose!

If you’re external to the University, don’t worry – you can still enter as long as a lead applicant of your team is a University of Auckland student or staff member.

Your Opportunity:

• Industry expert feedback: Your entry will be reviewed by at least two industry experts from the entrepreneurial ecosystem, with a moderating panel ensuring rigorous review. Regardless of the outcome, you’ll receive feedback and advice to refine your idea further.
• The chance to win $1,000! With faculty-specific prizes and speciality categories, there are 20 chances to win!

Learning Outcomes:

• Problem identification and validation: Develop skills in identifying real-world challenges and validating solutions.
• Communicating ideas effectively: Learn how to use a business canvas to clearly communicate your vision.

How to Apply:

Applications open: Monday, 7 April 2025

Applications close: Midday, Monday, 12 May 2025

Your idea could be the next big thing. Share it today and win!

Learn more

If you have questions about the programme, please contact cie_programmes@auckland.ac.nz

Reviews

“It was through CIE and Velocity that we met our Chairman and Chief Revenue Officer Bob Drummond and one of our early investors Rudi Bublitz from Flying Kiwi Angels. When you join CIE Velocity, you don’t just join to win. You learn and grow every aspect of your business and entrepreneurial life.”

Hengjie Wang, Co-founder – Kami

“I cut my teeth in the CIE Velocity programme, and still highly recommend it to anyone. You learn best by doing. The structured programme and mentorship that comes with it are both fun and rewarding. I have also benefited from excellent mentorship and advice from UniServices and within the CIE, and I continue those relationships today.”

Greg O’Grady, Co-founder & CEO – Alimetry

“The process of developing your idea into a business is more important than the idea itself, and that’s what we learned from CIE’s Velocity. Highlights for me were the mentors we got from the programme, both of whom we stay in touch with regularly, and one of our mentors is now an advisor for Cropsy.”

Leila Deljkovic, Co-founder – Cropsy Technologies

“CIE’s Velocity programme enabled us to put our company strategy down on paper. We didn’t walk away with just seed funding. It helped us create the real basis for the company and to stress test it with judges and mentors. It’s surprising how much of it still holds true today.”

Phil Thomson, Co-founder – Auror

“You will always have a next big problem that will need a big solution. It’s not enough to have one good idea, you have to have many good ideas and work hard to transform them into solutions on the path to taking something from the lab to market. Going through CIE’s Velocity, I learned that you have to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, and that still holds true.”

Dr Ninna Granucci, Founder and CEO – Greenspot Technologies