Vanguard Entrepreneurial Leaders Expedition
Each year in late August and early September a cohort travels to Silicon Valley for one week. The opportunity to apply for this programme is by invitation only. The seven-day tour includes visits to start-ups, investors and iconic companies like Google and Facebook, a tour of the Stanford campus, and connecting with the Silicon Valley start-up eco-system.
About the Vanguard Entrepreneurial Leaders Expedition
The Vanguard Entrepreneurial Leaders Expedition is made possible through the generosity of philanthropist and entrepreneur Tony Falkenstein, who believes in the power of business to positively impact on people’s lives. The Onehunga-raised chief executive of Just Water believes passionately in business education. “I would love to see a day where every university student would spend a semester overseas, whether it be experiencing another university, working in a large company or start-up, or seeing the collaboration of ideas in Silicon Valley. The Vanguard Entrepreneurial Leaders Expedition gives that privilege to a few, and hopefully the start of a programme for many,” says Falkenstein.
Who is it designed for?
Selected, high-achieving, entrepreneurial students receive an invitation to apply to the Vanguard Entrepreneurial Leaders Expedition. After a competitive selection process, a small group of 14-16 students from across the University receive their confirmation to join this once-in-a-life-time experience.
While the trip is made possible through philanthropy, participants will be asked to contribute $500 towards the trip. Should covering this expense prevent you from applying, a hardship allowance is available. For a confidential conversation, please reach out to kimberley.ansell@auckland.ac.nz.
To be eligible for the programme you must be being a current undergraduate or PhD student at the University of Auckland, based in New Zealand. This means that you will be enrolled to study in the first semester of 2025.
Programme structure
The trip will be designed so participants can see, try, reflect, share and discuss during the week.
The trip will include visits to places such as global innovative and entrepreneurial companies, Universities and Innovation Labs based in San Francisco and Silicon Valley.
You will have networking opportunities with University of Auckland and Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship alumni working in the Valley and presentations on the Silicon Valley’s ecosystem, and how these lessons can be applied to New Zealand.
Timing and commitment
Each participant commits to all prework, travelling with the cohort and creating a reflection of their learnings from the trip.
| First pre-workshop | TBC |
| Second pre-workshop | TBC |
| Study Tour – San Francisco and Silicon Valley | TBC |
| Presentation to stakeholders | TBC |
Application
Application is by invitation only. A select group of students are requested to apply by email.
EMAIL
CIE@AUCKLAND.AC.NZ
POSTAL ADDRESS
THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND BUSINESS SCHOOL
PRIVATE BAG 92019, AUCKLAND
