The 2023/24 Summer Startup Programme features a diverse range 15 ventures and 17 participants, whose ideas range from a bespoke series of nature-rich classical music events, an computer vision powered refereeing system for badminton, a powdered oatmilk that tastes great and eliminates unnecessary packaging, through to a propolsion unit for cube satelittes that increases service life and reduces space junk. 

Now in our 11th year, the Summer Startup programme is an intensive 10 week validator and accelerator programme that empowers students with the capabilities and support to launch their ventures. We’ve got a rich alumni of entrepreneurs and ventures including:  

Hannah Dudah (Indigo & Iris) 

Luke Campbell & Lucy Turner (VXT) 

Logan Williams (serial inventor and entrepreneur) 

Chris Bacon & Jack Wood (Komodo Wellbeing) 

Kendall Flutey (Banqer) 

Ben Scales & William Murrell (Kiwifibre) 

Monique Lau (Endosoothe) 

This year our ventures and participants have been exposed to 80 + guest speakers, workshop facilitators, and mentors including Brianne West (Ethique, Business but Better, Incredi Balls), Vaughan Fergusson (Vend), James Laughlin, Guy Horrocks, Icehouse Ventures, Blackbird, NZGCP, and many more inspiring entrepreneurs and leading business professionals. We’ve added more in-depth facilitated workshops, weekly customer enquiry challenges, and field trips to the likes of Kea Aerospace, Partly, Peerage, and Dynamic Controls. 

Please come and join us for our final pitch night, be inspired by the innovative ideas and ventures our participants have been creating, and support the next generation of entrepreneurs seeking to make an impact in the world.