“Our mission is to develop entrepreneurial talent to better Aotearoa and the world.”

The University of Auckland Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) offers free opportunities for all students and staff of the University to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and innovative capability.

Every year, we run programmes, workshops, seminars and hundreds of technology training workshops. 

Whatever you’re studying or your goals for life, CIE is here to support your University journey. We’ll help you develop a mindset that finds solutions, overcomes obstacles and relishes challenges. Come and find your tribe of makers, creators and innovators wanting to improve the world. 

Your involvement with CIE can also be formally recognised through the University’s Co-curricular Recognition Programme, giving you the potential to earn a University of Auckland Distinguished Graduate Award to showcase your new skills to prospective employers. 

Director’s Welcome

We find ourselves in an increasingly complex world, full of disruption from technological change, scarcity of resources and economic, environmental and political uncertainty. Challenges also bring opportunities. Those possessing an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset and competencies are those who will thrive, and who will create a more prosperous future for us all.

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university and is an international powerhouse of innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity. Through the Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) students and staff of all faculties are provided free opportunities to develop entrepreneurial mindsets and innovative capability through a wide range of programmes and technology training, conducted at our innovation hubs and makerspaces.

At CIE we strive towards enabling our community to succeed in meeting their professional and personal ambitions, whether as employees or founders of social and commercial ventures.

Students and staff with an entrepreneurial mindset are better prepared to be adaptable, resilient, curious, creative and resourceful and develop effective solutions to contemporary problems. Our community’s success is evidenced by numerous ventures addressing innovations in energy, water, medicine, education, agriculture, mental health and more.

CIE incorporates the UNSDGs and cutting-edge technology into its programme design. This approach has been recognised internationally with awards from the International Council of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, the United States Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centres and the Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities.

Join us! And help us equip this new generation with the skills, experience and attributes they will need to create the future.

CIE Director, Darsel Keane