An astonishing 318 venture ideas were submitted by students and staff from across Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland, for this year’s Velocity Ideas Challenge.

For the first time in Aotearoa, we now have clear data about how much start-up founders are paying themselves. The newly released New Zealand Founder Pay Report 2025 sheds light on a topic that’s long been whispered about but rarely quantified.

SavY’s recent inclusion in the Retirement Commission’s Financial Education Providers Advisory Group marks a significant milestone for the organisation – and confirms the value of their contribution to financial education in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Internationally renowned commercialisation expert Scott Inwood, Director of Commercialisation at the University of Waterloo’s Commercialisation Office (WatCo), recently visited New Zealand, sponsored by the University of Auckland’s commercialisation company UniServices. While here, Scott met with a variety of University staff and gave a presentation at the Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

A new report from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) paints a powerful picture of a Māori economy that is increasingly diverse, values-driven, and entrepreneurial.

With improvements to their cutting-edge crop-monitoring tech, a maturing business model and remarkable growth over the last year, CIE spin-out Cropsy Technologies is poised to transform the landscape of the viticulture industry.

Dr Privahini Bradoo, co-founder and first student CEO of the University’s Velocity programme, is one of several alumni who have committed to support the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship as part of a new initiative.

With Glowguard, skincare specialist and entrepreneur Melitta Adam aims to redefine the narrative that sunscreen is seasonal.

Kimberley has driven transformation in New Zealand’s food and fibre sector through Te Hono, connecting business leaders, iwi, and government with Stanford expertise to inspire global leadership. With experience across government, military, and private sectors, she brings a deep understanding of diverse operational dynamics and has a passion for leveraging technology to secure Aotearoa’s competitive advantage.

Connor Hare is a Bachelor of Engineering student who worked for two years as a Creative Technologist for the Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). As a CIE Creative Technologist, Connor trained other students and how to use technology in CIE’s makerspaces, Kura Matahuna Unleash Space and Te Ahi Hangarau.