For newly-minted entrepreneur Ella Gibb, the best adventures happen outdoors – and if the sun’s shining, even better. It’s unsurprising, then, that her first entrepreneurial venture is one that speaks to this passion for fun in the sun: the young outdoor enthusiast has founded a company called “Sun & Set”. The first Sun & Set product to hit the market is Sun Powder, a dry shampoo with a difference: it contains 10 per cent zinc, adding sun protection to the cleansing properties of a standard dry shampoo.

Taking experienced professionals and founders out for coffee in exchange for their shared wisdom is a common occurrence for people staring out in their entrepreneurship journey. CIE mentors are skilled professionals who are keen to share their know-how and skills. However, they are also busy, and their time is precious, so preparation is key when it comes to meeting them for coffee.

Kurutao is a new programme from Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland, designed to expose Māori tauira (students) to the world of entrepreneurship. Conceived by Engineering student Hiraia Haami-Wells, the study tour aims to shed light on the myriad of opportunities an entrepreneurial mindset provides Māori youth with while honouring and incorporating Māori cultural values.

As CIE Hub and Operations Manager, Jean is responsible for streamlining administrative tasks across various teams within CIE.The vibrant energy and innovative spirit at CIE were major draws for her. Coming from a healthcare background, she found the dynamic atmosphere and collaborative energy of CIE captivating.

Self-described innovation and commercialisation enthusiast Pooja Patel has long harboured a fascination for all things scientific – in particular, life-changing discoveries and pioneering inventions. It was this passion for exploring the possibilities created by scientific study that led her to specialise in Biotechnology as an undergraduate student. CIE was an obvious draw for the young entrepreneurial enthusiast, and unsurprisingly, Pooja’s involvement with CIE over the course of her studies became a long-standing one.

CIE spin-out Kara Technologies has received the Puawaitanga Award from the Angel Asssociation New Zealand. The award recognises founders and investor directors who exemplify what can be achieved when committed people draw on their collective skills and experience.

The kick of closing one sale was all it took to set a school-age Ben Reynolds on the path to an entrepreneurial career. The co-founder of Spalk – a software service which localises sports content by providing alternative commentaries for sports streaming providers, teams and brands – was still a student when he took part in the Young Enterprise Scheme. It’s not surprising, then, that Ben chose to nurture his nascent business skills by embarking on a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Auckland, majoring in Economics and Entrepreneurship.

Toku, founded by Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland scientist Associate Professor Ehsan Vaghefi, is driven by a deeply personal mission. Ehsan's father lost his vision to glaucoma, a disease that could have been treated, sparking Ehsan’s determination to prevent such needless suffering. Initially known as Toku Eyes, the company has since broadened its focus from ocular health to addressing wide-ranging cardiovascular risks. Utilising advanced AI technology, Toku's CLAiR platform scans the eye to predict not only blindness but also the likelihood of other cardiovascular diseases and events like strokes and heart attacks. It is currently used in hundreds of locations around the world.

The entrepreneurial spirit shone brightly this year, with the 2024 Summer Lab students demonstrating entrepreneurial traits such as resilience, resourcefulness, and a solutions-oriented mindset.  Over the course of the programme, they learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), identify a problem space to explore, form teams and come up with a business idea based around their solution.

Meet Pradeep Raman: a name synonymous with entrepreneurial spirit, whose journey into the world of business began with an unlikely catalyst: FOMO. From humble entrepreneurship to remarkable success, his story is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of seizing opportunity.