The first students to complete the new course INNOVENT 203/203G: The Entrepreneurial Mindset were encouraged to become the “misfits” who change the world.

Guest speakers Brendan Devoy (a Marketing graduate) and Mildred Wong (a current BE(Hons)/BCom student) spoke at the course prize giving on 31 May, sharing their experience in making their ideas a reality through the Live the Dream accelerator programme.

They referenced Kiwis such as Lorde and Steven Adams and urged students not to be afraid to take risks. Brendan shared a quote from an Apple advertising campaign: “Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits… because the ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”

The Entrepreneurial Mindset course was launched in Semester One this year to introduce students across the University to the entrepreneurial mindset, a way of thinking that is associated with success in any field of study or career. It is available to students taking a BCom (INNOVENT 203) and to students in any programme across the university as a general education course (INNOVENT 203G).

Students working in multidisciplinary teams were challenged to address a significant opportunity arising from adaptation to climate change – a global problem with particular relevance to the South Pacific, which is first to feel the effects.

Instructors Rod McNaughton and Vicki Little were impressed by the creativity of the solutions and the independence showed by the teams. A prize giving recognised the accomplishments of the top individual and teams:

• Top individual performance: Justin Darroch (Achieved the highest grade on individual assessments)
• Top team: Bathroom Blockers (A device that limits the rate at which water drains from a washbasin, causing people to turn off the tap.)
• Runner-up top team: Green Meat (A rating system to advise consumers on the carbon footprint of the meat they purchase.)
• Second runner-up top team: Driveway Desalination (A method of producing fresh water from sea water using the weight of cars for the osmosis process.)
• Misfit award for most disruptive team idea: Container Houses (Modified shipping containers to send relief supplies to natural disaster areas that convert into accommodation)

Students praised the course for its innovative delivery, which integrates online content with attending the Velocity Vision 2 Business events, featuring high-profile entrepreneurs.

From 2017 INNOVENT 203/203G: The Entrepreneurial Mindset will be available in both semesters.

For more information, see the INNOVENT 203G course outline.