A world of opportunity  

Start-up Fireside Chats

Join a community of start-up founders and receive support and advice from experienced entrepreneurs. Featuring startup founders as guest speakers at each session.

Sessions throughout semester

Start-up Support

Get advice on progressing your start-up from staff from the award-winning Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and experienced and practising innovators and entrepreneurs.

Applications open throughout semester

Start-up Studio

Start-up Studio is CIE’s on-campus co-working space and community for early-stage founders.

Applications open throughout semester

One-Day Start-up Workshop

Learn the basics of creating a start-up in just one day! Get introduced to tools, frameworks, and methods including validation and business planning basics.

📅 18 November 2025

Registrations and programme updates coming soon

Velocity Ideas Challenge

Share your start-up idea for a share of a $20,000 prize pool!

Applications close 12 May

Ignite Innovation

Learn the tools, frameworks, and methods to make an idea a start-up.

📅 14 July – 5 August

Applications close Sunday 22 June

Velocity $100k Challenge

Enter your start-up plan to win a share of a $100,000 prize pool and kick-start your venture!

Applications close 12 noon on Monday 22 September

Māori Innovation Wānanga

Join our monthly innovative wānanga, a space to foster whakawhanaungatanga, networking, and manaakitanga.

Sessions throughout semester

Kurutao Entrepreneurial Leaders Expedition

Embark on a journey of discovery with like-minded innovators, connect with inspiring Māori entrepreneurs and explore a world of opportunity.

📅 June – July (part-time)

Applications close 12 May

Technology Training Sessions

Sign up for a training session at one of CIE’s innovation hubs – Unleash Space or Te Ahi Hangarau.

Sessions throughout semester

Product Development Programme

This two-week, hands-on innovation sprint will support you to turn early-stage product ideas into real, working prototypes.

📅 1–11 July 2025 (Inter–Semester Break)

Careers in the Innovation Ecosystem

A four-part series exploring unexpected career paths in Aotearoa’s innovation ecosystem – from start-ups to research, corporates and beyond.

📅 24 July – 14 August

Tech Talk

Step into the world of tech innovation at Tech Talk, an engaging event led by Velocity students in collaboration with aligned clubs. Hear real stories from tech entrepreneurs and innovators who are turning cutting-edge technologies into impactful solutions.

📅 20 August, 6–8 pm

Solve It

Solve real-life challenges posed by established Kiwi organisations.

📅 Monday 1 September – Friday 5 September

Applications close Sunday 17 August

Women in Entrepreneurship

Be inspired at a community event celebrating local women innovators and entrepreneurs.

📅 18 September – 6pm

Start-up Careers Showcase

Meet with Kiwi companies and learn about the NZ start-up scene.

📅 Coming in 2026

Whiua ki te Ao

Be inspired by the journeys of Māori innovators and entrepreneurs who are making a difference in the world through embracing and creating opportunities.

📅 Coming in 2026

Pasifika Talanoa

Hear from Pacific innovators and entrepreneurs and be inspired to explore a world of opportunity.

📅 Coming in 2026