Innovation and entrepreneurship

The University makes a substantial contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand’s innovation ecosystem through talent creation, access to cutting-edge resources,
co-location space, consultancy, industry-university research partnerships and
more.

The University of Auckland Business School's Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) brings innovative and entrepreneurial potential to life, helping participants create value, stand out and have impact. CIE offers free co-curricular learning opportunities to students and staff of all faculties at the University, providing people with a world of opportunity by developing them for innovative careers and start-up creation.

Since 2020 CIE has won 12 international awards for its success in empowering students and staff. Graduates have gone into exciting roles globally in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and those who found start-ups have ignited hundreds of ventures, created thousands of jobs in 195 countries and raised more than $5.1 billion in capital.

The University’s Research and Innovation portfolio focuses on scaling excellent, impactful research through the establishment of flagship University research centres in areas of distinctiveness, accelerating impact by investing in an ecosystem that cultivates innovation and entrepreneurship, transforming postgraduate research programmes to enhance employability and investing in developing and supporting the University’s researchers and research professionals.

UniServices is the University’s research and knowledge transfer company, helping students and researchers to realise the potential of their ideas, whether as start-ups or licensed technologies. UniServices manages the University of Auckland Inventors’ Fund, a contestable evergreen $40m seed/pre-seed fund, as well as two investment committees, Momentum, a national student-led investment committee programme, and a national research commercialisation programme, Return on Science.

UniServices also runs numerous projects, programmes and services that build on research to deliver positive impacts to the community, including the Centre for Advanced MRI, the Immunisation Advisory Centre, the English Language Academy, the National Institute for Health Innovation and Te Tuia Learning Circle.

The New Zealand Product Accelerator is a publicly funded research network that facilitates and accelerates the integration of cutting-edge research with real-world manufacturing needs. Hosted by the University of Auckland with one of its hubs at the University’s Newmarket Innovation Precinct, NZPA brings together more than 100 researchers and practitioners from nine research organisations from across New Zealand, as well as several government organisations. 

NZPA also manages the National Testing Register, a comprehensive catalogue of over 700 pieces of testing equipment and facilities available for commercial testing. This not only aids in product development but also democratises access to sophisticated tools that many smaller businesses would otherwise find prohibitively expensive.

The Newmarket Innovation Precinct (NIP) is a multidisciplinary, industry-facing R&D community hosted by the Faculty of Engineering. NIP aims to support genuine collaboration between industry and the University on critical activities such as employment of outstanding student talent by New Zealand organisations and the investment in, and growth of, world-class research & development opportunities.

Organisations can apply to join the NIP community through the industry membership and colocation programme. This programme provides industry and other external organisations with access to a vibrant start-up community and co-working spaces on the Newmarket site. NIP helps industry and other external organisations navigate the opportunities available at the University of Auckland to hire great talent, propose and mentor student projects and to collaborate on R&D challenges.

Medtech-iQ Aotearoa is a national innovation hub that brings the MedTech sector together to spark creativity, drive economic growth and generate positive outcomes for our people, our communities and New Zealand as a whole. It has four regional hubs, including Medtech-iQ Aotearoa | Tāmaki Makaurau.

Medtech-iQ Aotearoa | Tāmaki Makaurau has an established entrepreneurial, translation and commercialisation infrastructure. Auckland’s universities are spinning out a growing cohort of deep tech medtech companies and Medtech-iQ Tāmaki Makaurau is building the infrastructure for medtech development and scaling through a centre for medtech prototyping and manufacturing.

The University of Auckland Business School bridges the gap between academia and industry, creating meaningful partnerships to support Aotearoa New Zealand’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, to influence the local and global economy, and to inspire and empower the next generation of talent. Each year, the Business School forges dynamic partnerships beyond the University, engaging with hundreds of individuals, enterprises, and communities. From hosting high-impact industry forums to mobilising research, resources, and strategic alliances through its world-leading research centres, the Business School operates as a catalyst for real-world impact and innovation.

The Business School is committed to developing entrepreneurial mindsets and innovative capabilities necessary for our graduates to create a more prosperous future for New Zealand. Subjects like Innovation and Entrepreneurship, offered as part of the School’s Bachelor of Commerce degree, introduce students to new ways of thinking about business and enterprise. The Business School’s Aotearoa Centre for Enterprising Women enables the entrepreneurial potential of women in Aotearoa New Zealand through research and education.

Teaching and learning are supported by world-class facilities like the BNZ Financial Trading Room and Te Ahi Hangarau Technology Hub – an innovative learning space equipped with 3D printers, virtual reality headsets, smart home IoT devices and more – encourage students and staff alike to explore, discover and create.