Ryan Morales, Venture and Founder Development Adviser

Tell us a little about your background and how you ended up at the Centre forInnovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE).

I’ve always been interested in innovation and entrepreneurship. I founded a construction company, which gave me first-hand experience of the rewards and challenges of building a business. I then spent almost 10 years as a lecturer teaching entrepreneurship. When the opportunity at CIE came up, it felt like a natural next step. The role brought together my experience as a founder and educator, along with my passion for helping people turn ideas into ventures.

What does your job involve?

I’m the Venture & Founder Development Adviser at CIE. A key part of my role is supporting and guiding the Velocity Committee, the student team responsible for running Velocity, including its executive members and the leads who oversee challenges, outreach and marketing.

I also help entrepreneurs develop their ventures and work with the CIE team to design and deliver entrepreneurship programmes. These include Launchpad, a venture development programme for the most promising teams in the Velocity $100k Challenge. Through mentoring, workshops and access to industry expertise, teams develop their ideas into robust venture plans before the finalists are selected. I have the privilege of supporting these teams and seeing their progress first-hand.

What is your favourite part of your job?

My favourite part of the job is supporting entrepreneurial-minded people on their journeys. Having built a business myself, I know how challenging and rewarding the process can be. It’s incredibly fulfilling to help founders test their ideas, overcome obstacles and grow in confidence, and to see the progress they make as their ventures take shape.

What are some highlights from your time with CIE so far?

One of the highlights for me has been seeing Velocity Committee members develop and grow as they take on leadership roles and bring Velocity’s events and challenges to life. I also really value seeing start-up founders progress through our Launchpad programme. It’s rewarding to watch teams refine their ideas through mentoring and workshops, strengthen their venture plans and step onto the stage at the Velocity $100k Challenge final with confidence.

Any words of advice for students and staff at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journeys?

Don’t be afraid to test your ideas. Share them with potential customers early so you can gather feedback to improve your initial concept. A simple prototype can make a big difference, helping people understand what you’re trying to do and encouraging them to provide more useful feedback. Every conversation is an opportunity to learn, so stay open to what you hear and be willing to adapt your idea along the way.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be Elon Musk. I’d love to talk with him about entrepreneurship, what motivates him to take on such ambitious challenges and his vision for the future. His experience building multiple ventures across different industries would make for a fascinating discussion.

When you’re not working, what would we find you doing?

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. We love visiting parks and reserves and exploring the many different cuisines Auckland has to offer. Sharing a meal or discovering new places around New Zealand together is always a treat.